Related Barbados Favorites Tips

3 more images

Favorite thing: If you are in Bridgetown pop into Big John's a fast food emporium, situated on Broad Street and both upstairs and downstairs there are blown up old photagraphs of Bridgetown long ago.

I have included some I took a photo of.

The first picture shows a train on the East Coast ca 1910. The train is passing through the Northern Bathsheba Bay, known today to locals and the international surfing community as the "Soup Bowl". The building on the left is the Powell Spring Hotel, replaced in recent times by Bay houses. In the distance is "Round Rock" the famous Cattlewash landmark. The train is a coal-fired steam locomotive that transported both passengers and goods. The railway ceased operating in 1937.

1 more image

Favorite thing: The official currency of Barbados is the Barbadian dollar. The Barbadian dollar is tied to the US dollar at a rate of exchange that is fixed at US$1 = BS$2. This means, its worth doing a little maths before leaving for your trip; dependent upon the your currency's rate to the dollar and its rate to the Barbadian dollar, it may be worth taking Barbadian dollars or US dollars on your holiday.

Travellers cheques are widely accepted at hotels but should be taken in US dollars or Pounds sterling to avoid additional exchange charges.

Currency is made of notes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 2 Barbadian dollar, with each dollar being divided into 100 cents with coins of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents as well as BS$1 coins.

Fondest memory: I loved the variety of the island - so many different types of beaches and scenery. Well worth exploring the island during your visit.

3 more images

Favorite thing: If you are in the St. Lawrence Gap area in Christ Church, the local church also acts as the Hurricane Shelter.

I visited it again this year (2009) and found inside the church a host of banana's just by one of the doors. I do not know if these were left to distribute to the church members, or what, wish I knew. Worth a photo I thought.

Favorite thing: If you hanker after ice cream then go to Chilly Moo's Ice cream factory at the Quayside Centre. Rockley, Christ Church. Telephone 435-1877 you will not be disappointed.

I quote from the flyer I picked up:-

Dozens of mix-ins, nuts, candy, fruit, chocolate and homemade syrups, mixed with your favourite ice cream on a frozen granite slab.

Homemade chocolate-dipped waffle cones.

Ice cream and coke floats, sundaes, deluxe smoothies and super shakes.

I personally had the Rum and Raisen cone. Tthis was dessert after going to Shakers bar and grill (see restaurant tip) for supper, 8 of us decided to walk down to the Quayside for dessert. Good fun, good company, and most of all delicious ice cream.

They have tables outside in the little Mall where you can chill out (and chill inside with the ice cream too!!)

If you are in the Rockley Beach area, then go to the Quayside to check it out.

2 more images

Favorite thing: All of Barbados' beaches are public - although, some hotels do like to make it difficult to get to those beaches.

Public access points to beaches are clearly identified by signs which also indicate the facilities you will find on that beach.

Fondest memory: Experience the full range of beaches by visiting each of the separate coasts.

Favorite thing: Even if you are just travelling onwards on a flight which will take you out of Barbados again, you must go through immigrations. That means, that you should have all your travel documents ready to enter Barbados. Keep that in mind as the immigration queue is not much shorter than in other airports of the region. And especially, keep in mind to plan some extra time for that.

Oh, and some extra warning. Fill out all of the three parts of the immigration form. That means ALSO the lower part of the front page and the back page. Do that in advance – if not it will cost you some time again.

Favorite thing: Hi there, I represent Lobster Alive Ltd in Barbados.

To answer your question, indeed a local fisherman would be the cheapest bet and they are usually good keeping the critter alive. You can't always expect to find them in the markets tho and you always have to question how fresh the lobster is. Anything not moving or with a swollen, exposed separation between head and tail could be a sign of a toxic fella. Sluggish with a tight head/tail build should still be O.k.. Be careful.

Failing that, Lobster Alive is located in Bridgetown. Prices vary with supply through the fishing season, so best to call and find out. Most expensive live lobster sells for $32US/person (based on 1 1/2lbs, at approx $21US/lb).

I hope you have a great holiday. Feel free to stop through and have a look, got a great beach by us too.
Sam

Favorite thing: The first time I stepped foot in Barbados, I imagined I had just been introduced to the "Garden of Eden!"

Fondest memory: Every visit to Barbados is so fond...never one more then another! Just being in Barbados is a romance novel all it's own!