Look, I can’t resist the sun. While Alec was lathering himself in SPF and wearing some cool-looking converse sunnies, I’m floating Patrick Star-style in the middle of worthing beach in Barbados. While Alec prefers to ski, I prefer to float in an open sea. The less I need to wear in one place, the better.
Wearing less is all about being comfortable and in case you’re heading on holiday soon, honestly these swimsuits are so comfortable and works as a top when you’re heading for pre-game at the beach club (iykyk). I love them so much that I got both colours! Being blessed with a larger bust means my options are already limited…. So, you know - take what you can get to hold the babes.
Barbados was such a treat. Packing for it was easy for me because it’s a lot like packing for home, it’s humid and hot so comfort comes first. This means packing everything linens and vaseline for that risk of chafing *tear up*. As soon as we arrived at Seafoam Haciendas I was so itchy to get out of my airport clothes and get into my swimsuit. Worthing beach’ blue water and sea breeze truly alerts every holiday system in my being. Our apartment was a two-bedroom, with a stunning view of Barbados’ west-coast. The apartment is self-catering which is what you really want if you don’t want to pay €20 per meal every meal – Barbados is expensive!
The west-coast of Barbados is to die for; crystal-clear waters, occasional waves, beach bar managed by someone’s uncle who generously poured spirits like it’s not his own bar and if you’re lucky, you might even get a chance to see some sea turtle volunteers assisting with hatchings. Incredibly enough, during our stay, we spotted some little turtle by the fence of our accommodation - following these little ones, we found a total of 150 of them just lying around the front garden with no clear way to go. Once the volunteers arrived, we collected them all and release them to the sea - while this is a rare treat for us, this isn’t as much as a rare treat for the volunteers. They’re being called all over the island to help these little beans survived! It was an incredible experience and put so much emphasis on how important conservation efforts are.
So, what is a good day look like in Barbados? For us - it starts here:
Start your day at Worthing Beach
With Worthing Beach just outside of our door, I went for a dip almost everyday at 6am. Some of it out of desires and some out of necessity - a head filled with yesterday’s piña colada, is not a clear head and the morning dips certainly helped. *Cries in hangover*
A quick Roti lunch at Chefette
A Roti lunch is a staple in Barbados and a Roti from Chefette is a classic must. We had the potato roti and it was delicious - basically a creamy curry potato fillings wrapped in a soft tortilla-like bread!
A stroll around Bridgetown
As the capital city of Barbados, Bridgetown is a must-visit. From bustling street markets and historic landmarks to the famous Kensington Oval cricket stadium and the chocolate museum, there's plenty to see and do in this port city. For a taste of the local cuisine and hospitality, stop by for a drink and some fish cakes, or head to Rascals of Barbados for a day of fun at the waterpark. If you're lucky, you might even catch some live music while you're there. The botanical garden is also a popular attraction, although unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to visit it. Maybe next time!
Afternoon rest & drink at The Richard Haynes Boardwalk
Barbados broadwalk is a haven of drinks, listening to waves and small finger foods. It’s the prime pit-stop for a rum & coke. You'll also be treated to live music from street musicians or speakers playing reggae tunes. But the real star of the show is the stunning sunset view. And the best part? There's no need to wait until 5 pm to start enjoying a drink - it's always 5 pm in Barbados!
Dinner at The Seafood Shack & cocktails at Tickles Bar by the beach
I was talking about the beach bar with generous alcohol pour earlier and it’s only about 8 minutes walk away from our apartment. Located on the beach and surrounded by several fire lanterns, The Seafood Shack seems like a spot meant for first dates and honeymooners. But, if you're looking for a place to indulge in a big bag of seafood boil, then this is the spot to be. You can expect a wide range of carbs like potatoes and corn boiled with prawns, king crab legs, or even lobster served with your choice of sauce. We highly recommend the garlic butter sauce for an extra kick of flavour. Their seafood dips are a must-try as well, as they're simply divine! To top it off, you'll be provided with an apron and gloves because things can get pretty messy. Right across from The Seafood Shack is Tickles Bar, managed by Winston, who knows how to get you drunk with generous drinks that won't break the bank. As someone who has worked in the hospitality industry in the UK and other overseas countries, Winston is undoubtedly the man when it comes to delicious drinks. This combo is highly recommended!
Barbados is expensive though, so some money-saving treats will really go a long way. On Friday nights in Oistins, there is Oistin Fish Fry which is like a small food festival with many stalls and a live music/dance stage. The energy here is exhilarating, although I highly recommend snacking before arriving as the queue could take forever. We went to Mo's Grill and Bajan Cooking – the intensity of the cooks and their speed are unmatched. Get yourself some mahi-mahi with peas and rice or the famous macaroni pie.
Another money-saving tip is to go to the supermarket, pick up some fish, and some Bajan seasoning and grill it at home. Just don’t forget your piña colada mix, because this is a hit and pina colada is life!
Here are some other things worth doing:
The Boatyard Club – you pay ~€60 entrance for two and get all-day sun beds and €30 deposit for food & drinks! They also take you snorkelling for free!
Mount Gay Distillery tour – I didn’t get to do this, but I heard it’s the best thing you can do on the island!
Folkestone Marine Park – an artificial marine park with diverse fish and other creatures, you can even see turtles (they may be next to you!)
St. Nicholas Abbey and Steam Railway - for rum tour & tasting, you can also ride the steam train, it was a lot more fun than I thought!
Cuzz's Fish Stand – INCREDIBLE fish cutters, which is basically Bajan’s version of a fish sandwich, cooked right in front of you and it’s just heaven to eat by the beach
I have mixed feelings about recommending a cruise, we had a good time at the Tiami cruise but I feel like it was so crowded and each stop was too short, I would possibly splurge a little more for a less crowded cruise if you want. The cruise itself wasn’t bad but they could really turn down the volume of the songs on the speaker – Alec was sure he had gone deaf for a second.
On your way home to the airport, remember to stop at Cutters of Barbados, the pioneer of fish cutters, have your last fish cutters, grab a couple of bottles of hot sauce and back home you go. :)