Imagine the sound of soft calm waves washing up on the shore, the warm glow from the sun radiating on your skin, the subtle crunch of the sand beneath your feet. This is the Beach-Paradise, Barbados. The allure of this Caribbean Island is amazing, there is no wonder why so many celebrities vacation in Barbados. From Will Smith to Simon Cowell to Mariah Carey. They’ve realized and experienced the kind of paradise that Barbados is. We should too. Let’s take a trip and find out what all the celebrities know about the land of flying fish, Barbados.
Barbados The Allure
As we arrive in Barbados we immediately see the difference between Barbados and the other Caribbean islands. While the other islands are mountainous Barbados is fairly flat, the highest point on the island only measuring 1,115 ft.The island is made up of coral and limestone rather than volcanic rock like the islands. Giving Barbados that flatter look and also allowing the island to have many cave systems unlike the other Caribbean islands. The island itself, is beautiful with palm trees lining some of the roads and rolling hills to the north.
Barbados has many and I mean many sugar cane plantations, sugar cane fields going for miles upon miles, the main industry in the past was the processing of sugar cane, while it is not as prominent as it used to be in times past, it is still a major feature of Barbados.
The beaches are great, most being a long stretch of pearl white sand bordering with the turquoise blue of the Caribbean sea, calm and serene. It’s perfect for swimming, relaxing, getting a massage on the beach or just falling asleep with the cool sea breeze on your face and the sound of the waves of the calm Caribbean sea washing ashore, it just takes all the stress in your body and dissolves it away.
As we continue our tour we head over to the eastern coast, the ocean here is of the Atlantic. The Atlantic Ocean is quite different from the calm sea of the Caribbean. This Ocean tosses up swells perfect for surfing, especially on Bathsheba beach. Bathsheba beach is not the best beach for swimming so i recommend staying on the sand if you are not (1) A Surfer or (2) An adept swimmer.
Barbados, being primarily lime stone, has quite an extensive network of caves and my oh my these caves are gorgeous ! From the well known Harrison’s Cave where you can have a guided tour to the hidden away Cole’s Cave, Barbados is definitely a place to go for the avid spelunker!
Barbados has a ton of things to do and places of interests. The options are really endless, from amazing resorts and resteraunts, for the vacationer that just wants to relax, to hiking through Cole’s Cave, for the vacationer that wants a bit of adventure. I can really go on and on about all the things to do or places of interest in Barbados, but for right now I will just mention 2 things that i personally enjoy and think are experiences that are unique to Barbados within the Caribbean.
Atlantis Tours
Photo by caribe-dr under Creativie Commons
Atlantis tours brings you beneath the sea to tour the sea floor. It is truly an amazing experience being able to go under the sea in a submarine. As you begin to sink into the deep blue, you realize how beautiful and different the world beneath the waves are. A sunken ship, home to many fish looms, a coral reef with its various colours and fish. Turtles swimming by the submarine curious about this large metal fish. It’s something i would definitely recommend doing in Barbados. Not only the scenery but even the captain of the submarine was absolutely hilarious. This is definitely high up on the list of things to do.
Cole’s Cave
Cole’s Cave is not as developed as Harrison’s Cave but it offers a unique experience. While Harrison’s Cave gives you a guided tour through a massive Cave System, with Cole’s Cave you are on your own. First of all you hike through a valley for about an hour before you enter the mouth of the cave when you enter its dark, pitch black so flashlights are a must. The hike through Cole’s cave is amazing its a cascading Cave, which means its an underground river, so be prepared to get wet. The cave opens up and narrows back in areas so be prepared to get on your hands and knees and crawl through entrances. Eventually you will reach a “dead end” called the Cathedral. This is not a true dead end as you can continue if you brought Scuba equipment. We opted to turn back, but it was quite an experience.
You can look at our Barbados destination page or the Official Tourist Board of Barbados to find even more things to do.
Culture
The Barbados culture is a mix between Caribbean and British cultures, while many still opt for evening tea and horse racing, they still have the Caribbean vibe. Soca and Calypso is the island’s native genre of music similar to most of the Caribbean, and its native dish is coo coo and flying fish.
Conclusion
Barbados is drop dead gorgeous there is no wonder why all the celebrities seem to come here for their getaway. When you visit, whether you stay on the beaches and resorts for a relaxing vacation, or head to Cole’s Cave and Bathsheba beach for a more adventurous vacation, I know you will enjoy it to the fullest, ans who knows you may even see will smith and his family on the beach. I know Barbados is a destination we would be returning to again soon!
Pictures provided by : Inspired Living
See more information : http://www.francisgrenada.com/mycaribspot/location/barbados/
Official Website : visitbarbados.org