The children were about to fly the nest for gap year excess and university. Summer jobs had been secured, and we saw a window of opportunity to escape without them…never been allowed to forget it!!!


The Island capital Bridgetown is a lively city hosting a deep water cruise ship terminal, the Kensington Oval cricket ground, and is home to the Malibu Rum distillery. I think we are going to enjoy Barbados…time for a Rum Punch sundowner!

The pristine Western beaches of Barbados are quite lovely, many have beach front restaurants and bars, and facing the setting sun, they present an enviable location to watch the sun set in Paradise.


Mullins Bay, between Bridgetown and Speightstown is rarely crowded, however the presence of the highly poisonous Manchineel Trees, in the forest fringing the sands, means beach users, especially children need to exercise caution.

In the extreme North of the island is River Bay, a popular weekend picnic spot where the river runs down to the sea. The headland is a good place to watch the coast being pounded by the waves, and also to watch passing cetaceans.


Nearby the pounding waves have exploited the geology to create an impressive series of wave cut caverns…the Animal Flower Caves.

12 miles north of Bridgetown lies Speightstown, driving in, Bob Marley songs boom out and industrious locals line the streets selling wares from roadside stalls. There is a great deal of activity in town but relatively few tourists enjoying the gorgeous white sandy beaches and warm turquoise waters.


The well heeled of the area will be found slightly to the north in the resort and marina centre of Port St Charles.

In the Eastern parish of St Thomas is the rain forest botanic garden called The Flower Forest. Majestic trees, tropical blooms, butterflies, this place is a tranquil paradise. On the day we visited, the crowds were absent and the sense of peace was palpable.


The garden’s elevated position in the hills with views towards Bathsheba, and out into the wild Atlantic give a real sense of the majesty of Mother Nature.


Dropping down from the Flower Forest to St Joseph we enter the fishing village of Bathsheba. The beach is scattered with large rock monoliths which influence the tides and give the region its alternative name of “The Soup Bowl” and its identity as an international surfing destination.