|
Barbados, the little island on the edge of the Caribbean Sea with some big problems to overcome. Barbados is an island of stark contrasts. On the south and west coasts it is an island of affluence. Playground ‘all inclusive’ hotel complexes for those with more ready money than most. In these resorts there is no need to go out and explore the island and see the how the other half live.
On the north and east coast it is a different story altogether. Potholed or unmade roads, unfinished shacks, men sitting in bars, kids in tumble down schools and young men hustling unwary visitors for a dollar - preferably a US dollar!
Having said that the people of Barbados are very friendly and not all of them are on the make. Its just difficult to tell one from the other at times.
I was driving, with my family, along a cliff top dirt road on the east coast when an old boy came out of the scrub on a mountain bike and waved frantically for us to follow him. We all thought “Oh no! Not again!” - but as we were going the same way it mattered not. The old boy got to the edge of the cliff, got off his bike and went and sat on a rock looking out to sea. Obviously it was his favourite spot. I parked about 20 yds back and sauntered over to the edge to take a look - at a breathtaking view..
‘Beautiful, isn’t it?’ he said ‘Just like Cornwall!’. ‘I have family living in Cornwall and a nephew just back from York University in Yorkshire’ he added. ‘They send me photos and tell me it reminds them of home’.
What did I think of Barbados?
I liked it! On the west coast the sea is warm and calm with reefs to explore with a snorkle. On the east coast it is windy, big waves and great for sailboarding. The people are friendly and even when they are hustling you for a dollar or two they have a smile on their face.
Driving is frustrating as it was virtually impossible to find the places we were looking for. The maps of the island are more an indication that a road may be present, not the route to a destination, especially in the north and east side of the island.
Tourism is probably the major money earner for the country and the powers that be need to address the needs of the whole island and not just their friends and relations on the west coast.
Staff working in the tourist industry need proper training in all aspects of the business. Tourists are not ‘an irritation to be put up with’ but a valuable source of income for the country and the people.
The supermarkets are just like ours so ‘self catering’ is an ideal way of discovering the real Barbados.
Taxi fares are set by the state so be careful when booking a ‘special rate’ to your hotel! We got taken for £36 for a £16 taxi fare (not by the taxi driver I hasten to add!).
When you arrive at Grantley Adams Airport prepare for a long wait at immigration - they don’t work very quickly - while you are there pick up the various free magazines with island guide information.
If you hire a car via your hotel, they may well try to take you for three times the going rate, so shop around. A better solution might be to talk to the local taxi drivers, there will be a rank near your hotel, and negotiate a day rate with one of them..
|
