Greetings from Barbados: The Insider's Perspective

I've visited Barbados countless times and, in fact, have spent three years (ages 9-12) of my childhood as a resident. And although this is a relatively small island, there's still so much of it I have yet to explore.

That's because there is much more to this 166-square mile country that meets the eye, which is filled with old and new adventures that age like a fine glass of wine.  And each time I come face-to-face with its exotic beauty, there is something that magnetically pulls me in.  So, when it came to deciding where I wanted to spend my 28^th birthday, no place came close to my beloved island in the sun, and with my high school friend, Trolette in tow, I was determined to show her a good time.

Landing at the airport is typically met with a grand applause from passengers.  I made sure my hands were ready to join my fellow JetBlue flyers in a clapping frenzy from the very moment the plane’s wheels descended and bobbed along Grantley Adams International Airport’s runway.  After we taxied for a few minutes and the seatbelt sign was clearly off, I shuffled through the crowd on my way to the exit, where I was officially welcomed to Barbados by the sun with a rude slap in the face (not that I needed a reminder that I was no longer in New Jersey).  With the sunlight in my eyes and a smile on my face, I descended the stairs as I made my way to six days of vacation-heaven.

Since the country’s turquoise waters can be spotted on almost every part of island, I was compelled to make a detour to the beach. With Trolette and my chauffeur, who was my uncle Paul, we did not have to travel far to take a dip in one of Barbados’ most popular shores: Miami Beach, which is situated in the Parish of Christ Church, the same town as the airport.

After a quick change, we made our way to the water, but not without testing the temperature of the sea by dipping our toes in before acclimatizing our entire bodies to the cool Caribbean blue.

Shamefully, after all the time I have spent in Barbados I am still quite unfamiliar with the roads.  Although the island is blessed with vast highways, its winding streets in the countryside are quite narrow and lined with quaint houses, tall trees, sugarcane fields and bushes, which were my picturesque views on the ride to my aunt Eulaline’s house.  Located in St. John, this was also my humble abode for the duration of my trip.

Each day became better than the last as we delved deeper into island life.  I almost became beheaded while watching in amazement as a coconut man (vendor) skillfully carved a hole in the tropical fruit for our drinking pleasure.  Even though the juice is typically gulped strait to the head by Bajans (locals), Trolette and I used a straw in true lady's fashion before slurping on the jelly — the best part!

And of course no visit to Barbados is complete without sampling some good old Bajan Banks Beer and delicious cuisine. One of my favorite places to devour the island’s dishes is its local food chain, Chefette.  A visit to the restaurant was met with waiting in a long line since many of its visitors were equally mesmerized by its myriad of food choices.

Its menu includes delicacies like beef and chicken roti, pizza, burgers, fried chicken and chips, as well as flying fish sandwiches — a must-have for the gourmet.  I specifically enjoyed a snack box, which comes complete with a leg and thigh, french fries and a biscuit.

I could not let Trolette leave the island without introducing her to Bridgetown, affectionately known as Town. Under the navigation of my cousin Fabian, we bobbed and weaved through pedestrians and moving traffic searching for the perfect souvenirs decorating its small shops. We eventually made our way to Tudor Street, which is lined with an array of stores as well as street vendors persuading us to stop with their colorful accents and “made in Barbados” treasures.

My nights in Barbados were blessed with cool temperatures and hitting St. Lawrence Gap for dancing, drinks and inviting conversations.  Painted with restaurants, bars and clubs, we migrated to ‘The Gap’ with my cousin Paul until the wee hours of the morning while rubbing elbows with Bajans as calypso and reggae echoed throughout the vibrant strip.  Performing our best moves at one of its hottest spots Sugar, we were no match for a group of English tourists who entertained the crowd with dances like the worm and cabbage patch.

Revisiting the past is also a must in Barbados.  Just down the street from my aunt’s home, Trolette and I took a leisurely stroll to St. John Parish Church.  The gothic beauty made our eyes trace every inch of its structure as we stepped closer into its thick fragrance of the past.  Upon entering we carefully read each sign before taking a peek inside.

After capturing an eyeful of its ghostly presence we ventured to the graveyard to see some of the most breathtaking views of the island.

Famously known for housing the tombstones of Barbados’ prominent residents, we were able to follow the trails to the late Prime Minister, the Honorable David John Howard Thompson as well as the descendant of Constantine, Ferdinand Paleologus.

Before our excursion came to an end, I just had to give Trolette a taste of Barbados’ wild side. So why not swing from ropes over 100 feet in the air?

The ideal place to bask in the island’s rustic beauty and history, while experiencing a bit of adventure was from the Ariel Trek, a zip-line thrill located in the parish of St. Thomas at the Jack-in-the-Box Gully.  Akeem and Richard were our friendly guides and photographers, who informatively and jokingly introduced us to the gully’s colossal trees and poisonous fruits.  Since it was my birthday I decided to take the leap of faith first. After getting strapped into my protective gear and witnessing Richard take the first plunge, I hesitantly approached the line with my eyes closed tightly. I shamefully zipped through the trees braking way too early. However, by the third line I was a natural — if you don’t believe me here is your proof.