Expert: Cathrin Mueller - 4/3/2005

Question
Hi Cathrin,
I will be taking a vacation in Barbados this May, staying in Sunset Crest for 2 weeks.  We will have a car and plenty of time, and I am wondering if there is anything or anywhere not on the tourist trail that you would recommend to do /see/ eat etc.  I have been a few times and my favourites are Foul Bay, Oistins fish Fry or Baxters Road, and Shark Hole in Long Bay.  Any suggestions would be welcome, as would a recommendation for car hire.  Many Thanks,

Wayne

Answer
Hello Wayne,

Sorry for taking a bit to answer you.  I am in the middle of a move.

Seems that you know the island as well as I do.  I often travel in a somwhat large group (last visit we were ten) and if newbies are along, hit a few tourist type spots as well.  I probably do not need to name those, but I will anyway.  My favorites are the Mount Gay Rum Distillery and Sunbury Plantation House.  Everything else is just a bit too much commerce for my taste.

It sounds a bit daft to call any other tips 'insider secrets' but here are another couple of favorites.  

I always make a pilgrimage over to Bathsheba to walk along the beach.  I do not take a rental car but travel by public bus and I try very hard to organize this on a Sunday.  The pace is different on a bus which I do find very rewarding.  The busses for Bathsheba leave exactly on the hour from the big bus terminal downtown.  I do not know the name of the terminal and there are a few.  The one that I am referring to is the indoor one next to the stream and next to the big supermarket which used to be Julie'N.  It is wonderful to drive past churches and hear bits of song and praise coming out the doors and watch women walk along the road in their best Sunday dresses.  When returning to the west coast, the bus leaves from Cattlewash (if you have walked that far) and goes to Speightstown.

When we rent a car, we always take a trip to Codrington College.  It is free to walk on the grounds and enjoy a peaceful rest.  This is a place we come to on a busy day of island touring just at a time when you need a break from bumpy roads.  The vegetation is very nice as there are quite a few orchids attached to the palms out front.  I also like the way the wind rushes through the building.  Looking back to the road from the building is one of the most famous palm colonades on Barbados.

Have you ever rented the movie 'Island in the Sun'?  It came out in 1957 and stars James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte and Joan Collins.  See if you can locate it and then travel to Farley Hill.  Parts of the movie were filmed there (and Grenada), before the plantation was destroyed by fire (or hurricane).

Another wonderful 'must do' is to go on a sail with Small Cats.  Here again, I shy away from large tour boats.  The boat only holds a dozen.  I always charter a five hour trip with this boat operator.  They also own some of the larger boats like Stiletto, but Small Cats is the boat you want to be on.  They pick you up and bring you back.  It is a gentle sail (yes, they SAIL and not just motor about while pouring rum punches) up north to go snorkeling and then go swimming with the turtles.  He tries to get there 45 minutes before the larger boats do so that you can enjoy them without 50 bobbing tourists.  The home-cooked Bajan meal on board is always delicious.  The CD player croons Marley and the captain also mixes the drinks.  It is always delightful.  Look in the Nutshell to get the telephone number.

You also wanted to know about car rentals.  We have rented from most right down to the rasta next door.  Coconut Car Rentals have good clean, well-serviced cars and their prices are fair.  Last time we rented from ABC Car Rentals and were very happy.  Ask for Ms. Moneypenny!

Have a good trip.  I would like to hear back from you if you find the time.  I will be down in November even though May is usually my time as well (I go twice a year) but I just bought a condo in Berlin and will be busy moving there from Frankfurt.

Take care mon,
Cathrin Mueller
Frankfurt Germany

PS The BEST beach bar on Barbados will be torn down in June so this is your last chance to see it.  It is in the St. Lawrence Gap area most of the way through.  Entry to the small road is across from the Mini-mart and the Jungle Cafe next to the Salt Ash Hotel.  It is hard to find so ask someone.  It is worth it.  Don't go on a thursday as that is Austin's day off.  He is the bartender.  Just go for drinks.

http://www.whitesands-apts.com/bar___restaurant.html

Also google Chicken Rita's.  I've never been there but it is a tip that I got from someone else.