Expert: Cathrin Mueller - 1/28/2006

Question
Visiting Barbados in a week any recommendations for restaurants would be welcome.  Any "must see" points of interst.  Lastly, any cautions or unsafe conditions we should know about. Staying at Colony Club, any opinion?

Answer
Good morning Pete,

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to answer your question.  Your suitcases are most probably packed already.

I live on the south coast when on Barbados because I stay in small guest houses or self-catering apartments.  I can't say that I know the Colony Club except that I have heard only good things about it.  I do believe that it is next to where I sail from.  There is a service road next to the hotel that runs to the shore.  The yacht picks us up here.

If you are going to be renting a car and driving around the island, then try to see the coast of Bathsheba (go to lunch at the Round House and watch the surfers while eating really good sandwiches).  Continue on to serene Codrington College.  This is a bit tough to find but worth it.  It has the most beautiful colonade of royal palms on the island.  Codrington College is a very old coral limestone seminary still used for this purpose today.  One can walk through the gardens andadmire the views free of charge.  Look here:

www.bytegallery.com/data/3006/4webCodrigton_College1.jpg

Try to get to Sunbury Plantation House by 4:30 for the last tour.  This is the only great house that you can really walk through and see not only the house but all the antiques and knick-knacks of daily plantation living.

Taking a day cruise on a catamaran is worth the money.  Most offer a short version and a long version.  Go for the longer version as it includes a great lunch.  I always take Small Cats.  Call Dell directly and book yourself and ask for the discount.  Because you are not booking through an agent, he will give you the fee that the agent usually gets.  His number is 421-6419.  12 people fit on board.  That means only 11 other bodies in the water at any given time swimming with the sea turtles.

The web site is:  
http://www.funbarbados.com/Tours/smallcats.CFM

The Mount Gay rum tour is also a lot of fun and in your part of the island.  Learn all about the oldest rum on the planet (1703) and the best in my estimation.

I have eaten at The Cliff which was once the most exclusive restaurant on the island.  It is 100%.  Friends who have eaten at The Lone Star and at Carambola have all been very pleased.  Those are top dollar, though.  More reasonable is Olives in Holetown.  I have eaten there and enjoyed my meal.

Try to get to Oistins for the fish fry.  For ten US$ you get really fresh fish and can sit on the ocean eating it listening to music.  Do not go on the 'hot' night Friday.  It is just way too crowded.  Go on Saturday.  Walk all the way through until you hear the oldies music.  There is a stall on the water side called Margarets.  She is usually standing at the grill.  walk through the stall and sit at her turquoise picnic tables.  She will take care of you.

As far as caution goes, use common sense.  Nothing scarey in the water to report.  Remember your sun screen.  If you leave your discman on your terrace, even in the Colony Club, the chances are good that it will no longer be there when you return.  Barbados has a very low crime rate and people are very curtious and accomodating.  But one still shouldn't flash cash or leave your valuables on the seat in an open car. Stupidity will be rewarded with thievery as almost anywhere else.

Enjoy your trip.  Barbados has the largest number of return visitors of any island in the Caribbean.  I have been there 19 times in 10 years.

Cheers,
Cathrin in Berlin, Germany