Barbados is where it all started. The lead-up to the cruise was full of hysteria and frantic running around as no one was able to tell us if Indians needed a visa or could get one on arrival. The authorities from the country said we could get one on arrival since we had the cruise booked, whereas everyone else said that we needed one in=order to board the plane to Barbados. In the end we ended up getting one beforehand and that was the right decision as the airline would not have allowed us had we not managed to get the visa.
The Caribbean Sea, calm and no sign of pirates, ready for adventure we set off into the great unknown. Okay, not exactly since we knew people in Barbados and my father had been there earlier, but for the rest of us it was all new.
Here’s a tip though, before you step into that taxi make sure you have the price fixed. Also make sure you have the currency of payment discussed along with whether charging is for the whole day or by the hour, and if it is for the whole day make sure you check what exactly does the “whole day” mean. We ended up paying by the hour and in US Dollars and trust me, it was only then did we realize why we were taken an hour into the country side to see what may or may not have been Brian Lara’s house which was weirdly on sale.
It’s hard to pack in everything when you are visiting any place only for a day, so choosing wisely is what makes the difference. The choice on most cruise stops comes to either cramming in all the famous touristy spots for a little while or going for one big activity. We decided on the former in Barbados and it turned out to be a nice calm drive around the island picking on some well known spots and enjoying a relaxing day;
For any cricket fan a drive to the Kensington Oval is a must. Not sure if it is worth the entry fee, but a picture from the outside worked just fine for me.
The region of St. Lucy is a scenic drive from the port where River Bay gives you a glimpse of the fierce nature of the Atlantic Ocean as compared to the much calmer Caribbean Sea. It’s worth climbing up to one of the cliffs to get an amazing view, but don’t go too close to the edge lest you are bound to get thrown off by the furious winds that accompany the waves. It’s a lovely little spot and perfect for a picnic if you have time for it.
No trip to Barbados should be without witnessing St. John’s, the “oldest church in the Caribbean” which is a strikingly antique building and also a great viewpoint to see more of Barbados’ pretty landscape.