Bridgetown in Barbados is one of the most colorful cities I have visited. Bridgetown is laid-back, yet busy. The people I met here were friendly, and the shopping was better here than anywhere else in Barbados. Barbados truly loves Rihanna; when visiting for a holiday in early December 2011 the radio played Rihanna’s music non-stop, and made me like her more because I could hear how her music felt so such more at home in Barbados where the weather is (almost) always sunny and hot.
Barbados native Rihanna is the star of a new Barbados Tourism Campaign. The “Inside Out” campaign video, launched by Barbados Tourism Authority, shot partly in Bridgetown (St Michael) shows the starlet in the ocean and in the lush greenery and nature that is so very Barbados. No doubt this will boast trips to Barbados, the video being inviting and Rihanna equally charming & keeping the-girl-next-door image. She has earlier said that se wants visitors to Barbados to “…experience what makes this destination different from all others and that is the spirit and warmth of my fellow Barbadians.“
The historic Chamberlain Bridge leads to the center of colorful Bridgetown
She is telling the truth. During my (our) trip there in December 2011 I felt that the locals showed generosity, in a way I have not been met with before while on travel, without expecting anything back. Bus drivers literally went out of their way to get us to sights not on the bus route, fellow passengers called up their friends to arrange us a ride from Bridgetown and further on, a local fisherman invited us to his own barbecue, and a man we met on the bus stop took us sightseeing around the island in the middle of the night showing us unique spots, but also the real Barbados; including the dark and probably not safest place; New Orleans. There were about 10-20 boys there dealing weed, everyone armed for us to see. Scary, but I also feel it was a genuine shot at Barbados.
Rihanna herself is from St. Michael, which is home to Barbados’ capital Bridgetown, and here you have some real pictures of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bridgetown…
Diamonds International @ Bolton Lane, Bridgetown
Colorful building @ High Street Bridgetown
Admiral Lord Nelson @ National Heroes Square
National Heroes Square, Bridgetown
Parliament of Barbados
Waterfront Bridgetown
Fountain @ Independence Square
Independence Square, Bridgetown
Walton Barrow statue @ Independence Square
Pictured:
Walton Barrow statue @ Independence Square, Independence Square, Fountain @ Independence Square, Waterfront Bridgetown, Parliament of Barbados, National Heroes Square, Admiral Lord Nelson @ National Heroes Square, Colorful building @ High Street Bridgetown, Diamonds International @ Bolton Lane
