Yes, you are guilty that the only reason why you know Barbados is because this is where Rihanna had been born. Much as we wanted to hide this fact, so much little had been known of Barbados and unfortunately for us, we’re missing out on a lot of fun.
Barbados, a summer destination to those who know it, had been recently receiving a lot of raves on the travelling community as this country promises a lot of gritty white sands and the feel-good prick of summer sun.
Owning the glory of the sun, Barbados is just the perfect destination to stay tan and feel the lukewarm chill of the ocean. With its rich flora and fauna, a traveller will revel on its ability to transport them into a place close to paradise.
BARBADOS
When someone thought of the beach, Barbados is one of the best islands that had been crafted by the mighty hands of the Creator. The long stretch of white sand and the accompanying clear seawater had been the strengths of this unassuming island.
The towering greens and the freshest air one can breathe on is one of the few reasons why Barbados, despite of the long and winding travel, is a haven for beach lovers and suckers for relaxation. Barbados’ heavenly position in the globe is at the vast Atlantic Ocean which is east of the other infamous island called West Indies.
LOCATION
Barbados is a sovereign island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is 34 kilometers (21 mi) in length and up to 23 kilometers (14 mi) in width, covering an area of 432 square kilometers (167 sq mi).
It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometers (62 mi) east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about 168 kilometers (104 mi) east of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and 400 kilometers (250 mi) north-east of Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados is outside of the principal Atlantic hurricane belt.
CLIMATE
The country generally experiences two seasons, one of which includes noticeably higher rainfall. Known as the “wet season”, this period runs from June to November. By contrast, the “dry season” runs from December to May. On the Köppen climate classification scale, much of Barbados is regarded as a Tropical monsoon climate (Am). However, gentle breezes of 12–16 kilometers per hour (8–10 mph) abound throughout the year and give Barbados a civilized climate which is moderately tropical.
Infrequent natural hazards include earthquakes, landslips, and hurricanes. Barbados is often spared the worst effects of the region’s tropical storms and hurricanes during the rainy season. The far eastern location in the Atlantic Ocean puts the country just outside the principal hurricane strike zone.
On average, a major hurricane strikes about once every 26 years. The last significant hit from a hurricane to cause severe damage to Barbados was Hurricane Janet in 1955, and in 2010 the island was struck by Hurricane Tomas, but this caused only minor damage across the country.
TRANSPORTATION
In addition to being one of the world’s most densely populated countries, Barbados also has one of the most dense road networks in the world. Although Barbados is only about 34 kilometers (21 mi) at its widest point, a car journey from Six Cross Roads in St. Philip (south-east) to North Point in St. Lucy (north-central) can take one and a half hours or longer, thanks to the country’s narrow, winding and rough roads.
Some hotels also provide visitors with shuttles to points of interest on the island from outside the hotel lobby. There are several locally owned and operated vehicle rental agencies in Barbados but there are no multi-national companies.
The island’s lone airport is the Grantley Adams International Airport. It receives daily flights by several major airlines from points around the globe, as well as several smaller regional commercial airlines and charters.
The airport serves as the main air-transportation hub for the eastern Caribbean. In the first decade of the 21st century it underwent a US$100 million upgrade and expansion.
There is also a helicopter shuttle service, which offers air taxi services to a number of sites around the island, mainly on the West Coast tourist belt. Air and maritime traffic is regulated by the Barbados Port Authority.
WHAT TO SEE
Barbados Museum and Historical Society
The Barbados Museum and Historical Society is located in St. Michael, in the historic Garrison Savannah area. The Museum has a collection of over 500,000 artifacts and with over seven galleries to visit including African and Children’s galleries, there’s something to suit all interests. It’s a great place to get a feel for the heritage of Barbados and the diversity of culture on the island.
Bathsheba and Scotland District
The Scotland District in St. Andrew, and Bathsheba in St. Joseph, are located along the rugged east coast of the island. They are both great places to take a drive to, either with an organized tour, taxi or perhaps hire a car.
These areas are different from the rest of the island, which is relatively flat. Here, you will find steep roads and dramatic breathtaking views, so make sure you take your camera. Parts of St. Andrew were named the Scotland District, due to the similarities with the green rolling hills and fields of Scotland. It is also home to the highest point in Barbados, Mount Hillaby.
Although Bathsheba is a quieter area of Barbados, it does have some excellent restaurants to sit and watch all the surfing action or simply take in the gorgeous surrounds.
Flower Forest
The Flower Forest is one of the most scenic places to see in Barbados. Located on the edge of the Scotland District in St. Joseph, this beautiful forest of trees, flowers, shrubs and herbs commands spectacular views of the east coast and is not to be missed. You’ll find imported plants and trees, as well as a lovely palm collection, providing much-needed shade and an ideal place for a picnic.
Kensington Oval
Cricket has always been a major pastime in Barbados, and even if there are no matches playing while you’re visiting the island, it’s still well worth taking a trip to Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
Kensington Oval is Barbados’ oldest cricket ground, with the ground itself dating back to 1882.
The ground was also host to the ICC Cricket World Cup Final in 2007, undergoing a major refurbishment especially for the event. Guided tours of the Oval are available during the week and there’s a gift shop selling cricket memorabilia and souvenirs of the West Indies cricket team.
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