alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Ok, going at the end of March two weeks, south Bridgetown, near Carlisle Bay.

What's NOT to be missed and where?
How much dosh should we take? (We don't do JetSki, WaterSki etc), but would like to see the sights.
Should we take US $ or get some Barbados $?
Is it a "safe" island? Can we go out on hired bikes for example, without worrying overly?
Should I take my DSLR, (Nikon D300 and 17-55 lens, weighs in at 2kg), or rely on the wife's Panny?
It says it's 115V, so how do I charge my phone, camera etc?

And finally........can you drink the water? Seriously?

andys

yes to the water as its filtered through the limestone rock. You can see it haapening at Harrisons cave.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Is that worth a visit?
Are there any rivers etc worth seeing? I'm unlikley to be able to afford to go again, so am anxious not to come home and be greeted with, "But did you not see the.........."

I'd like to see the island, not just the coast.

hodgy0_2

oistins fish market on friday night

bathsheba on the west coast

pretty safe

but food boring and expensive

bars along the st james coastline - Mullins etc

Turbohot

Google Barbados to find what all you can do there, but we just pottered about on the beaches and restaurants in Barbados. I was travelling around the surrounding Caribbean islands with work just before I had the adjoined holiday there, so I didn't regret being wasted for the last two weeks. Well, I did, but I couldn't upset the other one, who just wanted to chil. Anyway, weather and beaches are so beautiful that you feel quite priviledged just to be playing with the shells and the sea waves. Food is mainly either Caribbean (not a great fan of, here) and American. I put on a lot of weight eating burgers there. Oh, do drink tamarind juice and green apple juice there. They are heavenly. One tip to you. Taxi drivers are too laid back there. If you call them for 7, a lean, fully toked up Bob Marley will turn up at 9 with his arms dangling and neck moving from side to side; denoting not a care in the world! You could be starving, but he gives no ****. Another tip to your wife, Alcazar. There is a lovely Caribbean girl called Tracey. She moiders you to **** on the beach until you give into her hair braiding. Its not a problem, but you just can't understand a word of she is saying. Good luck to you and your wife with Tracey. Enjoy the paradise.

Wish

iTrader: (2)

8 times and love it.

Don't worry about there money take U.S dollars !
We stay at The Royal Pavillion every time and even stay in the same room, home from home :-)

stonejedi

iTrader: (51)

as above really you have nothing to worry about there,just enjoy the island my parents are bajan and i grew up my child hood there check out miami beach which is close to oistins fish market go down st lawerence gap which is a tourist haven alot of nite clubs and drinking banks beer goes on,go into bridge town and get cheap shopping but remember to bring your passport and ticket as proof to get your stuff vat free.take alot of pictures as it is paradise on earth

hodgy0_2

missable imo, you travel down and up in sort of train, but in essence it is just a series of caves

i seem to remember at one point they turn the lights out, which is quite spooky coz it is v dark

nice walk in the "flower forest", right in the middle of the Island, especially if you are a horticulturist

but the beaches are very very good I have to say, and the water (along the west coast) is very warm, take a snorkle

Lydia72

The Nature Reserve is nice if you want some peace and quiet. We got a taxi there (can't remember what we paid but was cheap and not for a short distance) and the driver said to take as long as we liked and he would sit and wait for us all day if necessary. He gave us a running commentary on the local sights etc so was money well spent.

Dingdongler

It's a beautiful Island with friendly people and on the whole is very safe. The beaches are gorgeous and pristine. There is however not much to actually do other than enjoy the beaches/sunshine and relax.

The Island is tiny with limited flora/fauna and limited things of historical/cultural interest.

There are some very nice places to eat ie The Cliff (expensive but nice for a special evening), Pisces and Aqua stand out.

For simpler but yummy fare 'just grillin' can't be beaten. There are a few around the Island and the locals go there as well.

The other place worth a visit is The Crane Hotel. Go there for lunch and use their beach. Their beach is out of this world, there is something unique about it and it sticks in my mind even though I've been to beaches all around the world. I think it appears in many top beaches of the world lists.

You'll have a great time. We've been about five times and might go back again some time

hodgy0_2

yes - that about sums it up,

the beaches are all "nationalised" you cannot make them private and then charge for them, unlike other parts of the world

they belong to the island, for everyone, -- it makes for a refreshing change

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

So........how DO I charge my phone and camera batteries on a 115V supply?

Dave1980

never heard of mains adaptors?. same current as the US so your be fine.

Bubba po

As Typically Tropical once so memorably sang:

"WOAHHHHH!!!"............








No, I haven't.

jods

We've been to Barbados a few times. Check out Holetown and go up North to the flower caves with "Boycies Coach Tours". The East side of the Island is very rugged and is great for windsurfing. Check out the number of companies owned by the Jordan family

Jods
a.k.a Mark Jordan

Turbohot

You, Manda and Frank need to go, Bubba. Take your dinasaur with you as well. He'd love the sea.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

But it's not the CURRENT that matters.

UK stuff is 220 VOLTS, theirs is, apparently, 115V, so will my stuff charge? Will it take twice as long? Or not do anything?

Dr Hu

Most AC adaptors these days take dual current.... I know that both my Nokia phone charger and my IBM laptop charger accept an range input of 110-240v.....

Check your labels on the devices - look specifically at the 'input voltage'

You may find you have no problem, just need a pin adaptor.

coupe_20vt

iTrader: (2)

Places to visit -

North Point.
Bathsheba (Great restaurant overlooking the 'harbour').
Welchman's gully (Mentioned above if you like your wild flowers/plants/monkeys).
Crane beach for some great surf!
Sandy Lane beach to hobnob with the money.
Restaurants in St Lawrence gap - Picses, Champers and The Ship Inn.
I'd also recommend you eat in local eateries and taste real Bajan food. Contrary to what's been said above, Bajan food, especially the fish is really quite nice.
If the mini sub is operating out of Bridgetown harbour, it's a great trip to see the reefs and fish.

Take US Dollars, there's a fixed exchange rate of $1 US - $2 BBD

It is safe to go out and about. Like most places,. take care after dark.

PM me if you need any additional info. My Father-In-Law worked out there for years with the Government.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Thanks to all who have taken the time to respond.

My mate e-mailed me this morning and we might be aqble to get a day's cricket in: West Indies v. Australia, $15 prebooked.

DCI Gene Hunt

Cafe Sol on the corner of the gap was great (mexican) and a great people watching (bird) view point :S

Also there are plenty of cash machines to use so dont take loads of US either!

jods

Check to see if the seats are covered or not - It can get fierce hot during the day if not covered. Alternatively - take a brolly!

topman2180

You need these adapters mate . http://www.amazon.co.uk/UK-US-Americ...1581663&sr=8-1 Stuff doesnt take twice as long to charge. In the tourists spots they take us and bajan dollars , reason being barbados is to the US, like spain is to the uk, so lots of americans over there. Westcoast is where you'll want to spend most of your time. Central and east as where the local people mostly live.