Barbados

BY JACKY HAYLER

Barbados is my happy place. When I was a child I was lucky enough to be taken there by my parents. In fact, my house is actually named after a restaurant I visited on the island. It was love at first sight and my aim in life as I got older was to return there one day. So it was a dream come true to be able to re-visit the island with my own (adult) children recently.

The most easterly of the Caribbean islands, it really has something for everyone. We did a two-centre stay at a hotel near Rockley Beach on the south-west of the island before moving north to a villa near Mullins Bay. Rockley was the perfect location to discover the island from. The beach is just how you imagined a Caribbean beach to be – soft white sand, turquoise water lapping up, backed by palm trees. A beach bar at one end served the ubiquitous rum punch – the perfect sundowner at the end of a hectic day sunbathing –and happy hour was even better.

For an evening out, St Lawrence Gap is a 10-minute drive away with bars, restaurants, regular live music and a thriving arts and crafts scene. Oistins is another five minutes on and makes the perfect night for mixing with the locals. Fish fry, in particular on a Friday night, is the place to be for simple, tasty Ba- jan food – and if the locals eat there you know it’s good. Choose from tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi and flying fish, served with macaroni pie – sit with the locals and soak up the atmosphere.

From our first location we were perfectly placed to explore the capital of Bridgetown. If you’re a sports fan you could take in a cricket match at the Kensington Oval near Bridgetown or visit the Garrison Savannah for a spot of horse racing.

Barbados is known for its chattel houses, moveable wooden houses which date back to the plantation days. Today you can visit Chattel Village near Holetown, a colourful collection of shops for a spot of retail therapy and a coffee or snack.

Speightstown is another must-see destination. Much of its character can be found in its architecture - historic buildings dating back to the early settlement of Barbados alongside modern buildings reflecting a developing nation. It is a place to sit and just soak up the atmosphere - street vendors offer fresh fruits and vegetables, the fishermen unload their catch along the jetty and local characters hanging out at the Esplanade.

When we moved north to our villa the atmosphere was a little quieter and had a more relaxed vibe. We visited the highly recommended Fish Pot for a special birthday meal. Set in an historic fort right on the water, we sat on an open veranda and the views and the food were simply stunning.

Being higher up the island gave us the opportunity for further exploration.

A tour of the Mount Gay rum distillery was not to be missed and Mullins Bay was another cove worth a visit. A lovely beach that easily accessible, we made the most of the watersports available, taking out a couple of jet skis before enjoying a bite to eat at the beachside Mullins Beach restaurant and bar.

To experience a different, more rugged impression of the island we went across to the eastern, Atlantic side to Bathsheba. It is breathtakingly beautiful - wide white sandy beaches stretch along a dramatic coastline of striking rock formations against which the Atlantic rollers break in cascades of foam. What at first glance look like huge boulders washed up on the beach are actually rock formations broken away from ancient coral reef!

With caves, castles, a wildlife reserve boasting green monkeys, museums a flower forest and much more, Barbados is a small island with lots to offer. Definitely a reason to return!