‘Warmer Than The Sun’
The beaches are great, but the people of Barbados are its star
attraction
by Howe Sim, published in Everywhere
Magazine, Mar-Apr 2008
From the moment our plane landed on
the island nation of Barbados to the day we left, we got the sense that
tourists who visit this popular Caribbean destination return time and
again. Of the twenty-odd families on
the bus that delivered us from the airport to our resort, we were the only ones
who were visiting Barbados for the first time. I wanted to find out what
visitors found so enticing about this small island nation.
Not surprisingly, the balmy
tropical climate and stunning natural beauty of Barbados are the big draws.
Barbados is lined with soft sandy beaches – all of which are public – and
fringed by coral reefs. Its southern and western coasts are favored by tourists
because of their tranquil Caribbean waters. The beaches on the Atlantic
(northern and eastern) sides are more deserted, with rougher waters which
attract the more daring surfing crowd. In addition to pretty villages and the
lively capital city of Bridgetown, the interior consists largely of rolling
pastures and hilltops with panoramic views.
We stayed
at the Mango Bay Resort, on the west side of the island. One very enjoyable day
was spent zipping around in a mini-moke – an open-air, beach buggy-type vehicle
that’s often rented by tourists. We explored the island’s small villages, with
their quaint chattel houses, the homes of the rich and famous on the west
coast, the acre after acre of sugar cane fields. We also visited some of Barbados’ traditional attractions: its
plantation houses, colorful botanical gardens, and proud military forts.
Another popular must-see is the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Originally established
to protect the island’s native green monkeys, it’s now also home to brocket
deer, otters, armadillos, caiman alligators, tortoises, a variety of colorful
tropical birds, and the curious-looking hutia congas which look like a cross
between a bunny and kangaroo. Just watch your camera, as the green monkeys have
been known to sneak off with them if left unattended.
But for
us, the most compelling attraction of this delightful country was its people –
they were warm, welcoming, charming, and generous. On or off the resort, we
were always greeted with a big smile and friendly ‘Hello, how are you doing
today?’ Now we understand why all the other visitors we met return to Barbados
as often as possible.