Oh, Baaaaby- Barbados!
Written: Dec 07 '99 (Updated Oct 02 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Atmosphere, weather, price, food, activities
Cons: Those damn long-distance surcharges on hotel phones
The Bottom Line:
Do it- you can't lose.
|
|
|
| SLOW's Full Review: Barbados |
There's something about going to a foreign country where the indigenous people speak English and still like Americans. Maybe it's the novelty. Maybe it's the overwhelmingly isolationist view we have of the world ("EVERYBODY speaks English- or should"). But maybe we just like having our cake and eating it, too; it's nice to travel outside the borders and not have to bring the phrasebook or quickly memorize a patois for those urgent trips to casa de pee-pee.
Barbados is a beautiful Caribbean vacation destination that offers such a break. A former British protectorate, the local folk speak the Queen's English- far better than most people from West Virginia. And the people really make all the difference in this Paradise- they are friendly, helpful, polite, and charming.
Granted, this is a direct result of enormous pressure administered by the government. I think there must have been mandatory classes or something: "Be nice to the tourists, or you'll be shot!"
Maybe not, but whatever propaganda they used pays off. To walk through the heart of a downtown area -any downtown area, from Chicago to Seoul- and not be accosted by vendors, beggars, and mimes, is a real treat (hey, a vacation from harassment; go figure).
Warning: this doesn't carry over to expatriate-owned establishments. The French restaurants owned and staffed by French (and pseudo-French) people are just as snooty and rude as those in the States.
Stick with local businesses, and you can't go wrong.
The food is delicious, and comes in many varieties. If you like seafood in particular, you're in for a treat.
I went during the "off season." Okay, it was really hurricane season, but who's keeping track? Barbados, well outside the hurricane belt, hasn't been hit by one of the mothers since the 1950s. I got a week-long hotel suite for $400 (US), and the amenities weren't shabby. Floyd hit that same week; there was one afternoon with an hour-long rain shower, and that was it. Bermuda got creamed, but we were having fun and laying out in the sun.
The prices are great. The exchange rate is fixed at about a 2/1 ratio in favor of US dollars- how can you beat that?
There's plenty to do, all over the island. I suggest renting a car and driving yourself around, if you're up to navigating traffic circles from the left side of the road. There are great diving and snorkeling areas, too.
Go to Barbados- you won't be disappointed.
If you liked this Epinion, you might dig my book, available from Amazon via: http://www.amazon.com/1001-Things-Do-You-Dare/dp/1598691201/ref=sr_11_1/002-3020328-5072004
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
SLOW
|
|
Member: Ben Malisow
Location: Vegas
Reviews written: 119
Trusted by: 124 members
About Me:
You wish you were me.
Now buy my books.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.