Our very first Impressions Of Barbados

We’ve been living & pet sitting in Barbados for nearly a month now, as well as so far we have a great perception of the island. There are many things to see as well as do, as well as locations to go to in Barbados as well as we’re enjoying checking out the island.

We discover ourselves regularly comparing it to our previous tropical paradise house in Grenada, which is unfair since it is a totally different destination.

But, we can’t assist it! regardless of whether we must or shouldn’t compare the two neighbouring islands, we do as well as here’s what we’ve come up with.

There are many similarities between Barbados as well as Grenada – like the laid back vibe, cool music, friendly people, English language, as well as beautiful, white sand beaches. however Barbados feels like an completely different place, which we love.

One thing that we observed ideal away was the flat topography of Barbados. big sugar cane plantations are spread out over small, rolling hills without any mountains in sight. We haven’t been to the east side of the island yet (which is stated to be a lot more jagged as well as rocky), however there absolutely isn’t the mist shrouded mountains as well as rich jungle interior that Grenada offers.

The People

The people right here have been extremely friendly as well as kind to us. The locals are polite as well as respectful of others. everybody states great morning as well as they normally have a huge smile on their face. exactly how might they not? look where they live!

We’ve absolutely observed a huge enhancement in client service here. On a few of the other islands in the Caribbean (Grenada, St. Vincent & The Grenadines as well as Cuba), you sometimes get grouchy, uninterested or preoccupied staff, however we haven’t had an experience like that in Barbados so far.

There is likewise a larger, regional caucasian population right here compared to the other islands we’ve seen in the Caribbean, which is interesting. The white-Bajan accent seems extremely different to the black-Bajan one, as the white locals have Irish as well as Scottish nuances in their dialect.

This is no surprise as lots of Irish, Scottish as well as Welsh people were brought right here by the British as indentured servants in the 1600’s.

Both the white as well as the black Bajan accents have a charming melodic tone, we like listening to the locals speak! We’ve observed that lots of of the black Bajans tend to have extremely strong consonants as well as sharp (almost glottal) stops in their pronunciation.

There is likewise a strong caste system here, as well as while we haven’t even began to scratch the surface of this, we have discovered that there is an underclass (the “lowest caste”) of people right here understood as “Redlegs”, who are white descendants of Irish servants.

They are generally the poorest of the island’s inhabitants, living in little shacks on the east coastline of Barbados. Their history is extremely sad as well as we haven’t been able to discover much info on this these people, however you can discover a bit about it in this fascinating documentary.

The Music

We are loving the regional music here! The radio is jam-packed with fantastic soca as well as calypso tunes that noise like they might do well on any type of pop radio station around the world. I assumption it’s no surprise that there is creative skill right here as this is the house of Rhianna (who receives tons of radio time).

One thing that we’re shocked about is the amount of American country music being played in Barbados. There are country radio stations as well as you can hear this music coming from local’s houses as well as vehicles.

Steel pan bands even do country covers at restaurants as well as bars! We absolutely like to hear the local, Caribbean tunes, so when these American songs come on, we just hope they don’t last as well long…or we switch the station!

Festivals

Independence day was just the other week, so we were able to see a few of the national pride right here in Barbados. We were shocked at exactly how lots of people talk about, look ahead to, as well as take part in the festivities.

Coming from Canada, where we don’t have any type of self-reliance to celebrate, we just drink beer as well as enjoy fireworks on Canada day, so it was fascinating to see exactly how crucial it is to Bajans. There were parades in the street as well as many cars were embellished in ultramarine as well as gold, the colours of Barbados.

We will be right here for Christmas as well as new Year’s Eve as well, so it will be fascinating to see exactly how it’s celebrated. So far, the island feels like it’s in the holiday spirit with carols being played on the radio (American country versions of the songs!), shopping centers embellished with Christmas trees as well as lights, as well as regional houses having decoration on their lawns as well as lights strung up on their homes.

We plan to cook a huge turkey dinner (we discovered them for sale in the grocery store), drink great deals of wine, hit up the beach as well as open provides from each other.

The Roads

The back roads as well as alleys right here are pot-hole ridden, which we’re utilized to, however there doesn’t seem to be as lots of rum shacks lining the streets as there are in Grenada!

There is an efficient, 4 lane highway that runs with quite much the whole island from north to south along the west coast, which truly makes Barbados seem smaller as well as much easier to get around.

The driving is likewise a great deal calmer. We were anxious when the house owner right here told us that the driving is horrendous, however so far, it’s been tame compared to what we’re utilized to.

There are still crazy people who will pass blindly on corners, as well as buses that go 80 km/hr on roads that must be 30 km/hr, however that’s the Caribbean as well as we’re just staying on the defensive.

The Beaches

There are so lots of beaches here! generally the entire south as well as west coastline uses a gorgeous stretch of sand for swimming, while the eastern, Atlantic coastline is rough, as well as hazardous for swimmers. The east is understood for its “Soup Bowl” surf destination, where pro surfers frequently come to catch the big swells.

So far, our much-loved stretch of sand in Barbados is Carlisle Bay. The sand there is powdery, while the waters are calm as well as clear. It’s the utmost beach-bumming spot.

The Cost

Things are absolutely pricey. A couple of years back when we very first started making money from Goats On The Road, we most likely would have wept when we saw the cost of groceries here!

On average, it’s about 20% a lot more than Grenada for a lot of groceries, booze, white wine etc. We did nevertheless discover a extremely affordable veggie stand close to our home which has create that’s probably 20% less than we ever discovered in Grenada.

Restaurants are likewise a bit a lot more pricey, however it’s not simple to compare them to Grenada since there are so lots of upscale choices here, where as Grenada only had a couple. having stated that, a burger at our much-loved beach bar in Grenada (Umbrellas) was $12.50 with fries as well as it’s the exact same at our new much-loved beach bar in Barbados (Tiki Bar).

It’s difficult to truly compare the cost after such a short time of living here, since Dariece as well as I always ultimately discover locally had locations with great deals, great food as well as friendly staff…it just takes time.

If you’re reading this as well as wondering exactly how this compares to the costs in the city you’re living in, it’s likely a lot more costly in Barbados. significantly a lot more expensive. We discovered a awesome web site called Expatistan where you can compare the expense of living in different countries. According to their numbers, food in Barbados is 45% a lot more costly than it is in Canada (Calgary), while enjoyment costs are 36% more. having stated that, Barbados is 49% more affordable than the close-by island of Bermuda!

The Food

We are truly enjoying the food. whatever we’ve tried has been flavourful as well as the parts are huge. The cuisine right here has the familiar West Indian spices that we’re used to. BBQ’s are popular, with the Friday night Fish Fry, roadside stands as well as beach-side vendors serving up grilled chicken, fish as well as lamb.

Plus, there is Chefette! This quick food restaurant seems like it’s a worldwide conglomerate with all the bells as well as whistles of a Macdonald’s restaurant (LCD screens, youngsters play area, plastic chairs etc.), but it’s locally had as well as operated right here in Barbados.

Chefette serves up tasty (although quick food style) rotis, hamburgers, sandwiches as well as fries. Macdonald’s tried to open up on the island however just couldn’t contend with the locally had quick food gigantic that is Chefette.

Our Days in Barbados

Our days have been spent as they normally are when we’re living / pet sitting somewhere. We get up as well as walk the dogs (Hesus & Honey are adorable), as well as then come back to the home to work for a few (sometimes a couple) of hours before heading out to do something around the island.

Dariece as well as I chosen up a fitness center membership at a physical fitness center near to our home in Barbados to try to get back in shape after a week of eating pizza, ham as well as ribs in Canada. We like Canadian food, however guy is it heavy.

When we’re not working out at the Gym, drinking beers at a beach bar, enjoying a beach barbecue, walking the dogs, working, or getting groceries, we’re checking out some other parts of the island.

We’ve already put together three GoatLife TV episodes (One at Tiki Bar, one at a beach BBQ, as well as one at the Fish Fry celebration in Oistins) as well as we’re planning to continue them every week while we’re here. thanks to everybody for watching them each week!

All-in-All

So far, our very first impressions of Barbados are extremely positive. We’re loving the laid back vibe as well as the simple to navigate roadways. It’s great to be able to take the highway from one end of the island to the other in less than 45 minutes.

The people, the food, the scenery as well as yes, the beaches have all been phenomenal, however we’re truly looking ahead to checking out some a lot more of the history as well as the island’s interior in the coming weeks.

Ah, this is the life!
One thing is for sure, we like that our task of home sitting as well as travel blogging has brought us to one more Caribbean paradise… it doesn’t get any type of much better than this!

To see a lot more about what we got as much as in Barbados, inspect out our videos here!

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