A combination of sophistication and natural wildness make Barbados one of the world’s favourite Caribbean islands, especially with the British. The island known as ‘Little England’ because of its English laws, customs and political systems also has a ‘Scotland district’ – but thousands of visitors flock here from all over the world, some to luxury hotels, swanky golf resorts or private villas that rub shoulders with the rich and famous and some on cruise ships and package holidays.
As well as glamour the island has a certain quirkiness all of its own, and a new book by local Russell Streeter gets beneath the skin of modern Barbados and takes the reader on a journey that reveals some secrets even regular visitors may have missed.
101 Things to do & places to see in Barbados is not a conventional guidebook, but does contain those kinds of gems that you won’t come across when checking Trip Advisor.
He says early on in the book that ‘I don’t promise to include every beach, rum shop or building the Queen or George Washington stayed in. Instead I’ll be your personal tour guide and you’ll get the benefit of my local knowledge, delivered with passion and humour’
Streeter is true to his word. The book is thorough in its coverage of 40 attractions in Barbados’ parishes with the added bonus of personal insights, such as advising visitors to Cherry Tree Hill to approach from the direction of St Nicholas’ Abbey, to get the best possible view. His chapter on 38 beaches includes suggestions of where to pick up a snack such as Cuz’s Fish Shack on Pebbles Beach for ‘cutters’ (the local name for fish sandwiches)and Chicken Rita’s Rum Shack on Silver Sands. His personal memories add warmth and colour to the guide, such as his description of body surfing with his friends at Foul Bay (another spot which tourists might well miss if not in the know)
The e-book has Google maps links for every attraction
101 Things to do & Places to see in Barbados 2015 edition. By Russell Streeter is available from Amazon in paperback or kindle format.
