Barbados trip repport

Better late than never...

We left Norway 06.30, flew from Sandefjord to Stavanger, and then over to
Heathrow airport and boarded BWIA. We are very very pleased with their
service, and they were very very nice and helpful. The staff at the airport
even called Barbados for us to tell when we would arrive. The phone booth at
the departure gate did not work...

Anyway, we arrived on scedule, and went to Coconut Court Hotel on the south
coast. We love the hotel and the staff there. We feel very welcome, and we
feel like home. Very relaxed athmosphere. Not fancy, but nice enough.

We did not do a lot in the 3 weeks we were on the island. Went up one day on
the west coast, and walked around a little in Sunset Crest, a place that is
very nice. I also walked over to Hilton on the south coast. Not open yet.
Was supposed to open july 6th last year, but they are running late
(surprise-surprise) and is planning to open in march (or so).
I walked all the way in on the property, and went to see the pool area and
stuff. Looks very nice. But with 400 rooms, it certainly break a long
tradition in Barbados, where there has been only small or smallish hotels.
In that way you have always been recognised by the staff, you feel
personalised, and its easy to get in touch with others. In my opinion, I
hope Hilton does not start a new trend in Barbados. I like it small, or
smallish. No scyscrapers please.

We met a lot of friends, and Michelle, our 2,5 year old daughter, had some
local friends to play with too. Very nice.
No excursions other than a day tour on Tiami, one of the catamarans. I took
the trip with two girls from NY that were at our hotel. Very nice company.
The catamaran tours is highly recommendable.

We were not a lot out to enjoy nightlife, but a highlight for me was a
consert at AfterDark with a good old reggea band from Jamaica: Third World.
Very nice!
I did not walk around a lot, or cycle around the island. One small walk
only. And that left a memory that I will never forget. It was christmas day,
and I took a break and walked over to some friends that live on the inland
of the island. Not too far from Bonnetts. I was surprised by getting two
presents from them, and carried them back in my hands. Walking along the
road, with my shirt in one hand, and two presents wrapped in christmas
paper. I spotted a place across a field where they played loud music. 20-25
men were hanging around outside a building that looked like a place I could
get a cold beer. So I walked over the field, and when I came to the corner
of the building, (10 feet away from the nearest man in the crowd) I put the
presents down on the ground, put on my shirt, and kept walking. Looking
inside the building, there was nothing there. NOTHING. Continue to next
door, nothing. Oh , they are really looking at me now. What is this
white guy doing here. I almost got high from marihuana smoke. I asked gently
a guy what group that sang the song they played, and got an answer. Then I
crossed the field and went back.
Later on, I was told that the place I went, was "the red zone" gangland.
Shooting and trouble every day. Neighbours were afraid even to look over
there. LOL, and there I was, not knowing nothing. Lucky me that got away
safe. :)

Well well, St. Lawrence Gap looked better than any time before, and it was
lively. We went 3 times to Oistins to eat. Great place. Try the fish net
"restaurant". Longest line, but worth waiting for.

Went home with British Airways. Also a great company. And I really love the
777. A very comfortable and quiet aircraft. Just like the A340 that BWIA
use.

Going to Barbados with small children bring a small problem: The traffic,
and the lack of side walks. And the side walks you find is in very very bad
shape. At least on the south coast. Other than that: No problems.


Leif A

Leif! Good to see you again, my friend!

I loved reading your trip report. Yes, I agree, Third World is a not too
bad reggae band (!!!!!)

I laughed reading about your gangland adventure, but that's the way it goes.
You didn't know any better and so they left you alone.

So good to see you again--I lost my hard drive last year, and all my
addresses. But now I have you back.

Skip

"Petal and Leif" <lejensen@online.no> wrote in message
news:qIfEd.3729$Sl3.91928@news4.e.nsc.no...
> Better late than never...
>
> We left Norway 06.30, flew from Sandefjord to Stavanger, and then over to
> Heathrow airport and boarded BWIA. We are very very pleased with their
> service, and they were very very nice and helpful. The staff at the
> airport even called Barbados for us to tell when we would arrive. The
> phone booth at the departure gate did not work...
>
> Anyway, we arrived on scedule, and went to Coconut Court Hotel on the
> south coast. We love the hotel and the staff there. We feel very welcome,
> and we feel like home. Very relaxed athmosphere. Not fancy, but nice
> enough.
>
> We did not do a lot in the 3 weeks we were on the island. Went up one day
> on the west coast, and walked around a little in Sunset Crest, a place
> that is very nice. I also walked over to Hilton on the south coast. Not
> open yet. Was supposed to open july 6th last year, but they are running
> late (surprise-surprise) and is planning to open in march (or so).
> I walked all the way in on the property, and went to see the pool area and
> stuff. Looks very nice. But with 400 rooms, it certainly break a long
> tradition in Barbados, where there has been only small or smallish hotels.
> In that way you have always been recognised by the staff, you feel
> personalised, and its easy to get in touch with others. In my opinion, I
> hope Hilton does not start a new trend in Barbados. I like it small, or
> smallish. No scyscrapers please.
>
> We met a lot of friends, and Michelle, our 2,5 year old daughter, had some
> local friends to play with too. Very nice.
> No excursions other than a day tour on Tiami, one of the catamarans. I
> took the trip with two girls from NY that were at our hotel. Very nice
> company. The catamaran tours is highly recommendable.
>
> We were not a lot out to enjoy nightlife, but a highlight for me was a
> consert at AfterDark with a good old reggea band from Jamaica: Third
> World. Very nice!
> I did not walk around a lot, or cycle around the island. One small walk
> only. And that left a memory that I will never forget. It was christmas
> day, and I took a break and walked over to some friends that live on the
> inland of the island. Not too far from Bonnetts. I was surprised by
> getting two presents from them, and carried them back in my hands. Walking
> along the road, with my shirt in one hand, and two presents wrapped in
> christmas paper. I spotted a place across a field where they played loud
> music. 20-25 men were hanging around outside a building that looked like a
> place I could get a cold beer. So I walked over the field, and when I came
> to the corner of the building, (10 feet away from the nearest man in the
> crowd) I put the presents down on the ground, put on my shirt, and kept
> walking. Looking inside the building, there was nothing there. NOTHING.
> Continue to next door, nothing. Oh , they are really looking at me
> now. What is this white guy doing here. I almost got high from marihuana
> smoke. I asked gently a guy what group that sang the song they played, and
> got an answer. Then I crossed the field and went back.
> Later on, I was told that the place I went, was "the red zone" gangland.
> Shooting and trouble every day. Neighbours were afraid even to look over
> there. LOL, and there I was, not knowing nothing. Lucky me that got away
> safe. :)
>
> Well well, St. Lawrence Gap looked better than any time before, and it was
> lively. We went 3 times to Oistins to eat. Great place. Try the fish net
> "restaurant". Longest line, but worth waiting for.
>
> Went home with British Airways. Also a great company. And I really love
> the 777. A very comfortable and quiet aircraft. Just like the A340 that
> BWIA use.
>
> Going to Barbados with small children bring a small problem: The traffic,
> and the lack of side walks. And the side walks you find is in very very
> bad shape. At least on the south coast. Other than that: No problems.
>
>
> Leif A
>

"Skip Elliott Bowman" <skipster@teleport.com> wrote in message
news:waNEd.4079$pZ4.3988@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...

> I laughed reading about your gangland adventure, but that's the way it
> goes. You didn't know any better and so they left you alone.

LOL, it was very funny thinking about it after I knew what place I had been.
Imagine yourself 20-25 men standing along the wall of a building with two
doors.
I come there with my two presents walking like it was an inspection of army
men
standing threre, looking at me funny, thinking what the heck this white guy
is up to.
It is impossible to describe the scene, but it was pretty comic.

Leif

I will send you a couple pictures when I come home. Have to rush to work
now.