Barbados (pronounced bar-bay-dose) is a coral island, somewhat different from its volcanic island neighbors . The island is about 2.5 times the size of Washington D.C., 166 square miles (21 miles long and 14 miles across at its widest point), and is the eastern-most of the Caribbean islands.
Its tropical climate attributes to a consistently mild temperature around between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit year round. The literacy rate in Barbados is 97%, one of the highest in the world.
English is the official language of Barbados, though you may also hear Bajan. The island gained its independence from England November 30, 1966 but still has a pronounced English influence. The head of state is still the Queen of England.
While visiting this lovely island you will want to same the national dish, Cou Cou with Flying Fish. Being the sourtherners that we are, Cou Cou is like a great big hushpuppie with thinly sliced okra inside. The finished corn meal dish is placed on a plate, mashed flat with an indentation in the center filled with butter.
Even though the official currency is the Barbados Dollar, U. S. dollars are accepted at the current rate of 1 USD = 2 BD.
Electricity is 110 volts, the same as the United States. No adaptors are needed. Bathing suits are not allowed in stores or on the streets. Casual clothing is the rule of thumb, but you might wish to include "dress up" clothes for a night of fine dining.
Beth and I visited Barbados as a port of call on a cruise. We chose to spend several hours aboard a Pirate Ship excursion that turned out to be one great big party from start to stop. In many locations aboard the "ship" were big containers of Rum Punch made with one cup lime juice, two cups water and three cups dark rum with a cup of sugar added.
But that's not all. Pirates roamed the vessel with a bottle of rum in each hand, making certain everyone on board had "properly seasoned" punch. A rope tied to one of the masts allowed guests to swing away from the ship and drop into the warm Caribbean water.
And then there was the young lady chosen by the pirates to walk the plank. And the couple who were married by the pirate captain. Needless to say, a fun time was had by all.
We did spend a little time (prior to the pirate ship) walking among the shops near the cruise ship harbor in Bridgetown, the capital of the island. Beth, of course, found a bikini she absolutely had to have.
And we were able to spend some great beach time. Yes, it was a power packed day at Barbados that left us with many pleasant memories...and a bunch of new friends as we held one another up headed back to Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas from the pirate ship.
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