The Tropical Paradise of Barbados...

Is everyone as nervous as I am when they first start a blog? Lets face it you're scared, you don't really know what you're doing and you just hope people will like what they are about to read. Well everyone has probably guessed by now that's exactly how i'm feeling at this exact moment...

So I thought I would start by discussing one of my favourite places on earth:

I always forget how long and tiring travel is and getting to Barbados was no different. My family and I had two flights, first from Glasgow Airport to London Gatwick and then from there onto Grantley Adams Airport, Barbados. This in total was 13 hrs of travel. The holiday had been booked through my mum's friend who works for Virgin Holidays so when we got on the plane my family were all happy to see our seats had been upgraded. Once my parents and I had arrived I immediately fell in love with Barbados...Tropical water, palm trees, coconuts just like you can imagine.

However, my idea of paradise was slightly skewed on the transfer to the hotel. The small bumpy roads were lined by large luxurious hotels inter-spaced with what I can only call wooden shacks. In Barbados the rich and the poor live very much side by side but with both enjoying spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea.

We stayed at the Sea Breeze Beach House Hotel and had the best time ever. It underwent refurbishment last year and now has a modern uplifting colour scheme and sits on its own beautiful white sandy private beach. All staff members are polite, well mannered, helpful and friendly while being there to help meet your needs at all times. Most rooms have their own balcony with a view of the Caribbean sea and are comfortable with enormous king size beds, TV's and the bathroom is kitted out with rainfall showers. There are four restaurants to suit everyone from Buffet to A La Carte and one which also serves Sushi, all of the food is of excellent standard. The hotel has three swimming pools; a children's' pool, an adult pool with two Jacuzzi's and a lap pool with floating sunbeds. However, the real attraction is the soft white sand of the private beach and the beautiful azure sea. There are also many activities run by the hotel such as rum tasting, aqua aerobics, Caribbean dance classes, art classes, wine tasting, water sports and much more. St Lawrence Gap is only 25 minutes walk away or why not try the "Boogy Bus." These regularly run mini buses are full of Caribbean vibe and beep their horns to let you know they have seats available. In the opposite direction is Oistins which hosts the famous Friday fish night. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel and will definitely visit Barbados again in the future.

What I loved about Barbados and the Sea Breeze Beach House Hotel:

1. During one of my nights at the hotel there was a BBQ on the private beach which was amazing as the hotel staff cooked a buffet and there was lots of entertainment such as "Bajan" pipers and staff getting everyone involved in limbo dancing and singing.

2. The water sports at the hotel were awesome as all I had to do was write my name down once then I could use the kayaks at any point and the hotel had kayak races on certain days. Staff were also on hand to teach guests how to surf/windsurf, sail, take people snorkelling or out on a jet ski but I chose to go on a relaxing sail on board a Hobie Cat.

3. I also loved the food at the hotel as I got to experience flavours I wouldn't usually have tried back home such as pumpkin, white chocolate soup (Yes, you read that right!) and lots of shrimp.

Tips:

1. Always take your passport if you are going shopping as you will need it for any duty free.

2. It is more fun to take a "Boogy Bus" than walk the rugged pavements, plus they only cost two Barbadian dollars per person and it provides an exciting trip with the local Bajan's.

3. Never underestimate the sun in Barbados as it can be cloudy but people can still easily get sun burnt so always wear suntan lotion.

4. Stay hydrated and make sure you take plenty of water with you on any tours/trips.

5. Hurricane season runs between June to November in Barbados so the best time to visit is during the high season of December and April when the weather is drier and less humid.

6. Don't forget to take a camera to Barbados if you are thinking of travelling there as you will have plenty of great Instagram opportunities.

7. The best place to watch a Barbadian sunset is on any beach on the West or South coast of the island or out at sea, sunsets will take place around 6pm-6.30pm.

8. In Barbados the currency used is Barbadian dollar however, American dollars are very much in demand and Mastercard, American Express and Visa are readily accepted.

Places to visit:

Animal Flower Cave = £8pp (2018) This is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Barbados and is located in St Lucy to the North of the Island. The cave is made of coral with steps leading down to it through an old blow hole in the roof. Tours run between the hours of 9am-4.30pm and visitors can swim in the cave pools or buy lunch in the restaurant situated on the caves cliff top.

Harrison's Cave= £23pp (2018) Situated in the central uplands of Barbados, visitors journey through Harrison's Cave by tram. Each tour takes up to 1 hour and visitors will venture 1 mile into the underground cave while admiring the caves breath taking sites of stalagmites and stalactites and rock formations. Harrison's Cave is open daily from 8.45am-3.45pm and visitors can also buy gifts on the way out of this attraction.

Mount Gay Rum Distillery = Adult £16pp Children 1 to 5= Free 6 to 17= £7pp (2018)

The Mount Gay Rum distillery can be found on the West coast of the island, with the distillery's rum heritage being fragmented back to 1703, this makes it the worlds oldest rum manufacturer. The rum is produced from sugar cane which flourishes across the full of Barbados and was once British sailors cherished drink. Visitors can learn about the making and bottling of Mount Gay Rum during a tour and tasting of the Rum. The tours run hourly between Monday to Friday from 9.30am-2.30pm and on a Saturday (Nov till Apr) from 10.30pm-2.30pm.