Barbados Was Magical; It was an Experience to Cherish
By Jennifer R. Farmer
I expected my first trip to Barbados after my mom’s passing (she was alive the last time I went) to be difficult and sad. I braced for the worst and hoped for the best. Much to my surprise, the trip was pure bliss. Sure, I shed a tear or two, but other than a couple emotional moments, the trip was filled with joy and excitement. Here are three things that made the experience memorable.
Swimming with Turtles.
I’m not usually prone to adventure. I’m not sure what came over me this trip, but I was driven to create for myself and my daughter a host of new and unforgettable experiences. I signed our family up for snorkeling and swimming with the turtles. When we got to the location, I was completely taken by the love the locals showed to my daughter. They engaged her with questions of ‘what do you want to be when you grow up,’ ‘a doctor?’ ‘a lawyer?’ and then told her she could be anything she wanted. I’m sure I had a weird motherly grin, but this was the perfect way start to an afternoon of fun in the ocean.
From the moment we got on the boat to the moment we descended into the ocean; my daughter was elated. Our tour instructors were experienced and kind. As we traversed the ocean, turtles swam too close for comfort while the fish swam effortlessly, reminding us that we were in their domain. Mentally, I felt I was in a twilight zone even as I was in awe of all that God has made.
Wyndham Grand at Sam Lord’s Castle.
The luxury resort had only been open for a couple of months, when we visited. We absolutely loved the upscale, all-inclusive resort which offered amenities appropriate for a king or queen. The resort was situated on a sprawling 29 acres of property. With an ocean view and spacious patio, we awoke every day to the sound of the waves battering the ocean. Situated near the abandoned castle of pirate Sam Lord, the establishment was a beautiful as it was storied. With a clear view of the castle, easy access to the beach, and multiple vendors to choose from, the resort fed my soul as well as my spirit. There was nothing we needed that we couldn’t access.
Whether we were enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner, there were so many options for our family to choose from. I fell in love with the sweet muffins, lemon poppyseed muffins while my daughter loved the pizza. Since people make the experience, we appreciated the hospitable, courteous and professional staff.
Dis Ole House.
I wanted to visit the restaurant solely because of the name, ‘Dis Ole House.’ Originally a chattal house, or small moveable house, the name conveyed character and charm. I was immediately intrigued. It helped that the restaurant was located several feet from our resort. The enchanting eatery boasted all the accoutrements of Barbados. With utterly beautiful surroundings and an intriguing on-site garden, it was a picture-perfect, pulled straight from the movies, lunch.
Filled with Bajan nostalgia, I enjoyed the atmosphere as much as I did the food. Speaking of food, I ordered the roasted beet salad while my niece order the Bajan fishcakes. My sister-in-law, dined on a fish cutter and my daughter enjoyed chicken tenders and fries. Without question, I’ll return to this restaurant the next time I’m in Barbados.
In sum, our trip to Barbados was magical.
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