Most Eastern Island On The Caribbean -Barbados!
Mount Gay’s roots can be traced back to the processing of Barbadian sugar cane three centuries ago, making it the oldest rum and continually produced spirit in the world.
April 22, 2014
Bridgetown, Barbados
Barbados is the easternmost of the Caribbean islands, and is technically in the Atlantic Ocean.
An excursion to Bathsheba on the rugged eastern shore leaves no doubt about the vast forces of the Atlantic, unchecked for nearly 3,000 miles between there and the coast of Cape Verde, Africa.
The island is full of sweeping natural vistas, from rippling fields of sugar cane in the interior to the Atlantic surf pounding against the cliffs at the island's northernmost tip. Though today the sugarcane fields speak more to the island's past than its present, visitors can still experience the island's heritage at a number of plantation houses and rum distilleries. Eleven of us hired a van for US$25.00 each for five hours around the island.
Our first stop, was the Concorde Airplane museum which nobody wanted to visit. There were no fees posted and the entrance fees of US$ 18.00 pp were negotiated between our driver and the museum worker. I was the first to object having seen better and bigger aviation museums in the world. Our second stop was Sunbury House, a run down farm house with rum tasting included. Again, the entrance fees were not posted and we declined.
Third stop was the Orchid World, where seven people in our group paid US$10.00 each to go inside and look around for 45 minutes. After seeing more than 5,000 varieties of orchids at the Singapore Orchid Garden, I didn't feel like visiting a very small “so called” orchid garden. Once again no entrance fees were posted and prices varied for everything, including snacks and beverages. Another seedy tourist trap with totally disinterested staff!
Fourth stop was at the beach at Speightstown for pictorials. Our last and important stop was a visit to the world's oldest Rum distillery, Mount Gay Rum. Here we paid US$8.00 per person to go through the museum which included the rum tasting. With all the hype about this Caribbean island, I wasn't blown away. Entrance fees at tourist spots were not posted, prices of food and drinks were exorbitant.
For instance, a small flying fish sandwich at the terminal was US$5.00 and a glass of watery rum punch was selling for US$7.00. The beach though, appeared to be clean, but was manned by aggressive people that charged US$60.00 for two rusty lounge chairs. Souvenir items were mostly made in China and there was really nothing that stood out in my discerning eyes.
Barbados was the start of my Caribbean disappointment!
Comment
I know. I recently visited the Barbados on a cruise and was disappointed as well. I also don't care for Jamaica. Domica, St. Lucia and St. Martin are some of my favorite places in the Caribbean. Hope you were able to find some places that you like. From Ellie Gilmer, on May 4, 2014 at 09:58 p.m