April 3, 2025 - Barbados

Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It has a shape like an inverted Africa and covers 439 square kilometers. The island is relatively flat, with gently sloping terraced plains and rolling hills. The western half of the island features coastal lowlands, while the eastern side has low hills that shadow the coastline. Barbados is surrounded by coral reefs, and its interior is primarily composed of coralline limestone, which supports underground water channels like the Coles Cave.

Barbados has a population of approximately 282,000 people. Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, has an estimated population of 85,000. The city is known for its colonial architecture, markets, and its waterfront.

Barbados has a tropical climate that is hot and humid year-round, with cooling trade winds making it bearable. The island experiences two main seasons:

• Dry season (December to April): This is the best time to visit, with lower humidity, less rainfall, and plenty of sunshine.
• Rainy season (June to November): More frequent showers, but they are usually short-lived. September to November tends to be the wettest period.

Temperatures remain fairly consistent throughout the year, ranging from 75°F to 87°F, with the warmest months being July to October. The sea is warm enough for swimming all year, averaging 79°F to 84°F.

Barbados is occasionally affected by tropical storms and hurricanes, especially between August and October, though direct hits are rare.

Barbados has history similar to other islands in the area, which that spans centuries. Before European colonization, the island was inhabited by the Carib peoples. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover Barbados, naming it "Os Barbados" (meaning "the bearded ones") in reference to the island’s fig trees or possibly its indigenous inhabitants.

The British arrived in 1625 and established a colony in 1627. Barbados became a major hub for sugar production, which led to the importation of enslaved Africans to work on plantations. The island remained under British rule until 1966, when it gained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

In 2021, Barbados transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, officially removing the British monarch as its head of state.

Barbados has a high-income economy that has evolved from being sugar-dependent to a service-driven economy focused on tourism, international business, and foreign direct investment

Key Economic Sectors:

• Tourism – The backbone of the economy, contributing significantly to GDP growth. The sector has rebounded strongly post-pandemic, with increased airlift capacity and promotional efforts
• International Business & Finance – Barbados is a hub for offshore banking and financial services, attracting foreign investment.
• Agriculture & Manufacturing – While smaller, these sectors still contribute through exports like sugar, rum, and electrical components.

Barbados is famous for its delicious local cuisine, with flying fish and cou-cou being the national dish. Flying fish is often seasoned and fried or steamed, served alongside cou-cou, a cornmeal and okra-based dish similar to polenta. Other popular Bajan foods include pepperpot, a rich, spicy meat stew, and pudding and souse, a dish made of pickled pork and sweet potato pudding.

Today we took an excursion to some of the more scenic sights on the islands. Along the way we passed Rihanna’s home. This global superstar, entrepreneur, and philanthropist was born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown. Her home is a twenty-one million dollar residence in a huge complex that houses five other homes. It is situated on the west coast of Bridgetown.

Next, we crossed the island and saw the agricultural side of Barbados. They have already harvested most this year’s sugar cane. As you would expect, the rural areas are very poor, but the government is involved in multiple projects to build affordable housing.

We stopped in Bethshepa, where got to see the Atlantic Ocean in all its fury. 

After this we travelled to St. John’s parish church. This one of the first churches built by the British settlers. After this we stopped at a rum factory for a drink and souvenir shopping.

We got back to pier, early in the afternoon and were hoping to find fried flying fish for lunch. Unfortunately, the restaurant closest to the pier was sold out.

We are on are way to St. Johns, Antigua. So far we have cruised 1,700 nautical miles. The seas are very rough. I was slammed against the wall while taking a shower and Marg is not feeling her best. It might make for a very rough night.