Last year I decided that I will miss Advent in Prague. and I'll go out into the heat. No frosts, no stress, just disappear for three whole weeks and not come back until Christmas Eve. I combined business with pleasure and set off for a language course in Barbados. How did I spend these three weeks?
On the waves of the Atlantic
A vacation in Barbados isn't just about lounging on a sunbed, so on day fourteen I set out to explore rugged east coast. I was looking forward to a trip to the other side of the island, where the Atlantic waves and unbridled nature that will take your breath away rule.
Bathsheba: Where giants play chess with the ocean
At eight in the morning I was already sitting on the bus and after an hour of travel I got off in a picturesque Bathsheba. This place is an absolute icon for Caribbean travel thanks to its giant rock formations, which stick straight out of the water. These majestic boulders are actually the remains of ancient coral reef, which has been worked for centuries by relentless surf and strong winds.
In addition, Bathsheba is a surfer's paradise, mainly thanks to the famous wave "„Soup Bowl“". Even if you can't swim here due to the strong currents, the sight of the water crashing against the petrified coral is an indescribable experience. The history of the place goes back deep into the colonial era, when the wealthier inhabitants of the island escaped the heat from the interior.
Adrenaline trek to Martin's Bay
Once I had had enough of the views, I got "„ingenious“"the idea of walking along the coast to Martin's Bay. I was hoping for calmer water for swimming, but the journey turned out to be more of a challenge than I expected. My flip flops definitely they were not ideal shoes for the terrain, which after a while changed from a well-trodden path to thick tall grass and hills.
As a result, I had to to break through vegetation and better not to think about what might jump out of the grass at me. But I finally made it and arrived at Martin's Bay, which is a traditional fishing village known for its peaceful atmosphere. Here too the Atlantic did not disappoint with its wildness and the beach was rather rocky, so swimming was out of the question.
What interested me in Martin's Bay
Authentic atmosphere without crowds of tourists – I didn't meet anyone.
Opportunity to observe local fishermen at work.
Beautiful cliffs lining the bay.
Absolute peace for a snack and contemplation by the ocean.
A botanical gem named Andromeda
I rested a bit and headed out. 3.5 km long hike along the hot road towards Andromeda Botanical Gardens. This garden is considered to be the oldest and largest in Barbados and it was definitely worth the scorching sun to visit. It was founded in 1954 by Iris Bannochie, a visionary gardener and self-taught gardener who made it a world-class attraction.
On the other hand, the garden does not appear as a stark museum, but as living, organic organism. You will find here more than 600 plant species, making it one of the most species-diverse tropical gardens on the planet. I walked among orchids, giant palm trees a colorful hibiscus a good hour and a half, even though I was already feeling tired.
Once I had seen the last rare fern, I hailed a shared taxi. This whisked me back to civilization, where I ended the day with a quick swim on the west beach at sunset. Barbados had drained me physically today, but had recharged my soul to the max.
All about Barbados in my e-book
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