Blogs from Christ Church, Barbados, Central America Caribbean

Covid saga Well we get off the ship and take a PCR test to get into the villa which was called Mustard Seed and it was situated in the Mullins area of Barbados. The villa was amazing and really in a good situation. So we all think everything is fine and dandy - how wrong can things go. We all get our results later in the day apart from Sue and Eric. We are all negative so we go out for a meal. Then when we get back the worst news that could happen was Sue had tested positive. One of the stipulations on Barbados is that you need to inform your accommodation provider immediately. So on the Sunday we inform the agent who is handling the booking for the villa from Booking.com. The local track ... read more

Well it was a really quiet day today with not a lot going on if I am honest. We all had to go for our PCR tests so we can board the ship on Saturday. The tests were completed across the road from our hotel so not to much of a faff we thought until we got to the desk and the lady asks us for our QR codes. To which we all said we have not got one. The poor lady then tried to explain to us that we needed one and how to get it. You would think that would be simple except we did not have internet access so some of us used her iPad to fill in the forms (which we had done before and were not given a QR code) and ... read more

Well another day in paradise (Phil Collins eat your heart out). It has been a quiet day today mainly by the beach. However, we did venture out for brunch which was a really nice meal. We also managed to change our PCR test to over the road instead of being over 30 miles away slo that was a win win for us to be honest. Sue, Graham and Eric decided to go into Bridgetown for a change and now the story begins!! When we got back to the room Sue and our key card did not work to get into the room so we had to investigate by Mike and Sue going down to reception whilst I waited upstairs with the shopping. Whilst they were at reception I noticed a lady cleaning rooms so I asked ... read more

Well we have arrived at last into Barbados. You will never know how many hoops we have had to jump through. Even down to when we were supposed to board and the tannoy says we are waiting to see if the captain has tested positive!!!! However, that is all in the past now as arrived at the hotel and first thing, well nearly the first thing, as had to unpack my dresses and hang them up and guess what realised Mike only has one hanger left - well princess or what never said I was anything else, ha ha, we had a swim in the sea and a few beers and a bite to eat. I need to tell you this, do not and I am saying do not, watch The Father with Anthony Hopkins and ... read more

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the land, Not a tourist was stirring, child, woman, nor man. The beaches were sunny, the water was warm, “But where are the visitors?” locals cried with alarm. “It’s the economy,” they whispered, “and no one has money. Can’t pay the mortgage, can’t go where it’s sunny.” OK, I’m not going to be named Poet Laureate anytime soon, but you get the idea. Barbados is my favorite winter vacation spot, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this empty. The global economic meltdown has, sadly, spread to Barbados as well. A number of decent, mid-range hotels have closed. Some are closed under the mantel of “refurbishment” (In the middle of high season? With no visible workers?), some are actively being demolished, and some are just shuttered and ... read more