Blogs from Saint Peter , Barbados, Central America Caribbean

Barbados in February. Sunshine and warm winds - its about 28C. Occasional showers of light, warm, rain. Hummingbirds visiting the tropical flowers in the garden while we breakfast on our verandah. At only 21 miles by 14, Barbados is just a big coral island, unusual in the Caribbean where most islands are volcanic. So no mountains, just a hilly ridge. The island's coast is a succession of sandy beaches. Some long; some in little bays. Some with posh hotels or villas at the back; many with just palm trees. Some with sunbeds, a bar and water sports; others with a man selling refreshing coconuts; some with just us and the ocean. The ocean on the two sides of the island is markedly different. On the Western side, warm waters lap the beaches. On the Eastern coast, ... read more

(P) Known as the Brightest Jewel in the English Crown, Barbados was the first Caribbean island to be settled by the British, in 1627, and it was the first colony to produce sugar - which it still does today, although tourism brings in more cash. It was always protected from invasion by easterly winds and the fact that it is more than 100 miles from the rest of the Lesser Antilles. The east coast is wild and rugged, where Atlantic waves crash onto shore. The west is the opposite, with the gentle tide of the Caribbean sea spalshing the lightly golden sands. On this coast is located the famous Sandy Lane. We decided to take an early holiday this year, and Barbados was just the place. Although we were travelling economy, we managed to get seats ... read more