Exploring Barbados’ East Coast by Car

After ringing in 2011 on Barbados, we found ourselves lazing around on the beautiful beaches this friendly, amazing island offers. Halfway through our 10-day vacation, we rented a small car to explore the beaches on Barbados’ rugged, eastern coast.

We reserved a car in advance with Stoutes Car Rental.  A representative from Stoutes met us at the Accra Beach Hotel and sent us quickly on our way.  In Barbados, the steering wheel is on the passenger side and the driving lane is on the left-hand side of the road, the exact opposite of what we're used to in the U.S.!  Note to folks renting a car on Barbados:  It is very hot here!  Rent a car with air conditioning! 

Following a map, we drove north to Cattlewash Beach, an amazing stretch of beach sprinkled with sea glass, shells and other treasures.  The beach, which is several miles long, was completely deserted and quiet, except for the large, pounding waves.  We could have walked for miles here, as we love long walks combing the beach.  There were no hotels or buildings along the beach - just vegetation and the Atlantic ocean.

Next stop: Bathsheba.  We parked near several tour buses and walked along the beach to explore the huge rock formations, including Mushroom Rock (see photo below), in the ocean. The surf was very rough but there were small, shallow pools of water carved out of the flat coral reef, where people can safely cool off.  This beach is known worldwide for its Soup Bowl, popular among surfers and considered one of the best surfing spots in the world.

The tiny village of Bathsheba had a great "local" feel and hosted a handful of eateries, gift shops and small guest houses.  On our next trip to Barbados, we agreed that we’d like to spend a couple of quiet nights here. As we headed out of Bathsheba, we were awarded us with some amazing views of the beach and village.

As the air temperature increased, we felt the need for a swim!   Next stop was Bath Beach, which offered safe, calm water for swimming, lots of shade from the casuarina trees, a parking lot and bathroom facilities.  The water was warm and amazing.  We tried snorkeling but the small waves clouded up the visibility. We read after-the-fact of a small waterfall located north of the beach and wish we had checked it out. 

Thanks for reading!  To learn more about Barbados, click here.  To read my full trip report on my time in Barbados, click here.

I have to end this post with a few pictures of my FAVORITE beach on Barbados, Bottom Bay (considered south coast, not east coast).  Surrounded by tall coral cliffs, with its picturesque palm trees and sparkling turquoise water, this beach took our breath away!  The surf was too strong to swim but we would have LOVED to jump in here and spend a whole day.  Enjoy!

Don’t Miss Pinel Island off St. Martin!

If you find yourself on St. Martin, I highly recommend an excursion to Pinel Island on St. Martin’s east end.  Very small, very laid back and very pretty! Pinel Island is called Isle Pinel, or in French Ilet Pinel or Ile de Pinel. 

We parked our jeep in the village of Cul-de-Sac, located just past the spectacular Orient Bay, and mingled with the friendly wild donkeys roaming around in the parking lot.  

We caught the small boat to the island around noon – I wish we had caught the first boat so we could have spent a full day!  The shuttle boat leaves every 30 minutes from 10am to 5pm and the ride costs $7. The ride takes about five minutes and the water is very calm. 

Once on the island, paradise!  We checked out our surroundings on this tiny little island lined with sandy beaches; the calm, crystal clear, sparking water was absolutely stunning!  

The view of St. Martin in the distance, with its hills, was just amazing.   

 We brought our own snorkel gear and explored the reefs along the snorkel trail.

We found a trail and took a small hike to the other side of Pinel Island, which offered sea grape trees and a completed deserted beach and enjoyed the tranquil silence and scenery.

The island offers three little restaurants, Le Karabuni, the Yellow Beach restaurant and Up on the Key, as well as a small gift shop.  Since we had already had lunch, we didn’t try any food but Pinel Island sparked my never-ending love for pina coladas.

We bought a couple rounds and drank them on the beach, savoring the tasty treats topped with just enough delicious ground nutmeg.  After a couple drinks, we relaxed in the shade of some umbrellas on the beach. To this day, I have never tasted a pina colada as tasty as the ones I drank on Pinel Island. 

Around 5pm, we reluctantly caught the last boat back to the mainland with the rest of the stragglers on the island.  Seems we were not the only folks who wanted to spend more time there – the boat back to St. Martin was packed!  

 

To learn more about Pinel Island, click here.  A few more pictures - enjoy!

Scenes from Capri (September 30, 2011)

We spent the first five days of our Italian honeymoon in Positano, relaxing at the Albergo Miramare, swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea and enjoying the tastes and sights of the this amazing town.   On Thursday evening, we asked the Miramare's host Rosita to book us a boat trip (50 euros per person) to the Isle of Capri for Friday.  (To read my trip report on my time in Positano, click here.)

The boat, which left from the ferry dock in Positano early in the morning, was comfortable and was not too crowded; there were no more than 20 passengers on board.  An hour later, we arrived at the island of Capri.

As we circled the island's coastline, our captain pointed out spots of interest along the way, including the Faraglioni, three blocks of rocks located off Capri, one of which hosts rare blue-tinted lizards.  

As we approached the Green Grotto, a small cave full of glowing emerald green water, our captain dropped anchor and some passengers (ourselves includes!) too turns jumping off the boat and swimming in the sea.  The water was crystal clear and warm; I wished that there were no other boats around so we could snorkel near the rocks and caves and relax. 

We continued to circle the island but noticed a very long line at the Blue Grotto, the island’s most famous attraction (tickets were 12.50 euros per person) due to its stunning blue waters.  Instead we headed toward Marina Grande so we could dock and leave the boat behind to explore the island on foot.  The beach near the marina was very pretty and later in the afternoon, became very crowded.

The passengers on the boat broke up into separate tour groups but we walked to the local bus stop and waited in 90 degree heat for a bus that never came!  

  

We finally hopped into an open-air taxi up to Anacapri – I loved the taxi ride and the views were phenomenal as we climbed up the winding roads. 

We reached Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri, and sat down at an outdoor café for an overpriced, forgettable lunch (so disappointing to have a lousy meal, I wish I had researched this ahead of time!).  After lunch, we bought tickets to ride the 12-minute long chairlift that brings you just below the peak of Monte Solaro.  We enjoyed checking out the gardens and flowers along the way, and of course, the beautiful views of the island.

 As we were just over 1,900 feet above sea level, the views were incredible!  

It was HOT so after taking a zillion photos, we bought cold drinks at the snack bar and relaxed in the shade before taking the chair lift back down. 

Despite the heat, we walked around Anacapri, checking out the local shops and sights - stopping for some gelato!  

We hopped a very packed local shuttle bus back down to Capri Town, where spent a few minutes peeking at the bars and restaurants.   

From there, we rode the funicular down to Marina Grande, where exhausted, we sat down and ordered two very over-priced beers overlooking the water while waiting for our boat to depart. Thankfully, after boarding, the boat's captain anchored so we could jump in the water again and cool down. 

All in all, Capri is a beautiful island and an interesting experience but it was mobbed with tourists and not very relaxing in the blazing September sun.  I hear the "magic" happens after the sun goes down and the tourists leave for the day.  Maybe next time we'll book a room, find a remote swimming hole and have a more relaxed experience.  Learn more about Capri. 

Where to Next?  My trip report on my upcoming week in Wellfleet, Cape Cod! 

Wellfleet, here we come!

Greetings!  Due to a busy, busy month, I have seriously slacked at posting on my travel blog. This weekend, the hubby and I are heading to my favorite destination in the world, Wellfleet, Massachusetts.    

This Cape Cod town on the outer Cape boasts a beautiful strip of National Seashore, gorgeous bay-side beaches, many kettle ponds, lots of art galleries, awesome oysters and shellfish and great outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming and running.   

We are heading to Wellfleet to catch a Yellowman show at The Beachcomber.  We saw Yellowman, a Jamaican reggae artist, perform in Negril a few years ago and cannot wait to see him again.

I will have a full report next week but here are some of my favorite past photos from Wellfleet. Stay tuned!

Between White Crest Beach and LeCount Hallow Beach

Cahoon Hallow Beach with my dad, 1978

Sluice between Gull and Higgins Ponds

Secret Beach

 

Bayside

Cahoon Hallow Beach