Endless Sun,Rum, Bajan Fish cakes and good vibes... Barbados

LETS SET THE SCENE

Let's backtrack to pre holiday, end of university stress, a billion deadlines and one was lacking; sleep, food and sanity. Then BOOM, before I knew it...8 hours of in-flight movie binging and one too many complementary Pino Grigio later we had arrived in BARBADOS. I must say, I had rather high expectations from only positive reviews, and shock horror, this extremely magical place exceeded them all! Ain't no deadlines but yah happy hour order, plenty of Zzz, delicious Bajan goodies and a constant air of 'don't worry be happy' (Shout out to Reggae king and holiday playlist Bob Marley). Continue reading for an enlightening highlight reel of a newbies adventure in Rhianna's former ghetto.

PS. SIDE NOTE: Before you wonder 'How the hella did this rich bitch go from the slums and stress of University living and self pity to frolicking in the waters of Barbados with a Pina in hand?' I must give a special shoutout to the boyfriend for a hefty loan & his incredibly generous family. Mills clan I am forever grateful xxx

Our pretty average garden (Ft. my over exposed yet evenly tanned bum cheeks)

ACCOMODATION:

-WHEN I SAY 'CRAGGY' YOU SAY 'NOOK'

What the frig is a craggy nook you may snigger... I invite you to the most a dreamy villa I have ever had the pleasure of staying in my 21 years of livelihood. Located in the idilic 'Hastings' area of the island ye Craggy Nook is literally- no joke-about 20 wide strides away from the crystal clear waters. Aside from being located in the shallows of the sea, Craggy Nook was both functionally and aesthetically pleasing with its minimalist, beachy interior and inappropriately large waterfall showers, and open plan living areas (big enough to do multiple cartwheels in).

ATMOUSPHERE:

-ONE LUV

'Let's get together and feel alright' was most definitely a vibe. The beautiful people of Barbados made us feel most welcome with their friendly laid back attitude and their persistent offerings of rum punch really hit a soft spot. From the airport staff to the taxi driver who insisted on cramming 6 of us into a 5 seat car, the hospitality of Barbados is top notch. Genuine, kind, authentic. One of few destinations I have traveled where your presence is appreciated, not surprising considering Barbados thrives off the tourism industry with the UK alone bringing $1Billion annually to the wonderful island.

-REALITY CHECK:

THE CURSE OF SARGASSUM (SIMILAR SOUNDING TO SARCASM & ORGASM... but neither funny nor pleasant).

A huge appeal of le vacation is the escapism it brings from our stressful and chaotic perceptions of life back home. Additionally, a rather significant appeal to travel to a magical place such as Barbados is the expectation of soft sand between our toes and crystal clear waters. Put the two elements of escapism and expectations together, what do you get: 'Privileged Brits abroad'. With this in mind, I couldn't help but laugh when rather copious amounts of brown and rather pungent seaweed started washing up along the shore of every inch of coastline, making the prior piss easy journey into the waters quite the Bush-tucker trial. But, before I could scream 'I'm a Celeb get me outta here', one took a step back from the crunchy seaweed to realise I am indeed not a celebrity and this seaweed drama has actually got something to say. The message read 'Climate Change'...rumour has it, even on hols one cannot escape the reality of a climate catastrophe.

-FOOD:

IF YOU LIKE PINA COLADAS AND GETTING CAUGHT IN THE RUM.

Gone are the days of my holiday cuisine consisting of my favourite European carb combo; freshly baked baguettes and LAYS (the holiday version of Walkers crips for anyone who lives under a rock). Gone are the days of suspiciously weak, 2 for1 strawberry daiquiris. Gone are the days of channelling my inner VS model bikini body. Instead, Barbados provided me the opportunity to eat and drink like a king, and I enjoyed every bite and slurp. As a fellow Pescatarian I was impressed by the array of fresh fish on offer (so fresh and meaty I conspired I was eating chicken upon my first feast), also lets not forget the incredible binge worthy bajan fish cakes and potato rotis. To quench ones thirst in the 30 degree heat, Pina Coladas and Rum Punch were the go to's and I can assure you the lovely people of Barbados do not make their beverages weak....From the fancy fine dining at Champers to the potato roti from the Chefette drive by, my taste buds were well and truly tantalised (and my weight has well and truly risen).

-REFLECTIVE THOUGHTS:

HOLIDAY BLUES.

As the end of the quickest two weeks approached, I naturally resisted returning to the fast paced routine and responsibilities awaiting in England. Until one evening, as if by magic, James a local waiter heard our negative chatter as we sipped on another rum punch watching the sunset.

James, whom balances three jobs to scrape by and feed his family reminded us off our privileged positions and incredible opportunities awaiting at home. James would trade places quicker than I could order another rum punch if he could. Isn't it funny how perceptions of someone else's life isn't always accurate? With the sun well and truly set, and the inspirational DMC from waiter/farmer/father/ incredibly hard worker James in my heart, I was ready to return home with a full heart, big belly and sun- kissed skin.

Barbados you were a dreamy escape, but let's make everyday a vacay at home. We're only here for a short while anyway!

One Luv. Annabel X