Barbados - a warning.
 

Having just returned from two weeks in Barbados, I thought <BR>people might be interested in our comments: fantastic weather, lovely beaches, wonderful sea & we had a brilliant time. But ...... <BR>The island is hopelessly over-populated - Bridgetown is as crowded & polluted as London at its worse & traffic as a <BR>whole on the island is appalling. Anyone who knows the Canary Islands will find Barbados strangely familiar - <BR>just in a nicer part of the world. The south of the island <BR>is totally over-developed, with many parts run-down - loads <BR>of derelict hotels/houses, bad roads/pavements, masses of <BR>rubbish. The south-east (where Sam Lord's Castle is & <BR>where much of the future development is planned) is very <BR>isolated & while we were there the seas were too rough to <BR>swim or even paddle in (all round the island the seas were <BR>rougher than we expected). The west coast, where all the <BR>most upmarket hotels are, is fine in a snooty, exclusive <BR>kind of way, although again developed from bottom to top, & <BR>loads of building work in progress. The east & north <BR>coasts are a waste of time for anyone from England: rough <BR>seas, rocky beaches, grey skies & rain! <BR>I'm afraid that the island as a whole is a classic example <BR>of badly managed tourism & the way us tourists ruin the <BR>places we visit - I think the Bajan government is in <BR>serious danger of killing its golden goose. We were <BR>stunned by the numbers of white women (specifically <BR>Americans & Canadians) who were obviously there solely to <BR>pick up Bajan men - which leads to a pretty unpleasant <BR>atmosphere for women as a whole. I was on the receiving <BR>end of endless hassle & obscene suggestions - even when <BR>walking hand in hand with my partner, which on a couple of <BR>occasions almost led to violence. We found that almost <BR>everywhere one's constantly pressured to buy (LOADS of <BR>drugs around, both soft & hard) or give money, & everything <BR>is geared to the hard sell. <BR>Food is fine but expensive - even being careful & not <BR>drinking more than a couple of beers, we paid over UK <BR>prices for every meal. Car hire's also expensive but I'd <BR>say vital - we used buses, which are cheap but very <BR>unreliable (waits of an hour were common) & UNBELIEVABLY <BR>crowded! <BR>So, to sum up - we had a lovely time & swam & snorkelled <BR>all day (not great underwater visibility) & ate well, but <BR>we certainly won't be going back & I wouldn't recommend the <BR>island to anyone. We're planning to try Tobago next time <BR>..... before us tourists ruin it. <BR>

Yes, many of the things you say are True of Barbados. And I do agree with you that there may be better islands to see, <BR>but you can find excellent values there <BR>for what you pay....and good food...so its really not as bad as your opinion states. Bajans are a nice people overall <BR>and made me feel relaxed....

Just a quick response to Anton. I assume you're male if you were made to feel relaxed, & I assume you travelled alone & weren't constantly asked by locals if they could f*** your girlfriend ....... & before anyone makes any assumptions, yes, I dressed totally appropriately & half my holiday wardrobe came home un-worn. <BR> <BR>Relaxed? No.

Poor little Pip, <BR>Man sounds to me like you are lucky to <BR>even have a woman, at all...if thats what locals were asking you!(very sick) <BR>You would be better off at home, wankin! <BR>Send you girl to me, we can do an island Manage ja twa'.... Mmm, then we can all stay happy and full of joy.

"me anton....me not too smart" <BR>Not only are you not very observant (Pip is a woman, not a man with a woman), you are rude and it really is not much wonder you didn't enjoy st. lucia: rude, obnoxious people are not made welcome wherever they go.... <BR>

Thanks Kelly. Er yes Anton: me Pip, me woman. <BR> <BR>The Net is truly a scary & sad place.

Oh my...You certainly are intitled to your opinions. <BR>Oh Gee...I forgot to mention that I am an awful American, the rich, wasteful type you blokes(rhymes with dopes) dislike so greatly. <BR>Yes, Americans ruined the tropics(U streotyping fool)! <BR>You are too wise for even the internet(obviously)!

Last time I EVER try to be helpful to any other potential travellers. <BR> <BR>What the hell did we do to merit this abuse? I don't remember saying anything derogatory about Americans (I used to live there & love it). <BR> <BR>

Hi Pip: Don't get discouraged posting a <BR>very helpful reply to fellow travellers. <BR>My parents go to Barbados every year for <BR>a month except for this last year, they <BR>have heard rumors about how the island <BR>has changed - I gave them a copy of your <BR>posting - they are now thinking about <BR>going somewhere else for next year. <BR>Thanks for your very useful information <BR>and don't let one person ruin it for all <BR>of us.

Boy oh boy.... <BR>I recommend St. Lucia(to everyone here)...very popular among the english. <BR>Really now, Barbados is known as Britin of the tropics, both as far as population density, as well as customs/influence. All the English did was bad mouth it everywhere(Barbados)...And all we could think of was "Then why did you even come here?"(and english are there in droves and why so extemely dissatisfied) <BR>If they think Barbados is bad, then they need to hit Jamaica, or better yet <BR>Grenada... <BR>Yes, if you want to directly insult me, go ahead...go for it, but remember it takes an even bigger Fool to Recognize one...dont forget that.

Pip, Thank you from this American about your posting on Barbados. We were going back and forth between Barbados and St. Lucia and with your posting and our travel agent's recommendation we decided on St. Lucia. No matter where you go something can happen and you can either dwell on the negative or move on and make the best of it. Don't let one person keep you from helping others. <BR> <BR>We have been to England 3 times and love the country and the people. We found the English and Scottish people very friendly and warm towards Americans. That was one reason why we wanted to go to Barbados because it would be a little like being in England again but with a tropical setting. <BR> <BR>Thank you for your posting. We leave for St. Lucia in April.

Message to Anton: Miss "Rich Bitch" I guess you didn't pay attention in school because the word is "entitled" not "intitled"!

P.S. to Anton: You brits are so snobbish that is why I had no sympathy for Lennox Lewis that they did not declare him the winner because he was too @!#$! arrogant!

The Forum is a great place to exchange views and experiences. Haven't been to <BR>Barbados or St. Lucia in years but appreciate hearing how people like the odious "ANTON" have managed in their <BR>hostility to change it.Poor critter! <BR>Anton, just remain under your rock and let we happy people enjoy an intelligent <BR>exchange of views. It is obvious that you are somewhat friendless and require <BR>the stimulation of obscenities.