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HANG ON TIGHT!!!!If you go to Barbados and are staying at one of the West Coast's glitzy hotels (or not as the case may be!) if you want to travel Bajan style - do try a trip on a local "Yellow Bus". In contrast to the sedate government Blue Buses, the independent Yellow Buses are an experience not to be missed. These buses offer all the sound and excitement of the best theme-park rides in Orlando across the sea in Florida and at Barbados Dollars one-fifty (for as far as you want to go) are a fraction of the price! - The closest thing in London is a No 19 bus on its homeward run through Knightsbridge and Chelsea on its way back to its Battersea depot at lunch or tea time- but thats without the accompanying Reggae or steel band music at top volume!
Also where perhaps except in Barbados will the bus crew take pity on a lost looking tourist and stop outside your hotel gates! In London pensioners are locked in until the bus doors open - in Barbados the budding Schumacher Yellow bus driver will screech to a halt right outside the house of an elderly local lady and help her off with her shopping to her gate. Or perhaps you might find yourself in a race with another yellow bus - I have never worked out the reason for these hair-raising road races but its probably either to reach the next batch of waiting fare paying passengers before the other bus or simply because its "fun" (for the bus crews at least) - the locals seem to take it all in their stride so its best to hold on tight and smile!
They did ban the Reggae music last year after an unfortunate accident in which the music somehow contributed to, but I'm glad to say the music has returned as loud as ever. This can be disconcerting tho' when the driver is beating time to the music with an empty plastic Coke bottle whilst negotiating the traffic and road bends one-handed at what feels like hypersonic speeds.
In contrast, whether as a pedestrian or a hire-car driver, you will notice how courteous the majority of Bajan drivers can be. Given there ar very few pedestrian crossings outside of towns or villages if you are waiting for a safe time to cross a busy road, dont be surprised if a driver from each direction stops to let you cross the road despite other traffic behind them - the same is true when driving when other drivers will often stop and allow you to turn in front of them when making a right turn (for you USA readers we drive on the left in Barbados!) - a quick toot on the horn in thanks is always considered polite in this case.
If you do hire a vehicle as a couple - unless you are under 30-something and/or uber sensitive to fashion, avoid a 4x4, jeep or Moke with a hood (rag-top for US readers) - they rarely have side panels and may look "cool" but in fact they are the opposite in the carribean weather. It can rain tropically and with summer temperatures often above 85 degrees , a small car with air-con will keep you cool and dry in both rain and shine - also you can put shopping in the boot (trunk)safely.....The island is traditionally very safe and has a high level of literacy and education across the board. Neverthess like most destinations, there is petty crime in Barbados. The locals tell me they blame it on immigrants from Jamaica. However an open vehicle could be an invitation to theft as some locals or immigrants live very frugally compared to "wealthy" tourists.
There is increasing Celeb tourism from the UK and the US. Obviously celebs attract media coverage and it may seem from the media that Barbados is the only preserve of the rich and famous. This is not actually true, though unless you are a dedicated celeb chaser and have a very tidy bank balance you might care to avoid one well known West Coast hotel. This advice might not surprise you, coming as it does from someone who likes to ride the yellow buses !!!
Apart from the Blair's recent visits to the island, Cilla Black was up front in our plane going out last time and Prince Harry had been on the Island several weeks before. He had apparently discovered our favourite local bar "Groots" - which despite its modest "Chattel House" exterior boasts Michael Winner as past visitor "slumming it" from nearby Sandy Lane. Despite the coverage that celeb accommodation on the island receives in the media, there are hotels, villas and apartments to rent for all budgets and you will find that Barbados is still one of the most pleasant places to visit in the West Indies.....and for your cheap thrills on Barbados, ride the Yellow Buses!!
