Roadtrip Around Barbados

Yesterday, we drove a lap around an entire country - how often do you get to say that!? Having a later flight than the rest of the touring Waving The Flag group, Melissa and I, and Graham, hired a car and completed a lap around Barbados, allowing us to see parts of it that perhaps not everyone manages to see.

Heading out from St Lawrence Gap, we ventured into Bridgetown for a final look, and wander through the bustling streets of the capital. With the shops open, the fruit and veggies stalls lining many of the streets, and the regular Bajans just going about their day, this felt like such a real glimpse.

Getting back to the car, we drove north through Holetown and Speightown, both fairly small towns despite their lettering size on our map. We were soon to discover that navigating by towns as we did our lap was tricky, with many of them featuring on the map, but being such a small blur as we drove past. I wondered if as an Aussie used to roadtripping such vast distances, that getting used to these places on the map oh so close together was just too hard to fathom.

We stopped just at the outer edge of town when we spotted Speightstown Pier, for a closer look, and also to get our feet onto the beautiful what sand that now edged the road.

Climbing back into the air conditioning comfort of the car, given the increasing temperature and blazing sun outside, we then headed inland, to the parish of St Lucy, we were worked on getting a view of her from above.

In this part of the island we started passing fields of sugar cane, as we worked our way through the smaller roads and villages towards the northern edge of Barbados. We went off road at Salmond to take in Archer's Bay, and the rugged coastline at this end of the island. The emerald blue water crashing into the cliffs and Barbados' answer to the 12 Apostles.

Back on the main road, we also found North Point, where we stopped for some lunch and watched as the waves crashed some more.

Starting to watch the clock, we then meandered through the small roads all the way along and down the east coast of Barbados. Sugar cane was replaced with banana crops, and clear beaches were switched for mountain views, curves, and steep roads giving us a widescreen filled with combination ocean and mountain contrasts.

One of the main landmarks that allowed Graham and I to navigate as Melissa drove was the churches, one in almost every town. And grand, amazing churches they were, often perched away from the village life, or tucked smack-bang in the middle of it all.

Following the map closely at the end, nearing our deadline for the end of our roadtrip, being check in time at the airport, we made it without any issues. Like everything in the Caribbean, things are just chill! Such a great day, seeing all outer angles of Barbados.

Beautiful Buildings of Bridgetown

Along with the gorgeous Parliament Building of Bridgetown, there are so many amazing gems dotted around the main streets in town, that just make you stop in your tracks and admire them.



Many are bright coloured, all are ornately decorated, and command your attention!

Even tucked down the side streets, there are these beautiful structures to be found, just serving their everyday function.

Some of them are run down, don't get me wrong. But the ones restored and maintained with care are a tribute to Barbados, and part of the character of this Caribbean island nation.

Incredible Win in Bridgetown

This match at Kensington Oval, being the first of the series between the West Indies and Australia, really had it all! It swung either way, looking like a Windies win, petering out to a slow run crawl, a couple of rain delays, then was surely destined for a draw, had two stunning innings declarations at 9 for, and then, amazingly, reached the final chapter with an Aussie win!

The first 2 days saw the West Indies bat through, having won the toss. The highlight was Sammy's courageous captain's knock, even taking some blows to his helmet in the process. His declaration at 9 for 449 had the local fans very excited, with a sense of the return for this team to the greatest of old.

Returning to Kensington Oval on Day 3 to watch the Australian team bat, we kept to much the same pace as the West Indies, although without the same luxury of time. The last session featuring a rain delay, and then a premature end of the day due to bad light, the mood of the ground was sensing a draw.

With the West Indian bowling attack having the upper hand for the start of Day 4, the success of Australian newly-crowned all-rounder, Ryan Harris, steadied the ship by imparting a lengthy tail wag. The Aussie attack in the form of Hilfenhaus tore the WI top order apart, and changed the path of the game again. Harris, returning to the ground as the fast bowler that is his main role, took 3, leading him to win Man of the Match.

Sadly, yesterday was marred for me with the return of the illness I fought off just before coming away. Thus, the last day for me consisted of this view from our hotel room balcony in St Lawrence Gap, and the radio commentary. Through the lingering West Indies innings, and then the slow pace of both teams, a draw was back on the cards. A lengthy rain delay gave the home side some hope once more of the draw, and then the standard wicket collapse from our batsman that seems to be characteristic of the current order did not help matters, before once again Harris and Hilfenhaus were called upon to save the match for the Australians. A victory by 3 wickets.

Test match cricket is alive and well, with games like these! This is what it's all about!

The Best Dressed Man in Barbados

A dapper Bajan gentleman caught my eye in the stands at Kensington Oval on Day 2 of the First Test between the West Indies and Australia. Dressed in a full lemon suit, with matching shoes and bowler hat, complete with suspenders, and a tie and vest of the same patterned threads. What a delightful and impressive sight!

Sitting among the crowd in the Worrell, Weekes and Walcott Stand (The 3 Ws), I didn't actually see him on the first day, and I wonder what colour he was wearing then! But once I had spotted him in the morning of the second day of the cricket, I could barely stop myself catching a glimpse of such a magnificent sight!

Towards the end of the day, after many, many rums, I did chat to him briefly to express my appreciation. Of course, being a man of the Caribbean, he fired back a quick-fire flirty response. So cheeky!

Sitting in blue shirt, tie and suspenders on Day 3, I didn't catch whether he had a matching vest for this outfit, but the cuffs matched his tie, to complete the display.

Sitting on his own for some of the day, he also talked over the fence to team officials in the break, and sat with a lady friend during another session. Like us, he chased the breeze in the stand in the middle of the day, alternating to the alternate side of the sight screen between Lunch and Tea.

This man's wardrobe must be incredible! Day 4 was chocolate brown, with a beautiful bowler's hat. A gorgeous patterned tie, with the full suit and jacket in brown, with suspenders, this is a man who stands on attention to detail!

He certainly makes me wonder whether he just has these sets of outfits for the 5 days of the cricket, or if indeed this is just his dressing style, and he has a range of these colour coordinated ensembles. The character of the Caribbean, you just never know who and what you may come across!

A Little Local Rum Shack

At the end of play yesterday, the Flaggy group walked down the road from Kensington Oval to the Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum. Finding the bar out the back out of mixers for rum, Little Banksy wandered further down the road, and found us a drinking alternative.

A little local rum shack, simple in wares and set up, had all that we needed, and we took up the table at the side. A bottle of Old Brigand dark rum, some ice and a couple of mixers and we were set.


Sitting in the shadow of the cricket ground, our little group waited as the rest of the larger Flag group took in the museum, before the bus took us all back to The Gap.

The sun set, giving us a gorgeous sky, as locals passed on the way home from the ground and said hi to the bunch of Aussies enjoyed our local experience.

The freedom of rum here is such a contrast to home. Provided it is in plastic and not a glass bottle, you can openly bring rum into the ground, or buy it in copious amounts from the bar. You can purchase a massive bottle, or a selection of other spirits, the sight of which would surely make any Australian ground official faint!

Bridgetown

Today, before we got to the cricket, we took in a little of Bridgetown. Melissa, Little Banksy and I gave ourselves a lie in after staying up to watch the footy from home during the wee hours of the night, and decided to nurse our sadness at the loss by taking it easy.

We grabbed a local bongo bus out on the main road, and jumped off at Accra beach to take in the crystal blue water and to get sand between our toes. Loads of people were out on banana lounges or taking a dip, as we wandered past, and walked the boardwalk to the next beach. Gorgeous.

Back on the main road, we flagged down another bongo and reached the capital of Barbados. Walking from the open-air bus station, along the canal, we reached the National Heroes Square.

From here we could see the Chamberlain Bridge, and the Swing Bridge, with the symbols of Barbados on it. At the other end of the Square is the gothic coral-limestone Parliament Building.

The city was pretty quite, being a public holiday, and we provided a rare fare to an idle taxi driver, who took us out to Kensington Oval and the cricket match.



Last time I was here I had only caught glimpses of Bridgetown from the bus window as we travelled to and from the cricket, which is such an easy trap to fall into.

Taking in the sights, and just wandering around the local streets, feels so much more authentic, and was one of my aims for this return visit.

First Test At Kensington Oval

Yesterday the First Test between the West Indies and Australia began, and we were there at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, to take it all in.

I boarded the bus in the morning and blended in with the Waving The Flag crew in my tour issue shirt. The ride to the ground was pretty quick, and ensured we were there for the toss, and then for the traditionally Flaggy Green presentation to all new members to the group.

The first day for me went pretty fast, which was probably a combination of jetlag and Mount Gay Rum. The Caribbean's finest! The West Indies batted all day, and showed some promise, of which we haven't seen for some years.

Sitting in the 3 W's stand, we took in the cricket, and people and culture around us, and eventually the rain the sprinkled the ground, and ended the day's play. Photo credit

That evening was the Flag team dinner, delayed due to the Good Friday public holiday the night before, and actually a quiet night for most.

Day 2 saw many of us adorned in our Chick Pink, with a distinct different feel without the usual Shelias present.

The embarrassment for the Aussies at the end of the day, with the West Indians declaring at 9 down, as our bowlers struggled to make an impact on the game. Sammy impressed as batsman, taking a few head blows, and posting a decent score.

Long (Good) Friday

“Have you been to Barbados before?” the gorgeous Bajan Customs guy asks. “Yes” I manage to say while trying not to fall asleep standing up. “Welcome back” he drawls with a smile as he stamps my passport. My heart flutters!

I have collected two stamps in my passport today, given myself two DVT-preventing clexane injections, and taken three flights, lasting a mammoth 26 hours of transit. Mum drove me to the airport as the sun was coming up in Ballarat on the morning of Good Friday, and saw me off for my first flight from Melbourne to LA. I then transited to Miami, which was another good five hour flight, and one more down to the Caribbean island, and the location of the first cricket test.

Most of my flight was a massive movie marathon, until the disappointment of no personal entertainment screens on the American Airlines domestic flight. First I watched the last half of the season of Californication that was on offer – that show is such a guilty pleasure! Then I watched One For The Money, of the Stephanie Plum crime treat fiction. I really enjoyed this depiction of a book series I have really liked over the years, and happy with the castings – Ranger is totally hot, just like he is meant to be! But it is light, and funny, and Heigl is perfectly cast for mine. I hope they continue with some more of the series.

I then watched My Week With Marilyn, and despite disliking Michelle Williams with a passion, thought it was really good. This story of her visit to the UK to do a film, and her experiences with method-acting coaching, self esteem and mental health issues was so real, and portrayed so well. I also caught J. Edgar, with Leo starring as the founder of the FBI - interesting portrayal of a very extraordinary man. Next I viewed The Cup, the Australian movie about the 2002 Melbourne Cup win, and all that was going on for Aussies and the Oliver family that week. Such a great story, and one that makes you proud of our passionate, sporting nation!

I tuned in to bits and pieces of The Adventures Of Tin Tin on the domestic flight, and got the gist of it, although it didn’t really engage my attention. I was pleasantly surprised with a bonus upgrade to Business Class for my last flight, when I could curl up or stretch out, and crack the spine of the final Harry Potter novel.

Upon arrival, and my flirty admission into the country, I have grabbed a cab and checked into the room Melissa and I will share this week, at South Gap Hotel, in St Lawrence Gap. I totally feel like this is a second chance visit to Barbados for me, because last time, 4 years ago, I got sick and feel like I missed so much of it. I am so, so excited to lap it all up, and have the greatest time!

I am now sitting out on the balcony listening to Soca tunes from a playlist Springer put together, as the waves lap below me, and the full moon shines overhead. I was just going to wait for the girls to come back to The Gap so I can have a welcome drink with them before I crash…but I think I am done. Early start tomorrow for the first day of the First Test!

Barbados

Last one of the Waving The Flag group to arrive into Barbados for the tour dinner, I had made my way to South Gap Hotel just in time. Rejoining Jessie and Heath, and Melissa, Hemant had also arrived for the test from Australia. Dinner and cocktails to introduce the new Flaggers to the group, and to acquiant ourselves with the local rum.

Day 1 saw the Flaggy Green presentation, and Sparrow announcing that actually my Flagger number is 398 rather than the number he had stated before, and rest of the Reid clan were presented with their caps. The West Indies won the toss, however elected to field, and thus the Aussie started the batting.

That night was the trivia night across the road at The Ship Inn, where the team Three Many Reids came last (!!), before I called it a night with the start of a week long bout of Barbados Belly.

Chick Pink Day on Day 2, saw Heath donn a pink dress of Melissa's much to the delight of the bus in the morning, and even captured the attention of the commentators on the broadcast! That night after the days play we had a few drinks at the Legends Bar with former West Indian cricketers. Back to the hotel and a quick change of clothes, we then climbed into a packed taxi and went down to Oistins - for seafood and the market. This area was teaming with people, music, dancing, and seafood smells.

Day 3 was spent in the Party Stand, which was actually the most disappointing party stand of tour, with limited range of alcohol, and a members fee inforced for access to the pool. My stomach bug kicked in big time this day, and the heat did not help, and thus I missed out on getting my moneys worth! A huge time was had by the Reid clan (plus Hemant and Rick), who stumbled back to the hotel as the last group of the day. A mexican dinner at Cafe Sol along The Gap, before the rest of the gang headed out for more drinks.

A solid day of cricket the next day, the Barbados group of Flaggers having a ball, we headed to the Carib Beach Bar for the evenings festivities, before an exciting day of criket of Day 5, with moments when it looked like Australia may well be rattled and certainly challenged for the result. Ricky pulled through in the end, not quite as early as we had hoped, but soon enough to allow for a swim in the ocean around at Dovers Beach, just along The Gap from the hotel.

That night, the Aussies having won the series 2-0, our tour final dinner was rowdy and silly. We later headed out to Harbourlights, for all you can drink, with dancing in the sand under the moonlight. A great, and very long night!

A sad farewell for me to Jessie and Heath the next morning, who start their own world adventures from here, I left to go to the airport for more flying, leaving the Carribean and the trip of a lifetime behind me.