Left Heathrow on a Virgin flight 09:05, arrived in New York at around mid-day local time which in reality was 5pm due to the time difference. Thought we’d sample the delights of the public transport system using the subway, entertaining lugging 2 suitcases and at times felt vulnerable due to some unsavoury looking characters. Hotel Chambers is nice, quaint and in a great location. Meal at TFI Fridays, plus stroll around in the rain, yes rain. Back to hotel, sleep and more sleep.
Day 2
Woke up early and out of the hotel by 7am, gorgeous sunny morning. Streets were quiet and we stopped off for breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, very lively place with the singing waiters/waitresses, highlight was them singing “Le Mis”. Carried on with our walking tour, which included Times Square. Cafe stop at La Freud where unbelievably the waitress waived the bill as we were her first customers! Ground Zero was emotional and staggering. Stopped for a Subway and on to a ferry trip to Staten Island where we had a great view of the Statue of Liberty. Another boat trip to Brooklyn which was very pleasant and caught the river ferry to just past Long Island. Walk back via McDonalds to the hotel. Shattered!!
Quick nap and then a relatively short stroll back to Times Square where we had a meal at Bubba Gump, lovely meal at this popular and famous shrimp restaurant, very late back.
Day 3
Out at 9 and did a quick tour of the shops, underground Apple Store was cool, meandered down to Time Square, Burger King lunch, purchased some tickets to see “Kinky Boots” direct from the Theatre for the matinee. Went to Maceys which is the Mecca for shopaholics, fortunately or unfortunately had limited time as we had to be back for the show. What a show it was, funny, good story and brilliant. Walk back and a quick stroll around Central Park, pigeons, squirrels, woodpeckers and raccoons! Nice meal in an Italian restaurant and it was time to pack.
New York was great, unfortunately 2 days isn’t really enough time to fully savour it.
Day 4
Up very early and we took a Yellow Taxi to JFK, driver was in a rush so we got there in plenty of time.
A 5 hour flight saw us arrive at Barbados for 1pm and we were whisked through security on a fast track service with a car waiting, this is more like it. Chatty but barely legible driver told us of the drought and the bush fires, hasn’t rained for months! Checked in at the Mango Bay hotel, lunch and a quick dip and a sunbathe.
Day 5
Day on the beach, water crystal clear and warm. We both had a trip out on a Hobbie Cat which was fun. Turns out my Primani tee/shirt isn’t UV protective and I’ve ended up looking like a lobster!
Day 6 Wednesday
Day on the beach, we both stayed out of the sun, although Gill still caught the sun, she now looks more lobster than me! Another go on the Hobbie Cat with the instructor, but very gusty. Just before dinner we got a taxi over to The Cliff, a high-end restaurant/hotel and boy what a place, restaurant and bar on stilts with large tarpon swimming below, if I ever win the lottery this is one place I would like to stay!
Day 7
Trip around part of the island today taking in St. Nicholas Abbey, which is famous for its history and rum. Then onto the wildlife reserve with it’s turtles, monkeys and deer. Finally stopped off at Bathsheba Bay famous for its weathered rocky beach plus surf. Back at the hotel for a late lunch and then chill.
Day 8 Friday 20th May
Hotel made a real fuss of us today, table decorated at breakfast, went back to the room and that had balloons and a banner.
Caught the reggae bus into Bridgetown which was interesting, the town itself was nothing special, nice harbour area but the shopping area was a bit shanty. Reggae bus back, music was very loud on this one and we stopped at some more shops for a browse. Lunch at the hotel with more decoration. Afternoon by the beach, had a go at paddle boarding which was ok and then we both went out on the glass bottom boat which was very good especially swimming with the fish over the wreck.
Dinner at the hotel with even more decorations and when we got back to the room, petals everywhere plus a bottle of champagne! Unfortunately we’d had a lot of wine and cocktails so were done with alcohol!
Day 9 Saturday
Woke with a thick head! Went for a 2 hour trip on a Catamaran, swam with turtles, which was awesome! Rest of the day chilling by the beach. Managed to get another dose of sunburn, lobster part II.
Day 10 Sunday
Water skiing first thing, managed to get up first go and stay up, even with the best efforts from the instructor to shake me off! Gilly had a brief attempt but couldn’t take the mess it was making of her hair!
Afternoon we both paid to have a go on a jet ski which was fun but because of the wind we were both drenched.
Day 11
Last day, chill by the beach, kayaking and more cocktails!
Met some nice people, Joyce & Tony (Alton) and Carol & Dave who were into their deepsea fishing. Lovely place and the beach and sea was perfect, resort very good, food got better as the week went on. Great all inclusive which included loads of cocktails and water sports.
