Barbados was a long-standing bucket-list island, so we finally booked a stay at Coconut Creek in St. James, a small cliff-top hotel on Barbados’ west coast.
A staircase wound down to the beach below, where sailboats rested on the sand waiting for the day’s first drift into the calm Caribbean water.
The hotel had a cricket-themed bar—a reminder that in Barbados, cricket wasn’t just a sport. It was part of the culture.
It was at Coconut Creek that we met a lovely woman named Alice. Every summer, she left Britain behind and went island-hopping through Barbados, Tobago, and Antigua.
Alice spoke about the islands with the confidence of someone who had explored the Caribbean for years. She described each one in detail, carefully explaining their differences and charms. More importantly, she made it clear that these weren’t simply places she enjoyed visiting—they were, in her opinion, the three best islands in the Caribbean.
At the time, we listened politely and tucked her recommendations away.
The Beach
The sandy cove had its own rhythm — warm sand and the fading footprints of early morning beach walks.
The Cricket Club
Cricket was everywhere in Barbados, so it wasn’t surprising that Coconut Creek had its own Cricketeers Bar.
One afternoon, while enjoying a Red Stripe, David struck up a conversation with Kevin, the bartender, about cricket. It quickly became apparent that he knew far more than the average tourist.
When Kevin learned about David’s cricket accomplishments in Wales, his eyes widened. He immediately reached across the bar to shake his hand and promptly served him another Red Stripe.
In Barbados, that was apparently the cricket equivalent of being recognized by royalty.
A small pair of trophy bats still hang on my wall. They remind me of the athlete David was, and the path he never got to finish.
Life changes direction in ways we never expect. An illness ended his professional cricket career, but he went on to earn his PhD in Physics.
A single moment can change everything you once took for granted.
The Beach Ride
Every island we visited had its own personality, and Barbados was no different.
We booked a beach trail ride with a local stable and took a taxi across the island.
The guide was an American named Chuck, and I was paired with a palomino named Nugget.
The ride itself was incredible—a beautiful stretch of deserted beach where the horses walked through the sand and surf at a relaxed pace.
Everything about it felt peaceful and sun-washed, the kind of experience that makes you wonder why you don’t simply stay in the islands forever.
After the ride, Chuck offered us a ride back to the hotel.
I climbed into his car still floating somewhere between beach bliss and heat exhaustion when I noticed pills.
Everywhere.
In the cup holders.
On the floorboards.
Rolling across the console during turns like loose change.
The vehicle looked less like transportation and more like a pharmaceutical scavenger hunt.
Eventually, curiosity got the better of David seated in the back seat.
“What are all these pills?” He asked.
Chuck never blinked.
“Uppers, downers … help yourself.”
I considered this generous offer for exactly one second.
“Yeah, that’s going to be a hard pass.”
He offered no further explanation.
We asked no further questions.
We simply continued toward the hotel while assorted mystery tablets migrated around the car like tiny tourists.
Machete Dude
Barbados seemed determined to keep me slightly on edge.
When I got out of Chuck’s vehicle, I made the mistake of stopping to photograph a colorful roadside fruit cart.
I captured one quick photo, but the vendor turned just as I was about to snap a second shot.
Before I could lower the camera, he waved the machete and began enthusiastically explaining—with dramatic hand gestures—that photographs apparently required payment.
At that point, I decided the fruit cart no longer needed documenting.
I consider that one of my better travel decisions.
Island Treasures
I always looked for unique art while traveling through the Caribbean, and Barbados did not disappoint.
I wandered into a small studio filled with beautiful hand‑dyed batiks, each one more vibrant than the last.
I purchased three batiks, and this colorful fish still hangs on my wall today — a little burst of island color that never lost its magic.
The Island and I had Words
Barbados was lovely.
The beaches were beautiful. The people were welcoming.
But everywhere I turned, some new form of chaos seemed to be waiting.
At some point, I concluded that Barbados and I simply weren’t in sync.
The island was trying very hard to provide a relaxing Caribbean vacation.
The Final Verdict: Barbados failed to make the repeat list.
We mutually agreed to give it a few years and see other people.
Part of the Riding on Vacation Series
Romancing the Herd 