What can I say?

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit Barbados for my third time. I’m a newbie by some people’s standards, considering there are about 200 members of the Barbados Over 25 Club, travellers who have been fortunate enough to journey to this paradise more than 25 times!

Taking part in the Run Barbados Marathon Weekend was great fun. I walked the 5k and enjoyed snapping photos of fantastic scenery along the whole course. I met a number of Canadians who had come to Barbados specifically to take part in the event.

We did site inspections of about a dozen hotels. I’d not been aware of Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Residences and I was blown away. If and when I win the 6/49, this will be my new home!

Our host hotel was Sugar Bay Barbados on the South Coast, halfway between Bridgetown and Oistins. Previously Amaryllis, Sugar Bay is Barbados’ newest all-inclusive resort. I particularly loved their cocoons and wished I’d had more time in one to finish reading my book, and not just my chapter.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed our Jammin Catamaran Cruise. We made three stops – one to snorkel, another to swim with the turtles and the final stop was lunch and the very relaxing activity of floating on a lilo while the catamaran crew swam out with trays of drinks! This was the best catamaran cruise I’ve ever been on.

Dinner at Oistins was terrific. We were there on a weeknight and it was quite busy. I can only imagine what it would be like on a Friday night!

One evening I sat for 75 minutes on Sugar Bay’s beautiful beach and photographed the entire sunset.

A half hour in the Best of Barbados gift shop at the airport allowed me to start and finish my Christmas shopping. Jill Walker is a very talented artist and her family-run gift shops are a true treasure.

I look foward to when I become a member of the Barbados Over 25 Club!