Raphael Kessler

I only spent a few days in Barbados, so didn't see as much of the island as I would have liked. However, my impression of the locals was a positive one. They were friendly and laid back.

I got to do some diving there which was nice, then again diving is generally nice.

I arrived in the afternoon and that evening after dinner, my friend and I had a drive around to see the place. In the capital Bridgetown, the churches in the centre were colourfully lit making it look very pretty. Much more so than in the day time.

Bridgetown is not the most attractive city to walk around, however I did like the style of this building, now a bank.

The view of the beach from my hotel room was nice to wake up to.

I like to walk around places, to get a better feel for them. I liked the appearance of some of the ramshackle looking buildings and homes, though I wouldn't necessarily want to live in one.

I really liked the look of this derelict cinema.

Whilst wandering through town, a local pointed out to me that a white frangipani tree had become infested with frangipani caterpillars. He sucked his teeth in the Bajan manner as he told me that the tree would be destroyed soon as a consequence. The caterpillars were quite large (4 inches / 10 centimetres or more) and could be seen all over the tree munching on the leaves.

There were attractive flowers growing wild all over the place. These are known by several names including 'The Pride of Barbados', which is the national flower and appears on the Coat of Arms of Barbados. If you were curious, its scientific name is Caesalpinia Pulcherrima and is sometimes called the Dwarf Poinciana or Barbados Flowerfence.

Whenever I passed this sign listing the ministries in the offices behind, it made me smile as I think one has to appreciate any country that has a government deparment for festivities.