12/22/2022
After a surprisingly smooth travel day (relatively speaking—it is holiday travel, after all), we finally made it to beautiful Barbados! To avoid the chaos of LAX during the holidays, we opted for a redeye flight through Las Vegas. While parking at the long-term lot turned out to be $12/day instead of the advertised $10 (not the best surprise), it still beat dealing with holiday madness.
Our flight out of Vegas had a slight delay, and we later found out the plane was a replacement due to damage on our original aircraft. So, in hindsight, we were pretty lucky to take off at all! A quick and stress-free layover in Miami brought us right on schedule to Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, where my parents were waiting to welcome us. After a long travel day, we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing at home and turned in early to fight off the jet lag.
Day 1: Crystal Waters, Local Rum, and Sea Breezes
Our first full day on the island was nothing short of amazing. We kicked off the morning at Haywoods Beach, soaking up the sun and taking in the crystal-clear turquoise waters. At a perfect 85 degrees, the warm weather was a welcome escape from the dreary 55-degree rainy days we’d left behind in Los Angeles.
For lunch, we headed to Baby Doll Restaurant (unfortunately closed after the last hurricane!) —a laid-back spot that introduced us to some local island flavors, including the star of the show: Rum Punch. Every bar and restaurant boasts their own “best version” of this iconic drink, but I have to admit, even after sampling many others, Baby Doll’s version remains a top contender.
We also tried the Rum Sour, a refreshing citrusy twist on the traditional punch, and a Blue Pineapple Spritz, which, oddly enough, wasn’t blue—but still delicious thanks to a splash of Prosecco.
And yes, we did eat, too! We split two pizzas—Diablo (for a bit of spice) and Taste of Venice (complete with pineapple). Both were great, though my Taste of Venice pizza was slightly overdone on the bottom. Still, no complaints—we devoured every last bite.
A Stroll Along Richard Haynes Boardwalk
After lunch, we took a relaxing stroll along the Richard Haynes Boardwalk. The sea breeze was just what we needed, and we loved seeing all the art displayed along the path by local artists.
On our way back, we couldn’t resist stopping at a couple of street vendors for fresh papayas and coconut juice. Watching the vendors crack open fresh coconuts and fill small jugs with juice right in front of us was such a fun, authentic experience.
The rest of the evening was spent back at my parents’ home, unwinding and reflecting on a perfect first day.
Final Thoughts
Barbados welcomed us with sunshine, clear waters, delicious food, and refreshing local rum. If this is just the start of our trip, I can’t wait to see what the rest of the island has in store. Stay tuned for more adventures on this beautiful slice of paradise!