Bridgetown, Barbados 🇧🇧

Christmas – it’s the most wonderful time of the year! It is indeed- especially when you get to spend it in the Caribbean. My main challenge writing this blog has been thinking of synonyms for paradise, as my venture to the islands was everything I had imagined and more. The glimmering waters and palm-fringed beaches you see in the brochures really do exist and I could not wait to immerse myself in this heaven.

My journey began at Manchester Airport on a frosty December morning. Full of excitement, I boarded a Virgin Atlantic flight (my first long-haul) and eagerly anticipated what was ahead. Eight hours of unlimited drinks, delicious foods and views of soft, delicate clouds. Virgin exceeded all my expectations – they even had sweets for landing! As we glided down towards Bridgetown, I could just about see the white sand along the coast and gentle waves folding onto the shore. A short immigration process followed our arrival and a taxi ride later, I was ready to board beautiful Britannia.

Britannia is a large ship; currently the largest of the P&O fleet until May, when Iona will then take this title. Christmas decorations dangled elegantly from the stairs and beautifully-dressed trees stood bold on each deck. Although the blistering heat did not make it feel like it was Christmas, the decorations certainly brought the spirit onboard.

During my two weeks onboard, I visited roughly nine of the Caribbean Islands including: St Maarten, St Kitts, Bonaire and Grenada. However, my first stop was to the famous Boatyard for a taste of the island’s sun, sea and sand! If you’ve ever been to the Boatyard, Bridgetown you will know of the bridge which leads down into the sea and is also an iconic place to take those pictures! (If you know, you know!) Of course, I had a photoshoot – when in paradise…! Also, this was my first chance to appreciate just how white the sand was; so gentle and fine.

A few days into the cruise, I decided to take a wonder around St Maarten. With six different cruise ships docked at this partly Dutch-owned island, to say it was a little crowded is an understatement. I took a short water taxi ride to yet another idyllic beach and collected a couple of shells as a memento.

St Kitts was possibly my favourite of the islands. With most of the day off work, I decided to take my own independent tour of the island. One thing I noticed in the Caribbean was how there was a profound sense of relaxation and friendliness from the local people. There certainly wasn’t any stress and if you did find yourself a little burnt-out, a refreshing rum punch would put you at ease! A kind lady escorted me around St Kitts. She showed me the local universities, hotel hotspots and where the Caribbean and Atlantic sea met at the Peninsular; all while driving around to reggae beats and salsa rhythms!

I could tell you endless things about the Caribbean, especially as I write this as storm is passing over the UK on a bleak, February evening, but I will save my Caribbean New Year’s Eve, in a place of utopia, for another blog!