bridgetown, barbados | Day 2-3 of 28
If there’s one word to be used to describe the moment I stepped off the plane in Barbados, it would be melting. The hot sticky air glued my trousers to my skin and I experienced immediate regret for the about the jumper I was wearing. We were shepherded off the tarmac into the terminal and joined the long queue of travellers to be processed. Document after document was requested throughout the multi-step process: negative COVID-19 PCR test, proof of vaccination, and immigration and customs form. They marked us with a green or red wristband depending on vaccination status, and eventually we were seated to wait for our arrival PCR test.
Once completed, passing through Customs was relatively simple as I’d pre-filled all the required forms, including the health questionnaire we were given at boarding. I provided the address of where I’d be staying and that was it. My pre-booked transfer with Emmanuel Tours (, one of the approved transportation providers, was all ready and waiting for me and Willie, the owner himself, was my driver. The journey was less than half an hour and we arrived at my chosen quarantine location, Coconut Court Beach Hotel.
Quarantine is a requirement until your PCR test results come back. This can take up to 48 hours so to be safe I’d booked a room for three nights which would cover the whole period provided by test didn’t come back positive. While under quarantine restrictions I was able to use the hotel facilities including the pool and restaurant but I was not allowed off the property. The hotel has its own website dedicated to the three dining options and their menus: Charlie’s Beach Bar down at the pool, Coco’s at Coconut Court which was the main restaurant, and Jake’s Restaurant and Bar which was across the road and therefore available via delivery only. Since Jake’s didn’t open until 11 am, I’d have breakfast at Coco’s and then decide whether I felt like dining in public or wanted takeout in my room for the other meals.
Not being able to go grocery shopping for the first few days definitely increased my food costs massively but it did give me the opportunity to taste the local cuisine and wander outside my comfort zone with the level of spice and flavour. I made the most of those few days by purchasing a cuisine package that covered my meals at a set cost and ordering a different dish each time.
Once my email arrived on the second day with the negative test result, I headed down to Reception to have my quarantine wristband ceremoniously cut off and I was free to leave the property. I tested my new freedom with a nighttime wander for some snacks and soft drinks to store in my room for snacking purposes. While full board is certainly a luxury, I found I did struggle with having to stick to mealtimes and not having access to drinks except water. During the time of my stay, Barbados was also under a curfew from 9pm so meal service stopped before that time – a little too early for someone going to bed after midnight.
Thanks to the wonders of modern WiFi, I was able to spend those days at the Hotel attending my lectures and seminars online just as I would have back home but with spectacular views, amazing food, and truly refreshing air-conditioning. The only downside: my 9 ams had become 4 ams!
USEFUL Links
All information on the latest Barbados COVID-19 protocols can be found here.
Approximate prices
Transfer from Bridgetown Airport to Coconut Court Beach Hotel round trip = 56 GBP || 75 USD || 151 BBD (booked via Emmanuel Tours)
Three nights in a Double Room with Sea View = 266 GBP || 355 USD || 716 BBD (booked via Booking.com)
Full board dining package for two days = 98 GBP || 130 USD || 263 BBD (booked via Coconut Court)
Additional Information
This trip takes place from 11th October to 7th November 2021.
Keep an eye out for upcoming blogs on the rest of the trip “The Journey“.
For my GoFundMe to recoup surgery costs, visit this link.
T.A.G. World Guide 