When the trip makes it out the group chat

A girls' trip gone right!

Hey y’all!

Officially back in the States looking like America Has A Problem. Take me back to Colombia, asap! Jetlag and Aunt Flo are kicking my a$$ so let’s get right into this week’s story!

This Week’s Story

How many of you have been victimized by a well-intentioned group trip?

Raises hands

Many of us have been there, but luckily this week’s story is about a group vacation gone right in the beautiful country of Barbados. Writer Sherrelle Stephens is back, this time to document her and her friend’s day-by-day itinerary for an epic birthday trip abroad.

Enjoy!

Anayo Awuzie
EIC of Carefree Mag

Adventures Unknown: Cutting Up With the Crew in Barbados

by Sherrelle Stephens

All aboard! Or rather last call for passengers as we hurriedly gathered our things and boarded the flight. Destination: Bridgetown, Barbados. The birthplace of our beloved superstar Rihanna (and rum)! 

There weren’t any celebrity sightings on this trip however, we were greeted by a large banner featuring the Bad Gal herself welcoming us into town. A perfect introduction to the wildly adventurous trip ahead of us.

A group of twelve from Miami gathered for our friend’s 25th birthday celebration. We stayed at a beach resort on the lower west side of the island in south Bridgetown. We were split into three spacious rooms that included a balcony hot tub overlooking the expansive pool area, along with gorgeous views of the glistening Caribbean Sea.

Day 1

We wasted no time and headed straight to the pool to sip on locally distilled Mount Gay rum at the swim-up bar, then we headed to the white-sand beach for sunbathing and ocean waves. While there, my friends discovered a local man and his pet monkey. I’m assuming a green monkey species as they are common to the island. A few of my friends held the monkey on their shoulders and took pictures for the gram, But I didn’t want to get as close so I simply reached out and offered him a drink from my water bottle. With both hands he steadied the bottle and took a sip, then suddenly he pulled my hand in and bit me on my forearm! Everyone was shocked, including me. We were wondering how did this monkey go from zero to 100 so quick! The owner apologized and I was able to find bandages from the hotel but it was the first of a few bizarre moments for me during the trip.

Bandages intact, it was time to head out for our first evening. Coordinated in all black,  we got the party started at a local nightclub. It was an indoor/outdoor venue that featured a stage of local performers. I’m likely the only one out of the crew that can recall that night as the rest soon were very lit off a Hennessy bottle they ordered. This was during my “I hate Hennessey and I only drink tequila” phase so I ordered margaritas from the bar and enjoyed the show as my friends showed the Bajans what Miami was all about. It was a sight to see as they became the main attraction for the night. They were invited on stage and it became a twerk festival. It was the perfect opener to the fun-filled trip.

During every part of our trip we not only met locals but we made friends with them. The people of the island were very warm, welcoming, and helpful. 

That first night upon leaving the club we met Ms. Patricia. If you’ve ever had a long night of partying then you know the first thing you’re looking for after the club is food! We nick-named Ms. Patricia our “angel” as she directed us to the late-night food trucks and boasted about the best macaroni pie you’ll ever eat. And she wasn’t lying! They served up delicious fried fish and chicken along with side dishes, including the infamous macaroni pie.

Day 2

The next day, our designated driver took us sightseeing. This included an in-depth tour of Harrison Cave in the center of the island where grand stalactites hang down from the ceilings and stalagmites rise up from the cavern floors. As we were guided by the courtesy lights placed in the cave, our tour guide decided to scare us for fun when they shut off all the lights. It was so dark we couldn’t see our own hand in front of us. They chose this as the best time to tell us that the cave could collapse at any given moment. Nonetheless, we all made it out alive and well.

After Harrison Cave, our driver graciously circled the island as he spewed out random facts and shared sights beyond the common tourist areas. We went up a road that led to a vantage point of the island along the hilltops and took in a breathtaking view of Barbados.

Back inside the van, we were busy cracking jokes when someone had the bright idea to ask for “party favors" (if you know what I mean). Our driver knew just where to go. He took us to a local neighborhood where some of us hopped out and mingled with the locals. Looking back now, I do not recommend doing this and we’ve scolded ourselves for our poor judgment. We were on vacation so our guard was down a bit, but thankfully it all worked out. 

On the way back to the hotel the driver took us by another neighborhood where he showed us what was apparently Rihanna’s childhood home. It was a humble-sized home propped up on a foundation with a set of steps leading to the doorway. While we questioned if we could indeed be standing in front of the original dwelling place of an international icon, the simple possibility was enough to satisfy our hopes.

That evening we gathered in our color-coordinated red dinner attire as we celebrated our guest of honor at Tapas Barbados. It was a two-story restaurant that had an upscale yet authentic island flair to it. As we were escorted up the steps, we took in the beautiful local art pieces that decorated the stairwell. Once seated we all commended the birthday girl for such a great selection as we enjoyed the candlelit ambience and took in the unforgettable views and sounds of the ocean waves slapping the shore nearby. The food did not disappoint. We all chose different dishes across the menu, and the main attraction was undoubtedly the fish. We all sang happy birthday to the birthday girl and played a game of never-have-I-ever as we sipped on our champagne and cocktails. 

Day 3

A trip to the island would not be complete without a day spent cruising the sea. The next day we took a private catamaran cruise around the island. The crew made sure we each stayed with a drink in our hands which made for a great time. We had so much fun on the boat that day,  it was arguably the best day of the trip. The captain took us along the island and shared tidbits about each location. I remember cruising along the east side of the island where the luxury resorts and homes nestled. The captain informed us we were on the wealthy side of the island where celebrities stay. He pointed out the places where the Bad Gal stays when she’s in town.

We passed groups of boat tours filled with other tourists. We waved as we all were having the time of our lives partying out in the Bajan Sea. Once anchored, we jumped in the water for some swimming and snorkeling. It felt amazing! We took in the various fish species and even a few grand sea turtles. Our guide took us further out into the sea and had us watch from the surface as he dived down deep into an ancient shipwreck site underwater. That entire day and experience was well worth it. I’d highly recommend renting a catamaran for the day if you’re ever in Barbados with a group of friends.

On our last evening, we headed back into the town for some fun. Just before leaving, we met up down by the pool for pictures and a pre-game session. As we all gathered and plotted for the evening ahead a couple of hotel guests approached us and offered the rest of their alcohol as they were heading in. It was presented to us in the oddest gallon-sized container. We all questioned if it would be safe to drink but in the spirit of YOLO. we decided to pray over the gallon and hope for the best. Don’t judge us! We all had a cup and then tossed the rest as we headed out for the evening’s adventures.

The first stop is the infamous Oistins Fish Fry, a weekly event on the island that attracts locals and visitors alike. Along the south coast of the island, Oistins Fish Fry is cluttered with dozens of food stalls and picnic tables. The air is filled with the scent of fresh fish frying in oil. Flying fish is the most popular item however they offer an array of options such as red snapper, swordfish, kingfish, fish cakes, jerk chicken, fried chicken, and even dolphin (mahi-mahi) on some menus. Of course, no plate would be complete without some fried plantain, rice and peas, or fry breadfruit. Mmm, please take me back!

Following the fish fry we visited another dance club. There was a diverse crowd and it was packed that night. Our group ordered champagne bottles to commemorate the last night. We had a great time as we danced the final night away. The rest of the evening was a blur but we did end up back at our favorite food truck, where I ended up with a crushed phone. The roads are much smaller on the island than in the States. As we waited for our food a car zoomed by just as I got pushed into the road. I quickly jumped out of the way, however my phone did not make it and was run over. At this point, we just laughed because clearly I was the misfortunate one of the trip.

A few things were certain during our time in Barbados: we ate good, had plenty of island rum, and went on quite a few unforgettable adventures. Although there were some misfortunes and risky choices, it all just made for a better story. We were blessed to not only have each other but to meet so many good-spirited people along the way that wanted to help give us the best experience. For that, we are all very grateful for the precious memories we created together.