Exploring the Bridgetown Marina
Getting to know the capital of Barbados
Along the Bridgetown boardwalk
On Sundays, Barbados is pretty quiet. I decided to explore its capital, Bridgetown, on foot. I was greeted with the grittiness of city life combined with the vibrant island spirit that punctuates every corner.
A colorful alley
Ducking into empty alleys revealed colorful murals and architecture. The Cenotaph War Memorial (WWI) in the National Heroes Square and the Parliament Buildings are easily accessible for photos - the latter have been in use since 1874.
Cenotaph War Memorial
Across the street is less serious fare and good natured fun - the boardwalk is dotted with sailboats both coming and going within the Constitution River that spits out into Carlisle Bay. Many small yachts and medium-sized boats were seen heading in and out of the bay. There were party boats, fishing boats, and some very small inflatable two-seaters. Even on Sunday when everything else was relatively quiet, the boats were still moving.
The parliament
This is also a prime area for tourist shopping, at least on a Sunday. If you’re looking for classic trinkets to take home - magnets, spoons, and other assorted touristy items adorned with “Barbados” across the front - you can find it in the shops lining the boardwalk. As a lover of tourist cheesiness, I ducked into a few and found some pleasant surprises, including authentic spice mixes, traditional Bajan pepper sauce, and hand-painted pottery and paintings.
Cheerful building facade and decor
The marina also has some stops dedicated to George Washington and what he did on the island, offering even more glimpses of the island’s colorful history.
A sign commemorates George Washington’s visit