Today was an island trip sort of day. We got a reggae bus about lunchtime and travelled to Holetown and it cost 2 bajan $ each. That's a 30 minute trip from the SE of the island to the NW for 60p!
Our first sight to visit was a Barbados National Trust open house. They do one every week and this one was called Fairways and bordered the third tee on the Sandy Lane old nine. It was a five bed new build bungalow on the site of an old one. It was up for sale at B$7m and the agent was using the open day as a marketing opportunity.
Four of the bedrooms were in a separate wing and were identical in design and decoration. The master bedroom and living accommodation were very well played out, but The kitchen, large as it was, did not fit the needs of a busy household. One standard cooker An island work surface which too big, and no bbq pit or rotisserie.
There was a big pool and bar area but all in all it did not float our boat.
We then popped over to the Sandy Lane hotel, as you do, just in time for afternoon tea. Cakes, scones and sandwiches all very well presented and washed down with a drop of fizz.
Sandy Lane is owned by the Irish mafia, J P McManus, Michael Tabor and John Magnier They own the Coolmore stud and used to own a majority stake in Manchester United before they fell out with Fergie over his part in the race horse, Rock of Gibraltor. I doubt they own the hotel to make money, it's probably just a plaything, and somewhere to entertain. It was not as posh as we thought it would be, but the first guest we spoke to lived in Strawberry Hill, Twickenham! Say no more.
The day was rounded off with a few beers in Holetown followed by a steel band concert on the beach. It's their festival this week which celebrates their independence. Next year will be their 50th. They have parades, a tattoo and festival village. All good fun and a world away from the Sandy Lane residents.
Back to our hotel on the reggae bus and all tucked up for tomorrow.
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