Thread: Bathsheba & bottom bay

I would like to take a taxi to Bathsheba, and see Bottom bay,going through the Parrish of St John. How long of a drive might this be?

We've been there many times and have never rented a taxi - we much prefer to rent a car and do our own thing. Rates are about $95 for the day - keep in mind that they drive on the 'correct side of the road', as they like to say down there. But this way you can visit the entire island, including Bathsheba. I suggest you stop off at the Mont Gay Rum Distillery, one of the oldest in the Caribbean and, in my opinion, the best rum anywhere - try the extra old. You can also make a stop at the Malibu Rum Distillery, where you can get some samples, plus try out their beach - it's magnificent. The Parish of St. John is definitely worth a visit and there are some sugar cane processing plants around, and many other sites to see. If you take a taxi, I'm sure it will cost you more than renting a car. It's easy to get around and the people are wonderful when you need assistance.

Barbadoan law does not allow outside car rental companies to rent cars there, so you cannot rent through Hertz, Avis, Budget, etc. But they always have plenty of cars at the pier for you to rent.

Pete

Thanks cruiseplanner. So you say there are plenty of choices at the pier? Will they have maps available as well..? Are these trustworthy? I would hate to get starnded on the other side of the island. One last thing. was it wierd to drive on the opposite side of the road? I went to England once, and my uncle offered to let me drive, but I was afraid I would get mixed up, and try to drive on the wrong side.

There is one main company at the pier and they are fine. The cheapest car you can rent is a cross between a Volkswagen Beetle, a golf cart, and a dune buggy! No doors and a convertible top. It's a hoot!

And to drive on the other side of the road is a trip!! We always have the passenger say, "Left side. Left side!!" every time we make a turn. And everytime I went to signal a turn, the windshield wipers came on. Then it started to rain and I signaled a left turn! Had to get use to everything being on the other side than what we're use to.

And yes, they have maps. It's easy to get around the island and makes for a wonderful experience. We've done it several times and never had any problems.

But the funny thing was when we rented the car for the first time, the guy told us if we damaged the tires, we had to pay for them. He repeated this several times and I began to think there must be some huge potholes. When we got to the car, the guy there said the same thing that if we damaged the tires, we had to pay for them. I really began to freak out about the damn tires. Once we got on the road, I finally realized why they kept saying this. The people who are so use to driving on the other side of the road tend to get too close to the curbs and often damage the tires! For me, it wasn't a problem, but I did have to laugh at others who had a difficult time with getting use to driving on the 'correct side of the road'.

Pete

Apart from the couple of bigger roads BDS roads are more like country lanes. You WILL get lost, we still do & we have been lots of times. One tip is if you see signs saying ''to city'' this means back to Bridgetown(South)'''out of city" (North) Use of the horn appears compulsory but not always why!

Nothing to see here.




move along...




Bottom Bay, y'all!



It's a bit of a dumpy road, off the main, to get to Btm.Bay
even right out to the very end where you park on a small area that can hardly be called a car-park
but it's worth it.

If I were in charge of Tourism on the island
(which I'm not..) that whole scene just described would have to be radically improved
but heck...Life in da Caribbean..
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Pretty place ,difficult to find ..Bottom bay that is. Bathsheba has good wide beaches to walk along ..do NOT be tempted to swim at either place. Try "The Roundhouse'' for lunch in the Bathsheba area.

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Thanks for the gorgeous pictures!