Barbados: A Caribbean dream

The Embassy of Barbados, in collaboration with a visiting team from the Ministry of Tourism - Barbados, was on a mission to promote tourism and business partners with Kenya. [Jayne Rose Gacheri, Standard]

Close your eyes. Feel the salt-kissed air clinging to your skin, hear the steel drums drifting through the breeze, and watch as the golden sunset dissolves into the horizon. Now, open them. 

This is not a dream, this is Barbados, the island where time slows, senses awaken, and every moment unfolds like a postcard come to life. 

For four days, I travelled - not by flight, but through imagination, storytelling, and the infectious energy of Team Barbados, who carried the island’s essence across continents to Nairobi.

Through the words of Kyle Grittens, Ambassador Alexander MacDonald, Jovan Reid, and the culinary artistry of Chef Javan Cummins, I felt the pulse of Barbados, its history intertwined with Kenya’s, its call of adventure irresistible. 

The Embassy of Barbados, in collaboration with a visiting team from the Ministry of Tourism - Barbados, was on a mission to promote tourism and business partners with Kenya. [Jayne Rose Gacheri, Standard]

As I immersed myself in the vibrant narratives of Team Barbados, I realised how profoundly storytelling can transport us. The power of words painted landscapes, unlocked emotions, and made me feel connected to an island I had never set foot on. 

As I listened to Kyle as he painted the canvas of the Islands, my mind drifted across time, struggling to bring my geography and history lessons to life. Sensing my curiosity, Kyle smiled. "Barbados and Kenya share more than just a love for the ocean," he said, his voice infused with pride. "Our histories, our warmth, and our spirit of resilience connect us in ways that go beyond geography." Ambassador MacDonald nodded in agreement. 

READ: Kenya and Barbados - a tourism and business partnership poised for growth

Kenya and Barbados mirror each other in hospitality, vibrant cultures, and a deep-rooted love for storytelling. Yet Barbados offers something uniquely its own - an intoxicating blend of laid-back luxury, adrenaline-fueled adventure, and a culinary scene that seduces the senses. 

Ladies dressed in cultural attires [Jayne Rose Gacheri, Standard]

Much like Kenya, Barbados holds the echoes of colonial history within its landscapes, the forts that stood watch, plantations that whisper of the past, and people whose spirit remains unbroken, forging a future on their terms. 

The attractions get juicier with events like: Crop Over Festival, Barbados' premier festival, celebrating the end of the sugar cane harvest with lively music, parades, and cultural performances. Barbados Food and Rum Festival, a culinary delight showcasing the island’s rich flavours, featuring top chefs and mixologists. Oistins Fish Festival, a celebration of Barbados' fishing heritage with seafood feasts, music, and competitions. 

Others include, Holetown Festival, Commemorating the first settlement in Barbados with historical reenactments, street fairs, and performances, the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious horse racing events, attracting international competitors and spectators, Sol Rally Barbados,  a thrilling motorsport event that brings rally drivers from around the world, Barbados, Gospelfest Barbados, a spiritually uplifting festival featuring gospel music performances from local and international artists, and Reggae Festival, a must-attend event for reggae lovers, featuring performances from top artists. 

One of the historical monument in Barbados.  [Jayne Rose Gacheri, Standard]

With every word, Kyle painted the island’s essence of his 430-square-kilometre jewel shimmering in the embrace of the Caribbean. "Whether you are lounging under palm trees, snorkelling with sea turtles, or chasing waves on the east coast, Barbados’ shores are pure magic," Kyle told me. 

I longed to uncover the island’s hidden gems and historic wonders. St Nicholas Abbey, a Jacobean-style mansion, whispered tales of Barbados’ colonial past.

One of the historical monument in Barbados.  [Jayne Rose Gacheri, Standard]

Then, the ocean called! A world of wonder beneath the waves. I remembered the thrill of snorkelling at Kisite Mpunguti, imagining myself reliving that magic in Barbados’ crystal-clear waters. Kyle’s voice carried the rhythm of the sea. "Whether you’re swimming alongside sea turtles or exploring underwater caves, Barbados' aquatic world is mesmerising," he said.

But Barbados is not just about where you go. It’s about how it makes you feel. It’s the warmth of the locals, the taste of fresh seafood kissed by ocean spray, the thrill of discovering a secret cove, and the sunsets that stretch time beyond its limits. 

And then, the climax—an immersion into Caribbean soul. Tribe Hotel pulsed with energy as Chef Javan Cummins orchestrated a Caribbean Pool Party, showcasing the fusion cuisine of Barbados, a symphony of African, European, and Caribbean flavours.

Soca’s infectious rhythms pulsed through the air, its bass vibrating in sync with pounding heartbeats. The laughter of revellers intertwined with the melodies, creating a tapestry of sound—unrestrained, joyous, and steeped in the soul of the Caribbean. 

The rhythms of soca and reggae rose like waves, laughter rippling through the crowd, and the air, electric, charged with the uninhibited joy of a people who carry the heartbeat of the Caribbean in their dance. 

"Barbados is where you come to let go, to dance, to feel alive," Jovan Reid said, eyes gleaming. All this, he says, is in addition to what you can discover and do not only in Barbados but in the 43 clusters of islands that make up the Caribbean islands. Barbados acts as a connection point to these islands.

ALSO READ: President Uhuru Kenyatta roots for better ties between Kenya, Barbados 

Chef Cummins proved that Barbadian cuisine is more than a meal. It is history, culture, and the poetry of sharing. His artistry shone through in Flying Fish and Cou-Cou, the island’s national dish, flaky fish paired with cornmeal perfection, infused with spices that dance on the tongue.

An aerial photo of Barbados Island.  [Jayne Rose Gacheri, Standard]

Then came Bajan Pepperpot, a rich, slow-cooked stew bursting with deep flavours, tender meats, and a fiery kick that lingers, beckoning for another taste. 

The spices in Bajan Pepperpot carried a familiar warmth, reminding me of Kenyan stews, rich, slow-cooked, each bite infused with generations of tradition.

And finally, the island’s heartbeat - Rum Punch, a drink that tastes like sunshine in a glass, blending sweet, citrus, and bold notes into a single sip of paradise. 

"Food in Barbados is not just about taste—it’s about the stories woven into every bite," Chef Cummins explained.