Just some random thoughts and a request for folks to look out for changes at Turtle Beach.
Not going to do TRs for my BA flights – out in WTP back in CW – these flights were just as expected and uneventful, just how I like it.
Firstly, Turtle Beach Resort. – Having stayed there 10 times now, I was immediately struck by the big changes to the beach. One pleasure about the TB is the incredibly easy and safe access to the beach, I have spent many a happy hour swimming and bobbing around in the swells off that beach.
Sea weed aside (which wasn’t too bad and is a natural, unavoidable phenomenon), the beach appeared to have shrunk and the entry to the sea completely rocky and stony now.
The actual distance from top of beach to water (regardless of tides) seems much shorter than on previous trips.
The shallows out to where the waves no longer break used to be quite sandy and pleasant to walk on – ok, there was the odd patch of stone and occasional rocks, but this time….
There was hardly a grain of sand in sight. In fact, it was totally rocky and stony and extremely uncomfortable to walk on with rocks moving under foot and your shins getting battered by moving stones in the breakers – some of these rocks/stones were also quite sharp.
It was very noticeable that very few guests were venturing into the sea there…
If anyone else goes to Turtle Beach in the coming weeks/months, I’d love to get feedback on whether this situation persists and eases.
(And, I think it has to do with a break water that the new Sandals resort has erected…).
Need to say though, that the staff, service and food at TB remains absolutely top notch.
Some other points…
During our stay, we did a couple of different things that I like to recommend to fellow V-Flyers.
Firstly, we elected to take an open jeep safari around the island this time having never done it before – and what huge fun it was.
It’s a large jeep with open sides seating up to 10 or so, and the driver we had was great fun and very knowledgeable. They also tend to drive “aggressively” which makes the whole experience quite a thrill including some off-road sections.
A good tour with lunch at the Sugarcane Club – I can highly recommend this.
Next, some friends were also in Barbados at the same time, and asked us to join them on a private cruise with Good Times cruises. This was a really enjoyable day and I can highly recommend Good Times – really nice little boat, very clean, and the guys who run it are fantastic. They will essentially tailor the cruise as you go – Barbados style!
Another day, we went to the Boatyard – a beautiful beach with inflatables teathered about 30 yards offshore, a jetty with jump off points and a rope swing (that you let go of and plunge into the sea). A really great day out, especially if you have children!
You pay an entrance fee that is a little like a tab – for as you buy drinks/food, it gets debited from your tab and you pay the difference if you spend more – quite reasonable actually and a brilliant day out.
Well, so ends another trip to the beautiful island, but I am growing concerned at the erosion and change in the coastline down at TB – am now starting to look at alternatives.
Anyone stayed at Colony Club? Thoughts?
Oh yes, and another first for me. Was out with Tiami cruises and whilst bubbing around, minding my own business at the turtle stop off, one decided to pop up and bite my toe! Quite a surprise since I always stay a respectful distance from them during the feeding and greeting! No harm done, but quite a starling moment nevertheless!
Finally, for those that haven’t visited, we also had a terrific meal at the Tides restaurant, great food and a lovely ambience – I can highly recommend it.
TTFN
PS – by tradition (for me), visited Concorde at the airport between checkin and going airside – always brings a tear to the eye and it’s well worth a visit.
Not going to do TRs for my BA flights – out in WTP back in CW – these flights were just as expected and uneventful, just how I like it.
Firstly, Turtle Beach Resort. – Having stayed there 10 times now, I was immediately struck by the big changes to the beach. One pleasure about the TB is the incredibly easy and safe access to the beach, I have spent many a happy hour swimming and bobbing around in the swells off that beach.
Sea weed aside (which wasn’t too bad and is a natural, unavoidable phenomenon), the beach appeared to have shrunk and the entry to the sea completely rocky and stony now.
The actual distance from top of beach to water (regardless of tides) seems much shorter than on previous trips.
The shallows out to where the waves no longer break used to be quite sandy and pleasant to walk on – ok, there was the odd patch of stone and occasional rocks, but this time….
There was hardly a grain of sand in sight. In fact, it was totally rocky and stony and extremely uncomfortable to walk on with rocks moving under foot and your shins getting battered by moving stones in the breakers – some of these rocks/stones were also quite sharp.
It was very noticeable that very few guests were venturing into the sea there…
If anyone else goes to Turtle Beach in the coming weeks/months, I’d love to get feedback on whether this situation persists and eases.
(And, I think it has to do with a break water that the new Sandals resort has erected…).
Need to say though, that the staff, service and food at TB remains absolutely top notch.
Some other points…
During our stay, we did a couple of different things that I like to recommend to fellow V-Flyers.
Firstly, we elected to take an open jeep safari around the island this time having never done it before – and what huge fun it was.
It’s a large jeep with open sides seating up to 10 or so, and the driver we had was great fun and very knowledgeable. They also tend to drive “aggressively” which makes the whole experience quite a thrill including some off-road sections.
A good tour with lunch at the Sugarcane Club – I can highly recommend this.
Next, some friends were also in Barbados at the same time, and asked us to join them on a private cruise with Good Times cruises. This was a really enjoyable day and I can highly recommend Good Times – really nice little boat, very clean, and the guys who run it are fantastic. They will essentially tailor the cruise as you go – Barbados style!
Another day, we went to the Boatyard – a beautiful beach with inflatables teathered about 30 yards offshore, a jetty with jump off points and a rope swing (that you let go of and plunge into the sea). A really great day out, especially if you have children!
You pay an entrance fee that is a little like a tab – for as you buy drinks/food, it gets debited from your tab and you pay the difference if you spend more – quite reasonable actually and a brilliant day out.
Well, so ends another trip to the beautiful island, but I am growing concerned at the erosion and change in the coastline down at TB – am now starting to look at alternatives.
Anyone stayed at Colony Club? Thoughts?
Oh yes, and another first for me. Was out with Tiami cruises and whilst bubbing around, minding my own business at the turtle stop off, one decided to pop up and bite my toe! Quite a surprise since I always stay a respectful distance from them during the feeding and greeting! No harm done, but quite a starling moment nevertheless!
Finally, for those that haven’t visited, we also had a terrific meal at the Tides restaurant, great food and a lovely ambience – I can highly recommend it.
TTFN
PS – by tradition (for me), visited Concorde at the airport between checkin and going airside – always brings a tear to the eye and it’s well worth a visit.
Concorde RIP - the most amazing machine to grace our skies