Bathsheba

Bathsheba is the main settlement on the East Coast of Barbados. The pounding Atlantic surf on this coast makes it unsuitable for swimming, so it is not as popular with tourists.

In our view, that's a plus.

Bathsheba makes a great day trip from the West or South Coasts. You can also stay there, if you don't mind its remoteness.

Last year we stayed in Bathsheba and thoroughly enjoyed being away from the bustle and development of the West Coast. There is very little traffic in Bathsheba, and it was easy to walk from our guesthouse each night to the several restaurants that line the main drag.

There is no proper grocery store in Bathsheba (although there is a small convenience store up the hill from the Round House), but a couple of visits to the Jordans in Speightstown took care of everything.

If you worry about your hairdo, Bathsheba is not for you. My main memories of being there are pretty elemental--the sun, the wind, and the unrelenting roar of the sea.