Walking on the wild side at the Wildlife Reserve | Barbados

Completely covered in sun blisters from my epic Valentine's cruise on the catamaran, we decided we needed a break from the scorching sun. So, we hopped on a bus and go to the Wildlife Reserve in St. Peter. We weren't sure what kind of wildlife to expect, but that was all part of the adventure. 

We were firstly greeted by a couple of tortoises casually meandering in pairs, or disguised as rocks while they had an afternoon snooze. 

As we turned the corner, we were greeted by a magnificent peacock proudly trailing its colourful feathers. 

As we continued to explore the park, we came across a secluded spot where we witness a magical sight. A deer giving birth! It was such a beautiful thing to witness as I've never seen a newborn animal before, and it was amazing to think that we were the first ever people who would lay eyes on the little baby. We didn't stick around for too long as we could tell that the mother was getting anxious, but we did manage to get this quick snap. 

One of Matt's favourite animals were the monkeys. We were given nuts, seeds, and fruit to feed them, which was a nice little touch and they were ever so gentle. It was also great to see the monkeys wandering around quite freely and seeming so secure with the humans they encountered, and this is a true testament to the staff.

Although there wasn't any particularly exotic animals at the wildlife reserve, the park itself was a lovely place to visit as the staff were friendly, the animals were clearly well looked after and the surroundings had a relaxing vibe that allowed you to blissfully wander around without feeling like you had anywhere to hurry off to. 

We really enjoyed our visit and I would certainly recommend it if you need a break from the beaches.

Oistins Fish Fry Friday | Barbados

Before I even got on the plane to Barbados I had heard of Oistins Fish Friday. It seemed to be the place to be on a Friday night for locals and tourists alike, and I couldn't wait to experience it firsthand.

By the time Friday came around, Matt and I had been in Barbados for a couple of days and after hours of sunbathing we were in the party mood and ready for some action! 

After a couple of strawberry daiquiris and salty dogs at the hotel, we got on the bus and headed straight to the active fishing town to experience some of the fabulous food we'd heard so much about. 

By the time we arrived at Oistins, the place was heaving with people of all ages and the lively atmosphere and aroma of grilled fish lured us in. 

There were so many vendors to choose from that we spent the first half an hour wandering around in a state of awe until we finally settled on a choice of grilled tuna and a beer. With rows of seats in a very relaxed setting, we joined a table with some other tourists and stuffed our faces with the glorious Bajan food. 

Not only was the food delicious (a great variety of fish to choose from, ideal for two peskatarians), but there was also some cute stalls selling jewelry, and other crafty items. Matt treated me to a gorgeous shell bracelet which I know will always remind me of the magic of Oistins. 

There was live music and one place was playing captivating old jazz tunes which got us waltzing under the moon and stars with other love-struck couples. 

Considering how busy the place was, it turned out to be an extremely romantic setting and I found myself melting into Matt's arms and freally letting my hair down. 

What is it about Barbados that is just so perfect? Can I go back right now please?

Valentine's night on the Atlantis Submarine | Barbados

Valentines in Barbados is magical in itself, but we decided we wanted to make it an extra special day by doing something that neither of us had ever experienced before, and so we decided that the perfect way to spend our Valentines evening was 150ft under the Caribbean ocean in a submarine! 

The sun began to set as we turned up to board the submarine and I must admit, I was feeling quite apprehensive about it. The thought of being trapped 150ft under water wasn't exactly filling me with warm, romantic thoughts. However, there was a definitely buzz of excitement in the pit of my stomach as we made our way over to the ferry that took us to where the submarine was moored. 

As we got off the ferry and stepped onto the submarine, I could feel my heart booming in my chest as I made my way down the ladder and into the hull. We chose our seats and peered out of the port holes waiting for the daylight to disappear and the darkness to envelop us. It was a nerve-wracking yet thrilling experience as we slowly began our descent 150ft below sea level. 

As we reached our maximum depth the submarine flashlights shocked us out of the darkness and lit up the seabed we were hovering over. It was captivating to see the hidden gems of the ocean and although we didn't get to see as much marine life as we had hoped, due to deciding to take the evening voyage, we were still treated to beautiful schools of fish and interesting ship wrecks. 

Not many people have the opportunity to travel on a submarine, especially not for a special occasion, but thanks to the team at Atlantis, we were able to experience this amazing adventure. This Valentine's day will certainly be hard to beat next year! Thank you Atlantis - we loved our underwater experience <3

Love on the Tiami Catamaran cruise | Barbados

Image sailing the crystal waters of Barbados on a luxury catamaran. The sun is shining and the vast aquamarine water surrounds you. Could there be a more perfect way to spend your Valantines day? 

Absolutely not. 

With idealistic views like the above, Matt and I decided that we wanted to spend our first Valentine's day together on the Caribbean waters. We were joined by another 10 couples which didn't bother us in the slightest as the boat was big enough for it not to appear crowded. 

Free drinks were flowing and we had a lovely lunch on board which was all freshly prepared. It was the most gorgeous day. The Tiami luxury lunch cruise included three swim / snorkel stops with all the gear you need provided within the cost of the trip. 

As promised, the first stop allowed us to swim with turtles, and the second stop allowed us to explore a shipwreck. The waters were warm and inviting and we certainly saw all that was advertised when we booked the cruise. 

The final stop allowed us to swim to a nearby beach and enjoy sunbathing on a secluded spot for about an hour before we swam back to the boat ready to go back to Bridgetown. It was a romantic, yet fun experience and one I'd certainly recommend.  

Word of warning - don't forget to keep applying suncream throughout the day as it seems like you're more likely to get burnt when in the middle of the sea. I got terrible sun blisters from not topping up my protection - silly me! 

Raving at Harbour Lights | Barbados

In Barbados on a Wednesday evening? Looking for some good food, entertainment and free drinks? Then you need to head down to the Harbour Lights in St. Michael. 

Offering free drinks til midnight, a BBQ dinner and a family friendly show which encompasses the colour and creativity of the Bajan culture, the Harbour Lights beach extravaganza was a fun way to spend a warm February evening. 

We weren't too sure what to expect when we decided to book in for the show, but we were presently surprised. Yes, it was a bit cheesy, and yes, it is purely for tourists and not for the locals, but it was fun all the same. 

The dancing, music, and performances got everybody on their feet and participating. Plus, it's really hard not to love the feel the sand on your feet whilst dancing away with a free rum in your hand.

The live band played enticing calypso tunes which set the scene beautifully and the infectious performances by fire eaters, stilt-walkers, and 'limbo queen' guaranteed a smile on everybody's face. 

It was a great way to meet other tourists as you were all sat together on big tables, so you found yourself getting to know people from all over the world. It was also a good opportunity to share recommendations of other things to do whilst in Barbados and learn a bit more about what bought people from all walks of life to Barbados. 

After the show was over, the nightclub opened and you could carry on the party dancing under the stars in the open aired club. The Caribbean music was pumping loudly and the night was deliciously warm. We danced under the coconut trees, sipped rum, and had an absolute ball. 

If you're looking for a hardcore rave, you'll be disappointed; but if you're looking for a laid back night of fun, laughter, and the chance to socialise with other tourists, then it's definitely worth checking it out. If you are interested in finding out more, why to check out the official site here. 

Luxury dining at St Lawrence Gap | Barbados

If you're looking for a great place to eat in Barbados, there are some wonderful restaurants in St. Lawrence Gap which offer incredible food with stunning views. 

Situated in the south of the Island in Christ Church, St Lawrence Gap is a strip of vibrant restaurants and bars which comes to life in the evenings. With its party atmosphere and fine dining, this 1.3km stretch of road is just begging to be explored. 

On our first visit to 'The Gap' we ate in a restaurant called 'Pisces' which is a popular place to dine due to its elegant menu and romantic oceanfront location. 

When we saw how beautiful the view of the ocean was from Pisces we were blown away, however we learnt it's vital to book a table in advance so that you get the better seats along the water's edge. You really don't want to miss out on getting a table along the edge of the restaurant as it transforms an ordinary dining experience into a magical feast.

Offering an international menu, this was one of my favourite places to eat in Barbados.

Another top choice in St. Lawrence Gap, also offering an oceanfront dining experience overlooking the very same beach, is 'Bellini' which we ate in on our last night in Barbados. With its yummy Italian based menu, we tucked into a generous portion of tomato, chili, prawn pasta, which was quite a refreshing change from all the Caribbean food we had eaten every other night. 

I had an amazing couple of nights soaking up the St Lawrence Gap nightlife and the choice of places to eat was perfect.

Check out the gorgeous Bellinis here: http://www.bellinisbarbados.com/

Hanging at the Barbados Beach Club | Barbados

Situated in Christ Church at the South of the Island, Barbados Beach Club is an all inclusive resort which offers a three-star Caribbean stay. 

When we booked to stay in this hotel for our eight day holiday, we weren't too sure what to expect from the resort, but we were amazed to find that it wasn't only great value for money, the room was also big and spotless, and the resort itself was lovely. 

The room consisted of a spacious double bed, pristine bathroom and the best part was the balcony overlooking the beach. To give you a better idea of the surroundings, here is a picture taken from our balcony:

Waking up to that view was truly sensational and being able to leave the balcony doors open all night so we could fall asleep to the sound of the sea was very therapeutic. In fact, I miss the gentle lullaby of the sea even now. 

The staff at the hotel were very friendly and gave us a warm welcome on arrival. As part of the package we could enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner on site, and we were also given drinks from 10am onwards at the bar which was by the pool area. There is nothing better than an all inclusive morning cocktail! As the food was actually really nice, we made sure we enjoyed breakfast each morning and we tended to have one other meal at some point during the day. Although basic, the food was lovely and if you wanted to spend the entire time eating at the resort you could happily do so. 

The beach that was on the doorstep of the Beach Club Hotel was the extra special part of the whole package. Throughout our week in Barbados we were lucky enough to explore quite a few of the beaches but the one joined to our resort was by far my favourite. 

With its creamy white sand and aquamarine waters, this beach was beautiful and ideal for an early morning stroll. I loved waking up, throwing on a bikini and heading down to catch the morning sun on my skin. It became my favourite place in Barbados and the resort as a whole lived up to my Caribbean paradise that I hoped it would be. 

If you fancy staying in this fantastic resort, check out the official site here: http://www.barbadosbeachclub.com/