We drove south after work and stayed overnight inside the Gatwick
terminal, at Bloc Hotel. It was basic, but very convenient, and quite
cool, with tablet controls and coloured LEDs. Like a shiny version of
Ibis budget.
We set our alarm for 7.30 the next morning, and were out by 8.
Dropped
bags, went quickly through security (with our priority pass as a
pleasant side effect of booking the lounge) and went through to the
lounge.
Had a nice breakfast in the comfortable but full lounge, and a buck's fizz. Christian bought a Samsung smart watch duty free.
Went on the long walk to the gate, but had to wait for it to open, despite the signs saying the flight was boarding.
We boarded, and took our seats as a two near the back of the plane. It was a newly fitted plane and very nice. Take-off and ascent were a little shaky, but smooth enough above the clouds.
Had a drink (the world's strongest vodka and cranberry juice - I had to decant half of it into a second drink) and lunch (macaroni - quite good). Our cabin crew woman was really lovely, and funny. But the woman behind me decided that her touch screen only worked if she jabbed at it to within an inch of its life.
Watched An Affair to Remember (lovely), Ocean's Eight (silly but fun), and a bit of a random Benedict Cumberbatch drug thing, which was making me feel a bit unwell. I do want to continue watching it though, it's an eye-opener! The time was filled up quickly. They brought us a small wrap before beginning the descent.
We flew over lots of seaweed on the approach, and landed with a bit of a bump at Hewanorra. Half the occupants of the plane stayed on board to continue to Grenada, and the rest of us got off, via treadplate stairs on the back of an old, beaten-up farm ute. And then it got better. I was oblivious at this stage, but Christian had been directed to the left to fill in arrival forms (which BA failed to tell us about). We hung around for ages just to get a copy of the form, chatting to other confused travellers (an AA flight had just landed after us). We finally filled them in, and were directed to queue outside a tiny office, while hundreds of others queued in the passport line. We were very confused, but went with it. A brusque woman checked and stamped our forms and passports, and it became clear that we had effectively jumped the huge queue on the other side of the room. Win.
We went out into the chaos outside, and found the Barefoot Tours stand. The woman there was expecting us, and produced our driver, and a welcome letter and brochure. The driver took our bags while Christian visited the facilities.
We were taken to a shiny Lexus, and settled in for the journey. The driver was quiet, but friendly. He pointed out the banana trees, and even a cacao tree. The road was quite minor, and quite winding. One of the first things that struck me was the willingness of the drivers to overtake. It happened all the time.
Our
driver offered to stop at a lookout overlooking Dennery Bay, and we
took some photos. The journey continued, and we finally got to an
intersection, and turned right. The road rose quickly and then descended
through a very tight series of switchbacks into Castries. I was sure
that the driver had taken us on the scenic route. We saw the cruise
ships before anything else.
The 'city', as they called it, was chaotic and shabby. We drove through it, and up the hill behind, through more tight corners. I saw a small animal run across the road in front of us - it looked like a flat squirrel. The driver said it was probably a mongoose. Amazing - I knew then that this was going to be an interesting holiday. And then we were at Bel Jou.
It really was at the top of the hill, and the approach was welcoming, with loads of bouganvillea, and comfortable looking buildings.
At reception, which was open and well tended, we were invited into the lounge behind us, and provided with a cool glass of juice. A nice woman checked us in and gave us our keys. And then said 'you can go'. So we did. Our room was a bungalow (number 3), back near the front gate of the hotel - a member of staff walked our bags along with us and saw them inside.
The room was big, a bit tired, but obviously lovingly prepared for us, with bouganvillea flowers on the bed.
We unpacked into the ample storage space, and went for a wander around the hotel. It was spacious without being huge, and very welcoming and comfortable. We weren't sure what time dinner would be available, and so we got a drink, finding out that the buffet opened about 6.30. It was 6 at that point, so very good timing.
We chose a table, and helped ourselves to the delicious buffet, while brilliant wait staff saw to our drink needs. I think we had Solange looking after us on this first night. She was so lovely.
We were tired, so went back to the room soon after. And then the 'entertainment' started at 9pm. The music was on the rooftop bar level, but was loud enough to distinguish the song and the words. I think it was karaoke. Oh well. We still managed to sleep.
We set our alarm for 7.30 the next morning, and were out by 8.
Had a nice breakfast in the comfortable but full lounge, and a buck's fizz. Christian bought a Samsung smart watch duty free.
Went on the long walk to the gate, but had to wait for it to open, despite the signs saying the flight was boarding.
We boarded, and took our seats as a two near the back of the plane. It was a newly fitted plane and very nice. Take-off and ascent were a little shaky, but smooth enough above the clouds.
Had a drink (the world's strongest vodka and cranberry juice - I had to decant half of it into a second drink) and lunch (macaroni - quite good). Our cabin crew woman was really lovely, and funny. But the woman behind me decided that her touch screen only worked if she jabbed at it to within an inch of its life.
Watched An Affair to Remember (lovely), Ocean's Eight (silly but fun), and a bit of a random Benedict Cumberbatch drug thing, which was making me feel a bit unwell. I do want to continue watching it though, it's an eye-opener! The time was filled up quickly. They brought us a small wrap before beginning the descent.
We flew over lots of seaweed on the approach, and landed with a bit of a bump at Hewanorra. Half the occupants of the plane stayed on board to continue to Grenada, and the rest of us got off, via treadplate stairs on the back of an old, beaten-up farm ute. And then it got better. I was oblivious at this stage, but Christian had been directed to the left to fill in arrival forms (which BA failed to tell us about). We hung around for ages just to get a copy of the form, chatting to other confused travellers (an AA flight had just landed after us). We finally filled them in, and were directed to queue outside a tiny office, while hundreds of others queued in the passport line. We were very confused, but went with it. A brusque woman checked and stamped our forms and passports, and it became clear that we had effectively jumped the huge queue on the other side of the room. Win.
We went out into the chaos outside, and found the Barefoot Tours stand. The woman there was expecting us, and produced our driver, and a welcome letter and brochure. The driver took our bags while Christian visited the facilities.
We were taken to a shiny Lexus, and settled in for the journey. The driver was quiet, but friendly. He pointed out the banana trees, and even a cacao tree. The road was quite minor, and quite winding. One of the first things that struck me was the willingness of the drivers to overtake. It happened all the time.
The 'city', as they called it, was chaotic and shabby. We drove through it, and up the hill behind, through more tight corners. I saw a small animal run across the road in front of us - it looked like a flat squirrel. The driver said it was probably a mongoose. Amazing - I knew then that this was going to be an interesting holiday. And then we were at Bel Jou.
It really was at the top of the hill, and the approach was welcoming, with loads of bouganvillea, and comfortable looking buildings.
At reception, which was open and well tended, we were invited into the lounge behind us, and provided with a cool glass of juice. A nice woman checked us in and gave us our keys. And then said 'you can go'. So we did. Our room was a bungalow (number 3), back near the front gate of the hotel - a member of staff walked our bags along with us and saw them inside.
The room was big, a bit tired, but obviously lovingly prepared for us, with bouganvillea flowers on the bed.
We unpacked into the ample storage space, and went for a wander around the hotel. It was spacious without being huge, and very welcoming and comfortable. We weren't sure what time dinner would be available, and so we got a drink, finding out that the buffet opened about 6.30. It was 6 at that point, so very good timing.
We chose a table, and helped ourselves to the delicious buffet, while brilliant wait staff saw to our drink needs. I think we had Solange looking after us on this first night. She was so lovely.
We were tired, so went back to the room soon after. And then the 'entertainment' started at 9pm. The music was on the rooftop bar level, but was loud enough to distinguish the song and the words. I think it was karaoke. Oh well. We still managed to sleep.
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