Goa IDC - Useful information

Some useful information to make your stay at Goa IDC Country House even more enjoyable...

> About Goa IDC
> Nature
> Getting around
> Money and shopping
> Eating out

About Goa IDC

Maid service
The rental charge includes a daily maid service – bed-making, cleaning, and washing up). Fresh bed linen and towels are provided every 4 days.

Personal cook
For the ultimate relaxing holiday, you can have your own personal cook (US$245 per week). Special diets can always be catered for – just let us know if you have any requests.
Smoking
For the comfort and pleasure of all our guests, Goa IDC is a non-smoking house.
Internet access and phone calls
You are welcome to access the phone and internet in the upstairs apartment for a small charge. Wireless broadband access will be available soon. Phone calls to the UK, US and Canada are charged at $BD1.75 per minute.
Disabled access
Both apartments are on the ground floor and have level access. The bathrooms have large walk-in showers.
Welcome packs
Welcome packs can be arranged so that you can relax as soon as you arrive after a long flight and have breakfast ingredients handy. Just let us know what you would like before you arrive. Some suggestions – tea, coffee, fruit juice, eggs, cereals, bread, butter, baked beans, bacon, tomatoes, soft drinks, beer, local rum and coke. These can be ordered when you book and paid for on confirmation.

Coming and going
Guests are requested to leave their suite by 12 noon to allow time for cleaning. If you have a late flight, your luggage can be safely stored and showers are available in the upstairs apartment.

Arriving guests can move in any time after 3pm. If you are arriving before this, again I can arrive for your luggage to be looked after, for a shower and for drinks and snacks to be available – just let me know when your flight details are confirmed.

The permanent residents
We have 3 dogs, 5 cats, 3 tortoises, 2 black-bellied sheep and a goat. The dogs are extremely sociable, particularly Churchill, and love to make new friends but if you would prefer they didn’t visit you then please just let me know. The dogs are all trained not to go inside the suites – cats have a mind of their own, but are unlikely to.

Nature

The sun
If you haven’t experienced the Caribbean sun before, be warned! You are much closer to the Equator than in southern Europe, and the sun can be very strong. Even when it’s overcast, you can still burn or get sunstroke.

I suggest you use a minimum of Factor 25 (Banana Boat Blueberry Children’s Sunblock is available locally and is the best I’ve found.) Start gently and build up your exposure to the sun and you’ll go home with the perfect tan and no blisters!

Water
It’s perfectly safe to drink tap water. Barbados has its own natural water supply, filtered through the local coral stone, and it’s one of the purest on the planet. So no need to buy lots of bottled mineral water.

Creepy crawlies
There is hardly anything on Barbados that is of any danger. The snakes aren’t venomous and we have no poisonous insects. If you mix Citronella oil or a mosquito repellent into your sun cream, you’ll hopefully prevent annoying bites from mozzies and sand flies. Soft skin and feet are always easy targets.

All windows are fitted with mesh panels, so you shouldn’t need to use the nets over the beds, but please do if you are particularly susceptible.

Getting around

Car hire
If you haven’t already hired a car and would like to do so for all or part of your stay, I can arrange this for you with a local car hire company who will drop the car off at the house for you. You’ll need your driving licence with you, and also to purchase a local driving licence which costs BD$10 and lasts for 12 months.

Petrol stations are on all the main roads, and fuel is quite a lot cheaper here than in the UK.

Public transport
It’s perfectly possible to travel all over the island on either the blue government run buses or the little yellow private buses and white mini bus route taxis. The flat fare is B$1.50 whatever route you’re on and no matter how far you’re going.

You may find them crowded at peak times, the service can be infrequent on more remote routes, but it’s fun and economical.

You could always hire a car for a few days of your holiday to shop, get your bearings and visit a few of the more out-of-the-way spots and attractions, and then do the rest by bus.

Money and shopping

Banks
I recommend that you get your local currency (Barbadian dollars) on arrival at the airport. You’ll get a better rate there than in the UK.
If you need to change money while here, all the main banks will give you a standard rate for cash or Travellers’ Cheques.
Opening hours:
8am-3pm Monday to Thursday
8am-5pm Friday
9am-12noon Saturday (Caribbean Commercial Bank only)
I can also change cash for you – just ask.

Shopping for groceries
If you have a car, I recommend the Super Centre at the Warrens in the centre of the island. This is most like your local supermarket at home with many familiar brands.
There are 2 small supermarkets just a few minutes away by car or a short bus ride, for basic groceries and some fresh fruit and vegetables.
There is also a good fruit and vegetable market in Bridgetown.

Eating out

Part of Goa IDC’s charm is its quiet location, but if you want to hit the bright lights or eat at one of the island's many restaurants I can arrange taxis if you want to venture out without driving, or the buses run until midnight for evening excursions.

The Bajans love good food. Local specialities are flying fish, marlin and dolphin (a white-fleshed fish, not the Flipper variety), coucou, made with cornmeal or breadfruit and green bananas, puddin' and souse made with pork and steamed sweet potato, pepperpot – a spicy, meaty soup, jerk chicken marinated in chilli spices then barbecued, and lots of rice and pulse dishes.

Wash this lot down with the locally brewed Banks beer or one of the many exotic rum concoctions, on offer and you will have dined well!

Here are just a few suggestions:

Very close:
The Round House Inn
If you want to eat out locally in the evening, the Round House Inn just above the Soup Bowl in Bathsheba is the nearest (closed Sunday evenings), with breadfruit soup, grilled fish, steak, chicken and some pasta dishes on offer. Booking advisable in high season.

Naniki
Open at lunchtimes serving traditional Bajan food and a fantastic Sunday buffet, with spectacular views from their veranda. Highly recommended in all the guide books.

Edgewater Hotel
Just above the Round House. Lunchtimes only, terrace and pool with views over the Soup Bowl and the chance of spotting a green monkey in the woods nearby.

Atlantis Hotel
Lunchtimes only, good food and a Sunday buffet.

Further afield
Oistins
Worth the drive or bus trip to this little fishing village on the south coast to eat freshly barbecued marlin on trestle tables, down a few beers and watch the dancing.

Bridgetown
For lunch, try Mustors, just off Broad Street opposite Harrison's Duty Free Shopping, or the restaurant on the second floor of Cave Shepherd on Broad Street.

In the evening, the Waterfront Café is a good option.

The Gap
St Lawrence Gap to the East of Bridgetown is a lively, buzzing spot at night with lots of attractive places to eat and clubs to head to afterwards. This is where to come if you want to party until dawn.

Try one of the many places offering Bajan specialities, or The Ship Inn, with its excellent carvery and open air bar and club area with live acts most nights.

The south coast
Try a snack lunch at Cafe Blue, or visit the Sugar Reef Restaurant on Rockley Beach for Sunday breakfast, a great buffet lunch or dinner.

There are plenty of shady spots at Goa IDC for reading and relaxing

The beach at Bathsheba, rarely crowded and plenty of space and sand for everyone