Christ Church
Christ Church, Barbados, is a parish of Barbados. For holidaymakers planning a trip to Barbados, it is one of the most important parishes of all, for it is Christ Church parish where the major airport is located, Christ Church where the fun and games of St Lawrence Gap can be had, and Christ Church where the laid-back town of Oistins lies.
Off the Beaten Path
Most visitors to Barbados will immediately recognize St Lawrence Gap – or just “The Gap” -- as the busiest tourist area in Barbados. Its beaches are legendary, and its bars and clubs are the centre of Bajan nightlife. However, there's so much more to Christ Church than The Gap and the surrounding beaches. Off the beaten path is one of the island's last mangrove swamp, part of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
Graeme Hall Swamp is an example of what Barbados would have looked like before British colonists, and later the tourist industry, drained the swamps to make room for sugar cane plantations and resort hotels. Thriving in saline, coastal areas, mangrove forests protect coast lines from erosion and storm or tsunami-induced surges. Inside the maze-like mesh of the mangrove roots, all sorts of barnacles, algae, sponges, oysters, fish, crabs, and even shrimp and mud lobsters make their homes.
Unfortunately, the Nature Sanctuary officially closed to the general public in late 2008. Between environmental problems such as raw sewage dumps into the swamp, and increasing pressure from business owners on the Barbadian government to open the area for tourist development, the sanctuary was forced to close. Hopefully it will re-open soon, but it might take tourists making their voices heard to restore the fragile wetlands.
On the Beaten Path: The Gap
St Lawrence Gap itself is in between the airport and Bridgetown. A full mile of restaurants, resorts, beaches, and bars, The Gap is where tourists and locals alike go to have a good time in Barbados. At Turtle Beach, lounge around in the sun and walk into the clear blue waters. At night, you might even see some of the sea turtles laying eggs.
Down the street at the Reggae Lounge, you can enjoy the open-air bar underneath the starry sky of Barbados while sipping your drink and listening to reggae. McBride's Irish Pub is one of the most popular places on the strip, and includes live music and regular drink specials. Whether you're looking for beaches, hotels, food, or shopping, you can find it in St Lawrence Gap.
On the Beaten Path: Oistins
Oistins used to be the capital city of Christ Church, and is still one of the most important towns in the area. A little bit more laid-back and relaxed than St Lawrence Gap, Oistins is a small fishing town, home to only 2,200 residents. Every Friday night, locals and visitors alike gather on the beach for the Friday night fish fry. With live music on the beach, lots of drinks, and great fried fish, the weekly social event is the best way to spend a Friday night in Barbados.
The annual Fish Festival in Oistins, while not as big as the Crop Over Festival, is another fun Bajan event that includes live music, a 10k run, local artists, and of course, lots of fresh fish.
Other Things to See and Do
Besides the swamp, The Gap, and Oistins, visitors come to Christ Church to play golf, see the South Point lighthouse, and surf. For golf, try the Rockley Golf and Country Club, one of the better golf courses in Barbados. The South Point lighthouse is a popular stop on many tours of the island, along with other historical monuments and churches. Christ Church is also the place to go for surfing. Silver Sands Beach, within walking distance of Oistins, is one of the premiere spots for surfing and windsurfing.
In sum, Christ Church is where your visit to Barbados will almost certainly begin, due to the location of the island's big airport. It might also be where your visit ends; between natural wonders like the Graeme Hall Sanctuary and man-made wonders at St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church parish is probably the best holiday destination in Barbados.
