Marcia Erskine/Contributor

In Jamaican parlance, ‘Barbados is Likkle but tallawah’ ( small but strong), punching way above her weight despite COVID-19 which still lingers covertly throughout the world.

At just 432 km (167 sq ml), the most easterly of Caribbean islands has steadily pivoted out of the throes of the pandemic and is reclaiming its position as a Caribbean tourism behemoth.

The religious would say that God has been kind to Barbados or ‘Bim’ or ‘Bimshire’ as she is often affectionately called. But, even the non-religious would agree that this relatively peaceful island nation has done a fantastic job with its blessings, natural and human made.

Beautiful sand and sea is almost a given. After all, Barbados is in the Caribbean. But the tourism czars have assembled a set of attractions which leverage and build on the island’s natural attributes, often marrying them with events that are popular with visitors and locals alike.

Events, like cricket championships at the famous Kensington Oval in March, would have given the island a much-needed boost, providing foreign guests for hotels and restaurants, restoring remembered life to places like the famous St Lawrence Gap – a short street in the heart of the south coast which is home to million-dollar condos and budget hotels, bars and restaurants and which, seemingly, never sleeps.

Of course, top of the list of ‘must-do events’ is the Barbados Crop Over Festival – one of the region’s biggest carnivals.

This year was special. Not only was it the first in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was the first since Barbados attained Republic status. And what a celebration it was.

Crop Over began in the 1780s when “Sugar Was King”, as a celebration of a successful sugar harvest. It has evolved through the years past the downturn in the sugar plantations but, as the Bajans would say, “It Still Sweet For Days”.

Whether your preference is for your pick of “Sweet Limes”, breakfast parties that take you from dusk to dawn dancing to the latest soca music, a cultural journey at the People’s Choice Soca Monarch Competition or losing yourself on Grand Kadooment Day among revellers dancing in the street in  sparkling costume, Crop Over is undoubtedly a fun, happy festival.

Food wise, Barbados is not short of fantastic world-class restaurants boasting local and international cuisine headlined by the freshest, most delicious seafood. The artistry of the Bajan chef is showcased at events like the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival where they are joined by international celebrity chefs to create culinary masterpieces.

For those seeking “Bajan comfort food” there is no place like Oistins – a South Coast fishing community which hosts one of the island’s most popular weekend events – ”Oistins Fish Fry”. It’s an open air  marketplace of stalls offering the most flavoruful range of fish and other seafood and that famous cheesy  Bajan staple – Macaroni pie. No visit to Barbados is complete without a plate of steaming fried or grilled fish,  sweet potato, a healthy square of macaroni pie and cole slaw from Oistins. Mouthwatering! No, life changing! There is even an annual Oistins Fish Festival that pays homage to the contribution of these fisherfolk to Barbados. That’s how good they are.

Families visiting Barbados also find a lot that pleases. Sand and sea are superb, as are the many sea-based attractions like catamaran cruises, swimming with the turtles and, my personal favourite, the Atlantis submarine tour. There is nothing more serene than going far below the surface of the sea and watching through the huge windows of the submarine, the colourful coral reefs and marine life in their own habitat.

Then at approximately 150 feet – the sunken treasure of a shipwreck- a treat for adults and children alike, like in a movie.

Barbados is delightful. Good governance is apparent in the way it is developing as an economic force without losing its island charm for visitors and residents alike. Definitely a Caribbean gem.

• Marcia Erskine is a Trinidadian public relations consultant resident in Jamaica.