Delphi
The decision to go to Barbados from Europe instead of returning home may look rather wild to some people. But it did not feel like I traveled enough and saw many new places. I wanted more. The ticket Athens – Frankfurt – Bridgetown was only $400, too good to miss an opportunity to enjoy the Caribbean. I booked a cheap Airbnb room for 3 nights within a walking distance from the beach thinking that I’d make my plans where to go next when and if I got to Barbados. The pandemic made everything so uncertain that I gave up careful planning of my trips in advance. Travel restrictions and country entry requirements changed daily. I checked them regularly and bought tickets 5 days or less before the departure to lower the risk of flight cancellations.
The bus from Delphi brought me to Athens where I took the bus to the airport and got there around 11 p.m. My flight to Frankfurt was scheduled for 6.30 a.m. I went to the ticketed area, found a comfy soft couch, placed my backpack under the head and slept soundly until the departure time.
In Frankfurt, I found my next departure gate and sat down to watch a movie on YouTube. One hour later, there was no-one at the gate. Concerned, I had another look at the board. I was sitting in a wrong terminal! The flight was leaving in half an hour. My 5-euro cappuccino went into the trash; I grabbed the backpack and ran. The plane was still there waiting for me.
The flight was about half-full. My seat was in the middle row where nobody else was sitting. I stretched across all 4 seats, watched movies and snoozed, and did not notice how we landed in Bridgetown.
On arrival, all passengers were quickly sorted – in transit or staying on the island, with or without COVID-19 test results, accommodation types. When it was my turn, I said that I booked an Airbnb.
“Such rooms are not on the list of approved accommodations for self-quarantine,” said a staff member to me.
I knew this but pretended that I didn’t. Quarantine at an expensive hotel and making my own arrangements for a second coronavirus test in Barbados were not on my agenda.
“What do I do then?”
“We can place you into quarantine at a government facility, free of charge. You will get 3 meals a day. You will be free to go after they test you for COVID-19 again.”
“Is there WiFi?”
“Yes but it is not very good.”
“It is all right, I’ll go there,” quickly said I fearing that he might change his mind.
A male passenger and I were put on a bus. A sergeant bought us lunch at the airport and we ate it on the bus.
At the facility, the other passenger was sent to the male quarters and I, respectively, to stay with the ladies.
A small kitchen was in the barrack’s corner. Tea, coffee and biscuits were available any time. Meals were delivered 3 times a day. A bathroom with a sink and a toilet was in an adjacent room. Shared showers and more toilets were in a separate building.
WiFi was working and I called my husband to tell him where I was. He asked if there were bars on the windows. There were none, and the doors were not locked. We were free to move around within the fenced territory. Escaping from such quarantine through a hole in the fence would not be a problem but of course nobody attempted that.
It was never hot in the barrack because of the sea breeze; there were no bugs of any kind including mosquitoes. I spent time talking to other ladies or doing something online. Somehow, everyone else arrived from London either returning home or for a vacation. I was the only white person there.
The food was not the best. I accepted it as is. After all, it was free and I asked to send me there but one woman complained that we did not get fruit and vegetables.
The staff was excellent. They did everything possible in their power to make us comfortable.
On my second day, I had a COVID test. Testing was €80 in Greece and free in Barbados. The result was available on the following morning. I tested negative and could leave the quarantine. So, I only spent 2 nights at this facility.
Cool! What an adventure! The pictures are wonderful and the conditions of stay were really decent. However, it is also good, that it was only for 2 nights.
Quite right! The place was spotless clean but 2 nights was enough.