Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

CAN YOU BELIEVE WE'RE ACTUALLY HERE?" MY DAUGHTER, SARA AND I SAID SIMULTANEOUSLY AS WE CLINKED OUR REFRESHING COCKTAILS WITH SIGHTS OF THE FLAWLESS TURQUOISE OCEAN ON THIS BARBADOS DREAM TRIP. That rooftop bar at the O2 Beach Club & Spa in the highly lauded St. Lawrence Gap along the south coast was perfect for winding down our busy days. It seemed undiscovered by other guests and we often had it to ourselves. Some days it was difficult to leave the luxe all-inclusive resort with its "breathe-it-all-in" atmosphere of pools, restaurants and endless scenic sea scenes, but with so much to see and do we tried to balance the two. Barbados fulfilled our dream of a tropical Caribbean island escape, well complemented by an overlay of British charm. See British influences like driving on the other side, school children in uniforms and traditional British dishes on menus, many with a Caribbean twist. The weather is unmistakably idyllic and the iconic pink sand beaches formed from broken coral pieces make an ideal backdrop to the sapphire sea, attracting snorkellers, divers, sailors, paddleboarders and kayakers. But there are just as many land-based activities with high-end golf courses, zip lining and caving and hiking that make Barbados a hub for all types of travellers. Here are three ways we found our paradise dreams, Bajan-style: PHOTOS: VISIT BARBADOS DEEP DIVE I love snorkelling whenever I have the opportunity but snorkelling with my daughter was a new experience for both of us. We were on a sunset cruise on a spacious catamaran with Calabaza Sailing Cruises off the coast of Bridgetown, the capital. Floating in warm aquama- rine water, we stopped to snorkel surrounded by enormous olive-green sea turtles. The marine encounter was only interrupted by swarms of irides- cent sergeant majors. Later, as we returned to the marina, a sudden tropical rainstorm showered us, cre- ating a double rainbow that added a hint of magic to a delightful evening. FEEL THE FEARS AND JUST DO IT Sara had never zip lined before, so I was eager to intro- duce her to one of my favourite adrenalin hits. After climbing the steep stairs at Eco-Adventure Park at Har- rison's Cave, our guide Malakai attempted to quell Sara's jitteriness during the safety drill. Suspended high in the air hovering over the edge of the platform my daughter blurted, "I don't think I can do this." After completing the first zip line, he assured Sara that the next part of the course of multiple zip lines would be easier. She screeched, "What do you mean? I thought there was only one!" By the time we were done, Sara wanted to go again not just to soar through the leafy canopy but to feel the burst of adrenalin that comes with it. Our next bonding excursion was on a subterranean tram 46 metres below at Harrison's Cave, a geological wonder situated in the heart of Barbados. We found ourselves in cathedral-like caves crowded with fami- lies of stalactites and stalagmites, large and small, glistening with the mineral-laden water that forms them, some as old as 7,000 years. The guide described two large stalagmites nestled into an alcove as a couple about to get married. It was nicknamed "the altar" as many tourists propose at that point. The bonding moment intensified as the tram exited towards the light and we both sighed with relief. BY MELODY WREN "

• Cover