Moving to Paradise — A Journey to Barbados
2020 started well, I went on a fantastic work trip to India and had several more lined up for Oman, Nepal and Bhutan. Then Covid-19 hit and the world changed.
About halfway through the first UK lockdown we heard on the radio that Barbados were going to offer ‘digital nomads’ the opportunity to live in Barbados and ‘work from home’. As we run our digital marketing agency Red Quokka from our home, we didn’t even have to think about it, we just looked at each other and said, “let’s do that”! We spent the next few weeks trying to find out as much about it as we could (there was not a lot to find!) and then finally when applications opened, we jumped straight on the website and applied.
Neither of us had been to Barbados before however we have both impulsively moved overseas before, so I do not think either of our families were surprised when we announced our plans. Some of our friends were, however, baffled often asking “but why Barbados?” our reply — It has sun, beaches and it isn’t the UK, so why on earth not?
The application process itself was frighteningly simple, I have applied for several visas in my life and they always involve pages and pages of forms, all the documents you possess and often health screenings and trips to the embassy. None of this was needed for Barbados, they just asked a few questions about you and your income (no proof is needed) and ask for your money — simple as that. Once you have been accepted (I would be very surprised if anyone isn’t), you have a month to pay your money, $2,000 USD for an individual or $3,000 USD for a family, a cheap exercise this is not. We had several payment reminder emails which worried us slightly as the grammar was questionable, could this whole thing be a scam? But we paid our money and received our visa, something that Carl said, ‘looks like a child made in Paint’. It really is rather basic, another red flag, but do not be deterred, I think it is just because the visa program was so hastily put together.
So, everything was set, we rented out our flat, booked our flights and had just 6 weeks to wait till we could jet off to the sun. I am a real planner, and I joined several facebook groups so I could ask questions and chat to people who had already gone out there either on the Welcome Stamp or who have been living there for a while. Barbados Welcome Stamp and Barbados Expats really helped ease my anxiety as I could feel like I was mostly on top of things and knew what to expect and what I should be bringing with me. We even found our apartment through the group so that we did not have to stress about it once we arrived.
During the 6 week wait, the UK’s status changed to High-Risk which meant that not only would we need to provide a negative Covid test from 72 hours before travel, but we would need to quarantine at an approved hotel until we were able to take a second test 5 days after the first, and be cleared negative again. A lot of people were unhappy about this but to be honest I am glad they are taking precautions to protect the community and keep life as normal as possible.
7 days to go and the UK government announced a new national lockdown and a ban on international travel, coming into effect 10 hours before we were due to fly, and so the stress began. I checked with BA and they assured me that our reason to travel counted as ‘exceptional circumstances’ but that of course was no guarantee that the flight would still be running. We moved out of our house to Carl’s parents, not knowing if we still had a flight to get on, took our Covid test no knowing if we would still be leaving within 72 hours, but thankfully everything fell into place and we flew to Barbados on the 5th November.
Arriving at Bridgetown airport we found out we arrived at the same time as 3 other flights, should that be a big deal? In a very small airport like Bridgetown it sure is. First, we queued outside to have our test certificated checked, then having had a temperature check and having several wristbands slapped on us (not to be removed until you have your test results), we queued again for customs, so far so organised, then came the queue to end all queues. For most of it we did not even know what we were queueing for, after about 1.5 hours we got near the front, it was so that someone could give us the information about what was going to happen in the next few days in terms of temperature checks, 2nd Covid tests etc. The problem — there were only 2 people doing this for 3+ flights, it was an utter nightmare. I believe there are ways of fast tracking this whole process offered by some hotels and services, I would strongly suggest looking into them if you can! After 3 hours we finally made it out the airport, into a taxi and off to our hotel, the 3* Worthing Court Apartments.
Arriving at the hotel we were greeted outside with another temp check and send down to reception, again outside. We were given all our info, charged a surprise $50 tax which no one had told me about, and sent off to the room where we would have to stay until we had received the results of our second test. This was a basic but decent size 1 bedroom apartment with a kitchen and lounge area as well as a balcony with an almost sea view.
Something that we had not really appreciated was how much cash we would need in the first few days, even though we were quarantining. You need cash for the taxis, if you are getting food or groceries (which can be very expensive when you are not there to pick them yourself) and your test if you are organising privately. Cash machines only give out the equivalent of $500 USD at a time with a $5 fee, so I would suggest bringing a good chunk with you as we were not able to get any more once in quarantine. I wish someone had told me that.
On our first morning we got in touch with a chap called Mike who I had seen mentioned in one of the Facebook Groups, he delivers his Fresh Bajan Rum Punch all over the island and we wanted to try some. I am a wine drinker and Carl loves his beer, but without being able to shop for it ourselves we decided this was safest. As it turned out, the amazing Mike also did some grocery shopping for us and delivered it, with our punch, to our hotel. Talk about service!
When it comes to 2nd Covid tests, there are a few options, the easiest is to have someone come to your hotel, which costs around $150 — $200 USD per person, or you can call the government line and get them to book you into one of their testing sites. This is free but you do still have to pay for your taxi (which can be organised by your hotel) and the test could be anywhere on the island where there is a space. We called the main hotline and after a bit of back and forward, booked our test in for Saturday morning at 9am and our hotel booked our taxi for 8am, the cost, $120. We arrived by 8.30am to a military base and waited in a line of cars until just after 9am, we were 4th in the queue of about 40 cars so very glad we got there early. We then drove round to the testing facility (with a view of the ocean, rather different to Orpington town centre from our first test!), filled out a form and had our second test, a nose swab this time, all rather well organised. I was not sure we would get the results on a Sunday but they came through at around 8pm. Reception cut off our wrist band and we are free to go!
We have been in touch with the Ministry of health several times already, they will call and Whatsapp you to check your temperature which you have to record twice a day for two weeks. It does seem a bit like no one talks to each other as we have been asked the same things multiple times, but no matter, at least they are being thorough.
5 tips if you are thinking of making the move:
- Mosquitoes — there are lots of them and unfortunately dengue fever is becoming more of an issue. Mozzie spray is expensive so bring as much with you as you can.
- If you are a very light sleeper you may struggle, there are frogs that sort of ‘chirp’ all night as well as roosters who do not appear to know that they are only supposed to ‘cock-a-doodle-do’ once in the morning and be done with it.
- Most houses/villas/apartments only have aircon in the bedrooms and it is expensive to run. I brought a little USB fan with me and it is probably the best thing I ever bought.
- Yes, food is expensive here, they even have a range of Waitrose products in some supermarkets! But if you adjust your diet according to what is reasonable and local then it is fine.
- WhatsApp is how everyone communicates here so make sure you have it before coming.
I started this blog to help those who are thinking of doing something similar. Please follow me on Instagram katie_in_barbados and get in touch if you have any questions. Stay tuned for more adventures in Barbados as we move into our new home and start to explore the area!
Disclaimer: The views in this blog are my own, not that of Red Quokka Ltd. This is a personal blog.
