tedwords | The perfect guide

"Fortune favors the bold." Virgil

If Corb and I did anything right in Barbados, it was to go down to the front desk where we were staying and ask the receptionist how much it would cost to get a taxi to Animal Flower Cave.

The lady behind the desk was rather new to the job and very soft spoken, but as she was referring to her list of costs for a taxi, we happened to glance down with her and realized it was not much more expensive to hire someone to act as a personal guide for a few hours. And that led her to call Renee for us, and ask her (Renee said "beg") to take us out for a few hours.

Best money spent that week. Renee was kind, smart, ambitious, and had just started her own personal business. She greeted us driving a beautiful blue BMW and dressed to the nines.

Renee knew everyone and was connected with everything. And she actually told stories that were interesting (I often find the tour guide diatribes to be rather exhausting, frankly). In addition to her personal transportation business, she worked as a manager at a local BMW dealership.

Renee took the scenic route to Animal Flower Cove, and from some of her stories, we soon realized we have been to Barbados before, and more specifically an excursion to Harrison's Cave. It had been a nice trip, but I liked being able to go somewhere else this time around, and Animal Flower cave was an excellent alternative. Plus, Renee knew the person heading up the tours that day, spoke to her, and the manager assigned her niece, the only female tour guide there, to give us a personal tour of the cave. And after that? "You must have lunch and try the tacos while there, they are amazing."

Amazing was an understatement. The restaurant was located on the side of a cliff, owned by an American who became tired of the big restaurant grind and wanted to set up something really special. The taco shells were made of breadfruit, giving the tacos a crunch you can't get elsewhere, and the meat was delicious. (I had shredded chicken, Corb had pork.)

The hand of God

After we were done, I had mentioned Botanical Gardens, and Renee suggested the Andromeda Botanical Gardens, which she had heard good things about. They were about to close when we arrived, but she talked them into letting us in, and we basically had the place to ourselves. The flora was beautiful and the best part? The place was teeming with impish monkeys, who were somewhat shy but became increasingly bold. There must have been twenty of them at one point. Being all alone, it was kind of scary at points, but what a delicious thrill.

And then, best of all? As she was showing us around, she was listing the best restaurant there, and mentioned her favorite restaurant on the island was a place called Tides, which, turns out, we had made reservations for the next night! Before we knew it, she had called the owner and we had some of the best seats in the place! (More on that in another post)

And finally, she made sure to drive us to the cruise port the next day, and personally escorted us to the front desk. And after hugging her good-bye and thanking her for her kindness (and telling her repeatedly what a godsend she was), I realized ten minutes afterwards I left my phone in her car, and we had to call her back. She had it, no problem. If you are ever in Barbados, make sure to check out Renee Luke, H&R Executive Services. Truly an amazing woman!

Sometimes, life throws you unexpected treats when you least expect it. Embrace them!