Where were last night's party-goers in St. Lawrence Gap, the "hip" nightclub strip? Where were yesterday's colorful beach vendors and spirited sports enthusiasts?

"Why is it so quiet everywhere?" I asked the hostess who welcomed my sister and me to the cruise ship terminal to board our Wind Surf cruise ship.

"In Barbados we take Sunday's seriously," she said with a smile. None of the terminal's shops will open today. Everyone is either resting, eating a family meal at home, or in church."

Barbados' cruise terminal is one of the Caribbean's finest and (six days a week) busiest port facilities. It was recently renovated to re-create a brilliant island street scene of storefronts and the traditional chattel houses of plantation workers. The easternmost Caribbean island, Barbados is home to many contrasts. Its West and South Coasts are calm and palm-fringed with warm waters that gently lap onto the golden sands.

On the East Coast, huge Atlantic waves crash along the rugged shore of white sand beaches and limestone cliffs. At Bathsheba Beach, the "Soup Bowl" is the surfers' choice. Crane Beach, with powder pink soft sand and dunes was named by "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" as "one of the ten best beaches in the world". It is not safe to swim there, however, due to the strong currents.

Another of Barbados' unique and famous attractions is Harrison's Cave, a magnificent underground cave of stalactites, waterfalls and pools illuminated by colored lights. Visitors of all ages are fascinated as an electric tram carries them underground.

Meadows of golden sugar cane and historic plantation houses are a short walk away from the bustling port of Bridgetown.

Tours of these houses provide an excellent insight into the life of the island's early European settlers, who established tobacco, cotton and sugar cane plantations.

For an"off-the-beaten" path Island Safari , hop onto a 4x4 Land Rover to form a unique jeep convoy. Then, hang onto your seats all day to see spots inaccessible to tour buses.

Or, rent a taxi to explore the island's natural wonders in air-conditioned comfort. Our expert taxi driver, Patrick Clarke, negotiated the complex network of back roads to places others often miss: spectacular flower gardens; Welchman Hall Gully, a national park that is a birdwatcher's paradise; breathtaking views from the top of Cherry Tree Hill and Gun Hill Signal Station.

While soaking up the views, we had our first taste of flying fish, a delicious national dish and island emblem which can be sampled at almost any Barbadian restaurant.

Some visitors prefer to check out other adventures by discovering Barbados' secrets on horse-back, mountain bikes or on foot.

"Flightseeing" in a helicopter also offers a unique full circuit perspective of the 166-square mile island.

Barbados was a British colony until 1966, when it gained full independence, although it is still a member of the Commonwealth. A great deal of the island's charm comes from that relationship.

For example, cricket is its national sport, with major social significance. You can catch a game of cricket almost anytime-an international match, a friendly game on the beach, in an open pasture or village field. At the end of the match, hang around to join in the celebration!

Since Barbados is a flat coral island, unlike its steep-sided volcanic neighbors, for scuba divers it offers fringes and reefs blossom with healthy sponges, coral and plant life. Wrecks form fascinating habitats for marine life and Barbados has several excellent sites for wreck diving.

You can also swim with the turtles as they feed among the coral. If you are in Barbados at the right time you may even take a moonlight tour to see turtles nesting. Pregnant turtle lay their eggs in the soft sand along the shore. When the baby turtles hatch, they emerge from the sand and quickly make their way to the safety of the sea.

Bubble Adventure is an innovative new dive company that focuses on giving children (including those with disabilities) an opportunity to explore the underwater world either in their own hotel's swimming pool or in the sea.

Many hotels offer other water sports activities including waterskiing, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, parasailing and sport fishing.

The Atlantis submarine adventure is another underwater adventure that reveals a kaleidoscope of exotic fish and marine life.

For golfers, Barbados offers several luxurious golf courses. The first championship public golf course opened in June 2000 and the five-star Sandy Lane Hotel added two 18-hole courses in 2001 for a total of 45 holes of championship golf.

The island's single greatest natural resource is its warm and friendly people. The Barbadians (also known as "Bajans") are proud and eager to share their rich cultural heritage, inherent in the spontaneity of their music and laughter.

For More Information

Call 1-800-221-9831 or visit http://www.barbados.org