The "Sapphire Beach Condos" Story

It was an ordinary day. Sitting on the balcony watching the sun go down. Staying at Sapphire Beach Condominiums during our stay in Barbados. Very nice place as well as location. Three years ago while vacationing in Barbados we saw the Sapphire under construction. Knew it was going to be a really nice place. A year ago, while planning our trip, we talked about going back to the Divi Resort where we had stayed on our first visit to the isalnd, but after checking prices, found that the cost was much higher than the last time we stayed there. Started looking for an alternate location for our trip. Pulled up the "VBRO from Home Away" website and clicked on the Caribbean on the locater map. Wow, plenty of places to stay. Looked at most of them and then found a photo of a place right on the beach. Asked Carol if she recognized the place and we both agreed it looked like the condos that were being built when we were in Barbados before. Contacted the owners, Mike and Andrea, who live in England, and they gave us a price that was almost half of the Divi. Immediately wire-mailed a deposit to them. Sapphire Beach is located in Dover, Christ Church, Barbados; and area known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and vibrant lifestyle. The condo sits on a stunning stretch of prime beachfront and opens directly onto the beach from the condo entrance. A block to the North is the start of St. Lawrence Gap which is home to a variety of amenities, including banking, convenience stores, several shopping complexes as well as restaurants that give us a taste of "Bajan" food and culture. Almost directly across from the front of the condo is a playing field where almost every night we could watch futbol or cricket. Everything is within easy walking distance. Couldn't have found a better location for our trip. The condo was two floors with the entrance on ground level. Walked into a common area which was next to a bedroom with bath. Carol and I took this first floor bedroom which opened onto the swimming pool and then onto the beach. Up the steps took you to the living/dining room, kitchen, and second bedroom with bath. Our friends Jerry and Just Sue, who were traveling with us, took that bedroom which opened onto a small balcony along the street. At the rear of the second floor was a large balcony that had a table with seating for at least 6 as well as a love seatand chair for lounging while looking at the pool and ocean below. Great place to call home for two weeks. Only complaint were the many, many locks that had to be opened to get in and out of the condo, commons area, and pool area. Even had a code to open the gate to allow us to drive our rental car onto the property. Locals call the place "The Prison", with good reason. If we ever return for another visit, we would certainly consider the Sapphire Beach for our home again. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top are: Entrance gate into the Sapphire Beach Condominiums, view of the condos on the ocean side of the building, kitchen, living and dining area, balcony overlooking the pool and ocean, our first floor bedroom opening onto the pool deck, and the gate from the pool to the beach.