Above: Martin’s Bay, Barbados (all photos by CJ)

By Alexander Britell

BARBADOS — Thursdays are the big days at Martin’s Bay.

That’s when the returning nationals and the locals and the retirees and the rum lovers (well they’re all rum lovers) show up.

Above: the Bay Tavern

This is Wednesday in Martin’s Bay, a corner of Barbados’ St John parish perched below green-palmed hills on a moody Atlantic beach at the tables of the Bay Tavern.

Above: the Bay Tavern

It’s quieter on Wednesday, just a couple having a late lunch and some elders and some empty tables emblazoned with the country’s national beer, Banks.

Above: the rum shop at the Bay Tavern

I’m a contrarian, going against even my own instincts and taking a Stag beer, because the fridge in the rum shop said Stag and it sure looked cold.

There’s a system here — you buy your rum or beer in the main building then wind your way around the corner to the back to order your bake pork or fry snappers or fry swordfish.

Above: fry swordfish

You order first, give your name,  them come back and pay and then eat. And probably insert another drink somewhere in the middle there.

“How long has [the tavern] been here?” I ask the chef, Roseanne.

“Long.”

About how long I’d like this afternoon to be.