[Vwdiesel] Lots of diesels in Barbados

[Mad and Ed]

Greetings from Seattle,

Our family visited the Caribbean nation of Barbados during the 
Christmas break.  The island has a wonderful tropical climate, friendly 
dignified people, beautiful scenery, and lots of diesel vehicles.

Since it is a former British colony, driving is on the left side of the 
road.  Most popular seemed to be used Japanese cars, many still with 
the inspection stickers and advertising stickers still on the bumpers 
and windows.  Vans, light trucks seemed to be mostly Nissan, Toyota 
diesels with a lot of Hyundai vans too.  There were some nifty Nissan 
vans that looked comparable to the Vanagon except that the floors were 
too high.  They were used as 9 passenger taxis and had minimal trouble 
with full loads on the modest hills of this predominantly flat island.

There were surprisingly few British cars.  I saw a few Rovers, Tdi's by 
the name plate.  Saw a Jeep RH drive turbo diesel.  Most of the cars 
were gas of course, a surprising number of BMW's all tricked out- 
doubly surprising since import duties likely double the cost of these 
cars and the island is only 21x14 miles.  What expense to show off!  We 
used a borrowed Escort wagon with a prominent sign "LEFT HAND DRIVE" to 
warn others to watch out no doubt.  Gas was about $3/gal.

I would recommend Barbados to those on the east coast.  Unlike other 
Caribbean destinations, Barbados feels safe for families, the people 
run the island efficiently and seem to genuinely appreciate sincere 
interest in their home land.	
Edward Lowe
Seattle, WA
82 Westy Diesel upgraded to 1.9lt. Turbo
85 Golf Diesel 1.6lt NA
92 Cabrio 1.8lt gas
97 Passat Tdi