Carnivals are massive in the Caribbean. Barbados is no exception. For them, it’s called Crop Over. Traditionally celebrating the end of the sugarcane harvest. People descended on the island from around the world, the energy that flooded the country was high as the rum was strong. I spent most of the time R&R-ing whilst the group attended every fete on offer. But the big day - Kadooment could not be missed. Even by someone as party averse as me. My group was split some were in “bands” drinking, marching, drinking, dancing, drinking, beside floats as part of the procession while the rest of us did the same on the other side of a rope. Everyone taking part was dressed to make a statement. Colour coded outfits adorned with jewels and feathers represent the band you were in. The sun was direct, beaming down for the entire route except for the occasional opening of the heavens for short bursts of rain. Normally an inconvenience, today, it was respite from the shadeless, intense heat.. Unknown to me at the time, but THE Rihanna was marching on the otherside of the float we were with. We continued through, wines were had, rum punch was drank occasionally stopping off for cutters, fish cakes, and cold beers along the way. By the end, my blistered, bloodied feet needed a break. It was back to the beach for me, while the rest of the mandem hit up the remaining fetes.