Beautiful Barbados

Although we have only been to Barbados in the summer, it has an appeal throughout the year. The Caribbean is known for hurricanes but it is very rare for one to hit Barbados.

Barbados is a relatively flat coral island with an abundant supply of large gradually sloping beaches.

All beaches on the island of Barbados are considered "public", although some are harder to get to than others!

Over 79 miles of beautiful white and pink sand beaches await you on the island of Barbados – come on in, the water’s great!

Crane Beach
My personal favorite, of course, is the Crane Beach. 

Set on 40 acres of oceanfront land in the parish of St. Philip on the Southeast Coast of Barbados, The Crane is the island's oldest vacation resort. Conveniently located just six minutes east of Grantley Adams International Airport, the resort boasts a spectacular natural setting on a cliff overlooking the renowned Crane Beach. The Crane was recently awarded a Four Diamond rating from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). Today, The Crane is comprised of the original historic hotel building, built in the late 1700's and expanded in 1887, and a new all-suite development. Seven of ten phases of The Crane's new development are complete. On completion of the development, this world-class report will also feature a Bajan village offering retail shops, bar 1812, art gallery and museum; a full-service spa set in a coconut grove on the beach, a choice of gourmet and casual restaurants and flood-lit tennis courts. www.thecrane.com

Originally a harbor, Crane Beach is located at the famous Crane Hotel, and has been voted one of the ten best beaches in the world by "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". Bigger waves make it good for body surfing, but in the cove to the left there is safe swimming close to shore.

You will have to walk down to the beach or take the new elevator down the cliff.  There is a charge for parking, waived if you have lunch at one of the restaurants.

Nearby, about half a mile to the south is Foul Bay.  Despite it’s name (it just meant that it was hard for ships to make harbor) this is a spectacular beach that is usually quiet. There are no facilities, so it is best to take your own food and drink. A great place for a day picnic.

Bottom Bay

 Just north of the famed Sam Lord’s Castle, this bay is surrounded by high coral cliffs, and is the perfect beach postcard with lots of coconut trees, crystal turquoise water, and a large expansive beach area. It has medium waves, slight undertow, and a  favorite picnic spot with Bajans and visitors.

Take your own food and drink as facilities are not nearby. A very popular beach for surfers but beach lovers will find lots of secluded spots.

Sam Lord's Castle is closed now but has been bought by another hotel company and should reopen...sometime.

Sam Lord was a pirate way back but not the kind that went to sea. He stayed at home, in his castle (pictured left), and put lights on the coconut trees so ships would think that they were near Bridgetown. They came close, crashed on the cliffs and Sam added to his treasure.

Church Point 

A very special beach, clean, not very wide and somewhat sheltered, the waters are almost always placid with no undertow and good snorkeling. This beach is in front of the stunning coral stone Heron Bay House, which is almost as beautiful to view as the pristine beach it looks upon.

Heron Bay has hosted many famous guests, including former US President Bill Clinton, former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, and several movie stars. The house was built in 1947 by the late Ronald Tree, a member of the Winston Churchill British Cabinet.

The house is set on 20 acres of manicured gardens, including a small lake, and the property is often opened as part of the Barbados National Trust's annual Open House Programme.

Long Beach                                                                
Long Beach stretches for more than a mile and is very flat and narrow, a great find since it is secluded and private. The nearby long Beach Club has facilities here but this is a fairly private setting.

Long Beach is situated in a natural environment. The buildings that are visible from the beach are a blend of period and modern properties and very attractive. The natural beach environment consists of rocks and cliff faces and is stunningly beautiful.

The sand is very fine and has a bright, white color and the beach and water are very clean. The seawater is a beautiful shade of light blue and is crystal clear. 

The beach can only be reached by climbing a trail / by walking downhill. However, parking is available near the beach.

Dover Beach

Lying at the Southern end of the St. Lawrence Gap ’strip’ this is a popular beach among visitors to the south coast. Medium waves and a number of facilities close by add to its appeal.

This is charter-holiday territory, where families mingle on the sands with a procession of brides and grooms searching for that ultimate Caribbean wedding photo.

Cattlewash

  This by far the longest beach on the island. It’s rough and rugged splendor make it a popular sightseeing and relaxing spot. It is several miles long and very often deserted. It is a perfect location for nature lovers.

This beach is a little north of Bathsheba and is a frequent “sight” on sight seeing tours. Its name defines it’s original function.

This area is a very popular get-away spot for Bajans, especially during the summer months. Although it is a very scenic and relaxing area, there are strong currents in the area and swimming in open water is not recommended. There are however many pools, surrounded by rocks where one can bathe safely.

Bath
There is usually a lifeguard and there are parking, changing, picnic and eating facilities. Medium to small waves and slight undertow close to shore make this a good swimming beach. 

Bath Beach is the perfect swimming beach, and there are plenty of shady trees to relax under with a picnic lunch.  There are no restaurants here, but changing rooms are provided.

Mullins Bay

This is another popular hangout, a picturesque bay with a nice, placid beach almost all year round. Plenty of facilities, from parking and eating, Mullins are also a very good snorkeling area.  Located in a cove, the water is always calm, and crystal clear.

You'll find plenty of places to eat, especially Mullins Beach Bar, and parking is provided across the street. Beach chairs are available for rent.

Folkstone Beach

There are many water-related activities, along with fresh water showers and shops. There is an interpretive centre and museum. The underwater park zone extends from Sandy Lane to Colony Club and you can rent snorkeling equipment around the fringe reef, or hire a boat for diving.

Sandy Lane Bay

The beach of Sandy Lane, the island’s most opulent resort is home to Villas on the beach, Barbados. This is a long, wide beach which is in pristine condition and well-maintained. Quite literally it can be a VIP spotting beach with many a celebrity holidaying here.

It's our favourite Caribbean destination for good reason – there's more to this island than sun, sea and sand. Kate Simon offers a guide.

The accommodation

The hot news from the east coast is the reopening of the Atlantis Hotel (atlantishotelbarbados.com). The venerable seaside lodgings have been turned into a stylish 10-room property by the team behind Little Good Harbour.

Further south on this coast, The Crane (thecrane.com) has expanded from the original 18-room hotel into a veritable village of 180 luxury suites. On the south coast at St Lawrence Gap, the all-inclusive Almond Casuarina Beach Resort (almondresorts.com) has had a revamp, adding 95 sea-facing rooms and a shorefront pool.

The activities

Any self-respecting surfer should try their luck in the Soup Bowl off the east coast at Bathsheba. This world-class break, which hosts international championships, can be surfed year round. But Barbados isn't all about the beach or the sea. Go inland to find more thrills at the Barbados Aerial Trek Zipline Adventures (00 246 433 8966) at Walkes Spring Plantation, which whizzes across 100ft-deep Jack-in-the-Box Gully. And, of course, Barbados is well supplied with polo fields, a sport first played here by British cavalry officers. The most famous ground is Holders, but others under construction include a new one at Apes Hill Club (apeshillclub.com), the latest addition to the island's portfolio of private estates.

The urban scene

The lively capital, Bridgetown, with its busy shops and harbour full of leisure craft, reveals the well-heeled nature of this island. This is also home to the third oldest parliament in the world and National Heroes Square, with its statue of Nelson that predates the one in London's Trafalgar Square. Also call by Holetown, where the British first settled, and see the once neglected Speightstown, the first major port, which is now being given a makeover.

The beaches

This island's exclusive image is largely down to its "Platinum Coast" on the Caribbean side of the island. Here, you'll find the rich and famous enjoying barefoot luxury on white sands lined with sunloungers set out by the five-star hotels that sit cheek by jowl along this coast. Further south, on the more blustery seafront of St Lawrence Gap, the resort hotels spill out on to golden beaches. This is charter-holiday territory, where families mingle on the sands with a procession of brides and grooms searching for that ultimate Caribbean wedding photo. Over on the east coast, the Atlantic waves keep the atmosphere bracing. It's a joy for surfers, but dangerous for swimmers who should ask a local to show them the safe spots for bathing.

The restaurants

Still the island's top spot for a special meal, The Cliff (thecliffbarbados.com) serves a starry clientele exquisite food in a sublime clifftop setting. At the new Marketfive by John Hazzard (00 246 436 1485), the eponymous chef is creating exciting, contemporary Caribbean dishes in a stylish dining room in the unlikely location of the new Sanjay Bridgetown Centre in the capital. Meanwhile, the Fish Pot (littlegoodharbour barbados.com) at the northern reach of the west coast and Cafe Luna (littlearches.com) at the southern end, both continue to delight with fine food and romantic settings. But for dinner with a touch of fun, join the locals and tourists at Fish Friday in Oistins.

The sights

Don't miss St Nicholas Abbey (stnicholasabbey.com) in St Peter, one of just three Jacobean houses remaining in the Americas. Take a tour of Harrison's Cave (harrisonscave.com) and the extraordinary limestone caverns at Allen View. Look out for the Emancipation Statue – aka Bussa, after the slave leader – which shows a black man breaking his chains. It sits on a roundabout east of Bridgetown.

Compact Facts

How to get there

Kate Simon travelled to Barbados with the Barbados Tourism Authority (visitbarbados.org). Thomas Cook Signature (0844 879 8015; tcsignature.com) offers seven nights' at Tamarind Cove from £1,299 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights with Virgin Atlantic, resort transfers, and B&B.

From http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/americas/winter-on-the-beach-barbados-1845578.html

Canwest News Service

"People only come to Barbados to lie on the beach," declares a diminutive blond over rum cocktails on the beach. "Take a hike," say I, meaning it in the nicest possible way. Along with a perfect climate and wonderful beaches, Barbados boasts an English-style National Trust whose sites include 17th-century plantation houses, sugar mills, museums and a 1654 synagogue. Plus, every Sunday the National Trust offers free hikes – a fun way to explore the island.

I was lucky enough to be in Barbados for the Trust's Moonlight Hike, a once- a-month event. Here's how it worked:

At 5:30 p.m., our group – about 60 adults and kids – rendezvous at the St. Thomas Parish post office. Twenty minutes later we've left behind a rural village and its giggling children, who are amused by our twilight parade. On the outskirts we pause to admire exotic crops: cassava, breadfruit, sugar cane, guinea corn, pigeon peas.

Next comes Welchman Hall Gully, named for General William Asygell Williams. Island rumour has it that the shaddock (a.k.a. pomelo) and sweet orange spontaneously produced the world's first grapefruit (though the invention of the grapefruit is also claimed by Jamaica). Overhead, I hear the sound of birds, and ask the man next to me what kind they are. "Bats, actually." Oh.

As green monkeys crash about in the treetops, the group learns that the bitter bark tree yields a malaria treatment called Quashir's Remedy, and that Amerindians used the bark to make insect repellent for their crops. However, the swizzle-stick tree's purpose is obvious.

As darkness falls, National Trust Hike veterans – the ones with the walking sticks – now produce flashlights. Very smart.

On reaching a nutmeg grove, everyone stops and sniffs the spice-scented air – though it's no longer the spice-growing centre it once was.

Emerging from the gully, we loop across fields and meadows under a full moon. At a fence, helpers materialize, opening gates and hoisting us over. Stopping now and then, we examine unusual items such as the red sandalwood seeds that island schoolchildren rub on concrete until they get burning hot. We rest on a hilltop and gaze at the moon, Jupiter, Mars, Orion's Belt. The wind sighs through century-old cabbage palms that produce a delicious fruit, like heart of palm.

Three hours have sped by. Back at the parking lot, we have juice and homemade cakes. Organizers arrange my ride back to the hotel, and friendly voices calling out their goodbyes trail after me down the peaceful hillside.

– For more information, contact barbadosnationaltrust.com; barbados.org.

From http://www.kelowna.com/2009/12/04/the-barbados-like-to-hike-with-an-island-paradise-to-explore-theres-no-need-to-waste-time-lazing-about-on-the-beach/

The island in the eastern Caribbean offers sweet rum and coconuts, incendiary peppers and the national symbol -- flying fish -- filleted and fried.

By Janis Cooke Newman

Reporting from Bridgetown, Barbados >>> - I came to Barbados for the flying fish sandwiches.
Not that this small island at the easternmost edge of the Caribbean doesn't offer other attractions. Like perfect weather. And beaches that come in two flavors -- Caribbean, which has a sea that is turquoise and tranquil, and into which the sun sets spectacularly every evening, and Atlantic, where the coastline is rocky and the sand is the color and consistency of cake flour.

Then there are the Barbadians themselves, people who are the very definition of friendly locals. And the fact that 300 years of British rule have left the island with some interesting Anglo-Caribbean quirks, including stone churches straight out of "Jane Eyre" and cricket players with dreadlocks.

Still for me, it was the flying fish sandwiches. And the macaroni pie. And the pepper sauce. Definitely the pepper sauce.

Because in my mind, the most compelling reason to travel anyplace is food. And Zagat -- holy book of the foodie traveler -- has proclaimed Barbados the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. What I wasn't counting on was that eating one's way through Barbados would turn out to be as much a cultural tour as a culinary one. On Barbados, a healthy (or even obsessive) curiosity about sweet potato mash, coconut water and pig intestines is enough to gain entry into every one of the island's different worlds, from that of well-heeled tourist to the British expat to the born-and-bred Barbadian, or Bajan, as they're also known.
Here, then, are some simple instructions on doing Barbados by food.

Eat it
Every Friday night, the little seaside town of Oistins turns itself into one big barbecue. The food stands raise their awnings, long tables are set up near the beach, and the air fills with over-amplified reggae and the tangy scent of fish marinated in something spicy and slightly vinegary.

Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry is one of those rare events that attracts as many locals as visitors, probably because it's cheap, fun and seriously delicious. Just find a stand where the food looks appetizing, ask a waitperson to seat you at one of the long tables, and order whatever is on the grill.

When you're finished eating, stroll down to Lexie's bar and watch middle-aged Barbadian couples dipping and swirling on the open-air dance floor. (Ballroom dancing is big on Barbados.) Or wander to the opposite end of the street and get a firsthand look at the surprisingly competitive world of Barbadian dominoes. Just follow the sound of slamming tiles.

Tucked on a side street and up a flight of stairs, Mustor's in Bridgetown is the kind of locals' restaurant you always hope to find. It is no more than a big, airy room where the only thing approaching décor is the orangey bottle of pepper sauce on every table. And, really, you don't need anything else.

Place your order with the cashier: flying fish steamed or fried (I recommend fried) or chicken fried or stewed (go with stewed). It comes with macaroni pie (the Bajan version of mac and cheese) and mounds of yams, and rice with pigeon peas, those pale, nut-flavored peas that are a staple of Caribbean cooking. Wash everything down with a local Banks beer or a glass of Bajan-style limeade, which is almost magically sweet and tart at the same time.

If you're looking to up your Bajan cuisine game, try Sweet Potatoes at the entrance of bustling St. Lawrence Gap, the milelong stretch of road crowded with nightclubs and restaurants that cater to tourists. Take a seat under the icicle lights on the open-air porch, and order some examples of what Sweet Potatoes' owners refer to as Good Old Bajan Cooking. Try Mullins Bay bol jol, an insanely good spread of marinated codfish seasoned with herbs and onions. Or Pot Belly Flying Fish, rolled and fried and served in a red pepper sauce. And don't forget cou cou, a Bajan-style polenta made with okra.

If you decide you can't live without some Good Old Bajan Cooking at your house, you can come back for one of the restaurant's cooking classes.

Want to see what an expat British chef with locavore sensibilities cooks on Barbados? Dine at the Terrace at Cobbler's Cove (a small hotel on the northwest coast of Barbados). Bryan Porteus, the chef at the Terrace, is committed to using as many local ingredients as possible. He has planted an herb and lettuce garden across from the hotel and visits the fish market in Bridgetown every day. (Sometimes he even takes guests with him.)

The Cove also employs its own fisherman -- a one-named celebrity called Barker -- whose morning catch turns up on the dinner menu every evening. The result is an entree list that includes bonito with plantain fritters, sesame tempura of Caribbean vegetables, and rack of black belly lamb (a local animal that resembles a sheep and a goat).

Drink it
If you want to be a true Barbadian locavore, you must drink rum. Barbadians have been making rum -- distilled from local sugar cane -- since 1630. And Mount Gay has been making its version nearly as long. It's worth driving a couple of miles north of Bridgetown to take the Mount Gay Rum Factory Tour just for the "blow and breathe" session, which involves sticking your face into a fish bowl of partly distilled rum. This is guaranteed to keep your sinuses open.

Jason Zeddo, Mount Gay's tasting room bartender, says the proper way to taste rum is to first cover the top of the glass with your free hand and "take that fine rum and toss it around." This releases aromas (almond, vanilla, oak) that you can then savor before draining the glass.

If you want to drink rum the way Bajans do, mix it with Coke, which in Barbados is still made with cane sugar (instead of high-fructose corn syrup).
It's a Sunday tradition in Barbados for locals on their way home from church to stop at a roadside coconut vendor and pick up a half-gallon of coconut water to have with Sunday dinner. Coconut water is light and refreshing and only slightly sweet, and Bajans consider it a health drink. (It also mixes beautifully with rum.)

Drive along any major roadway around noontime on a Sunday, and you'll see vendors hacking off the tops of coconuts with machetes. (You will also wonder how they manage to keep all their fingers.) Pick up some coconut water, and while you're there, have the vendor cut open a coconut so you can sample the jelly inside. (It's like eating the liquefied center of a Mounds bar.)

Shop for it
Early every Saturday morning, ex-pats and tourists turn up at the Brighton Farmers Market in St. George to eat fish cakes for breakfast and drink what might be the only great coffee on this tea-centric island. Brighton is the place for locally grown produce and a diversity of prepared foods: curried chicken rotis (Bajan sandwiches), Thai egg rolls and freshly baked bread. It's also the place to sit under an enormous tree, watch the kids run around and socialize.

Saturday morning is the best time to visit the Cheapside Public Market in Bridgetown. Whereas Brighton is mostly ex-pats and tourists, Cheapside is locals. Under the arches of its open-roofed building, you'll find plenty of Bajan staples: black fist-shaped yams, green scaly skinned breadfruit, baskets overflowing with incendiary Scotch bonnet peppers (which Bajans pop like candy).

Express any amount of ignorance about how to prepare your purchase, and next thing you know a Barbadian grandmother will be hacking at your breadfruit with a large knife and explaining how long to boil it.

Cook it yourself
Seemingly all Barbadians are willing to teach visitors how to cook Bajan-style. Drop into the kitchen of Sweet Potatoes restaurant for one of its one-, two- or three-day classes, and you'll leave with a bottle of Bajan spices and a recipe for (among other traditional dishes) Souse and Pudding, grated sweet potato stuffed into pig intestine and topped with meat from the pig's head and feet.

It tastes better than it sounds.

Anne-Marie Whittaker is a one-woman evangelical movement for Caribbean cooking. Her company, Native Treasures, makes a variety of items -- piña colada jam and Captain Rasta's Revenge pepper sauce -- and she's the author of "Treasures of My Caribbean Kitchen" cookbook.

She also runs custom cooking classes for small groups. If you can't arrange to take one of her classes, you can still make her Bajan pepper sauce at home (without burning your fingers slicing all those Scotch bonnets) by picking up one of her hot pepper sauce kits (just add water and vinegar).

If you're staying at the Crane, a residential hotel on the Atlantic side, you'll probably have a better kitchen in your suite than you do at home. The bonus of this, besides being able to try out your newly acquired breadfruit recipe, is that you can arrange to have Executive Chef Michael Hinds drop by and give you a private cooking class. Hinds, a native Barbadian, studied at the Culinary Institute of America, which gives his Bajan cooking an international slant. In his hands, locally caught reef grouper and peppers and onions from Cheapside Market turn into ceviche. And his recipe for breadfruit calls for slicing it paper thin and deep-frying it until you're left with a stack of crispy (and totally addictive) chips.

At super-swank Sandy Lane hotel on the Caribbean side, Chef Timothy Walker elevates local flying fish to Cordon Bleu status by slathering it with a chiffonade of sweet peppers and onions, coating it with panko flavored with lemon zest and lightly frying it.

Walker's flying fish is a completely different aquatic animal from the flying fish at Mustor's. Which is not to say that they're not equally delicious. The real point is, it's difficult not to love a country that's willing to fry up its national symbol and serve it drenched in pepper sauce.

From http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trw-barbados1-2009nov01,0,5741821.story

Morgan Lewis Mill is located on the top of a beautiful hill in the north eastern part of the island of Barbados. It is one of the two restored sugar mills in the entire Caribbean. The mill commands an excellent view of the amazing east coast. The mill is located near the Wildlife Reserve and Bathsheba. The Morgan Lewis Mill serves as a refreshment halt where ice creams and cool drinks are available. The mill which is maintained by the Barbados National Trust exhibits the equipment used to produce sugar when mills were run by wind-generated mills.

Morgan Lewis Mill, which has undergone a lot of restoration work undertaken by the Barbados National Trust, is one of the oldest mills in this area. This large mill which functioned during the 17th to 19th centuries and produced sugar for Barbados was famous throughout the world and is still intact. Photographs of   the mills during it’s hey days can be seen within the mill. The mill has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the yesteryears, Barbados was famous for its sugarcane cultivation and there were a number of windmill operated sugarcane crushing units. The immense number of sugar mills put Barbados on the world map and it was one of the prominent producers and exporters of sugar. This mill is called a Dutch-style mill and these types of mills replaced the older and less efficient cattle-powered mills. The Morgan Lewis Mill had the capacity to extract 65% of the sugar found in the sugar cane.  The yokes and ladles and other implements for sugar extraction can be seen at the mill.

This mill which was constructed in the year 1727 continued to function and produced sugar till 1945. It was then donated to the Barbados National Trust in the year 1962. The trust undertook restoration work which commenced in 1964, but the restoration could not be done in totality. Restoration of the mill was taken up again in 1974, but it was not successful and deteriorated again. It was then listed as one of the world’s most endangered heritage sites. The United Kingdom undertook a 2-year restoration program and could bring back the Morgan Lewis Mill to its original splendor. Visitors who visit the mill have to pay a nominal entrance fee and where they can still see the roundhouse, tail tree, and points.

Do you know that this is the only fully intact sugarcane grinding windmill remaining on Barbados? You can see ruins of hundreds of sugar mills throughout the island. Would you like to know how the mill functioned in those days? You should then visit the island between the periods from February to April. The mill operates one Sunday a month during this period. In 1996, the Morgan Lewis Mill was listed as one of the world’s 100 most endangered historic sites.

Every visitor to Barbados should definitely undertake a trip to the Morgan Lewis Mill which provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to know and learn about Barbados’ heritage and the history of sugar production.

From http://www.world-travel-deals.co.uk/caribbean/barbados/barbados-attractions/morgan-lewis-mill.html

I'm so glad that Jet Blue is flying to Barbados now.  They're my favorite airline!  And Lisa stayed at The Crane - my home in Barbados :) 

Watch her video for good looks at The Crane, Grantley Adams airport, steel drummers, stilt walkers, Bathsheba, Champers restaurant and much more.

From http://www.tangodiva.com/blog/2009/10/10/barbados-bliss/

Barbados Bliss!

October 10th, 2009 by Lisa Loverro

This past week I had the opportunity to fly on Jet Blue’s inaugural flight into their newest non-stop destination from New York City: The island of Barbados.

The celebration surrounding their inaugural flight was nothing short of spectacular. From steel drum music, breakfast buffet and ribbon cutting ceremony at their JFK Terminal departure gate, the atmosphere at the airport was more like a Caribbean celebration for all the lucky customers waiting to board. Once airborne, the party continued with raffles and prizes along with rum cake and the unofficial drink of the island, Mount Gay Rum. Upon the plane’s arrival, fire trucks “christened” the plane with an arch of water. How beautiful! Check out my video of the celebration along with a tour of the island!

I was immediately awestruck by Barbados. Charming and sophisticated, Barbados is an island filled with friendly people, lush, tropical landscape and white-sand beaches. From zip lining to surfing, the activities here are endless. My trip included a stay at the Crane Resort, home to one of the sexiest beaches in the world (according to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous). The island is filled with nightlife but on Friday night Barbados throws the biggest party in the Caribbean at Oistin’s fish fry. Bring your appetite and your dancing shoes to this party!

Accommodations range from the relaxed and comfortable Crane to the very posh Sandy Lane. There are also numerous villas available to rent. Check out Landmark House and Cottage, accommodating 8 persons and built primarily from local coralstone, the stylish villa lies on the northern end of the Sandy Lane Beach.

What a pleasant flight and relaxing stay! If only every flight could be an inaugural one…

September 18, 2009 by Phil Stilton

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Bridgetown, Barbados -  Just south of Bridgetown in Barbados, you’ll find one of the nicest stretches of beaches in the Caribbean from Carlisle Bay to Needham Point.  Mixed in these beautiful and picturesque beaches, you’ll find Charles Fort on the grounds of the Barbados Hilton.

The fort was built in 1650 by the British Navy to protect the capital of Bridgetown and Carlisle Bay from attack by Pirates, Spaniards and whoever else might have come by to take the Island away from the British.     

After years of neglect, the fort has been restored into a historical eco park of sorts.  A brick lined walkway was constructed that winds through the ramparts and overlooks of the fort, passing by 24 cannons that have been retrieved from the seas in one of the most picturesque settings you can find in the Caribbean.

Nearby you can also find Anns fort which was built in the early 1700’s to compliment Charlesfort.    The fort lies next to the new Barbados Hilton.   You can make an entire day out of Charles Fort and Anns Fort by adding a hotel day pass at the Hilton in which you can use their pools, spas and facilities while spending time at the fort.

Hint for parents:  If you plan on visiting the forts of Caribbean, bring some pirate attire for the children.  A bandana, eyepatch and plastic saber would do the trick and make it an enjoyable exeperience they’ll never forget.  Otherwise, they’re just being forced to look at a bunch of old junk with mom and dad.

About Cruise News Network & Tropical Ports
Tropical Ports is home of the world’s only interactive online Cruise Ship Tracking software.  Cruise News Network is a family travel blog.

From http://www.jacksonnjonline.com/2009/09/18/things-to-do-in-barbados-charles-fort-cannon-walk-at-the-barbados-hilton/

I originally wrote this on 9/11...

I, too, was stunned to hear the news this morning and continuing throughout the day.

It was just something unbelievable.  My husband and I were on a Land Rover 4X4 tour of the off-road areas of Barbados when we first got the news.  

At first, when we got the very first news, around 9:30 am, I thought that it was some tale that the driver was weaving...and that there would be a punchline.  As the day wore on, more interest was on the radio than on the tour.  Some of the people in our Land Rover were from New York City and they were terrified for friends and family.  

What an awful day in history this is, one of those that we'll always remember where we were when we got the news.

Like the rest of you, I am stunned, absolutely shocked that this could happen, using our own planes, no less.  I cannot imagine the terror of the people on those planes, or in the World Trade Center...or the Pentagon.

We were basically stuck in Barbados.  Phones to the US didn't work well, email was slow to non-existent, all we knew was what we got on CNN, incessantly.  My mother and son had been with us the week before and had just flown back the Saturday before.  I was so glad that they had gotten back home ok, then my son off to college.

We were supposed to fly home on the next Saturday, but if was iffy if that would happen since the airports were closed for the longest time.  We were flying into the DC area. The lines to the Barbados airport and to American Airlines were always busy.

Finally, we decided to give it a shot, packed up and went to the airport to see if we could fly out or not.  They could only guarantee the flight as far as Puerto Rico.

The San Juan airport was crowded with Americans trying to get home, flights being canceled due to closed airports, people sleeping all around the airport, using backpacks for pillows.  It was a very difficult time.

We did finally leave for home later that night.  This is what I wrote the next day...

I flew on American Airlines last night (9/14/2001).  We left Barbados on time but the connecting flight, originating out of Aruba was very late, and we waited for a long time in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

After that flight had arrived though, we were all sitting around, hoping they'd board the plane soon.  All of a sudden, there was cheering in the hallway.  We turned to look - our pilot and crew were marching up the hallway with a huge American flag.  He stopped and talked to us.  He explained that the copilot would hang that flag outside his window as we taxied out of Puerto Rico and into Dulles.  The flag was making the rounds of American flights all over the country and that the yellow streamers hanging down were being signed by all the American crew members.  He posed for lots of pictures (I have some I'll post later, when my eyes are less bleary!), then, as they were going to get the plane ready, he asked us in a loud voice if we were ready to fly to Washington and everyone cheered.

Along the way, he thanked us so much for having faith and flying (like we had any choice!).  The headphones for the movie and the drinks were all free on this flight!  He also told us that there were a lot of fighter planes in the Washington to NY corridor and not to be surprised if we were intercepted by one, who would just be making sure that we were "who we said we were".  I thought that would be kind of neat to see, but I didn't see them.  We arrived in Dulles (Washington, DC) with a jet fighter escort.  At the time, that sounded so comforting, but it turned out that they had been there to shoot us down, if we'd made any funny moves.

Then, when we arrived at the terminal, the captain said that we were back in "the land of the free, and the home of the brave" and got some more cheers.

It was a memorable flight for someone like me, who is terrified of flying under the best of circumstances.

Us, on 9/10. Who knew?

9/14, San Juan Puerto Rico:
After the crew marched down the hallway.

The captain, letting others have a chance to fly the flag.

This young woman lead us onto the plane.

I wrote this in 2008, from memory, when I was rebuilding this blog after hackers...

Memories - 911

The year of 911 my mom and my son had been with us for the first week. My son had to be back at college so on Sunday he shepherded my mom through the airport, customs and all and got her back home before he headed back to UMass/Amherst on Monday. Thank goodness they got back before the mayhem started!

On Tuesday we were out on a 4X4 from Island Safari with our favorite guide, Zario. Zario is a fun guy and and very knowledgeable about Barbados and world events. We were very happy to have him again because it was the "luck of the draw" which driver/guide we got.

I remember that morning being kind of stressed already - I was having trouble with one of my contacts and I was just grumpy.

Zario picked us up first, one of the benefits of staying at The Crane - everyone picks us first for everything and drops us off last. Then he picked up another couple from New York City who were staying at Bougainvillea.

The tour started off through the fields, down cliffs as usual. Zario had the radio on in the background. When we got to the first stop he told us that there was a "problem" in New York. That it seemed that a plane had hit a building. We thought that there was going to be a punch line somewhere. There wasn't.
As the tour went on, the news got worse. The couple from NYC was very worried about relatives.

By the time we got to lunch and met up with the other 4x4s everyone had heard. We were in a little chattal house restaurant, the TV was on CNN and everyone was just watching in silence and horror. Usually this lunch is very festive and fun. Not a care in the world. Not today.

We left the New York people off at their hotel and went "home". The TV was full of New York news, then Pentagon news. We know people who work at the Pentagon. The news just got worse as we went along.

When Saturday came we had no idea if we could go back to the states or not. But we had to try.

We were able to fly to Puerto Rico with no idea if we'd be able to leave there or not.

Eventually, we were told we could fly out on American Airlines, on the first plane to get clearance to fly back to the states. We were flying into Dulles Airport, outside Washington, DC.

The captain and crew came marching up the corridor with huge American flags and everyone cheering wildly.

When we settled in, the captain thanked us for flying American - like we had a choice! - and more cheering.

When we got back to DC airspace we were met by two fighter planes, one on each side. There may have been one behind. The captain tried to tell us that they were there for our protection but I was sure that they would shoot us down in a heartbeat if we tried anything funny.

While we taxied both out of Puerto Rico and into Dulles the co-pilot held that flag out the window. Wild applause when we finally landed safely.

A very memorable trip!

Barbados is one of the most popular Caribbean holiday destinations of all time. It is a gorgeous tropical paradise that is far from most of the other Caribbean islands. For this reason, it hasn’t been overrun with tourists especially since only a handful of cruise ship itineraries include it.

Barbados is part of the Netherlands Antilles chain of islands, with a decidedly English flavour. Cricket is the sport of choice and the island has been home to more world-class players than any other country.

Bridgetown is the capital city and is full of activity just about any time of the day or night. Visitors could spend their entire holiday just in the city proper and still not run out of things to do. There are fabulous facilities, including luxury hotels and resorts, along with a limitless array of restaurants and eateries appealing to all tastes and budgets. There is also a wide range of museums and archaeological sights, in and around the capital, that highlight the unique and rich heritage of this little island paradise.

The nightlife in Bridgetown is non-stop, with nightclubs galore and live music and dancing going until the wee hours of the morning. The city is very easy to get around and taxis are plentiful and readily available. There is also an extensive bus service on the island that will take you just about anywhere for a very reasonable price, usually around 75 cents, but make sure you have exact change. You can also rent a car for about $75 per day or you can hire a private car with driver if you would like a custom sightseeing tour. The driver also doubles as your guide and most are intimately familiar with the entire island.

Shopping is a popular activity in town and there are stores and other retail outlets to suit just about any budget, from upscale designer showcases to places that sell touristy type gifts that are perfect for friends and relatives or shops offering a variety of uniquely Barbadian craft items. While the Barbadian Dollar is the official currency on the island, the U.S. dollar is also readily accepted just about everywhere.

The weather is ideal most of the year. The only time it can be bad is between July and October, which is the hurricane season, when there will be more rainfall than usual. Temperatures during the day for most of the year hover in the 70’s (F), down to the 60s (F) at night. A sweater or light wrap might be desirable in the evenings.

There is much to see and do in the Bridgetown area, including visiting Harrison’s Cave and exploring the underground world of the island from an electric tram and trailer. You can view underground streams, tumbling waterfalls and deep pools of subtly lit water. Stalactites hang overhead, while others rise from the floor, creating an eerie glow that visitors find enchanting.

Visit the Flower Forest, which is a tropical paradise located on a former sugar plantation. The garden also boasts sweeping panoramic views of both the Chalky Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. While in the area, make a stop at Welchman’s Hall Gully, where you can walk a trail that winds through the island’s only remaining rain forest.

If more active pursuits are your game, Barbados is known for its spectacular diving and snorkelling opportunities. It is also a haven for just about any type of water sport, including windsurfing, fishing, kayaking and sailing.

Barbados is also home to many excellent beaches, each with its own unique charm. Some cater to the young crowd, with upscale resort hotels located nearby, along with a full range of amenities including outdoor eateries and bars, and water sports rental kiosks. Other beaches are more secluded and offer a quiet haven for people who just want to relax and enjoy the pleasures nature has to offer.

Horseback riding is also a popular activity and the Caribbean International Riding Centre has nearly 40 horses in its stables and will offer guided trail rides to people of all riding abilities. You will get to see some of the most panoramic sections of the island, including the hilly terrain of the Scotland district, where you’ll view ducks in their natural wild habitat and some of the most beautiful water lilies in all of the Caribbean.

Most people arrive in Barbados by air, but the island also has a good many cruise ships calling by. The cruise ship terminal is a modern facility located at the front door of Bridgetown, making it easy for passengers to get around the city, especially if they want to tour independently.

Whether you arrive by air or by cruise ship, staying a day or a week, Barbados is the perfect holiday destination and is sure to please the entire family.

A combination of old world colonial charm, coupled with the most modern facilities and amenities, Barbados offers a little something for everybody and a lot of long-lasting memories. It’s a place you will want to return to again and again.

From http://www.bestcruisedeal.co.uk/news_detail.asp?newsid=314/Port-Guide--Cruise-Port--Barbados

The Caribbean holds many great treasures when it comes to island destinations. Barbados is just one of these great places. This single island is its own independent country and is located close to South America, a bit over 250 miles from the coast of Venezuela. It is east of Saint Lucia and north of Trinidad and Tobago. The island itself is only about 165 square miles of low-lying land, but the tropical trade winds, beautiful rainforests, and, of course, lovely sandy beaches make it popular for tourist travel. You too can enjoy a vacation in Barbados.

According to the United Nations, Barbados is the fourth most developed of all the developing countries in the entire world. It may be small, but almost every resident of this island nation enjoys a very high standard of living, and this extends to the tourists who visit the country every year, so you can expect your travel in Barbados to be nothing short of fantastic.

If you plan to travel to the sunny beaches of Barbados, you will probably fly into the single major airport on the island, Sir Grantley Adams International Airport. Many major airlines fly into this airport from almost everywhere in the world, and it is actually a major hub for the Caribbean, so no matter where you are traveling in this region of the world, you may fly into Barbados to catch a flight or cruise to another island.

Some of the best things to do while you are in Barbados are centered on the beach. Surfing is very popular because the waters here are perfect for it, with the Soup Bowl, located near the town of Bathsheba, being a popular surfing destination. The western and southern coasts are most popular, and you’re sure to be able to enjoy a number of sunny days lying on the pink sand if you like to sunbathe.

However, if the beach isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy the shopping in the duty-free tourist centers. You can also check out the fun and exciting night life, the wildlife reserves, and the festivals that take part all over the island in July and August. Popular tourist destinations include Farley Hill National Park, Animal Flower Cave, Hackleton’s Cliff, Sharon Moravian Church, Orchid World, Gun Hill Signal Station, Garrison Savannah, and Barbados Historical Museum. Large towns that in Barbados in which you can stay include Bridgetown, Speightstown, Holetown, and Oistins. You can also stay in any one of the small local towns dotting the island while visiting this beautiful country.

From http://softwareagent007.blogspot.com/2009/09/island-destinations.html

By David

Bridge Town is the largest and capital city of Barbados and it is famous worldwide for its tourism purpose. It was once known as the Town of Saint Michael and it is located within the township of Saint Michael. It is a famous West Indies tourist destination and the city offers a wide range of attractions for its every visitor. If you are looking for an outstanding place to enjoy your holidays in an exceptional way, the city is the perfect match that will be a dream land for you.

There are plenty of attractions in Bridge Town that will please you in every possible way. All of these famous locations add more charm to your journey. The major attractions of the city are National Heroes Square and Fountain Garden, Independence Square and The Independence Arch, The Montefiore Fountain, Parliament Buildings, The Cathedral Church of Saint Michaels and All Angles and The St.Mary’s Anglican Church and many more. The harbor of the city is also a famous attraction point where you can go to enjoy boat tours in Barbados.

Bridge Town enjoys a warm and humid climate all year around and thus, it offers plenty of water sports and other amenities for its travelers. The tourists can go to the city as per their suitability as it welcomes them throughout the year in the same manner.

Being a famous tourist destination, the city of Bridgetown takes care of your staying problems in a better way. You can find good accommodation facilities here. The most famous hotels in the city include Hilton Barbados, Island Inn, Kings, Beach Hotel, and Shells Guesthouse Bed and Breakfast. The lovely beaches of the city will let you relax there and forget your tensions and worries in just a few minutes.

Bridgetown is famous for shopping and tourist take pleasure in shopping here. Don’t miss shopping here that helps you buy something different and cheap goods here. Your visit to the city of Bridgetown will be the best of your tours ever enjoyed!

From http://www.articles-heaven.com/articles/?Bridge-Town-Famous-Tourist-Places-for-Barbados-Holidays-Traveler&articleid=39764

Published Date: 23 August 2009

By Katie Wood

IT'S hard to be grumpy in Barbados, but I managed it. So am I a spoiled, pesky individual who would find fault in paradise? No, genuinely no. I just got rather hacked off hearing the Caribbean island constantly referred to as Little England.

Not only are there plenty of physical similarities on the east coast of Barbados to Scotland (hence it's actually called the Scotland District), but when you delve into its history there are countless strong links to north of the border. And, as we all know, nothing - well few things - irritate a Scot more than being called English.

So, since a sizeable proportion of the population has Scottish blood flowing through their veins, I politely pointed out to my new Bajan pals that it might be more accurate (and PC) to call it Little Britain.

As a break from the idyllic beach, delicious food and barrage of cocktails one normally associates with the Caribbean, I took myself off to the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, where I discovered several interesting papers that took me through the background of the "MacBajans". The first "proprietor" of Barbados was the Scotsman James Hay, Earl of Carlisle. Following the establishment of trading links between Scotland and the West Indies, Scots indentured servants were in constant demand on Barbados plantations, and many married African slaves; hence you find black Hamish MacDonalds and the like on the island today.

Three major spurs caused Scots to be banished to the island: Cromwell's victory between 1648 and 1651; the Covenanter Risings in the second half of the 17th century and the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 and 1745. There were also voluntary immigrants, as throughout the colonial period a steady trickle of Scots sought to inhabit Barbados because of the various opportunities offered by the land.

Barbados is also of special significance to genealogists, as it was the springboard for the settlement of other British colonies - notably Jamaica and South Carolina. One infamous inhabitant of Scots descent was Rachel Pringle - the illegitimate daughter of a Scottish sea captain and a local black woman, whose claim to fame is that she founded the first brothel in Barbados. That famous Scottish entrepreneurial streak strikes again.

Another link with home is the annual Celtic Festival, which takes place each spring. Pipers, dancers, choirs, a haggis night, a rugby tournament… sounds like a real home from home.

Okay, I won't pretend I spent all week leafing through dusty ancient manuscripts in the museum while it was 85 degrees of perfection outside. So what else should one not miss on the island? Well, a good start would be a trip on the Cool Runnings, a luxurious catamaran offering five-hour sails with snorkelling, lunch, hotel transfers and a free bar thrown in - well worth the £58 a head. It's great to get on the water and enjoy a rum punch, and it's a good way to see the beautiful Barbadian coastlines.

The aforementioned Scotland District, on the east coast, reminded me of Ardnamurchan. Battered by Atlantic seas (though turquoise, not the murky grey we know so well), the whole area is wild, uncommercialised and seriously beautiful. Here you find the little village of Bathsheba, huddling beneath cliffs and populated mainly by surfers.

What distinguishes Barbados from other Caribbean islands is its sophistication and infrastructure (and, come to that, the large middle class). Here you find a National Trust looking after many of the historically important buildings. Worth visiting are Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, one of the oldest and largest surviving in the Caribbean, and Tyrol Cot Heritage Village, the former home of Sir Grantley Adams. This beautifully restored 1854 mansion, with its Barbadian antiques, is the centrepiece of an authentic chattel house village that features a market for local arts, crafts, food and drink.

The visit to the Foursquare rum distillery at St Philip is akin to a good whisky distillery tour. It's set in a beautifully landscaped park and occupies the site of an abandoned sugar factory.

The renovated St Nicholas Abbey, a Jacobean mansion dating back to 1658, is one of Barbados's most historic landmarks. There's also an 1890 steam mill, gift shop and restaurant. And don't miss the film of Barbados as it was in the 1920s, which is absolutely charming.

As a destination of only 166 square miles, but with more than 100 restaurants of every genre, Barbados is known for the quality of its food. Indeed, the range of restaurants is one of the primary reasons repeat visitors account for 40 per cent of arrivals in Barbados. If you want a really special meal, the Fish Pot, near Speightstown, is a great place to go. A favourite of Tony Blair and numerous A-list celebs, it is a relaxed beachfront location with an excellent menu and a Bajan chef who has worked in fine kitchens around the world. It has fabulous seafood, steaks, Asian fusion, creative salads, fantastic desserts and an excellent wine list - lunch costs around £80 for two.

The restaurant is attached to a cluster of luxurious suites that make up the accompanying Little Good Harbour hotel (www.littlegoodharbourbarbados.com). It offers peace, tranquillity and all the privacy of a personal villa while at the same time affording all the amenities of a hotel.

But if you prefer to lock your wallet away for the duration of your stay, Almond Beach Resorts has the monopoly on all-inclusives. It has three properties on Barbados: Almond Beach Village, with an impressive mile-long beach, five restaurants, comfortable rooms, a kids' club and all manner of land and water sports; the new Almond Beach Casuarina, which has good facilities but somewhat lacks atmosphere in the public areas and has no nightclub; and the adults-only Almond Beach Club, which has the best spa and a great location, right next to Sandy Lane, on the west coast (though service can be patchy and the beach is too small for comfort when the resort is busy). The value for money in all of them, however, is seriously good. And as a Scot, that makes real financial sense.

Fact file: Barbados

Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia (020 7636 9448, www.barbados.org)

A seven-night stay at the Almond Beach Village starts from £1,179 per person. Seven nights at the Almond Casuarina Beach starts from £999 per person. Seven nights at the Almond Beach Club & Spa starts from £1,069 per person. These prices include return international flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick or Manchester, direct to Barbados, and return transfers - based on two adults sharing a standard room on an all-inclusive basis.

To book, call 0844 5573 859 or visit www.virginholidays.com/almond

For more information about the hotels, call 0871 871 2828 or log on to www.almondresorts.co.uk

From http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum/Barbados-Little-Britain.5577599.jp

So...what happened?  I still don't understand this but for about 8 years we owned 3-weeks of "lock-offs".  This means we own the larger front 1-bedroom unit and the smaller studio.  The 2 apartments can be used as 1 2-bedroom unit or as 2 units by locking the connecting door.

At first we used all 3 weeks but that turned out to be too long and Tom ended up coming home to work leaving me there to entertain friends.

A few years ago we decided we wanted to enter the Rental Pool to save on maintenance fees.  We needed 4 weeks to put into the pool and we still wanted to be in Barbados for 2 weeks.  We also wanted to get rid off the other 2 studio apartments since all our guests have already come.  They didn't want all these studios, so we sold the 3rd week back to them and bought 2 cheaper units for November.  So, the 2 third-week units plus the 2 November units gave us enough for the Rental Pool, saving us a bit of money each year.

All this stuff is somehow run through RCI.  Unfortunately, as of yesterday, RCI had information BEFORE these sales/trades in 2006.  A computer somewhere in Barbados submitted our old 3 lock-offs to RCI to be used by someone else. RCI was never updated as to what we actually own.

So...we had our plane tickets since early June.  Tom needed a surgery.  The hospital scheduled surgery for September 2 - when we would be in Barbados.  Tom got them to change the surgery to last Tuesday so we wouldn't have to change Barbados.

I had a premonition about this trip and emailed people we know to remind them we were coming.  That's when we learned that someone else had been given our weeks by RCI who thought that they were available.

So, now we have plane tickets to a place that we can't go to.  We could rent a place but I sure don't want to pay thousands of dollars for something we actually own.

Everyone says that this is someone else's fault so we're out of luck.

We do have a lot of points now with RCI so we can go somewhere else but it's so close to the time to leave that not much is available.  If we do find something, then we have to tackle changing the flights at this late stage of the game.

I am so angry and I feel betrayed by people who have been told time and time again over the last 10 years  that we were never going to trade these two weeks.

I know I should feel lucky that I have ever been to Barbados but right now I can't see it that way.

On Sunday, 9 August 2009, the tropical wave was located about 12.5 north and 20.6 west or about 2000 miles east of Barbados.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, 9 August 2009 - The first storm of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season could form around midweek.

The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami says a low pressure centre associated with a tropical wave in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean is showing signs of organisation.

This means that it is developing thunderstorms and beginning to take on the characteristics of a tropical cyclone.

"This system ... could become a tropical depression during the next couple of days as it moves westward at 10 to 15 mph," says NHC hurricane specialist Robbie Berg.

"There is a medium chance - 30 to 50 percent - of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours."

On Sunday, 9 August 2009, the tropical wave was located about 12.5 north and 20.6 west or about 2000 miles east of Barbados.

Computer models are agreed that it will develop into a tropical storm and this could happen by Wednesday or Thursday.

What they radically disagree on is the track - where will it go? Long range tracking models are not reliable and forecasters will have to wait several more days until the global models can get a better fix on the system and the atmosphere around it.

If this wave does develop into a tropical storm, it will be named Ana.

From http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Caribbean/Stories/2009/08/09/NEWS0000008409.html

Barbados is a beautiful island nation in the Caribbean Sea personifying the colors of nature. The country has one of the most spectacular beaches in the world - The Crane Beach. The magnificent spectacle of palm trees and coconut trees standing on pure white sand embody the flavor of the Caribbean region. The sand is so soft that it just kisses your feet and walking over it is just a moonwalk experience. The beach wears a serene look and the waters are ideal for swimming and surfing activities. Ascending the cliff is worth gold just to have a look at the breath taking view of the beach below. All type of people visit here and it hosts a perfect blend of glamour and fun.

A local beach sandwich called cutter made from salt bread, flying fish, cucumber, lettuce and tomatoes is highly recommended for a brunch in the beach.

You can stay at The Crane beach hotel cum resort and enjoy the splendid backdrops. Its hard to explain the wonderful feeling that emanates from your heart the moment you arrive here. With its stunning sights and a marvelous coastline Crane beach truly deserves its perfect getaway tag.

From http://healthytraveller.blogspot.com/2009/08/crane-beach-barbados.html

Barbados Emancipation Day Date: August 4, 2009

Emancipation Day is a public holiday in Barbados.

In Barbados, emancipation day is celebrated every year on August 4. This event marks the abolition of the inhuman tradition of slavery. A slave named Bussa led the slave revolt of the island. He is still regarded as a national hero. In honor of him, a statue of him stands on the Emancipation Roundabout in Hagget Hall, St Michael. This day is celebrated all over the island, particularly at the Bussa roundabout. On this spot a grand function is organized every year to commemorate the abolition of slavery. The celebrations include parades, educational displays, speeches and performances.

In the Bahamas, Emancipation Day is more commonly referred to as August Monday because it is celebrated on the first Monday of August. Mostly the celebrations take place at Fox Hill village, Nassau. It is a former slave village. According to folklore, the inhabitants of this village got to know about their freedom a week after others on the island.

History of Barbados Emancipation Day

Now, we come to the history of this event. Bussa is also known as Busso or Bussoe. Not much is known about his date of birth but it is known that he was born in Africa and was brought to Barbados to work as a slave. He worked as a slave at Bayleys Plantation in the southern parish of St Philip. Even today, the plantation’s “Great House” stands and is now home to the famous musician Eddy Grant. He uses the house as his residence as wall as recording studio.

Bussa worked as a domestic slave on the plantation. Domestic slaves did not have to experience the hardships of field slaves. So, domestic slaves thought themselves above the field slaves. They revealed to their masters the plans of slave rebellions to gain favor. Bussa had a privileged position but he helped to plan in advance. Plans of rebellion started after the House of Assembly rejected the Imperial Registry Bill in November 1815. The slave rebellion was a result of the strong desire to uproot the oppressive white aristocracy, and to claim their rightful freedom. On the night of Good Friday, April 12, 1816, the rebellion was given the final touch and a mulatto slave, Washington Franklyn, was declared the governor of the island.

Two days later, Bussa led around 400 slaves and set on fire several cane fields. The revolt spread from Bayleys Plantation in St Philip to Christ Church, St George, St Thomas, and St Lucy. The white plantation owners had a tremendous blow. It took about four days for the authorities to curb the revolt and to regain control. Bussa was killed in the battle, and the ringleaders were executed. It is true that the rebellion was a failure but it was successful in leaving its mark. More than a century later, the Emancipation Statue was erected at the roundabout in Hagget Hall, St Michael. In 1999, Bussa was declared one of the national heroes of Barbados.

Barbados Emancipation Day Traditions and Activities

On this gala day (August 4), grand celebrations happen at the island of Barbados. This includes Emancipation Day Walk, Village and Beach Fest. The crowd walks from Independence Square to Bay Street Esplanade early in the morning. There is a Rhythm Section. After that, various renowned artists organize a cultural rally with performances by them. Delicious African cuisine can be tried and one can opt for some serious shopping too

From http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/barbados-emancipation-day/

Barbados Kadooment Day Date: August 3, 2009

Kadooment Day is a public holiday in Barbados.

Kadooment Day is a crop over day and the people of Barbados celebrate this day with great vigor and joy. It is a day when the people or the Bajans (as they are more properly known), undertake a total cut of their grown crop. Thus, this day, as according to their culture, is of importance and should be celebrated on a massive scale. Thus, the people of Barbados have a cultural as well as emotional attachment to the celebration of the Kadooment Day. Furthermore, the people celebrate this day with sheer enthusiasm and madness. They dance in the streets and sing their traditional folk songs.

Barbados Kadooment Day History

The celebration of Kadooment Day in Barbados has an ancient history. Masquerading was an old African tradition in which the people of the province used to roam all over the village in their traditional attire made of natural materials such as feathers, bones and grasses. They used to give the firstly grown crops to the Gods in the hope that “They will be happy and provide good luck”. Again, they also hoped that the evil spirits will be removed from the villages. Since those days, the celebration of modern Kadooment Day is observed.

Barbados Kadooment Day Traditions and Activities

The Grand Kadooment Day is also a major event in other parts of the African Continents. The countries also celebrate the carnival with the same enthusiasm. The honorable President of the respective countries is also invited as the chief guests at the carnivals. However, the security of the carnivals is maintained low, as it is thought that there is a marked low evil spirit in the area. Thus, in order to celebrate that thought, this step is taken. The Kaddoment Day celebrations attracts participants from various countries and the aura of this event makes everyone a part of the event.

There are strict laws governing the celebration of Kadooment Day. According to that, the people involved in celebration have to be registered in the costume band to intrude into registered revelers. A person found not undertaking such act can be charged a amount of BDS $15,000 or a two years imprisonment or in some cases both. People have great enthusiasm to celebrate this event and have been known to celebrate this event for two straight day’s non-stop. The crops are then sold out in the market or taken up by the families themselves. The festival is considered as a carnival in some cases. People, who are not registered as the carnival band, can view the spectacular event along the route, through which the carnivals passes by.

From http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/barbados-kadooment-day/

By Maxort Raity

The time of the year is approaching when a vacation to the perfect Caribbean location sounds like a great idea. There are many different locations in the Caribbean region to explore and this can make choosing a destination a little difficult. However, if you are truly looking for the perfect place to visit you may wish to consider a Barbados Holiday.

Those contemplating venturing out on a trip to Barbados might wish to look at a bit of back story on the island. This will allow travelers to gain an insight into what to expect on such a vacation. Barbados is a gorgeous coral island that emerged after a great deal of volcanic activity many centuries ago. On this unique island, you will discover many brilliant beaches as well as gullies and deep ridges decorated with a unique ensemble of fauna and flora. Barbados is also known for its rolling hills and various underground lakes and caves. These many underground lakes help keep Barbados maintain an adequate supply of pure drinking water.

An interesting fact that you may not know is that Barbados actually started out as two separate land masses that through the years merged together. While Barbados is a beautiful island, it also shares the distinct title of being one of the phenomenal Caribbean gems. With that being said, a Barbados holiday is more than just beaches, rolling hills and ridges and valleys. There are also excellent dive spots along the west coast of Barbados. The coral reef fringes the shoreline and is caressed by an incredible blue-green sea.

A holiday in Barbados can also come with a lot of entertaining nights filled with art, music, and other festivities. It is no overstatement to say you will find some truly amazing restaurants and dining when you engage in your Barbados travel. However, the most stunning thing you will find in Barbados is not the dining, lush land, or coral reefs. No, the most amazing aspect of Barbados is its people as they are among the friendliest and most accommodating people on the earth.

When you received a smile by a Barbadian you will realize that it is a sincere smile. It is a smile that comes from the heart and it will let you know that the locals of the island are truly pleased that you have decided to visit the island. The feeling is so enjoyable that a Barbados holiday may lead you to believe you have found a new home. You can feel free to make your vacation here truly as if you are home since you can do whatever you wish. This opens the door for a themed Barbados holiday.

Yes, that is true, as if the natural lushness is not enough you can plan a Barbados holiday around golf, ballet a glorious luxury holiday or even a romantic getaway. A Barbados holiday can really become your ideal getaway becoming whatever you want it to be. You can really find anything you want to do during your Barbados travel.

Those that are looking for a fun golfing venture will be happy to discover that Barbados offers a number of the very best golf courses in the world. In fact, various world golfing championships have been held here over the years. The main golf course in Barbados was created by a world famous designer who opted to craft a spectacular looking - and very challenging - course. Best of all, the prices for golf are quite reasonable which greatly adds to the experience.

If you prefer to take in as much nature as possible on your Barbados holiday, then you will want to make sure your Barbados travel includes a trip or two to the Botanical gardens or the caves. The Andromeda Botanical gardens holds some of the most incredible plants and flowers you will see anywhere in the world. If you are looking for inspiration for your own home and backyard, you may very well find yourself inspired by the water features that are found here as well.

The caves on the island present an exciting journey. Most travelers on a Barbados holiday will tour the caves found on the coast. The Harrison caves remain the most popular of all the caves. The Harrison caves are found underground and deliver an unforgettable day trip for those travelers that are feeling adventurous. While you are free to tour the caves on your own, it is best to take part in an organized tour since this is the safer and more convenient way to enjoy the caves.

Barbados is the true gem of the Caribbean. The island of Barbados represents a paradise that can be the basis for one of the most exciting vacations you ever take part in. No matter what you wish to do on land or sea, you can find it here. This is an excellent vacation resort that is perfect for those looking to enjoy a great deal of fun in the Caribbean sun.

From http://terrifictraveltips.com/cruises/holiday-of-a-lifetime-in-barbados/

Holetown, a small town in Barbados is the spot where the British first landed in 1625, previously they had made a temporary stop in 1620 to get fresh water.

A Captain Henry Powell sailing the ship Olive Blossom came back to Barbados in February 17, 1627 with fifty British settlers and ten slaves to form a new settlement.

The settlement called Jamestown was up until 1629 the only town on Barbados.

The town got the name Holetown from a very small body of water called "The Hole" which provided safe landing and ship cleaning to take place.

The settlers arrival has been celebrated since the 1970's with a week long festival beginning in the middle of February with the opening celebrations taking place at the Holetown Monument.

This monument dedicated to Captain Henry Powells landing, for some reason has his date of landing as 1605 which is incorrect but has not to this day been corrected.

This historic town is located on the West Coast of Barbados in the Parish of Saint James.

Today it's one of the most popular Parishes for visitors to the island, Sunset Crest a unique resort complex that is spread over 130 acres is part of modern day Holetown.

For entertainment there's Lexy Piano Bar & cabaret on second street.

There are many different types of restaurants, three of my favourites are, Just Grillin in Sunset Crest, an open air grill and bar, Angry Annie's which is well known for its curries and Ragamuffins Bar and restaurant that serves Bajan food and also has a drag show on Sunday nights.

If you're looking for an interesting day out visit the Folkestone Marine Park.

From http://www.best-barbados-beaches.com/holetown.html

The Crane Hotel This shows a bit of several areas of The Crane, pools, restaurant and more.

Enjoy!

Your time in Barbados is guaranteed to be amazing.  Now that it is growing massively in the tourism district there will be lots of great things to do.  Here are some of the things that you should definitely try when you are going on Barbados holidays:

1. Go cruising on a catamaran.  This is a great way for you to enjoy the clean blue ocean while having a few beers and being told about the area by a guide.  You’re sure to have a great time and maybe even a dip in the sea.

2. Try the Ocean Park Aquarium.  You can go to the fresh water falls and feed piranhas or go and see all the rays they have swimming around.

3. Rent a surf board and head out to the waves.  This is a must, what a great sport. Even if your not completely successful you must give this a try and you will such a fun time.

4. Island Safari.  Join an island safari and visit some of Barbados best kept secrets you will have a great time and see things others won’t have ever seen.

5. The arts and crafts born in Barbados.  If you get the chance you must try and visit some of the museums or galleries with some very unique art.

6. The Submarine adventure.  This is a must, sit in the submarine and enjoy all of the underwater life out of a window, no snorkel needed.

7. St Nicholas Abbey.  This is a breathtaking sight and when you reach the top at 800 feet above sea level, you will be provided with an amazing view over the island.

8.  Cave Bay. A very quite and calm beach where you can calm your body and enjoy the scenery.  It is surrounded by rocks all the way around its perimeter and has stunning ruins behind it as well.

9. The St Lawrence strip. For all those looking for a crazy late night out, go and enjoy a miles worth of pubs, bars and clubs.

10. Try the Barbados Inn. For all you swashbucklers out there, or just those that want to experience the life of a pirate, head to this pub for a smashing time.

So go on Caribbean holidays in Barbados and have a great time.  If you really like it you can have your weddings abroad as well.

From http://sayanginanda.com/travel/travel/make-sure-if-your-going-to-barbados-to-check-out-these-amazing-top-10-sights-529

by Jerry Lowell - Jun. 12, 2009 09:37 AM
Special for The Republic

We hoped our trip to Barbados would be filled with fun and excitement, but it started with a bigger thrill than we were anticipating. As we waited at Los Angeles International Airport for our flight, we were rocked by an earthquake. Welcome to LA! No harm done, though, and we were soon on our way to Barbados.

Our home for 10 days was the Bougainvillea Beach Resort on the southern coast. Although this is considered one of the more modest areas by Barbados standards, we faced a gorgeous beach. The western side, or "Platinum Coast," of Barbados is the preferred location for movie stars and other travelers with few budget restraints.

After de-stressing for a day, we summoned up the courage to rent a car to see the sights. Equipped with our driving experience in Scotland last year and two free maps, our confidence was high as we started out, on the left. We soon found our confidence was misplaced, however, as we got lost wherever we tried to go. Our advice is to have a better map, a strong marriage and plenty of courage.

We did manage to find Aerial Trek Zipline Adventures in Jack-in-the-Box Gully. Zip-lining across treetops was pure fun and highly recommended. Harrison's Cave also is a worthwhile stop. Seeing beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and underground streams and waterfalls aren't normally associated with Caribbean islands.

We saw as much of the island as we could. Our drives took us to the Flower Forest, Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Farley Hill National Park and numerous other highlights. The wildlife reserve was especially memorable, as we were visited by a troupe of mischievous green monkeys. Quietly they came out of the deep, dark rain forest, stopped to say hello, then continued on their way.

Another must-do is spending a day on a catamaran. Several companies will take you out for a day of snorkeling among turtles and a shipwreck, lunch and an afternoon cruise. We chose Silver Moon Charters (oceanadventuresbarbados.com), and it was a fun and fitting way to end our trip.

Details: visitbarbados.org.

From http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/06/12/20090612trpeople0614.html

Lands' End Announces Winner for Island Sweepstakes

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-02-2009/0005036911&EDATE=

DODGEVILLE, Wis., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Lands' End today announced Kimberly Krauzowicz of Tecumseh, Michigan as the winner of The Barbados Island Experience Sweepstakes. Krauzowicz was randomly selected from the more than 275,000 entries that Lands' End received. Ms. Krauzowicz will enjoy a trip for four to The Crane Resort in Barbados - the ultimate island vacation experience. Lands' End hosted the sweepstakes to celebrate the introduction of a new experiential shopping site, at www.landsend.com/getaway, which offers a fun and interactive new way to experience swimsuit shopping online. The sound of waves, images of cabanas and a flowing waterfall transport visitors to a private island getaway while they can view and shop effortlessly for Lands' End swimsuits.

"I couldn't believe that I was selected as the winner," said Krauzowicz. "My husband and I were married in Barbados eight years ago so this trip will be an amazing anniversary present! I can't wait to visit Barbados again!"

The luxurious Crane Resort in Barbados is set on the Crane Beach, overlooking a breathtaking blue sea and is the Caribbean's first resort hotel. The Barbados Tourism Authority will also be providing Krauzowicz and three traveling companions surf lessons, a private walking tour of historical Bridgetown with a local historian, a visit to the George Washington House, the only place outside the United States where the president slept, and more. In addition to round-trip airfare, transportation, and meals, all four will be outfitted in Lands' End Swimwear and accessories.

Visitors to www.landsend.com/getaway can scroll through the multiple Lands' End swimwear collections in a fashion show runway format complete with the beautiful tropical backdrop. Dramatic lifestyle images with details of each swimsuit are easy to see with large, sharp visuals, front and back views and enhanced zoom capabilities. Island hoppers and shoppers can quickly view four distinct swimsuit collections with a single click: Beach Living(R), AquaTerra(TM), Slenderizers and the Resort Collections.

About Lands' End

Lands' End(R) is one of the world's largest merchants of casual clothing for women, men, children and infants around the world. Lands' End merchandise can be purchased online at www.landsend.com, by calling 1-800-800-5800 and by visiting the Lands' End Shops at Sears. Lands' End is a proud member of Sears Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD). And, all high-quality Lands' End merchandise is Guaranteed. Period.(R)

About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane beach, St. Philips, voted one of the world's sexiest beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com. Barbados is the first and only Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantley Adams International Airport offers non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Air Jamaica, American Airlines, Delta and US Airways, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor's '2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards' in its Top 100 Destinations category. Follow the Barbados beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/barbadosbeat and Twitter at www.twitter.com/barbadostourism. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

About The Crane

Set on 40 acres of oceanfront land in the parish of St. Philip on the Southeast Coast of Barbados, The Crane is the island's oldest vacation resort. Conveniently located just six minutes east of Grantley Adams International Airport, the resort boasts a spectacular natural setting on a cliff overlooking the renowned Crane Beach. The Crane was recently awarded a Four Diamond rating from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). Today, The Crane is comprised of the original historic hotel building, built in the late 1700's and expanded in 1887, and a new all-suite development. Seven of ten phases of The Crane's new development are complete. On completion of the development, this world-class report will also feature a Bajan village offering retail shops, bar 1812, art gallery and museum; a full-service spa set in a coconut grove on the beach, a choice of gourmet and casual restaurants and flood-lit tennis courts. www.thecrane.com