Beautiful Barbados

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