explore our isle barbados - july - october 2014

MAP INSIDE

July 2014 - October 2014

Explore COVER July 2014 New.eps 1 6/27/14 9:50 AM

Explore COVER AUGUST-OCTOBER INSIDE 2013.eps 1 6/26/14 4:16 PM

Publisher and CEO – Vivian-Anne Gittens (246) 430-5425

Publication Editor – Tyson Henry

Advertising Manager – Paulette Jones (246) 430-5412

Deputy Business Manager – Lyle Jones (246) 430-5498

Contributing Writers: Coretta Joe, Tamesha Doughty,

Cheryl Harewood, Nick Nunes

Contributing Photographers: Amery Butcher, Insight Digital, Danny Fenty,

Kishmar Shepherd, Damien Pinder, Rawle Culbard,

Celso H. Brewster, Brian O’Neale

ADVERTISING

Sales Executives – Alison Licorish (246) 430-5552/ (246) 234-5378

Rohnelle Primus (246) 430-5579/ (246) 263-8109

Adrian Ishmael (246) 430 5455/ (246) 236-2556

DISTRIBUTION

Circulation Manager – Edmund Holder (246) 430-5500

Deputy Circulation Manager – Adrian Bowen (246) 430-5501

Graphic Design – Imageworx

PRINTERS

Printweb Caribbean Ltd – (246) 434-6719/ (246) 467-2895/ (246) 434-6713

Explore Our Isle Barbados is produced by The Nation Publishing Co. Limited;

a subsidiary of The Nation Corporation, which is a member of the

One Caribbean Media (OCM) group of companies.

Every eff ort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this

magazine is accurate. However, Nation Publishing Co. Limited cannot be held

responsible for any consequences that may arise from any errors or omissions.

This publication cannot be copied in whole or in part without explicit permission

from the publisher.

NOTES

To share vacation pictures or moments, send an email to

[email protected].

©2014 The Nation Publishing Co. Limited

2

Credits

A member of The OCM Group

mailto:[email protected]

3

Contents

Calendar of Events

ActivitiesCaves and Wonders

Island Safari Barbados

Barbados’ Best Beaches

A Golfer’s Paradise

CuisineThe Top Three Burgers in Barbados

Eat Like A Local

Fresh From The Sea

CultureOur Thing!

Kadooment 2014 Band Launches

The Hidden Treasures of Barbados

ShoppingIt’s Bargain Season

Holders Farmers’ Market

NightlifeOistins by Night

The Baxters Road Experience

Rum Shop Adventure

InfoTips & Titbits

Island Directory

Barbados at a Glance

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n behalf of the people of

Barbados, welcome to our island

home!

Renowned for its white sand

beaches with stunning turquoise water,

casual and fi ne dining, world-class golf and

warm, friendly people, Barbados has been

the premier destination for generations of

travellers from all over the world.

By the time you’ve reached midway

through this issue of Explore Our Isle,

you’ll learn that Barbados is so much more.

We invite you to enjoy the unique gems the

island has to off er such as duty-free luxury

shopping, and vibrant arts and cultural

activities like our local carnival season, the

Crop Over Festival.

I hope you have an opportunity to

explore our unique Harrison’s Cave, see

parts of the island that are only accessible

via 4x4 on an island safari, or go for an

underwater submarine adventure.

However you choose to enjoy your

Barbados vacation, I am certain it will be a

memorable one.

Tyson Henry,

Editor

Welcome

O


http://www.harrisonscave.com

http://www.barbados.atlantissubmarines.com

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Calendar Of Events

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEM

BER

Thurs. 3 Crop Over Festival 2014 -

Gospel Concert 8 p.m.

Fri. 4 Crop Over Festival 2014 -

Sweet Soca & Party Monarch

Semi-fi nals 9 p.m.

Sat. 5 Crop Over Festival 2014 - Junior

Calypso Monarch Semi-fi nals

7 p.m.

Sun. 6 Offi cial Opening Crop Over

Visual Arts Festival 6 p.m.


Pan Yard Lime 6 p.m.


Pan Fusion 8 p.m.

Sat. 12 Crop Over Festival 2014 -

Speightstown Market &

Q In The Community 10 a.m.

Crop Over Festival 2014 -

Pan In De City & Cruise To

Speightstown 4 p.m.


Bridgetown Market & Roberts

Eat Way Opening 10 a.m.


Emancipation Day Walk:

Themed Bussa To Sir Garry

4 p.m.


Pic-O-De-Crop Finals 7 p.m.


Foreday Morning Jam

Midnight



Eat Way 10 a.m.

Sun. 3 Crop Over Festival 2014 -

Plantation Feast Noon



Eat Way Noon

1st Sunday Scenic Tour -

Speightstown, Farley Hill,

East Coast Road 2 p.m.

Mon. 1 Jolly Roger Historic

Bridgetown Walking Tour

11 a.m.

Beach Extravaganza Dinner

Show at Harbour Lights

7 p.m.

Tues. 2 Night Dives on Atlantis

Submarine 5:30 p.m.

Sun. 7 Holders Farmers’ Market

9 a.m.

Barbados Karting Association

Race Meets 2014 9:30 a.m.

Sailing Calendar 2014

- National Dinghy

Championships (Day 1) 10 a.m.

1st Sunday Scenic Tour -

Speightstown, Farley Hill,

East Coast Road 2 p.m.


9 a.m.

9


Pan Pun De Sand 4 p.m.


Visual Arts Festival Evening Of

Interpretation Concert 7 p.m.


Pic-O-De-Crop Semi-fi nals

7 p.m.


Junior Calypso Monarch Finals

7 p.m.

2nd Sunday Scenic Tour -

Cherry Tree Hill, Little Bay,

River Bay 2 p.m.

Sun. 21 Equestrian Association -

Dressage Show 8 a.m.

Holders Farmers’ Market 9 a.m.

Sailing Calendar 2014 - National

Dinghy Championships (Day 2)

10 a.m.

Format: Date, Event, Location Public Holidays are indicated in red*

Sun. 20 Crop Over Festival 2014 - Crop

Over Heritage Walk 6 p.m.


40th Anniversary Crop Over

Monarchs In Concert 8 p.m.


Junior Kadooment 9 a.m.


Evening Of Folk 8 p.m.


Soca Royale 1 p.m.


Cohobblopot 9 p.m.

Mon. 4 Crop Over Festival 2014 -

Grand Kadooment 8:30 a.m.

Tues. 5 ARK Animal Welfare Society

Book Sale 9 a.m.


Visual Arts Festival Closes


9 a.m.

2nd Sunday Scenic Tour -

Cherry Tree Hill, Little Bay,

River Bay 2 p.m.

Sun. 17 3rd Sunday Scenic Tour - Foul

Bay, Three Houses Park, Bath

2 p.m.

Sat. 23 Barbados Motoring Federation

Events 2014 - Speed Event

3rd Sunday Scenic Tour - Foul

Bay, Three Houses Park, Bath

2 p.m.

Wed. 24 Beach Extravaganza Dinner

Show at Harbour Lights

7 p.m.

Thurs. 25 Historic Garrison Day Tour

9 a.m.


9 a.m.

10

Activities

Underground marvel

1111

ContentsActivities

ooking out over the gully

surrounding Harrison’s Cave,

the lush tropical forest acts as

a curtain to the mysteries and

adventure waiting just below the surface.

From the bottom of the gully, beneath

your feet lies a vast network of tunnels,

streams and magnifi cent caverns.

Harrison’s Cave has been a go-to spot

for explorers for the past 300 years.

Though, it wasn’t until the 1970s that

the wonders of this underground marvel

were comprehensively investigated and

opened to the public in 1981.

Before descent, the jovial and very

knowledgeable team briefed our group

of nine about the journey ahead of us. A

change of clothes is very necessary for

the extensive Eco-Adventure Tour, not

much of the expedition is spent clean or

dry. Be assured that lockers are provided

for personal items and clean, tastefully

decorated bathrooms with showers are

available for freshening up after the tour.

Elbow pads, knee pads and a hard hat

with a light, provided by the tour, are more

than necessary for this adventure.

Trained by University of Kentucky

speleologists and geologists, the team

of cavers readied us for an extraordinary

trip inside the geological history of this

uniquely beautiful island. After signing

waivers and putting on gear, we were

taught to properly crawl and make certain

to have three points of contact with

steady surfaces during parts of the

expedition.

After leaving the villa-like style

architecture of the multilingual welcoming

facilities, we were led down the winding

stairs through to the gully fl oor. With caver

Ryan at our lead, the short trip to the base

of the gully was intermitted by lessons on

the colourful fl owers, fauna and formation

of the land that led to the creation of this

low-lying oasis.

L

Caves and Wonders

Harrison’s Cave

Island Safari Barbados: No Better Way to See Barbados

12

ContentsActivities

Gala night at Holder’s Season

f you are yet to take an Island Safari

Barbados tour, then you are missing

out on seeing Barbados in its most

natural and beautiful form.

The experience begins the minute you

are seated in a specially designed, covered

open cab 4x4, skilfully operated by the

most knowledgeable and jovial team of

drivers on the island.

From your pickup spot, the drivers

continually share information about where

you are, even as they thrillingly traverse

the fi elds and hills of Barbados that you

never knew existed. Upon arrival at the fi rst

stop (and possibly before), it will become

apparent that the advice to travel with a

fully charged camera is not idle talk – you

will defi nitely regret not bringing one.

Centrally located in St George, the

various vantage points from the Gun

Hill Signal Station provide opportunities

to capture stunning photographs of the

southern end of the island. And if that is not

enough to set the tone for the rest of the

tour, a nice selection of alcoholic and non-

alcoholic beverages will be generously on

off er, along with light snacks.

Moving along, the tour makes its way to

St John through Martin’s Bay to Edgecliff

(also known as Monkey’s Jump), where the

vista is more breathtaking than the 700-

foot drop from the cliff ’s edge to sea level.

As the tour proceeds to Bathsheba,

St Joseph, through the rolling hills of

the countryside, the unorthodox routes

being travelled highlight that the drivers

are not only knowledgeable about every

back road in the island, but they are also

highly skilled. It is a spectacle in itself,

worthy of commendation, to observe them

successfully negotiate every nook and

cranny of the uneven rural roads, without

causing passengers to spill a drop of their

drinks.

Upon arrival in Bathsheba, passengers

are aff orded the opportunity to take in the

views of the surf covered white waters, as

they crash against the rugged East Coast

IYour adventure starts here! R

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Explore Barbados’ hidden treasures.Ra

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terrain. During this time, there will be an

irresistible opportunity to unwind in the

warmth and character of the community by

interacting with its residents and vendors.

The experience is unlike any other.

After the tour resumes, Barbados’

dramatic landscape along the East Coast

takes centre stage as the voyage makes its

way towards the north of the island, with the

drivers occasionally making short stops for

passengers to capture photo opportunities

along the way. One such stop is the

Morgan Lewis Windmill in St Andrew. Listed

as one of the 100 most endangered sites

in the world, the island’s only functioning

windmill overlooks the eastern coastline of

the country and the lush Scotland District.

While most of the attractions on the

tour are terrestrial sights to behold, there

is one marvel that will need to be felt to

be believed. As the tour makes its way

through the hillside, away from the Morgan

Lewis Windmill heritage site, there is one

hill that, unbeknown to most, can cause

vehicles to defy gravity. Upon descent of

“Magnetic Hill”, the driver switched the

engine off and placed the jeep in neutral,

allowing the phenomenon of rolling up a hill

to take place.

The well paced safari then makes its way

through the northern most parish of St Lucy,

where the natural beauty of the island’s

remarkable scenery acts as a climax before

the buff et-style lunchtime wind down. It

is during this time before lunch, when you

will witness some of the most awe-inspiring

views of both the landscape and seascape

of Barbados, from the jagged but stunning

Pico Teneriff e coral cliff , to the blowholes

and pools at Little Bay.

Go ahead and reserve an Island Safari

Barbados tour for yourself and loved ones,

and remember: the larger the group, the

better the experience. There is no better way

to explore the island’s gullies, coastal views,

rustic countryside and hidden secrets.

or every issue of Explore Our Isle,

this has to be the most diffi cult

article to write. With more than

enough contenders for the top spot,

choosing the best beaches in Barbados is

quite a task.

Try to include a trip to each of the

following beaches while on your stay. Each

has its own charm and reason for making

the list. Enjoy!

Consett Bay

Consett Bay is a gem in its own right. Firstly,

note that swimming is not recommended at

this beach. Consett Bay is a sheltered bay

in the eastern parish of St John. It is known

as a fi shing bay where many fi shermen land

their catch of the day. There is a long jetty

stretching into the Atlantic Ocean with an

amazing view and you can even witness

the fi shermen at work.

The sea is quite choppy at this beach.

There is a strong current and lots of

undertow. This makes it extremely

dangerous for swimming, but perfect for

fi shing. There is always a hive of activity

with many fi shing boats and a fi shing

village. Here, the fresh fi sh caught that day

are sold to the public.

The rustic charm of this beach makes it

a perfect photo op. Even getting there is

picturesque. The path leading down the

jetty is very narrow and rugged, and should

only be attempted in a 4x4. But forcing you

to drive slowly is not all bad since you will

get to see the waterfall, the stream and

lovely tamarind trees.

Accra Beach

Accra Beach, also known as Rockley Beach,

is one of the most popular beaches among

both locals and visitors. Most likely, it is as

popular as it is because it off ers a unique

combination of exciting waves for surfi ng

and calm waters for swimming.

Lie on the soft white sand under a

casuarina tree. Purchase beautiful local

crafts, jewellery and clothing from the

ContentsActivities

F

Barbados’ Best Beaches

Accra Beach

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http://www.islandsafari.bb

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ContentsActivities

16

Activities

The children’s gallery at the Barbados Museum

vendor kiosks. Engage in one of the many

water sports off ered to beachgoers. Ride

the waves on a boogie board, swim out to

the reef or simply enjoy the cooling water.

Rockley Beach provides all-day fun for the

entire family.

Located in Christ Church on the South

Coast, Rockley Beach is in a central location

with many amenities. There is convenient,

free parking and changing rooms with

showers. If you prefer to sunbathe or relax

with a book, there are beach chairs and

umbrellas for rent. There are also bars and

cafes right on the beach. In the immediate

surroundings, there are shopping centres,

restaurants, sports bars and hotels.

Crane Beach

Crane Beach is one of the prized jewels on

Barbadian shores. Without a doubt, it is one

of the best beaches here, and according

to Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous, it is

one of the top ten beaches in the world.

(Don’t just take our word for it, check it out

yourself!)

So what gives Crane Beach the bragging

rights it has acquired? The crystal clear

waters can be found almost anywhere on

the island, but this long stretch seems to

refl ect extraordinary and glorious hues of

blue, turquoise and aquamarine. The sand is

unbelievably soft and so white that it appears

pink under the beaming sunshine.

The descent from shallow to deep is

gentle and there are no urchins, stones or

corals under your feet. Your only company

may be a few sea turtles out for a swim. At

any time of the day, Crane Beach is amazing.

But at sunset, it becomes a striking view

– the clear sky is painted in warm reds,

oranges and golds.

The water near the beach is calm as it is

protected by a natural coral reef. Further

out, the current makes the perfect waves for

boogie boarding and surfi ng.

The bay used to serve as a harbour, and

it got its name from the large crane at the

top of the cliff that was used for loading

and unloading ships. The Crane Residential

Resort is located at this St Philip beach.

If you are not staying at the hotel, the

public access path is not the easiest. You

have to descend quite a few stairs. Don’t

worry, there are places along the descent to

rest. Watch your step, but trust us, it is worth

it!

Crane Beach

Come visit us for the full Concorde Experience

FLY WITH US

2014


othing makes a vacation more

exciting and relaxing than the

opportunity to be pampered.

So if you feel the desire during

your stay on our beautiful island to soothe,

restore and rejuvenate your body, mind

and spirit, why not treat yourself to a body

massage or perk up your day with a nail or

facial treatment from Fitness Massage and

Beauty Clinic?

Conveniently and ideally located in

private surroundings at First Avenue,

Fairways Gardens, Rendezvous, Christ

Church, the intimate and cosy Fitness

Massage and Beauty Clinic has been

pampering both locals and visitors for the

past 20 years.

Full services include massages,

manicures, pedicures; leg, bikini and

eyebrow waxing, facials, nail art, acrylic

nails and makeovers for weddings or other

social events.

Rates are competitive, and the friendly

team of proprietress Joycelyn Harewood

and masseuse Linda Baker leave no stone

unturned in their bid to off er excellent

customer care service.

You can make use of the free wireless,

high-speed Internet service, and the

bathing facilities are sure to make you

feel relaxed – especially after a full body

massage.

If you prefer to be pampered in the

comfort of your hotel or home, that’s no

problem. Just make your request known

and Joycelyn will personally provide hotel

and home visits.

Fitness Massage and Beauty Clinic is

open to business from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5

p.m. on Saturday.

Hotel and home visits can be arranged

for any given day, as long as appointments

are made well in advance. Whether you’re

in the north, south, east or west of the

island, Fitness Massage and Beauty Clinic

is capable of meeting your beauty needs.

For additional information and to book your visit, please call (246) 622-1391 or (246) 250-3864.

ContentsAdvertorial

Pamper Yourself

NC

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N estled among lush trees and

located next to the azure waters of

the Caribbean Sea, Almond Beach

Resort at Heywoods, St Peter,

beckons you to indulge in all it has to off er.

From the spacious, air-conditioned,

exquisitely furnished rooms, complete with

a four-poster king-sized bed, a balcony

overlooking the ocean, plasma television

and a variety of amenities; to the tasty,

mouth-watering food; vast, colourful

grounds; multiple pools and friendly staff ,

Almond Beach Resort has it all.

Stepping into this stately, architecturally

designed resort is like stepping onto a piece

of paradise. Breezes from the Caribbean

Sea seemingly wrap themselves around

you in a tight, welcoming embrace, while

the sounds of the birds appear to sing the

praises of this property which continues to

welcome hundreds of visitors to Barbados.

You can enjoy all that is truly Almond;

whether you capitalise on the day and

lunch passes this resort off ers, check in

to spend a fabulous weekend or book

your next holiday stay at this romantic, yet

family-friendly resort, which also aff ords

you seclusion, a full meeting and banquet

facility, free WI-FI Internet services and an

enviable ambience.

Almond Beach Resort

ContentsAdvertorial

Be prepared to enjoy a host of culinary

delights, prepared under the watchful eyes

of executive chef David Yarde.

Two restaurants off er an array of cuisine.

They are Enid’s Restaurant and Tommy’s

Bar as well as The Reef Restaurant and Bar,

which is situated just feet away from the

ocean. Both restaurants are ideal to wine

and dine at any time.

Sunday buff et luncheons are a mere

US$32.50 (BDS$65.00) per person, with

children under 12 at half price, and those

two years and under are free.

There is also a special staycation rate of

US$220.00 (BDS$440) per night (double

occupancy), with the fi rst child free and an

additional US$25.00 (BDS$50) per night

for each additional child.

Your stay can be as active or laid back as

you desire. There are tennis and basketball

courts, a mini golf course, driving range,

squash court, road tennis courts and a

fi tness centre. Arrangements can also be

made for more adventurous activities such

as kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming

with turtles or reef fi shing. The choice is

yours.

Reserve your table or suite at Almond

Beach Resort by calling 422-4900 today.

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Courtyard by Marriott

istinctive quality. These two words

aptly describe the ambience of

Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown,

Barbados. Quaintly nestled in the

Garrison Historic Area, in Hastings, Christ

Church, this is the ideal location for a

business trip or weekend getaway.

Vivid and contrasting colours greet

you as you arrive in the lobby and smiling

associates welcome you, eager to fulfi l

your requests. Spacious and contemporary

accommodation draws you in to a state of

perfect serenity. Fast and fresh breakfast

is served daily at Centro, or you can enjoy a

more relaxed atmosphere at dinner.

Need to arrange an impromptu meeting?

Let the expert hands of our Food and

Beverage team make this meeting a

success. Huddle together in one of the

semi-private media pods, equipped with

LCD televisions or stay connected to the

world around you with the complimentary

high-speed Internet access available

throughout the entire hotel. Plan to

sightsee? Use the interactive GoBoard ® to

track your areas of interest and begin your

exploration.

Still undecided? Here is how we can

seal the deal. Become a member of the

prestigious Marriott Rewards Programme

and earn points for each stay. Our

associates at the Front Desk can facilitate

this for you.

View our comments on Tripadvisor at www.tripadvisor.com and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CourtyardBarbados.

Let Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown, Barbados, make your next visit a “A New Stay!”

D

ContentsAdvertorial


http://www.harbourlightsbarbados.com

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ContentsActivities

A Golfer’s Paradise

Barbados is ideal for the golf enthusiast

who dreams of a perfect setting

for an away-from-it-all adventure.

Although some courses only have

nine holes, they have alternative tees,

which make up 18 holes. And what helps

make golfi ng in Barbados an even more

unique experience? In 2000, the Barbados

Golf Course underwent reconstruction

to have an environmentally sensitive

design done by Ron Kirby, one of the most

respected and experienced golf course

architects in the word. His aim was to

produce a fair, challenging and pleasurable

game for golfers of all levels of skill and

competence.

The challenges, rewards and

picturesque views encourage players

of all abilities to play with a high level of

determination to sharpen their skills while

enjoying the company of their loved

ones in a relaxed tropical setting. Maybe

these features among others piqued

the interest of world golfi ng champion

Tiger Woods and enticed him to wed at

the prestigious Sandy Lane Golf Course

back in 2004. And, of course, we don’t

have to guess what his honeymoon

included when there is such a captivating

course nestled within the view of the

ocean.

Named after the Bajan green primates

that inhabit the island, the Green Monkey

Course, which was designed by Tim

Fazio, is nothing short of luxury when

sophistication meets the golf club. If

your taste is a refl ection of an exquisite

style then this course is the perfect

spot for you and your signifi cant other.

Diamonds are indeed forever and a

golf experience that can be measured up to

them will guarantee a stay that promises to

exceed the clear skies and sandy beaches

Barbados has to off er.

et in a plush, evergreen, relaxing

atmosphere, golf has gained a

renowned presence in Barbados

with its A-class courses that are both

suitable for the professional as well as the

beginner. Complimenting this enriched

environment is sunny weather all year round

that allows you to play for hours without

recognising that you have been enjoying

the addictive sport for an entire day. So be

sure to have a few bottles of sunblock lotion

unless you plan to get a tan while you play.

Boasting six courses, including the

Rockley Golf Course, Barbados Golf

Club, Apes Hill and Royal Westmoreland,

SGolfi ng in paradise

25

Riding a wave

Riding a wave

Crave Restaurant & Bar is an experience in

International and Caribbean fusion cuisine.

A fi ne dining service at casual dining price.

Open everyday from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Happy Hours from 6 – 8 p.m.

Specialty cocktails available

Why choose us over other car rental companies?

- We’re experienced -- established for 40 years

- Special summer rates!

- Modern, well-maintained vehicles

- Prompt, effi cient & friendly service

- Vehicles fully insured

- 24 hour prompt emergency

service

We’ll ensure your car rental experience is as smooth as Bajan rum punch!

Top Night Spot in Barbados, situated in

St. Lawrence Gap.

Open 7 days a week. Daily Happy Hour.

Live Entertainment on Saturdays & Wednesdays

Monday: 2 for 1 all night

Friday: After Oistins Party

St. Lawrence Gap

Christ Church

Tel: [email protected].

St. Lawrence Gap

Christ Church

Tel: 435-6462

Dozens of candy, fruit, nut and syrup mix-ins

smashed together with your favourite ice cream on

our frozen granite slab and served in our famous

homemade cookie-dough waffl e cone.

Open Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday – Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Quayside Centre,

Christ Church

Tel 435-1877

http://[email protected]

Cuisine

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The Top Three Burgers In Barbados

MOJOWhen it comes to burger innovation, the

Chopping Board Kitchen is at the top of

the list and continues to ride that crest with

tantalising weekly burger specials to tease

the taste buds and invite attractive fl avours

that are neigh unparalleled. La Mexicana

is the name of the burger that dazzled

Facebook fans. And with a herb infused

100 per cent beef home blend half-pound

patty, Monterey Jack and Colby cheese,

three strips of crispy bacon and spicy salsa

fresca, this burger sells itself as a jaw-

dropping dreamwork of culinary mastery.

The Blue RoomA nice beer always pairs well with a big

beefb urger and the chef at the Blue Room

has gone a step further to include a delicious

Guinness in the perfection of their 100

per cent all-beef eight-ounce Blue Room

Burger. Other than the dry stout in the mix

are a combination of fresh and dry herbs

that waft a seductive scent when coupled

with the onion, mushroom and cheddar

cheese sauce that has been topped with

a tower of bacon. Topping off this burger

are seasoned, battered and deep-fried

onion rings accompanied by a creamy

tomato sauce, making this burger quite rich

in fl avours.

s you can imagine, and will hopefully

fi nd out for yourself, selecting the

best burger from among this list is

no easy task. That’s why we didn’t

rank them. In order to showcase some of

the culinary greatness Barbados has to

off er, we’ve rounded up the best mix of

traditional, eclectic and coma-inducing

burgers on the island.

The rising infl uence of other cuisines

and cultures in Barbados has made our

culinary scene a veritable playground for

whimsical burger making. Without further

ado, here are our top three favourite

burgers in Barbados. Bon Appétit!

McBride’s Irish Pub Even the most ardent, beefb urger purists

will curl their toes when they sink their

teeth into this handmade lamb burger.

Skillet seared to seal in the distinctive

lamb fl avour, the patty by itself is worthy

of commendation, but the marriage of

fl avours that the toppings provide take it

to another level. Served on a toasted bun

that is smothered with mango chutney

mayo, the sizzled patty is topped with rich,

creamy feta cheese that complements

the sweetness of the aforementioned

condiment, fresh lettuce, red onions,

tomatoes and pickles.

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Cuisine

Eat Like A LocalEat Like A Local

Snapper

Ingredients:

• 2 fi llets snapper

• Salt (pinch)

• 1/4 tsp. black pepper

• Lemon juice

• 3 tbsps olive oil

Directions:

Score the skin side of fi sh (this allows

for both faster and even cooking).

Place olive oil in a non-stick frying pan

on medium heat. Add fi sh skin side

down, sprinkle lightly with salt and black

pepper. Cook each side for two minutes,

turning gently, serve immediately.

Sautéed Peppers

Ingredients:

• 3 sweet peppers (diced)

• 1 chipotle pepper

• 1/2 onion

• 1 tsp. ginger root (fresh)

• Salt to taste

• Sesame seed oil

Directions:

Heat sauté pan until it is lightly smoking.

Add oil from the edge of the pan; when

it reaches temp, toss in peppers, onions

and ginger root. Flavour with salt and

serve after a light toss for one and a half

minutes.

rivate chef Leandro Stuart takes a few popular local meals and creatively

transforms them into healthier, even more delicious alternatives.

An exotic fi sh with a sweet, fi rm, white, textured fl esh, there any many

varieties of snapper, all found in warm waters, but there is only one true red

snapper.

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Eat Like A Local

Cassava Pizza

Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes, pureed

• 1 tbsp. tomato paste

• 2 tbsps tomato ketchup

• 1/2 tsp. oregano

• 1/4 tsp. basil

• Salt (to taste)

Directions:

Blitz all ingredients together, put aside

until you have fi nished your dough.

Eating the same food regularly can leave you with a bad case of food burnout. Take

a look at how chef Leandro Stuart has imaginatively unearthed the versatility of

cassava (a locally grown root plant) like never before.

Crust

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cassava fl our

• 3 tsps baking powder

• 1/3 tsp. salt

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

To make crust, mix oil and dry

ingredients together, slowly adding

water until dough is soft but not sticky

to the touch.

Roll dough out with rolling pin to about

1/4-inch thick, cover with sauce and

choice of toppings.

Bake for 15 minutes at 200°C or 392°F.

*Tip: Choose softer cheeses for topping, like mozzarella or niolo, as they melt evenly and are as oily as basic cheddars.

Fresh From The Sea

ven though Barbadians love their

meat, especially pork, there is an

abundance of fresh delicacies

from the sea to choose from. On

any given day, one can peruse

the many local fi sh markets and can be

guaranteed that their purchases are fresh

out of the sea. The local fi shermen are

dedicated to their craft and often go fi shing

out at sea for days at a time to ensure that

the vendors’ stalls are well stocked with a

variety of tantalising catches.

Flying Fish

The fl ying fi sh is one half of Barbados’

national dish, cou cou and fl ying fi sh. To

this day, the island is known as “the land

of the fl ying fi sh”. You might be wondering

how the fl ying fi sh got its name. These

fi sh are known for their large pectoral fi ns

which enable them to hide and escape

from predators, they leap out of the water

and fl y a few feet above the water’s surface.

So revered is the fl ying fi sh that it is

depicted in many aspects of Barbadian life.

You can fi nd the image of the fl ying fi sh on

coins, on the Barbados Coat of Arms and in

the Barbados passport. When it comes to

whipping up dishes with this local delicacy,

the fl ying fi sh can be fried, steamed, baked

or, less commonly, made into sushi at

restaurants. The fl ying fi sh might be small,

but it is truly the king of fi sh in Barbados.

Sea Cat

Pickled or fried sea cat is one of the

Saturday fares that visitors and locals alike

crave when they visit the various bars, as

it is an excellent accompaniment to the

famous Bajan rum. An acquired taste, the

sea cat is actually a small octopus that is

found in the waters of Barbados.

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WHAT TO DO; WHERE TO GO?

31

Capturing the sea cat involves removing it

from its crevices by using a cat lance, which

is a hooked iron stake. To prepare the sea

cat for cooking, the head and tentacles are

cleaned, and then it is pounded in order to

tenderise it, as its texture is quite rubbery.

It is then boiled for a couple of hours and

either pickled or fried.

Dolphin

Another popular catch from the sea, the

dolphin, otherwise known as mahi mahi,

is an absolute delight no matter how it is

prepared. Most people, however, seem

to have a preference for fried or grilled

dolphin. The dolphin is sectioned into

thick, succulent steaks and marinated in

the world-renowned Bajan seasonings

before getting the preferred method of

preparation. The delicious sides that

usually accompany it range from cheesy

macaroni pie, to breadfruit chips to salads.

Lobster

For the culinary adventurous or even the

culinary curious, when you eat lobster in

Barbados, you can be guaranteed that it is

fresh lobster. Some eating establishments

in Barbados even let you choose your own

lobster from the freshwater tank they are

kept in before they prepare it to your liking.

Because they are in fairly short supply in

Barbadian waters, lobster is fairly pricey,

but totally worth it.

Recipes

Fried Flying Fish

Ingredients

• 5 fl ying fi sh fi llets

• 1 large lime

• 1 tsp. salt

• 2 tbsps Bajan seasoning

• 1 cup fi ne breadcrumbs

• 1 cup fl our

• Oil for shallow frying

Directions

1. Squeeze the lime all over the fi sh and

rub with salt. Allow to sit for half an hour.

2. Remove the fi sh, rinse and pat dry.

3. Season the fi sh with the Bajan

seasoning.

4. Mix the breadcrumbs and fl our then

coat the fl ying fi sh with this mixture.

5. Shake off the excess coating and fry

skin side up until golden brown, turning

once.

Pickled Sea Cat

Ingredients

• 1 pound sea cat, cleaned and pounded

• 1 medium cucumber, chipped fi nely

• ¼ cup fi nely chopped parsley

• Salt to taste

• 1 large scotch bonnet pepper, minced

• 1 large onion, fi nely chopped

• 1 large green sweet pepper, fi nely

chopped

• 1 large lime

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix the cucumber,

parsley, hot pepper, onion and sweet

pepper together.

2. Squeeze the lime into the mixture and

add salt to taste.

3. Cut up the sea cat into large chunks and

add to the pickling liquid.

4. Refrigerate for at least an hour before

serving.

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The currency converter display at the museum

33

Culture

B One of the biggest festivals of the year is the

National Independence Festival of Creative

Arts which spans the month of November

and showcases some of the best talent on

the island.

There are so many interesting cultural

experiences awaiting you during your stay

here in Barbados; you could go and visit the

national museum at the Garrison in St Michael,

Arlington Museum in Speightstown, St Peter,

and Sunbury Plantation in St Philip for some

interesting history and beautiful sightseeing.

While visiting the Arlington Museum, take a

stroll around the newly revived antique town;

it’s a charming little slice of paradise.

We are a progressive nation with many

technological advances and amenities. Our

currency is stable and our Government is

strong. Barbados is a fantastic place to live

and I’m sure you’ll agree it’s also a lovely

place to visit.

arbados is a peaceful multinational

country with a strong character.

Our people are friendly and helpful

and you can feel safe asking a

stranger in the street for directions.

Barbados has a rich cultural heritage

dating back from our American roots,

through the North-Atlantic Slave Trade and

colonial rule, right up to the present day.

Possibly one of our proudest moments

in this long, vibrant history was when we

as a nation became independent from

Britain. This joyous occasion happened on

November 30, 1966, and is celebrated on

November 30 every year.

Although we are young, a mere 47

years, we are a proud nation and our

Independence celebrations refl ect this

every year. If you happen to be here in

November, hopefully you’ll choose to

partake in some of our national festivities.

Our Thing!

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Wharf memories

34

Culture

Kadooment 2014 Band Launches

ulu International has already

proven itself as a Kadooment force

to be reckoned with.

In only its second year, several

frontline costumes of its 2014 edition,

Once Upon A Time, were sold out within

days of its offi cial launch.

A bumper crowd converged at the

Barbados Concorde Experience to

catch a glimpse of Zulu International’s

costumes for this year, after the band

gained widespread notoriety for being the

Kadooment band of choice for Bajan-born

superstar Rihanna.

Seven sections and an individual option

were featured. Each costume depicted

famous fairy tales with the themes:

Forbidden Fruit, Enchanted, Atlantica,

Desperate Souls, Royalty, Children Of The

Moon and Agrabah.

Fantasy Barbados launched its 2014 in

a fl urry of elaborate feathered headpieces

and beaded and bejewelled bra tops, at

the Charles Fort, Hilton Barbados.

The three-year-old band will pay

homage to the Great Empires Of The World

for Kadooment 2014 with sections Persian,

British, Virtual, Windies and Hollywood,

along with two individual costumes

representing Atlantis.

The band has made room for 200 more

revellers this year – up from the 400

catered for last Kadooment.

Dragonfl y Mas will be bringing the circus

to Kadooment this year.

Leader of the band, Rodney Powers,

said the product was in the works since

September last year and would feature

four sections with 12 styled costumes. The

sections are Vintage Tamer, Imaginary

World, Life Of A Harlequin and U’luv Crop

Over.

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Rihanna on the road in 2013 with Zulu International

36

The Hidden Treasures of Barbados

metres above sea level. Although small

by comparison to some of the volcanos in

other islands throughout the Caribbean,

Mount Hillaby, and with it the Scotland

District of Barbados, is the summit of an

elongated submarine mountain range that

is several hundreds kilometres long. The

Scotland District is the only location in

the entire Caribbean where this mountain

range is above water.

What is often forgotten about Barbados

is its extraordinary heritage. Although

never the site of European battles, it was

the staging post for the European wars in

the Caribbean for 200 years. The “jewel

in the crown” was the Garrison, with 141

acres of fortifi cations and barracks, well

preserved and now used as museums,

offi ces and home of the nation’s Defence

Force. The old military prison is now

home to the Barbados Museum, perhaps

the fi nest in the CARICOM region. Under

the bastion of St Anne’s Fort is a Cannon

Museum, while the parade pasture is a

modern racetrack and venue for joggers,

es, our beaches are pristine,

glorious and world-famous. The

magnifi cent Crane Beach in St

Philip is repeatedly listed as one

of the ten best beaches of the world. But

there’s also the spectacular Soup Bowl,

surfi ng centre at Bathsheba, St Joseph;

the world-famous Accra Beach in Rockley,

Christ Church; the mile and a quarter

stretch of Carlisle Bay, linking Bridgetown

and the famous Boatyard watering hole

with the historic Garrison and the Hilton

hotel (all in the parish of St Michael).

The island is also home to the enchanting

Flower Forest, Welchman Hall Gully and

Tropical Garden, and the Andromeda

Botanical Gardens – each providing

diff erent views of Mother Nature’s most

beautiful creations.

Barbados also has an amazing array of

sedimentary rock formations and structural

geological features, and the most famous

one is the Scotland District in St Andrew.

The highest elevation in Barbados is

Mount Hillaby in the Scotland District, 340

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Culture

Am

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Victoria Gun, Garrison

37

sport and spectacular events.

Historic Bridgetown, with its splendid

churches, the ancient Jewish Synagogue

with newly discovered ritual bath – The

Mitvah – old balconied shop houses,

bridges, sugar warehouses and neo-Gothic

Parliament Buildings, on the waterside of

the Careenage, is the heart of the nation.

But all across Barbados are historic

churches and houses, which the Barbados

National Trust, the Chief Town Planner and

the Ministry of Culture strive to see survive.

From the iconic chattel houses to the

plantation great houses like the famous St

Nicholas Abbey – the greatest treasure of

all – and Sunbury Plantation House, from

the abandoned sugar mills to the 50 historic

Gothic churches, from the fi shermen

casting nets to the unique Barbados Black

Belly sheep, driving around Barbados

reveals treasure after hidden treasure.

The heritage of our treasure island is

everywhere.

37

Inside the museum

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Shopping

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ContentsShopping

S

It’s Bargain Season

unique Barbadian twist with

fi llings such as sweet curry

chicken, steak and kidney, and

chicken, bacon and corn, which

you can have hot or frozen to

take away.

Over at Hopscotch Treats,

you won’t fi nd the ordinary Kool-

Aid lollies. Owner Lyn Marie

Jack’s lollies are made with real, local fruits

and they contain no preservatives; these

unique, tropical fl avours include coconut

drizzle, golden apple dream and tickle-me-

tamarind.

What is a farmers’ market without plants?

At the entrance of the market, you can fi nd

live plants such as the dwarf golden apple

tree, which the owner did not hesitate to

mention bears all year round. Gooseberry

plants and aloe plants are also available at

the stall. Beautiful decorative plants such

as the begonia and golden palm plants

help to brighten up the atmosphere at the

market.

Even your pet is in for a treat at Brighton.

Sue of Munchy Muncharoonies provides

all-natural cat and dog treats with beef,

chicken, pork, tuna, mackerel, turkey or

vegetarian options. Her treats are made

with locally sourced ingredients with ten

per cent of her sales at Brighton being

donated to the Ark Animal Welfare Society.

The farmers’ market experience at

Brighton would not be complete without

vendors off ering art and craft and custom-

made clothing and jewellery. From its

humble beginnings in 2001 as a way to sell

surplus garden produce, Brighton Farmers’

Market is now a Saturday morning tradition

for locals and visitors alike.

et on the grounds of the old

Brighton Sugar Plantation,

Brighton Farmers’ Market,

tucked away in the middle

of the island in St George, is

much more than just fresh

produce and artisanal fi nds. It’s

quite the social thoroughfare.

With picnic tables strategically

placed under the shade of the fl amboyant

tree and children frolicking in the play

area, foodies catch up with their Pilebucks

coff ee, freshly baked croissants and even

have their fi ll of early morning sushi before

browsing the stalls.

Open every Saturday morning from as

early as 6 a.m., it’s best to get there long

before the 10 a.m. closing time to get

the best and the freshest of all the local

produce.

One of the best features at Brighton is

that most of the produce on sale is already

bagged and priced for the shoppers’

convenience.

The spacious grounds are also home to

quite a few unique stalls, whose off erings

tempt epicures into trying something new.

Morissa Singh of Marie’s Health Choice

was on hand to show her artisanal fare,

which included a variety of naan breads,

oatmeal bites, gluten- and dairy-free

falafel, hummus (including curried and

sun-dried tomato) and bol jol salsa. All

of these products are also available in

supermarkets.

Breakfast options include The Smokery,

which boasts 100 per cent Bajan meats,

including rump roast, ribs and bacon. Tiki

Pies is another delicious option; it fuses

traditional New Zealand recipes with a

40

ContentsShopping

nlike the hustle and bustle of

early morning Saturday markets,

Holders Farmers’ Market,

overlooking the Holders Polo

Field, off ers a more laid-back, easy, breezy

Sunday morning vibe. This outdoor market

is synonymous with 100 per cent Barbadian-

grown organic and gourmet off erings, with

sprinklings of complementary therapies.

One of the most eye-catching displays

was Home Grown Fresh produce, where

the owners use their own resources to

do their business. From free-range whole

chickens and eggs to home-made pesto,

everything that was available at the stall

was grown and prepared at the owners’

home in Westmoreland. Besides the all-

purpose seasonings, chutneys and other

condiments, the real star was the wiri wiri-

based pepper sauces made with a variety

of unusual fl avours, including coconut and

pineapple.

Over at the fresh greens stall, there was

arugula, kale, lettuce, spinach, broccifl ower

and freshly picked mint and basil abound.

These items are also distributed and sold

in supermarkets across the island.

A particularly refreshing sight was

Barbara, who was experiencing her fi rst

Sunday at Holders. Barbara showed off her

beautiful potted plants, which included the

usual herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil and

Holders Farmers’ Market

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cilantro. However, her prized plants were

the exotic red vervains, known for their

decorative fl owers, as well as fi ve-fi nger

and soursop plants.

What is truly unique about Holders

Farmers’ Market is the family atmosphere it

provides, making use of the spacious fi eld.

As such, people can opt to have breakfast

and/or brunch as well as lunch at their

leisure.

Nasim Degia of Masala Grill, who has

been a regular at Holders for over two

years, was on location prepping his

ingredients and fi ring up some samosas.

His theme was Goan cuisine from western

India. Degia utilises local farmers to ensure

he gets fresh and organic ingredients for

his signature dishes. In addition, he seeks

out local butchers and all of his meats must

be halal.

The Market Cafe had the standard fare

of coff ee, tea, bread and pastries, but upon

chatting with one of the operators, it was

learned that the milk used was sourced

from their own dairy farm – and it was 100

per cent organic. Additionally, the cafe is

directly linked to the Great British Banger,

the maker and supplier of traditional home-

made gourmet sausages. Of course, the

meat used is sourced locally and fl avours

include pork and apple, pork and mustard

seed as well as vegetarian options.

Other food options at Holders included

gourmet breads and pastries, such as

steak and kidney pie, multigrain loaves and

brioche, which adorned the stall at Food

for Thought, owned by executive chef and

consultant Luc Poirine.

Family-owned business J’s Therapeutic

Touch Spa and Holistic Centre was a

stark contrast to the wide array of food

and produce stalls dotting the grounds of

the fi eld. It specialises in deep tissue and

Swedish massage and manufactures its

own skin products, which include mists,

massage oils and insect repellent. The stall

also doubles as a sort of day-care facility,

where children are kept occupied with

educational books and games while their

parents shop.

Holders Farmers’ Market, created in 2011

as a means of helping organic farmers in

Barbados sell their produce at a fair price,

is held every Sunday.

41

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Oistins by Night

Nightlife

istins is one of the four towns

of Barbados, which also include

Holetown, Speightstown and

the capital Bridgetown. Oistins,

however, is diff erent. Located in the parish

of Christ Church, Oistins is a major fi shing

community in Barbados. It is a historic

market town that is popular with locals

and tourists alike for its famous fi sh fry and

busy fi sh market.

History

In 1639, the site now called Oistins saw the

clash between Royalist and Roundhead

supporters which was centred around the

bid for independence of Barbados from

Cromwell’s England. This was a paramount

occurrence in the island’s history, and

it resulted in the Articles of Agreement

that formed Barbados’ own Parliament –

the third oldest parliament in the entire

Commonwealth.

Fishing VillageEvery day, you can expect to see fi shing

boats out to sea. And every day, these

boats will bring to shore fresh catches,

including mahi mahi, tuna, kingfi sh, marlin

and, of course, the local delicacy fl ying fi sh,

to be sold in the fi sh market.

Many of the fi shermen today have come

from a long line of fi shermen (no pun

intended). Knowledge of the sea around

Barbados and the skills required to catch

the fi sh have been passed down from

generation to generation.

If fi shing is your hobby or curiosity

has gotten the best of you, some of the

fi shermen at Oistins will gladly take you

out with them for the day. They will make a

small charge, as fi shing is their career not

O

a hobby, but it is less than the charge for

game fi shing.

Out on the jetty, there is an unobstructed

view of Oistins’ water spotted with colourful

fi shing boats. Sometimes, just before

sunset, you can see turtles swimming

along the boats anticipating to be thrown

some food.

Fish FryEvery Friday and Saturday night, Oistins

becomes a Mecca for music, food and fun.

Hundreds of locals and visitors fl ock to the

Oistins Bay Gardens for arguably the best

local food in the island.

Macaroni pie, rice and peas, breadfruit,

baked potato and fi shcakes, all at very

aff ordable prices, are just a few things

on the menus of the many vendors. The

renowned speciality is the mouth-watering

fi sh, fresh off the boat and on to the grill

right there for you to see. Marlin, mahi

mahi, fl ying fi sh and lobster are just a few

of the options you can choose from.

It is a very casual setting and seating is

readily available. There is even a dance

fl oor where you can let the music that fi lls

the air move you. But Oistins is not only

open on Friday nights. You can get fantastic

food there any night of the week.

n any given day, Baxters Road in

Bridgetown is full of busy people

and traffi c, just like any other street

in The City. But when the sun

sets, Baxters Road is transformed into the

culinary Mecca of Bridgetown. Starting at

approximately 5 p.m., the food fest lasts

until the wee hours of the morning, catering

to the Barbadian who just wants something

diff erent for dinner, the visitor who wants a

taste of the local fare or the youngster who

just came from a fete and wants a bite to

eat before heading home.

Something for everyoneBaxters Road is known for its fried and

grilled fi sh more than anything, but there

is something for everyone. A quaint little

bakery specialising in the good ole Bajan

salt bread, fi shcakes and the popular bread

and two, a salt bread stuff ed with two

fi shcakes and an optional drizzle of hot

pepper sauce, a local pizza establishment

and a number of rum shops help to make

Baxters Road what it is.

The fi shThe stars of Baxters Road are the vendors

who prepare and sell locally caught fi sh

right in front of your eyes. For an authentic

touch, the fi sh is prepared on an open

fl ame, giving it that smoky, rustic fl avour

that makes the food on Baxters Road

unbeatable. In addition to the fi sh, many

sides are available for you to choose from,

including breadfruit prepared in a variety

of ways, fried and boiled; creamy potato

salad, thick cut fries, fried plantain, green

salads, rice and, of course, the irresistibly

rich Bajan macaroni pie.

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Nightlife

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Pink StarOne spot on Baxters Road that stands out

is Pink Star. This little eating establishment

has been around for many years and it is

famous for the wildly popular liver cutter.

Pink Star’s liver cutter consists of a large

rectangular shaped bread that is slit in the

centre and stuff ed until it is over fl owing

with stewed liver.

Aside from the liver cutter, Pink Star’s

repertoire would not be complete without

the necks – the part of the chicken that

people sometimes overlook. The chicken

necks are stewed to perfection and the

meat melts right off the bone.

As the items on the menu are often in

high demand, it is no surprise that you are

often met with a snaking line outside the

establishment and a large group of people

on the inside trying to make their voices

heard. But this is all part of the allure of Pink

Star – where food and authentic Barbadian

culture are joined together.

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http://www.suntoursbarbados.com

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Rum Shop AdventureRum Shop Adventure

here is nothing more representative of the Barbadian lifestyle than the rum shop

scene. It is only when you stop and truly take notice of rum shops at night that you

will observe that there are always lines and crowds around them. This is not by

chance.

You know you’re approaching a rum shop when you hear the cacophony of sounds,

ranging from colourful accents and infl ections, to the slamming of dominoes and, at some

venues, the belting of karaoke sounds.

While the appeal of these attributes to

our senses of hearing and sight may make

such liming spots distinguishable, it is the

way their food stimulates our senses of

taste and smell that make rum shops most

memorable.

Whether you are a local or tourist, you

will fi nd (assuming you haven’t discovered

already) that it is inevitable when traversing

the island that you’ll spot one of these

social hubs, typically painted in vibrant

colours with large food and beverage

logos adorning their facades.

With great intrigue (and little to no

experience), I thought I might give a couple

rum shops (and their delicacies) a try. As

a newbie, I stuck to the rule of ordering

the items that were ordered the most

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49

frequently by those ahead of me in the

snaking line. Here’s what I found on my

adventure.

Headed away from Oistins, just before

reaching the Barbados Golf Club, I stopped

by Kermitt’s Bar in Thornbury Hill, Christ

Church, and was impressed to discover

that this green hive of activity immediately

emitted the kind of warmth and character

stereotypically associated with rum shops.

From Kermitt’s, my adventure took

me further east to the Woodbourne

Bar, opposite the Barbados National Oil

Company in St Philip.

The queue for food fl owed effi ciently,

but from a distance one would never know

this because it always remained long. There

is something about grilled food (fi sh and

pigtails especially) that whets the appetites

of all and sundry. When I caught the whiff of

aromas diff using from the pigtails and the

catches of the day, I wandered to the top

of the line just to observe the preparation.

The defatted pigtails were placed on the

grill and slow cooked to perfection while

being constantly smothered with a brush

saturated with the rich, home-made

barbeque sauce.

The searing heat of the open fl ame

caramelised the sauce-coated pigtails in

some areas, leaving them with a lightly

charred exterior that complemented the

marriage of fl avours from the seasonings

and the succulent and surprisingly lean but

meaty pigtails.

If you are looking for a new dining spot

with a relaxed vibe, try either of these two

or both. According to regulars, the best

nights tend to be Friday and Saturday

(unsurprisingly), but don’t hesitate to check

them earlier in the week if you’re craving

tasty, culturally authentic food, a nice cold

local beer or a few glasses of our world-

rated rum on the rocks.

http://www.executiverentalsbarbados.com

50

Tips & Titbits

Info

Safety: Barbados is generally considered

to be much safer than several other tourist

destinations. That said, don’t do anything

you wouldn’t do at home. For example,

don’t leave valuables lying in plain sight, in

an unlocked car or in an open room; also

remember to lock your doors when leaving

your accommodation.

Telephone: Phoning home is very simple,

you can call direct to most places in the

world from any fi xed line or cell phone.

If you need any help, you can use local

operator assistance by dialing 0 + Area

Code + Number.

Transportation: Getting around our lovely

island is quite easy and there are several

options for you to choose from:

• Buses/ Vans – The fare on any of the

following modes of transport is BDS$2.00

one way. Do remember that when you are

at a bus stop, you need to put your hand

out to signal the bus to stop.

• Transport Board buses – these are

Government buses. These are blue

with a yellow stripe and have licence

plates that begin with the letters “BM”.

• Privately owned minibuses – these

have licence plates which start with

the letter “B” and are yellow with a

blue stripe.

• Privately owned route taxis – these

are aff ectionately known as ZRs after

the fi rst two letters on their licence

plates. ZRs are smaller white vans with

a purple stripe.

• Taxis – there are a number of companies

and individuals who provide private taxi

services. The associated fares are based

on the distance travelled and in most

anking: We have a number of

international and regional banks

throughout the island. General

operating hours are Monday

through Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and

Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are also a

wide variety of ATMs around that dispense

local currency only.

Business Hours: General operating hours

of local businesses and stores are 8:30 a.m.

to 4:30 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday

through Friday with some places open on

Saturday from about 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

These hours are just a general guideline

as some stores and offi ces have their own

opening hours, which may not comply with

the above.

Currency: Barbados has its own currency

which is pegged to the US dollar at an

exchange rate of BDS$1.98 to US$1.00.

You can change your currency at any local

bank. However, major foreign currencies

such as the US $, the British £, the euro €

and the Canadian $ are widely accepted

by local merchants and restaurants. Major

credit cards and traveller’s cheques in

the above mentioned currencies can

also be used. Just remember to carry

corresponding picture identifi cation.

B

51

cases are fi xed. You should establish with

the driver before starting your journey what

the fare is likely to be.

• Rental Cars – there are many perks to

renting a car while you are here on holiday.

You get the opportunity to explore parts of

the island not traditionally seen by tourists

and you have more fl exibility in moving

around. This can also be a very cost-

eff ective option, especially if you are part of

a large group. Rental options vary from small

cars right up to jeeps and large vans that can

hold over six people. Make sure to visit our

island directory listings to fi nd a reputable

and aff ordable car rental company.

• Scooters/ ATVs/ Bicycles – if you’re

feeling adventurous, you can also consider

renting a scooter, ATV or bicycle to tour our

lovely island.

Water: Our water supply is completely safe

to drink from the tap and is one of the best

in the world. This is because of Barbados’

unique limestone make-up, which helps to

purify and cleanse the water.

Tipping: Many restaurants include a ten per

cent service charge on their bills. If there is

no service charge or you receive excellent

service, tipping is at your discretion.

• Police 211 or 430-7100

• Fire 311

• Queen Elizabeth Hospital

436-6450

• Sandy Crest Medical Centre,

Sunset Crest, St James, 419-4911

• The Sparman Clinic, Belleville,

St Michael, 624-3278

• FMH Emergency Medical Centre,

Belleville, St Michael, 228-6120

• Ambulance Service

Queen Elizabeth Hospital 511

• Barbados Red Cross Ambulance Service

417-2727

Other Helpful Numbers

• Local Directory Assistance 411

• International Directory Assistance 711

Emergency Numbers: Although we certainly hope you won’t need any emergency

help while enjoying your stay on our island, things do happen, so please take note of

the following local emergency numbers.

Bri

an

O’N

ea

le

A taxi stand in Bridgetown.

5252

Island Directory

Info

Accommodation

Worthing Court Apartment Hotel

Worthing, Christ Church

Tel: 434-8400

Activities

Aerial Trek, Hike & Cave

Jack In The Box Gully, St Thomas

Tel: 433-8966

Black Pearl Party Cruises Inc.

Carlisle House,

The Careenage, St Michael

Tel: 436-2885

Coconut Tours

Bayside, Bay Street, St Michael

Tel: 437-0297

Island Safari

Lower Estate Complex, St George

Tel: 429-5337

Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa

Maynards, St Peter

Tel: 434-8415

SunTours Barbados

CWTS Complex, Lower Estate, St George

Tel: 434-8430

Art

Frangipani Art Gallery

Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa

Maynards, St Peter

Tel: 422-5026

Attractions & Museum

Banks Beer Brewery Tour

Wildey, St Michael

Tel: 228-6486

Barbados Concorde Experience

Grantley Adams International Airport,

Christ Church

Tel: 420-7738

Barbados Museum & Historical Society

Garrison, St Michael

Tel: 427-0201

Barbados National Trust

Headquarters, Wildey House,

Wildey, St Michael

Tel: 426-2421

Caves of Barbados

Harrison’s Cave

Welchman Hall, St Thomas

Tel: 438-6640

Sunbury Great House

Sunbury, St Philip

Tel: 423-6270

Communications

Digicel Barbados Ltd

The Courtyard, Hastings,

Christ Church

Tel: 434-3444

Complementary Health

The Barbados Reiki Association

Tel: 428-4186 or 428-4000

Email: [email protected] or

touchofl [email protected]

Website: http://www.barbadosreikiassociation.com

Dining

Brown Sugar

Aquatic Gap, St Michael

Tel: 426-7684

Chilly Moo’s Ice Cream Treatery

Quayside Centre, Rockley, Christ Church

Tel: 435-1877

The Crane Resort

Crane, St Philip

Tel: 423-6220

53

H. Jason Jones & Co. Ltd

Kensington Court, Fontabelle,

St Michael

Tel: 429-7209

Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant

St Lawrence Gap,

Christ Church

Tel: 428-2759

New Century Chinese Restaurant

St Lawrence, Christ Church

Tel: 420-2822

Oriental B.B.Q & Bar

Upstairs The Steak House

St Lawrence Gap,

Christ Church

Tel: 420-3762

Paulo’s Churrasco Do Brasil

St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church

Tel: 438-6767

St. Lawrence Steak House & Grill

St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church

Tel: 428-7152

The Waterfront Café

Cavans Lane, Bridgetown

Tel: 427-0093

The Tides

Holetown, St James

Tel: 432-8356

Entertainment

The Boatyard

Bay Street, St Michael

Tel: 436-2622

Harbour Lights

Bay Street, St Michael

Tel: 436-7225

Embassies and Consulates

Australian Honorary Consulate

2nd Floor, Cedar Court,

Wildey Business Park,

St Michael

Tel: 434-1133

Austrian Honorary Consul

Knowlton, Exeter Road,

Navy Gardens, Christ Church

Tel: 427-3131

Bahamas Honorary Consulate

102 Husbands Heights,

St James

Tel: 424-5082

Consulate of Belgium

Rockley Resort, Christ Church

Tel: 437-7704

Embassy of Brazil

Hastings Main Road, Christ Church

(Located in the Digicel complex)

Tel: 427-1735

Canadian High Commission

Bishop’s Court Hill, St Michael

Website: http://www.bridgetown.gc.ca

Tel: 629-3550

Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China

17 Golf View Terrace, Rockley, Christ Church

Tel: 435-6890

Embassy of Colombia

Dayrells Road, Rockley,

Christ Church

Tel: 429-6821

Embassy of the Republic of Cuba

Palm View, Erdiston Drive

St Michael

Tel: 435-2769

French Consulate

Cherry Tree House,

Chelsea Road

Tel: 429-4546 or Mobile: 262-6238

German Honorary Consul

Suite 1, Pasea Financial Centre,

Corner Dayrells Road, St Michael

Tel: 427-1876

54

Israeli Honorary Consul General

Palmetto Street, Bridgetown

Tel: 426-4764

Italian Vice Consulate

Bannatyne, Christ Church

Tel: 437-1228

Mexican Consulate

Chancery House

High Street

Bridgetown

Tel: 431-8070

Netherlands Consulate

1st Avenue, Rendezvous Gardens

Christ Church

Tel: 435-6290

Swedish Consulate

Worthing, Christ Church

Tel: 435-7051

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Consulate of the Swiss Embassy

24 Cane Garden Heights, St Thomas

Tel: 425-3281

United Kingdom

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 430-7800

Embassy of the United States

Wildey Business Park,

Wildey, St Michael

Tel: 227-4000 or 227-4399

Venezuelan Embassy

Hastings, Christ Church

Tel: 435-7619

Places of Worship

Anglican

St Matthias Anglican (Episcopal) Church

St Matthias Road,

Hastings, Christ Church

Sunday Services: 7 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.

Tel: 429-5733 or 427-7389

Christ Church Parish Church

Church Hill, Oistins, Christ Church

Sunday Services: 6:15 a.m.,

7:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Sunday School: 9 a.m.

Tel: 428-8087 or 428-9147

Brethren

Ebenezer Gospel Hall

Crumpton Street, Bridgetown

Sunday Services: 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Tel: 432-0811 or 420-1469

Islamic

Barbados Muslim Association

Five daily prayers and Friday prayer at 12:30 p.m.

Jumma Masjid

Kensington New Road,

Bridgetown, St Michael

Tel: 426-0117

City Masjid

Sobers Lane,


Tel: 427-1258

Makki Masjid

6th Avenue,

Belleville, St Michael

Tel: 228-3653

Islamic Teaching Centre

Harts Gap, Hastings, Christ Church

Tel: 427-0120

Jewish

The Barbados Jewish Community

Friday evening Shabbat services begin

at 7 p.m. and are conducted at the

Nidhe Israel Synagogue on Synagogue Lane in

Bridgetown, until the middle of March. From the

middle of March until December 14, services will

be conducted at Shaare Tzedek Synagogue from

7 p.m. The synagogue is located on Rockley

New Road, Christ Church.

The museum is open Monday through Friday,

from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Tel: 427-7611, 228-2102, 426-4764,

428-8414 or 422-1114

55

Pentecostal

The People’s Cathedral

Bishop’s Court Hill, St Michael

Sunday Services: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Family Bible Hour: 9 a.m.

Tel: (246) 429-2145

Roman Catholic

St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral

Bay Street and Jemmott’s Lane,

St Michael

Sunday Mass: 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Tel: 426-2325

St Dominic’s

Maxwell Main Road,

Christ Church

Sunday Mass: 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Tel: 428-7677

Real Estate

Apes Hill Club

Apes Hill, St James

Tel: 432-4500

Fax: 432-4501

Realtors Limited

Holetown, St James

Tel: 432-6930

Services

Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association

4th Avenue Belleville,

St Michael

Tel: 426-5041

Barbados Tourism Authority

Harbour Road, Bridgetown,

Barbados

Tel: 427-2623

Ministry of Tourism

Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre

Two Mile Hill,

St Michael

Tel: 430-7500

Shopping

Cave Shepherd

Broad Street, Bridgetown

Vista, Worthing

Sunset Mall, Sunset Crest

West Mall, Holetown

Crane Hotel

Almond Beach Village Hotel

Grantley Adams International Airport

Opening Hours:

Mon - Thur 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Fri - 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Sat - 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sun - 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Shuttle Service available from

most hotels each day.

The Royal Shop

32 Broad Street,


Tel: 429-7072 or 431-0296

Medford Craft World

White Hall, Main Road, St Michael

Tel: 425-1919

Limegrove Lifestyle Centre

Holetown, St James

Tel: 432-6563

Travel

1st Choice Car Rental

Worthing Main Road, Christ Church

Tel: 434-2277

Coconut Car Rentals

Bayside, Bay Street, St Michael

Tel: 437-0297

Courtesy Rent-A-Car

Wildey, St Michael

Tel: 431-4160 or 418-2500

Drive-A-Matic Ltd

Lower Carlton, St James

Tel: 424-4000

Executive Car Rental

9 & 10 Tamkris, Worthing, Christ Church

Tel: 228-1993

Johnson Tours Barbados Limited

Sunny Isle Complex, Worthing, Christ Church

Tel: 426-5181

Top Car Rentals Ltd

Rockley New Road, Christ Church

Tel: 435-0378

56

Barbados at a Glance – Historical Facts

Info

arbados is uniquely blessed with a

strong heritage, rich culture and

beautiful environment which

eff ectively coexist with a fi rst world

worthy infrastructure, stable leadership

and progressive outlook. Here are some

quick facts about our island that tell a tale

of who we are as a people and country.

• The island has a democratic style

of Government which is modelled

on the British Westminster System.

There are two main political parties:

the Democratic Labour Party which

now forms the Government and the

Barbados Labour Party, which has

been in opposition since 2008.

• The lyrics of the National Anthem of

Barbados were written by American

Irving Burgie. He was born in Brooklyn,

New York, to a Barbadian mother and

American father.

• The Barbados Coat of Arms was

presented by the Queen of England to

the President of the Senate in 1966 on

Valentine’s Day during a royal visit to

the island. The Coat of Arms features

the national motto Pride And Industry.

• Offi cially a national of Barbados is a

Barbadian, less formerly we refer to

ourselves as Bajans.

• The offi cial language is English,

but you are very likely to hear the

Bajan dialect as your interact with

locals, especially in social settings.

The dialect is a fusion of English-

based phrases and unique West

African idioms and expressions,

which originated from the slave

population brought by the English.

• Unlike many of our island neighbours,

Barbados was colonised solely by

the British. This is evident in our

architecture, street names as well as

political and legal system. In fact, the

island is often fondly referred to as

“Little England”.

• Barbados offi cially moved away from

British rule on November 30, 1966.

This year the island will be celebrating

48 years of Independence.

• The national dish is cou cou, which

is made of yellow cornmeal, and

fl ying fi sh. Try this delightful dish at

one of the many restaurants around

the island, which specialies in Bajan

cuisine.

• Barbados is known to have one of

the most dense road networks in the

world.

• Barbados has strong historical

connections with the Carolinas.

Many prominent Barbadian planters

and merchants were early settlers

in the area and formed part of the

permanent colony established in 1670

in what is now known as Charleston

in the United States. This migration

infl uenced the street names, politics

and dialect of the Carolina Coast.

• The national colours of Barbados as

shown in our fl ag are blue, yellow and

black. The blue represents the sea

and sky, the yellow is for the beaches

and the black is the colour of the

broken trident, which is in the centre

of the fl ag and represents our break

away from the British.

B

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