Saturday, June 16, 2018

Barbados Travel Blog


Experience Barbados - It's a must for your Caribbean Bucket list


Want to travel to Barbados? Here's alittle background on the island.
*Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of North America.
*English is the official language of Barbados. *Bajan is a language similar to Creole that was originally created by West African slaves who were forced to speak English with a West African accent. They used it to avoid being understood by the slave owners.  The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627
*Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. *The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. 
*The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966.
*In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. We today are excited to introduce the beautiful island of Barbados to all of you.

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS:
1.      Quite a few celebrities are from the island; Rhianna, Shontelle, Grandmaster Flash.
       2.      Per year, Barbados exports  $57 million on rum worldwide
       3.      “Barbados” comes from the Portuguese Bearded Fig Trees, or “ Los Barbados” once found across the island.
       4.      Barbados was the first Caribbean island to have piped water. It also has pure drinking water. YES! I drink it.
       5.      The Motto of Barbados is “Pride & industry”.
       6.      When first settled in 1625, was found to be almost totally covered in dense jungle, with a very large population of wild pigs.
       7.      Most of what is now the Southern part of Bridgetown (the lower Bay Street environs) was once a huge swamp.
       8.      In 1846, Barbados had 491 active Sugar Plantations, with 506 windmills.
       9.      Bill Clinton is not the first American President to visit Barbados. President Reagan also visited here and George Washington stayed here for six weeks, visiting in 1751 to accompany his half-brother Lawrence who had made the six week voyage from the Potomac for health reasons.
      10.  Two Barbados dollars = one US Dollar

 And were off! Well almost. GREAT ADVISE here for parking near the Terminal in FT Lauderdale or the FLL Cruise Port. Park n Go on 1101 Eller Drive is the BOMB! Although it’s a bit higher in cost then other parking lots, it’s 3 minutes from the Terminal, the shuttle picks you up AT YOUR CAR (OMG #Spoiled), and well it’s by far the most convenient and friendliest staff I have run into at a parking lot. They do only have outdoor parking but it’s fenced in and manned 24/7 and the shuttle service ROCKED! 
On to JETBLUE checkin. DO IT ONLINE, carry on your luggage and as long as you have TSA-Pre check – you’ll be through to the gate side in a matter of minutes. I pulled into Park n Go at 11a – and was on the gate side by 1120a – That’s a win win for me – You too!!!! Traveling doesn’t have to be stressful.
Currently - Checked in and working at PeiWei. Here and settled WAY TO FREAKING EARLY for my flight. 
Love my new HP! I'm officially a Digital Nomad! 

Better SAFE then SORRY! Get to FLL early. The Park n Go driver got a message to go back and retrieve 2 unlucky travelers who got to the airport to late and missed their flight to Punta Cana, DR. Don't let this be you!!!!
Follow my blog and I’ll provide you with hints on how to keep your TravelWorld as stress-free as possible..

On to Barbados today! YAY – The new Sandals Royal Barbados proves to be a WOW MOMENT on arrival! I’m ready and eager for my WOW moment today. Stay tuned. πŸ˜Š



My travels through the island took me to some very exciting and fun places. 

- HarborLights is a cultural show with Food, Beverages and exciting local entertainment. 
 - HarborLights is a cultural show with Food, Beverages and exciting local entertainment. 
Harbour Lights Carlisle Bay. HarborLights is a cultural show with Food, Beverages and exciting local entertainment. 
Harbour Lights Carlisle Bay. Wednesday night is the Harborside Beach show. Don’t miss it!   I happen to have very cool Bajan island friends who insist on making me go out and “ LIVE ALITTLE”
*Wednesday evening dinner show @7pm it's BB$150/person. Covers entrance, dinner and a couple of drinks during the show... and you can stay on for the drinks free after party from 10pm until 2am  (normal cost for 10-2a is BB$60 otherwise). }
*Friday drinks free party from 10pm-2am is BB$60, but the party normally goes until 4am
*Sunday is BB$20 entry from 5pm-12am, and there are several happy hours & BB$5/shots throughout the evening.






- Oistens on a Friday evening is the bomb! Local flavor all the way around.
On Friday night particularly, the big thing to do is go to the fish fry 🍹🍻🍀at Oistins Bay Gardens. The locals & tourists come here for good food and music🎢. The food is the main draw - excellent fish, (tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, flying fish), lobster, chicken etc served in an extremely informal setting. You can get your fish grilled or fried depending on which vendor you choose from. It's all cooked on the spot in front of you. 

A plate of fish (and there’s plenty fish on it) and a beer will cost you about Bds$30 - $35 (US$ 15 - 17.50). OK, reality check - the Marlin, mac pie & rice was some of the best island food I had while there.  Mo's Grill is the Place.






The music - one plays mostly back-in-time (Bob Marley, Platters, Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican ska, even old country and western!), the other calypso, including the current Crop Over hits. You can dance πŸ’ƒπŸΌif you want or watch the others danceπŸ‘€! Some nights there's a live band. When I was there it was DJ music and just – watching the locals “GET IT ON”

IMO - Oistins is a great place to spend an informal evening. Lots of parents bring their children. I didn’t see a lot of younger kids and the children I did see looked as though they may have been Bajan kids doing the typical Friday night thing. #FunTimes.


If you go after 8:00pm, be prepared occasionally for long waits for food. Dress down as there are a lot of people and the air is still. It’s a fun time and a must while in Barbados!

-ANOTHER HOT SPOT
*
Lawrence Gap, one of Barbados’ largest entertainment districts. If you like to get out and about this is a must.
'The Gap', as it is commonly known, is a place where various cultures meet and merge It is an experience that should not be missed!

The FOOD: restaurants in StLawrence Gap are varied and sell Mexican, Bajan, Irish, Jamaican, English, Italian, American and Chinese food.

The MUSIC:
*The Cove (formerly Reggae Lounge) - this hopping club offers a wide range of music, from reggae and calypso to mellow music and Rhythm and Blues.
*Old Jamm Inn - with a diverse selection of live & DJ music ranging from hot jazz to sizzling soca, The Old Jamm Inn is one of the hottest spots in The Gap.
*or just stroll and see what fits your mood!

-Other things to do:
*Mount Gay Rum visitor centre
*a visit to Harrison's Cave
*a tour on Atlantis Submarines
*a round the island tour
*and a catamaran cruise to swim with the turtles
(Carlisle Bay) 


The island of Barbados is waiting to welcome you! 

When you think of Travel, think of YTCNAPLES. Visit our website www.YTCNaples.com , send an email to Michelle@YTCNaples.com or call us at 239-403-7703 for more information. We are here to make your DREAMS a REALITY!

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