Let's talk travel

Fast-forwarding a few years to 1988, I ventured on what was called an island-hopping vacation and had the privilege of experiencing for the first time the lovely island of Barbados followed by a second week on the lush and scenic island of St. Lucia.  In stark contrast, Barbados was quite a diverse island from relaxation, peace and tranquility to an active partying scene while St. Lucia was a very quiet, subdued island. 

ST. LUCIA

Let me begin with my experience in St. Lucia first.  Another beautiful, extremely lush and unspoiled island, St. Lucia resonates nature in its most splendid glory.  Powdery white sand beaches frame this relatively small island and like most other islands in the Caribbean, you can count on lots of sun, bright blue skies and crystal clear waters.  My stay was a very comfortable one at the nicely-maintained St. Lucian Hotel and Resort.  After a rather busy and exciting first week in Barbados, it was refreshing to find myself in St.Lucia, where life was so much simpler and relaxing. 

Life in St. Lucia at that time was even somewhat primitive.  I actually saw a number of locals using large machetes to cut down sugarcane that grows so abundantly on the island.  That's how unspoiled and simple it was.  Of course, as most other islands, when tourism is the primary source of revenue for the country, there will always be the amenities and luxuries available for island guests. 

My memories include a day trip to see and experience the twin volcanic mountains, Grand Piton and Petit Piton.  Since St. Lucia is an extremely mountainous island, it was really quite something driving up around and down around each mountain.  However, the condition of the roads is definitely something to be desired!  The views, which included those of Marigot Bay, were absolutely spectacular and breathtaking. 

           

A day trip into the capital city of Castries provided for a lot of shopping where one can find a variety of duty free shopping.  Some 23 years later, I can't even begin to imagine how much more developed and advanced the island has become today.

BARBADOS

You will soon come to know that Barbados is my first love.  Barbados is a very special island with a contagious feeling.  From the very moment I set foot again on American soil following my trip, I knew that I would be returning to Barbados again.  Barbados has the ability to draw you in and for many, and I do mean many, it has definitely had that affect.  In total, I have visited Barbados 16 times over the course of the last 23 years.  I would like to try and share with you as many of those experiences as I can, as every visit to Barbados is unique in it of itself and better everytime!  There is not one time that I can say my vacation was not enjoyable, exciting, relaxing and fun.  So follow me, if you will, on my journey with my first love ... Barbados!

Barbados is the most easterly island in the Caribbean and I bet you didn't realize that because of its geographical location, the island is virtually untouched by hurricanes.  In fact, the last hurricane that hit Barbados was in 1955!  I'd say those are some pretty good odds.  Of course, it doesn't mean that Barbados hasn't experienced some collateral effects such as high winds, rain and at times, power outage as a result of neighboring hurricanes, but still successfully escaped unscathed.  

Barbados boasts approximately 350 days of sunshine per year.  Temperatures are fairly consistent all year long so it really doesn't matter what time of year you go, it will be hot.  The island is divided into parishes (similar to counties or regions).  Barbados has its own currency referred to as "Barbados Dollars."  In an effort to limit the fluctuation in currency exchange, Barbados holds a steady $1.98 to the U.S. Dollar.  That means the American dollar is essentially worth double.  Banks and ATMs are plentiful so there's really no need to travel much with Travelers Checks anymore.

The Atlantic side of the island which features Bathsheba (located in the parish of St. Andrew) is well known for the incredibly oversized boulders that washed up along the east coast of the island over thousands of years ago that are often featured in commercials for Barbados.  The locals who are far more familiar and experienced with the rougher Atlantic Ocean are known for spending weekends at Bathsheba's beaches.  Some of the island's best waves and surf can be found in Bathsheba which attracts many experienced surfers.  This is also where they hold the Annual International Reef Surfing Competition.

Then there is the west coast of Barbados formerly known as the "Gold Coast" now upgraded to the "Platinum Coast" (located in the parish of St. James).  There you will find some of the most amazing residential and resort properties which boast luxury in its full glory!  Many wealthy people, including a number of celebrities, own some of the most beautiful homes on the island, many of which can be found along or near the west coast of Barbados.  The west coast sits along the Caribbean Sea and as a result, you have much calmer waters with few small waves.  Sandy Lane Resort has been named the most prestigious resort in all of the Caribbean.  Known for its beautiful and luxurious construction, there was no scrimping when it came to the use of marble.  It is also renowned for its spectacular full-service luxury spa!  Believe me when I tell you there are not enough adjectives to describe this property.  Perhaps if I were to tell you that this is the resort that Tiger Woods leased for a whopping $3 million for his wedding to Elin Nordegren, might just put things in better perspective for you.  Without any question, Sandy Lane is truly an amazing place to stay ... if it were to fall within our more modest budgets!  We can always dream!

The west coast is also home to the Almond Beach Club and Spa and the Almond Beach Village which are all-inclusive sister hotels with reciprocating privileges.  For all my Canadian friends and family who might have or still listen to "Roger, Rick and Marilyn" on Toronto's 104.5 CHUM FM radio station, not only is Barbados the choice destination for their yearly "Breakfast in Barbados" contest, but this resort has been a favorite for a number of years.

The south coast of Barbados (located in the parish of Christ Church) is really where it all happens.  You have a blend of the Atlantic Ocean meets Caribbean Sea thus giving you a nice balance of waves for your frolicking pleasure!  Barbados is lined with beautiful, powdery soft, pink sand beaches where you can walk along for miles without any disruption, many of which are lined with towering palm trees swaying in the gentle tropical breezes.  You will find the south coast is lined with many hotels and resorts offering a variety of accommodations from long-stay rental apartments to 5 star hotels.  Booking accommodations in or around the central part of the south coast enables you to have relatively quick and easy access to many sights, restaurants and shopping.  The capital city of Bridgetown is approximately 10 to 15 minutes from almost anywhere along the south coast.  There you will find a very large shopping district, including many duty free stores such as department store Cave Sheppard and Tiffany's, to name a couple, along with a variety of local businesses.  The one really great thing about Barbados is that transportation is extremely accessible and inexpensive, if you so choose.  Obviously, taxis are plentiful with such fares that, at most times, can be negotiated (if you have such skills as I do!).  They have city buses which are government owned and operated, actually keep with a particular schedule (which time-related schedules of any sort in the Caribbean are hard to come by) and the fare is only $1.50 BDS.  There are also locally run vans which are intimately referred to as "ZRs" (pronounced zed-rs like the Canadians!).

In Barbados, there is something for everyone, all depending on your preference and the type of vacation you are seeking.  Barbados boasts some of the finest cuisine in the Caribbean.  It is known for having some of the best chefs from around the world.  Since dining is one of Barbados’ finest experiences, your choices are plentiful.  There is a wide variety of places to eat from quaint locally-run cafes for breakfast and lunch, pizzerias, burger places to fine dining restaurants.

Notably, there is a fishing village named Oistins where the locals celebrate their catch every Friday and Saturday evening under the stars by hosting cookouts of fish and chicken, macaroni pie, rice and peas and other local fare.  Barbadians, also known as Bajans, love to party and so the cookouts are accompanied by music and drink as well.  It's a great time and should definitely be on your list of things to do.

The people of Barbados are very friendly.  They are very easy to talk to and many enjoy offering suggestions on must-see things to do. 

I was a bit long-winded this time, but it must be pretty apparent to you that the island of Barbados definitely made an impression on me.  Of course, much of the information I shared with you today was obtained over the years as I got to know the island.  Needless to say, it was quite a memorable vacation for me in 1988 which was a vacation that kept on going, and going, and going ....

Come back for more!

It's finally here

Hello, my name is Annie and welcome to my travel blog.  It's been long awaiting but it's finally here.  In my blog, I hope to share with you my experiences obtained through my travels in the hope that you may find some useful information or simply for your reading pleasure.

Perhaps my passion for travel began early on in life when my parents took my older sister and me to Italy in '69.  Of course, I was just a very young and impressionable child at the time (did I mention I was young!) but it strikes me how much of that trip is stored in my memory.  The memories were obviously very fond and worthy of retaining.



However, let's fast forward a few years to 1982 when I first traveled on my own as an adult.  I visited the island of Jamaica.  Purely speculative, but I have a pretty good sense that the island has evolved since my visit.  You have to remember that one of Jamaica's biggest icons was Bob Marley whom the people of Jamaica loved and my visit to the island was only one year afer Bob Marley's passing in 1981.  It was as though he had just passed yesterday.  The people continued to mourn his death and this was displayed through all the paraphernalia for sale in the name of Bob Marley.  Everywhere you went, you would hear his music.  I purchased some Jamaican memorial postage stamps of Bob Marley as mementos. 

My memories of the island of Jamaica take me to a very lush and tropical place. You can smell it in the air. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Montego Bay now known as the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay.  Beautifully landscaped gardens and a well-maintained resort.  The food was excellent and of course my most memorable dish was the lobster thermidor.

My day trips consisted of a trip to the local Farmer's Market where you find a large selection of handmade crafts, clothing and jewelry as well as a trip to downtown Montego Bay where you will find a wide array of duty free shops; a stark contrast to the Farmer's Market.  Unfortunately and how this happened I will never  know, but I never did manage a trip to Dunn's River Falls which, if you're going to do anything, you must see and experience the Falls.  I have not yet returned to Jamaica, but if I do, I will be sure to visit and experience Dunn's River Falls.

I remember the people of Jamaica to be very friendly.  Jamaica, however, as a whole is an unbalanced island when it comes to the class of people.  The ratio of the poor class to the rich class is extremely high.  As a result, there is present a dissention of the classes creating visible conflict.  It would sadden me to see locals standing outside of my resort "compound" waiting for a glimpse of a hotel guest in an effort to sell some handmade craft, jewelry or healing concoction so they would have money for food.  Many would also resort to begging for clothes, shoes and toiletries, all of which I learned were extremely expensive for them to purchase on the island.  Therefore, on my day of departure, I was sure to hand over all of my remaining toiletries to the nearby locals for which they were extremely grateful.

Overall, my memories of Jamaica are fond even today, some 29 years later.

As you follow me on my travels, you will see how I gradually became a seasoned traveler; learning more about each destination, places to go and things to see.

For example, as an inexperienced traveler, I regret today not taking the opportunity when I could to see the many other sights of Jamaica such as the Old Tavern Estate where the best of the best blue mountain coffee is produced, the Appleton Rum Factory and a ride on the cable car up Mystic Mountain.

Be sure to check back with me soon.  Feel free to share your travel talk!

Annie