MAP INSIDE

2014–2015 WINTER EDITION

Explore COVER July 2014 New.eps.ai 1 12/11/14 2:01 PM

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, Scott Ames, Natalia Staravoitava, Nick Nunes

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

Kishmar Shepherd, Damien Pinder, Rawle Culbard,

Basil Griffi th

ADVERTISING

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

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

exploreourisle@nationnews.com.

©2014 The Nation Publishing Co. Limited

2

Credits

A member of The OCM Group

3

Contents

How Barbados Stole My Heart

Calendar of Events

ActivitiesScuba Diving – Reefs and Wrecks

Elegance Catamaran

Top Ten Beaches in Barbados

Golf in Barbados

Water Adventures

CuisineFood Crazes in Barbados and Sushi

Barbados’ Best Fish Cutters

Three Mixologists You Should Know

CultureChristmas Traditions

Plantation Homes and Modern Designs

The Concorde: An Experience

ShoppingShoppers’ Paradise

Village Craft

NightlifeOistins by Night

Best Nightlife Spots in Barbados

Nightlife Living at Harbour Lights

InfoTips & Titbits

Island Directory

Barbados at a Glance

5

8

11

12

14

18

20

23

26

28

31

32

34

37

38

41

42

46

50

52

56

4

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 the vibrant arts and

cultural scene.

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

he Caribbean is a popular and

desirable part of the world, known

to charm and attract visitors with

its warm climate and stunning

tropical fl ora. While it consists of many

beautiful islands, Barbados shines like a

diamond among them all. This island stole

my heart and changed my life. Let the story

begin.

I love to travel because it makes me feel

alive. Whenever I have an opportunity to

go to a new destination, I don’t wait. I know

that life is too short and time is like sand

slipping through our fi ngers. When my

How Barbados Stole My Heart

T trainer in Montreal fi rst recommended her

homeland Barbados as my next vacation

spot, I immediately browsed the Internet to

see pictures of the island.

The fi rst image I saw was Bottom Bay, St

Philip. It looked so lovely and delightful that

I could not take my eyes away from it. I told

Tina and the rest of the group that we must

go because it was the ideal destination

for a healthy vacation of exploration and

exercising every morning at sunrise.

We arrived in Barbados in May as a

group of 14 people and settled into our

wonderful cosy apartments within walking

Ra

wle

Cu

lba

rd

6

distance of Accra Beach in Hastings, Christ

Church.

Hastings has many inviting beaches,

restaurants, shops, and fi tness places.

You can meet many tourists and also

locals there, so if you come alone, do not

worry, you will meet new friends. Speaking

of, the St Lawrence Gap is nearby and it

is another great place to have fun. If you

want to shake a leg, go dancing at Sugar

Ultra Lounge or the Reggae Lounge.

If you just want to socialise, meet new

people, listen to music, and eat some of the

tastiest fi sh on the island, go to Oistins on

Friday nights. It serves up an interesting,

unique experience that is sort of a Bajan

tradition. If you ask someone about what

they’ll be doing on Friday night, the most

common answer will be “Oistins!”

The night before our fl ight back, we

decided to go to Harbour Lights to put a

fi tting end to what was our best vacation

ever! Harbour Lights is a nightclub located

at the beach where you can dance to the

beats of diff erent music, including the local

music called soca. This is a really fun place,

decorated with pretty colourful lights on

the palms and decorative fi re all around. I

danced a lot but I must admit, I could not

compete with the locals in dancing to

soca. They are just incredible dancers!

Our stay was too short. One week was

just a teaser. There were so many more

places to visit and to discover. Everyone

felt the same way except me. I felt that

something had aff ected me much more

deeply. Something attracted me to this

alluring land at another level. I got the

feeling of making a leap of faith, jumping

into the beautiful unknown, and allowing

myself to let my dreams become reality.

I fell in love with Barbados at fi rst sight,

and as they say, love gives you wings. I

got mine and decided to change my life.

I returned to Montreal, but only to say

goodbye and to start my adventure in

Barbados. I left my job, packed my bags,

and took a plane back.

Bottom Bay, St Philip

8

Calendar Of Events

DEC

EMB

ERJA

NU

AR

YFEB

RU

AR

Y

Sun. 6 St Winifred’s Annual Pantomime: Peter Pan, 6 p.m. St Winifred’s School Hall, Pine Gardens, St. Michael

Tues. 9 Free Sunset Concert – Christmas On The Green, 6 p.m.

Church Village Green, Bridgetown

Thurs. 11 JazzMatazz with the NJ30 Acoustic at the Old Jamm Inn,

9 p.m. St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church

Fri. 2 Beach Bonfi re and Breadfruit, 7 p.m. Hilton Barbados Resort,

Needhams Point, St Michael

Sun. 4 Holders Organic Farmers’ Market & Country Lime, 9 a.m. Holders House, Holders Hill, St. James

Fri. 16 The Mount Gay Round Barbados Race Series 2015 Barbados Cruising Club, Aquatic Gap, Bay Street, St. Michael

Sat. 28 Scarlet Gala: The Preservation of Barbados’ Rich Heritage

Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Garrison,

St Michael

9

Sun. 21 Jazz with Cici and Mike at Crave Restaurant, 8 p.m. Crave Restaurant, St Lawrence

Gap, Christ Church

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

Sat. 24 Community Dance Fest –National Finals, 6 p.m.

Garfi eld Sobers Sports Complex, Wildey,

St Michael

10

Activities

Underwater Barbados

1111

ContentsActivities

arbados’ crystal clear waters

certainly do not require any

special equipment for you to

see to the bottom – only your

eyes. But, some of the most beautiful

underwater attractions require you to go

out a little farther into waters a little deeper.

For those of you who are interested in the

aquatic beauty of Barbados, you should

defi nitely try scuba diving. There are

some spectacular reefs and wrecks in the

deep blue that surrounds you.

Barbados is the only Caribbean island

built on solid limestone and coral. The

beaches gently slope into the deep

ocean. In these waters, there are a

number of both hard and soft coral

species, combining amazing colours with

a mesmerising ecosystem all nurtured

by the abundance of sunlight fi ltering

through the water.

Notably, there are also several well

trained, experienced, and professional

dive operators to guide you to these

sites. If you really want to see what the

underwater world is like, there are deep-

sea diving services off ered by dive shops

across the island that will take you. There

are many diff erent reefs and wrecks

around the island that cater to a range of

divers from beginner to advanced.

Bell Buoy is a dome-shaped reef

popular for its brown coral forests, sloping

landscape, and schools of fi sh. With many

diff erent coral environments, Bell Buoy

is both an exciting and educational dive

especially if you are interested in marine

life.

One of the more popular dive sites,

also suited for beginners, are the wrecks

in Carlisle Bay, St Michael. There are four

wrecks in this bay that draw divers from

all over the world – the Berwyn, Elion,

C-Trek, and Fox. Underwater, swim along

with tropical fi sh, eels, frog fi sh, sea

horses, and so much more.

For the more advanced diver, try one

of the dive sites on the east and north

coasts. These are defi nitely not to be

attempted by beginners! Cold Atlantic

water, breaking waves, intricate channels,

and heavy currents make these the

perfect underwater adrenalin rush. Even if

you are an experienced diver, it is highly

recommended that you be guided by local

dive operators familiar with the areas.

B

Scuba Diving – Reefs and Wrecks

Explore the beauty Barbados has to off er

Elegance Catamaran:Luxury, Style and pure Elegance

12

ContentsActivities

rom the second you book a

luxury catamaran cruise on board

Elegance, you’ll instantly know

you’ve made the best decision.

For Elegance is a unique luxury boutique

catamaran in an unrivalled class of its own.

Your unique catamaran experience

starts from the second you’re picked up

and chauff eured in style to the Bridgetown

Harbour where Elegance and its crew await.

And you can see why it was christened

Elegance, because that is exactly what it is

– pure elegance from bow to stern with its

clean white lines and stunning luxury teak

interior.

The captain Cally, his wife Sarah, and the

rest of the crew greet you quayside with

the warmest of welcomes. As they escort

you on board, you immediately feel relaxed

knowing that you are in safe, experienced

hands, and almost part of the family. 

Once the sails are set and Elegance

glides gracefully out of the harbour into

the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean,

the highly experienced crew smoothly

transpose into attentive fi rst-class waiters,

F

Co

mp

lime

nts

Ele

ga

nce

Ca

tam

ara

n

13

Caption

almost to the extent that you feel you have

your own personal service.

Premium beers, spirits, wines, and soft

drinks are served continuously as Elegance

glides eff ortlessly up the coast past some

of the most beautiful bays on the island,

including Freshwater Bay and Sandy Lane

Beach. And as you reach the furthest most

point of the cruise, Elegance slows to halt

and drops anchor. Here the crew transform

from fi rst-class waiters into top underwater

divers and present you with the opportunity

to snorkel the crystal clear waters alongside

myriads of colourful fi sh, over three

amazing sunken wrecks, and come face to

face with the native turtles while swimming

– an unbelievably breathtaking experience.

  Once all are safely escorted back

on board, Elegance weighs anchor and

majestically moves off to a peaceful,

picturesque bay for a beautifully prepared

Bajan lunch. After lunch there is the

opportunity to go snorkelling once again

in the warm, crystal clear waters before

Elegance slowly turns and heads for home.

Again, the personal service continues

throughout the remainder of the cruise, and

as Elegance gracefully comes to rest back in

the Bridgetown Harbour and you disembark,

there is only one thought on your mind –

repeating this amazing experience once

again.

 This is not a party boat! This is Elegance,

this is luxury catamaran sailing at its fi nest!

Elegance off ers aff ordable luxury sailing

from the extremely popular Lunch Escape

to the stunning Sunset Dinner Cruise.

Customised, exclusive, and private charters

are also available for a truly memorable

experience.

Cruise times are from 9:30 a.m. to

2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and all prices

include meals, premium alcoholic and soft

beverages, and transfers.

Swim with the turtles in Barbados

t’s very likely that one of the main

reasons you’ve come to Barbados

has to do with our gorgeous, world-

famous beaches. We’re very proud

of the unmatched majesty of our coasts and

are thrilled to be able to share them with

you. Here are ten of the best beaches on

the island in no particular order; grab a map

and a cooler and see how many you can

fi nd.

Harry Smith This bay is located in the Parish of St Philip.

To access the beach, you’ll need to drive

through a pasture and park amidst the ruins

of a grand old mansion and its guest house,

and then wander to the edge of the cliff to

fi nd the stairway down to the bay. From the

cliff top, the view of the bay is very dramatic;

it might be one of the most beautiful sights

you’ll encounter in Barbados. The beach

itself is small and punctuated with isolated

rocks and lazy palm trees, while the bay is

divided by a border reef which creates a

shallow wading area and is within the great

blue Atlantic beyond.

Sandy Lane Sandy Lane Bay in St James is home to the

world-renowned hotel of the same name,

and its no wonder the location has been

deemed one of the best in the world. The

gentle waves of the Caribbean Sea lap in

at the powder white sand. There are water

sports to be enjoyed on the beach or you

can just lie in the warm sunshine and soak

it all in.

Gibbes BayFurther north along the Platinum Coast,

just on the southern border of the parish of

St Peter is Gibbes Bay. Gibbes is one the

typical west coast beaches that Barbados

has become famous for. The bay is dotted

with gorgeous holiday homes and swaying

shade trees. The sea is clear, gorgeous and

ContentsActivities

I

Top 10 Beaches in Barbados

14

Ba

sil G

riffi

th

Harry Smith

16

ContentsActivities

Gibbes Bay

16

ContentsActivities

warm. As with many west coast beaches

there are water sports available but Gibbes

is one of the quieter spots along the coast.

On a Sunday or public holiday, you’re likely

to fi nd many local boaters anchored in the

bay, enjoying the peace and beauty Gibbes

Bay provides.

Worthing BeachAlong the main south coast road, just at

the bottom of Rendezvous, Christ Church,

is a small public access to the beach. This

access point is easy to miss as it’s located

between two private properties which is

one of the reasons Worthing Beach is so

quiet. This long stretch of soft white sand

is perfect for a lovely romantic stroll on the

beach. Look out for the elusive sea turtles

as this is one of their favourite hang-outs.

PebblesPebbles Beach is technically a part of

Carlisle Bay but is somewhat isolated.

It can be found on the southern end of

the bay just before the Hilton, along its

grand entrance drive. On this beach, you’ll

fi nd the Radisson Acquatica Resort with

its beautiful pier, which has become a

landmark of our coastline.

Batts RockHeading up the west coast main road,

having just left bustling Bridgetown behind

you, there’s a winding road down to one

of the most beautiful beaches on the

island. Batts Rock is a favourite stop for the

catamaran cruises and it’s no wonder why.

This short bay has ample shade provided

by both manchinele and palm trees. The

water is shallow and crystal clear. At the

north end of the beach is a small cave

perfect for the young, eager explorers in

your group and the cliff top homes create a

picture of paradise that you may have been

dreaming of for some time.

River BayRiver Bay is one of the northernmost

beaches on the island, located in the parish

of St Lucy the geography is drastically

Am

ery

Bu

tch

er

17

diff erent from the beaches of the south and

west coasts. At River Bay, you’ll fi nd rolling

hills, sharp cliff s, shallow reefs, blow holes

and, of course, a lazy river for which it was

named. Swimming is not advised here but

it is a perfect picnic spot. Take a short hike

up the hill and gaze out across the cliff s at

the raging Atlantic and all that lies north of

our little isle.

Dover BeachDover, named after the port in England,

but nothing like it, lies to the south of the

bustling St Lawrence Gap. This is a very

active and tourist-friendly location, and

you’ll fi nd many arts and crafts vendors

as well as eateries and amenities such as

showers and clean bathrooms conveniently

located right on the beach. Water sports

abound at Dover and it’s the perfect place

to try out jet-skiing or the banana boat.

Although there aren’t any strong currents,

the sea is very active here and there’s

always a lifeguard on duty to ensure your

safety.

Long BeachLong Beach is, well, long. If you’re looking

for a place to take a long, relaxing, romantic

stroll on the beach then there’s nowhere

better than Long Beach. Long Beach is

located on the south-east coast of the island,

near to the Grantley Adams Airport. Long

Beach is one of the favoured beaches for

kitesurfi ng and windsurfi ng. Even if you’re

open to trying these sports yourself, you may

get quite the show.

Ginger BayGinger Bay is also on the south-east coast.

Ginger Bay can be found near to the old Sam

Lord’s Castle. This is one of the many remote

and isolated beaches on the island and if you

do venture to Ginger Bay, you’re likely to be

the only ones there. Imagine you’re a cast-

away and enjoy the solitude of your own

“private beach”. Ginger Bay is dotted with

magnifi cently tall coconut trees and large

rock formations which were once part of the

mainland. The sea tends to be a bit rough

here so do be careful when swimming.

Am

ery

Bu

tch

er

Dover Beach

18

ContentsActivities

Golf In Barbados

The impressive courses on the island

have each been designed by some of the

most respected golf course designers in the

world. Barbados’ fi rst public championship

course was actually redesigned by Ron

Kirby, a very experienced golf course

architect. This popular course features

open fairways, coral bunkers, two lakes, and

large trees. There are regular tournaments

catering to all ages and abilities.

Another popular course is one

designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Hailed for its seamless integration into

the landscape, this course is highly

recommended and is widely recognised

as one of Jones Jr’s best. Nearby, there

are two 18-hole courses designed by

Tom Fazio. One of them is private and is

considered to be one of the top courses in

the region, if not the world.

With the opening of a new prestigious

residential development on the island, yet

another golf course is joining the ranks.

Launched in conjunction with Landmark

Lank, one of the world’s most successful

golf resort and residential companies, and

Wentworth, a world-renowned Golf and

Country Club, this course is elevated to

provide unparalleled views of the coast. It

features undulating hills, rocky outcrops,

ravines and lakes and has been referred to

as a natural masterpiece.

In 2006, Barbados hosted the World

Cup of Golf, capturing the honour of being

the smallest country in the world ever

to do so. Held at one of Sandy Lane’s

courses designed by Fazio, the event

was a tremendous success and attracted

many of the world’s best players. As

Barbados continues to gain credibility as a

top golfi ng destination, there are plans in

place to develop even more PGA standard

courses. Grab a putter and book a round

with friends, Barbados is the place to be.

arbados has fast become one

of the most desired locations on

the international golf circuit. If

you are looking for the perfect

round, then look no further than the four

world-class, 18-hole championship golf

courses on the island. These stunning

but challenging courses are suitable for

beginners as well as professionals. After

all, who wouldn’t want to play golf against

the backdrop of clear skies and sandy

beaches?

BGolfi ng in paradise

19

teetime@barbadosgolfclub.com • barbadosgolfclub.com

njoy a fascinating experience

in the warm tropical breezes as

you embark on one of the water

adventures waiting to be explored

on the Barbados coastline. Whether it is

parasailing, paragliding, kayaking, sailing,

scuba, kitesurfi ng or snorkelling, the choice

is limited only by how far you’re prepared

to push yourself.

If you’re up for the challenge, you will

defi nitely want to try windsurfi ng. However,

as a novice you might spend more time

in the water or on your back than you

anticipated – but once you get it, there’s

nothing like riding the waves.

Another exciting water sport is water-

skiing. It is the most popular of our water

sports and is similar to snow skiing, but

instead of propelling yourself, you are

pulled by a speedboat.

For the daredevils, a great adrenaline-

pumping activity can be found on wave

runners or jet skis. They can seat up to

three people and are easy to operate.

Whatever piques your interest, there

20

E

Water Adventures

are water sport vendors on most bays,

beaches, and coves in Barbados; they are

usually very friendly and keen to help and

instruct fi rst-timers.

Whether on the calmer waters of the

west coast and south coast or the exciting

waves of the east coast, in Barbados there

is no end of adventure in every activity.

How to waterski

• Put the rope between the skis.

• Bend and pull legs close to the body.

• Keep skis straight with the tips out of the

water.

• As the boat pulls off , hold the rope tightly

– do not try to get up on your own.

• Allow the boat to pull you up.

• Keep knees bent and arms straight while

holding the bar tightly.

• Pull backwards ever so slightly. Do not

lean forward.

• Allow the pull of the rope to bring you

up; keep knees bent until you are up.

Enjoy!

ContentsActivities

Cuisine

23

Food Crazes in Barbados and Sushi

now with the demand for sushi in Barbados

being so high, it has exploded onto every

food stall imaginable. From bars to coff ee

shops, this little delicacy is now everywhere

to be found.

Sushi has also been deemed to be a

healthy way of eating. People see the

fresh fi sh, raw vegetables and think of

healthy food. I do admit that the freshest

of ingredients and how it is prepared

make it seem very healthy. But sushi can

be high in sodium and also high on the

glycaemic index. This can make it a poor

choice of food for certain people. Also,

with the westernised form of sushi with

fried foods and mayonnaise sauces, it

can be high in calories. Some chefs have

found alternatives to this through the use

of brown rice, quinoa, and low-sodium soy

sauces.

’ve been a chef for almost 25

years and in my travels to diff erent

countries and living in a few

places, I have seen a lot of foods

and food trends. Now, when I returned to

Bim, I noticed a lot of these foods come

up and stay around for some time like

a fashion item, then disappear like they

never happened.

Here in Barbados, I have noticed a few

foods trends over the years but this one

seems to be here to stay, and I am also one

of the competitors in the race.

Sushi came into the world many moons

ago as street food, but has now hit the

western market and blown up to be a food

craze such as tacos and Texan smoked

meats over in the United States.

In Barbados, you used to only be able

to get this product in a few restaurants,

I

ContentsCuisine

Even the number of people starting

to eat this so-called “raw” product is

widening. But how wrong we are since not

all sushi is raw! Not even half of it. A lot of

sushi is using marinated, seared, steamed,

or tempura battered fi sh and seafood. The

western-style sushi is even using meats

such as panko crusted pork and chicken.

You will even see braised oxtail and short

rib of beef in certain places. But the

Eastern classical sushi concentrates on the

beautiful fi sh and seafood that has become

the base of this wonderful craze.

But let’s not get sidetracked. Sushi is

an art form, and an amazing way to taste

fresh fl avours and some of the most bizarre

ingredients. Sushi made by someone who

has the skill is an amazing adventure that

will enlighten your taste buds.

Here in Barbados, we are blessed to

have such a wonderful array of fresh fi sh.

It’s a sushi chef’s dream. The fi sh we eat

here sometimes takes days to get to

restaurants in other countries. Here, we

simply pop down to the fi sh market and

haggle a few dollars for a wonderful piece

of fresh fi sh. And most of these fi sh can be

used in sushi such as tuna, snapper, fl ying

fi sh, grouper, barracuda, tabio and lobster.

When the rainy season comes is my

favourite time to make sushi. All the boats

bring in the sweet pot fi sh that go so well

with the summer fruits. There is nothing like

the smell of steaming seasoned rice and

the fresh smell of peeled mango waiting to

adorn your maki roll.

Cuisine

24

WHAT TO DO; WHERE TO GO?

25

26

Cuisine

n Barbados, the greatest fi sh cutters

are sometimes found in unlikely

places, and such is the case with a

couple of the treats that made our

list after we explored the island’s fi sh cutter

scene.

Mr. DeliciousWhile its Miami Beach location has

positioned Mr. Delicious as a hit among

beach-goers, there is always a notably

steady infl ux of diners who only come to

the area for one thing – the food.

If you’re ever in the area be sure to

order its fl ying fi sh cutter, which consists

of a perfectly fried, well seasoned fl ying

fi sh fi let, lettuce, tomato, and salt bread.

With a nice variety of condiments to further

bolster this already fl avourful sandwich, Mr.

Delicious is a guaranteed fi x any time you

have a craving.

CuttersWith a plethora of cutter options ranging

from ham to smoked beef, the fl ying fi sh

cutter is a hands-down favourite and it

isn’t hard to see why. One cutter is stuff ed

with two fl ying fi sh stacked between

a warm salt bread that is cut in thirds,

with each side lathered with a home-

made mayo-based sauce. As if that isn’t

enough, Cutters completes the meal with

a generous serving of macaroni pie fresh

from the oven.

Barbados’ Best Fish Cutters

IMr. Delicious D

an

ny

Fe

nty

27

Cuz’s Fish StandThe world-rated Cuz’s. Words can’t

describe how good this cutter is, but here

goes nothing.

You’ll be wishing you bought two of

these creations the minute you bite into this

juicy cutter’s layers of salt bread, cheddar

cheese, lettuce and fried egg (don’t knock

it until you try it). By the time you’re done,

you’ll see why Newsweek Magazine listed

Cuz’s in its “101 Best Places To Eat In The

World”.

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

Cutters

Cuz’s

Da

nn

y F

en

ty

Da

nn

y F

en

ty

ContentsActivities

28

3 Mixologists You Should Know

RYAN ADAMSON

CURRENT BAR:

Mount Gay Visitor’s Centre

HOW LONG HE’S BEEN BARTENDING:

I’ve been in this industry for six years.

FAVOURITE DRINK TO MAKE:

Blood Sweat & Tears (Mount Gay XO,

lime wedge, falernum, and cranberry

juice)

FAVOURITE DRINK TO ORDER:

Mount Gay Black Barrel and ginger ale

WHEN NOT AT THE BAR:

At home reading and playing around in

the kitchen. I eat, sleep and drink drinks.

INSPIRATION:

International brand ambassador

Chester Browne

ALEX RADULOVIC

CURRENT BAR:

MOJO

HOW LONG HE’S BEEN BARTENDING:

I’ve been in the industry for two years.

FAVOURITE DRINK TO MAKE:

Margarita (gold tequila, Grand Marnier,

half lime, half lemon, simple syrup, and

orange juice)

FAVOURITE DRINK TO ORDER:

Bloody Caesar (vodka, clamato juice,

Tabasco, celery, celery salt, and

Worcester sauce)

WHEN NOT AT THE BAR: I usually

drink with my friends and just chill. But

honestly the bar is like a second home.

INSPIRATION:

I had a friend who was bartending and

I used to do it on the side with him and

I once saw him doing stuff at work and

thought it was pretty intense.

Cuisine

29

DAVID BARKER

CURRENT BAR:

Tapas

HOW LONG HE’S BEEN BARTENDING:

I’ve been in the industry for 17 years and I

eventually moved on to doing culinary arts

and then I went into bartending.

FAVOURITE DRINK TO MAKE:

Reese’s Pieces (amaretto, crème de cacao

dark, peanut butter, crème chocolate, and

caramel)

FAVOURITE DRINK TO ORDER:

I am a connoisseur of alcohol. That’s a trick

that keeps me creating. I’m always excited by

new fl avours and combinations.

WHEN NOT AT THE BAR:

I’m spending time with my wife. I watch movies

and try to stay away from the party scene.

INSPIRATION:

Too many times in my life I have failed but I

never saw it as an obstacle. I always saw it as

a stepping stone. It’s about self-progression

every day for me. My mantra is “changing the

world one drink at a time”.

Insi

gh

t D

igita

l

Christmas morning in Queen’s Park

31

Culture

h, the heavenly smell of sweet

bread baking, the dazzling lights

that light up neighbourhoods, and

classic carols ringing through the

air – it truly is one of the most wonderful

times of the year!

Christmas in Barbados is an amazing

experience. The focus is placed on family

and you can be sure that if at no other time,

this is when you see the cousins you may

have forgotten you have. There are many

traditions that have been passed down

from generation to generation and even

carried to other countries by Bajans living

abroad.

With no real changing of the seasons,

our version of spring cleaning is Christmas

cleaning. It is the time when most houses

go through a major purge. It is customary

to change the curtains and make the

house look extra special with beautiful

decorations and lights on the exterior. The

smell that fi lls houses on Christmas Eve

in Barbados is not of cookies put out for

Santa – it’s of disinfectant and furniture

A polish!

If there is one tradition that does not

need to be pointed out, it is the lights.

Roundabouts, corporate buildings,

residential houses – all decorated as

beautifully as a Christmas tree. Many go

to great lengths to ensure their houses are

the most impressive in the neighbourhood.

Hand in hand with this is the tradition of

driving around the island to admire the

luminous attractions.

For most, Christmas Day is rung in at

church. Most Bajans attend service at

5 a.m. Christmas morning. Sometimes, this

may be the only time they attend church

for the year.

After church, it’s time to make your

way to Queen’s Park. The red carpet at

the Grammy Awards has very little on the

Christmas morning fashion parade here in

Barbados. The young and the old proudly

fi ll the promenade decked out in some of

their fi nest dresses and suits, creating a

spectacle unlike anything you’ll ever see

elsewhere.

Christmas Traditions

32

Culture

How Plantation Homes Influenced Modern Designs Today

here has been increasing interest

in plantation-style homes or other

homes with architectural nostalgia.

Through this growing trend, it’s

very interesting to look at the architectural

landscape of a small island such as

Barbados and refl ect on the evolution

of great European styles of architecture

brought to us so long ago.

Although the Spanish had a great deal

of infl uence on our early architecture, the

English, French and Dutch brought other

inspirations. Old plantation homes are an

excellent refl ection of the diff erent types

of design, and from them we can see

how those styles have aff ected today’s

buildings.

One of the European styles which really

stands out in Barbados is the Jacobean

style which consists of relatively plain

exteriors, with large windows, both heavy and

symmetrical, and features a widespread

use of gabled roofs.

The gabled roof design associated with

the Jacobean style can also be seen in

the chattel houses that dot our little isle.

Quoins were greatly used in Jacobean

architecture; they were usually placed

on corners of buildings and were initially

used to hide construction but became a

fashionable part of our Caribbean style

and as a result, are now found on many

modern buildings.

The use of sash, demarara, and jalousie

windows, which could all be found on

plantation homes, are widespread in many

buildings ranging from private homes,

hotels, and even celebrities’ private

getaways.

Other elements of the Jacobean

style which are common in Barbados’

architectural landscape include the bell

TTyrol Cot

33

pelmet, which are window hoods; pediments

and columns, which can be easily spotted in

Belleville or even on well known west coast

structures; key stones found over windows

as a form of decoration, Sedan-chair porches,

which are an English-style box-shaped porch;

verandahs, and even courtyards.

Architecture is an art form which is

constantly changing, advancing and

infl uencing diff erent places in diff erent

ways. Our remaining picturesque plantation

homes are physical memories and lessons

of the diff erent styles handed down to us by

our European ancestors. However, modern

homes refl ect the lasting eff ect these styles

have had on our culture and our style.

Soon, these modern buildings will be old

and people will look back on them to fi nd

ways to reuse, or improve the styles further

for their own creations, and the cycle of

architecture will live on.

Well preserved chattel house located in Wildey

Tyrol Cot

34

The Concorde: An Experience

Having thrilled spectators worldwide and

locally, the symbol of luxurious aviation

and sophistication ceased service in 2003,

signalling the end of an era.

As its most profi table destination,

Barbados proudly accepted Concorde

G-BOAE (Alpha Echo), and since 2006

the engineering marvel has been housed

in the well-appointed Barbados Concorde

Experience facility.

Managed by Goddard Enterprises

Limited and funded by the Barbados

n its heyday, the Concorde was the

epitome of luxury and pomp for the

world’s wealthiest, ranging from jet-

setters, royals, to rock stars alike.

Away from the glitz, the supersonic

aircraft also embodied modernity with

its elegance and advanced engineering,

seamlessly matching style with substance.

British Airways’ Concorde fl eet operated

from London to some of the most esteemed

and distinguished destinations in the world,

namely Paris, New York and Bridgetown.

I

Culture

35

Ba

sil G

riffi

th

Caption

Tourism Investment Inc., the facility

aff ords locals and visitors the opportunity

to learn about the Concorde’s history

during an hour-long guided tour. Open

daily from 9 a.m. through to 5 p.m., the

sprawling multiuse space also caters to a

plethora of needs and is fully equipped to

host a multitude of events.

Having brought Queen Elizabeth

to the island’s shores back in 1977,

the Concorde supported Barbados’

reputation in the high-end travel market

with consistent weekly fl ights. Even

though it no longer graces the skies,

its repose at the Barbados Concorde

Experience has ensured that both visitors

and locals will have physical access to a

revered piece of history.

Whether your interest is piqued by

the Concorde’s prestige and sophistication

or you are looking for a well equipped

facility to host an event as unforgettable

as the Concorde itself, the Barbados

Concorde Experience is the place to be.

Come see for yourself what the facility has

to off er.

Shopping

Insi

gh

t D

igita

l

Limegrove

37

Shopping

S

Shoppers’ Paradise

taking beaches and a cosy residential

area are Rockley, Hastings, Worthing,

St Lawrence and Dover. With Hastings

recently adding the convenient Lanterns

Mall across the road from the beach, you

can always fi ll up on some food while you

shop at this lavish mall.

Not too far from there is Sheraton Mall in

Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church, which is

the mall that has it all. If you’re tempted to

grab a quick movie in between shopping,

then you’re in the right place as it facilitates

this luxury. While over on the west coast of

the island is Holetown, which is the place

to go if you are looking for a more upscale,

shopping experience.

Over in St Peter there is Speightstown,

which is mainly known for its variety

of artistic pieces neatly displayed in

numerous art galleries. The nostalgic town

whose buildings refl ect an enriched history

is more geared towards art lovers although

providing retail therapy for shopaholics.

et a date on your calendar and once

you have, prepare for one of the best

days in paradise. Wear something

comfortable because going shopping

in Barbados can be addictive since visitors

often target fi ve boutiques or two malls

but with the off ers throughout the main

shopping areas in Barbados and the

friendly people, it is hard to resist this this

retail therapy.

Starting with the capital, Bridgetown,

which is like a one-stop shop seeing

that it has everything you can imagine,

including jewellery, electronics, clothing,

accessories, among others. Known also

for its aff ordability, Bridgetown is the

pulse of the country as its atmosphere is

welcoming while its picturesque scenery

on the border mentally eases the hustle

and bustle of shopping.

Similar in scenery and aff ordability is the

shopping area along the south coast of

the island. Nestled in the middle of breath-

ou can be sure you’ll fi nd a fair share

of chain stores, malls and quaint

boutiques throughout our capital,

Bridgetown, and at major tourist

locations along our west and south coasts.

But Barbados is also home to many

extremely talented craft people including

potters, weavers, painters and batik artists.

The colours of the island, versatility and

skill of these artisans are depicted in many

forms. You can purchase original artwork,

pottery, hand-painted clothing and prints

from a number of places – all providing

wonderful mementos of your trip to our

beautiful island.

Some of Barbados’ most popular craft

markets are conveniently located and

easily accessible.

For starters, there’s Pelican Craft Centre

at Pelican Village, Bridgetown.

This centre was named after Pelican

Island, a small uninhabited island that

once existed off the coast of Bridgetown.

The island received its name from brown

pelicans that chose this island as their

nesting ground.

Pelican Village off ers the very best in local

handiwork. Art and craft stores abound,

and you can choose from woodwork,

metalwork, fi ne art, straw products, pottery,

clothing, and jewellery.

A few minutes’ walk from Pelican Village

is Cheapside, where craftsmen provide

some of the best leather shoes, belts, and

jewellery. Handbags, baskets, clothing,

leather products and various craft or other

items are also on sale atcompetitive prices.

Similar products can also be found

38

ContentsShopping

Village Craft

YPelican Craft Centre N

atio

n A

rch

ive

39

at Dover Craft Village, located at Dover

Beach (next door to St Lawrence Gap),

Christ Church. An array of craft items can

be found and friendly sales people wait

ready to serve.

On Accra Beach also in Christ Church, you

can again choose from a varied selection

of beach dresses and wraps, conch shells,

beaded jewellery, and sandals.

Over on the east coast, indulge yourself

with fi ne pieces of pottery when you visit

the popular Chalky Mount pottery and

watch the potter’s wheel at it spins, creating

exotic pieces.

Earth Works Pottery at Shop Hill, St.

Thomas, is not to be missed. A colour

mix of pots, mugs, plates, lamp bases,

chattel houses, and more are ready for the

purchase.

Don’t leave our beautiful country without

taking a piece of local craft with you. This

is a sure way of keeping your memories of

Barbados alive.

40

Nightlife

Ra

wle

Cu

lba

rd

41

Oistins by Night

Nightlife

hen the sun sets in Barbados

there are numerous things to do.

If you prefer to, you can take a

walk under the stars, curl up and

watch a movie, or spend the night out on

the town. The choice is yours.

There is a whole spectrum of nightlife

from which to choose – the small wayside

bar, fi ne dining restaurants, cabaret shows,

nightclubs, cinemas and beach barbecues,

among others.

The nightclub experience will vary from

club to club, and your dining experience

can be as casual or as formal as you desire.

W

Arch

42

arbados can off er peace and

tranquillity for those who seek the

ultimate in relaxation, but for those

who wish to party day and night,

there is a diverse serving of non-stop

action. With a wealth of no-frills rum shops,

fl ashy bars and intimate night clubs, if you

want a place that gets you dancing, look no

further. 

We have highlighted some of the

best party spots, bars and clubs around

Barbados on both the south and west

coasts.

 

John Moore’sOf the many hundreds of rum shops –

tiny, sociable local bars – on Barbados, this

one is quite possibly the most idyllically

located. While the main bar room to the

front faces the west coast road, makeshift

tables in the ramshackle building out the

back are right over a perfect tranche of

untouristy beach. Friendly, with a bus stop

outside.

Address: Weston, St James

Café SolThis lively but not rowdy open-air

margarita bar (which is also a Mexican

restaurant) is the most civilised watering

hole in St Lawrence Gap, and a favourite

with airline crews. Happy hours nightly

from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. – midnight.

The bar also does lots of cocktails other

than margaritasand sangria.

Address: St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church

B

42

Nightlife

Best Nightlife Spots in Barbados

Co

mp

lime

nts

Ca

fé S

ol

Café Sol

43

ContentsShoppingC

om

plim

en

ts C

afé

So

l

St Lawrence Gap

43

4444

Nightlife

Sugar Ultra LoungeIn the premises of what used to be the

Ship Inn, this is the newest and hippest

nightclub in the Gap. It’s an open-air venue,

with state-of-the-art strobe lighting, VIP

booths, and a strict dress code.

Address: St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church

Baxters RoadFor the most authentic Bajan evening

possible, head for  Baxters Road, where

there’s always something cooking Friday

and Saturday nights, even after 11 p.m.

Some old-time visitors have compared

Baxters Road to the back streets of New

Orleans in the 1930s.

Address: Bridgetown, St Michael

Kermitt’sThere 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 there are always lines and crowds

around them. This spot is exemplary.

You know you’re approaching it when

you hear the cacophony of sounds, ranging

from colourful accents and infl ections, to

the slamming of dominoes and, on Tuesday

nights, the belting of karaoke sounds.

Headed away from Oistins, just before

reaching the Barbados Golf Club, you will

discover that this green hive of activity

immediately emits the kind of warmth and

character stereotypically associated with

Barbados.

Address: Thornbury Hill, Christ Church

Co

mp

lime

nts

Ca

fe S

ol

Café Sol

45

Baxters Road

Kermitt’s Bar

Insi

gh

t D

igita

l

45

46

ooking for an evening of spice

and fl avour? Then make your way

down to the Harbour Lights Beach

Extravaganza Dinner Show on

Monday or Wednesday night! This south

coast club, just outside of Bridgetown, has

something for everyone with gorgeous

colours, pulsing rhythms and enthusiastic

entertainment.

The entrancing Tiki-style torches, sandy

beach and the open air setting of the most

exclusive and unique ambience on the

island is a defi nite must see experience

for visitors and locals alike. From balloons

and streamers to Bajan beats, the night is a

welcomed treat for the whole family.

Starting with a live band, you and yours

are sure to be put in the mood for a night

of exhilarating entertainment! If this isn’t

enough, you are sure to be captivated by

the many acts that follow! With a steel pan

sensation, a fi re-easting frenzy, stilt walkers

and the colourful and creative costumed

carnival dancers, the heritage of Barbados

is certainly brought to life.

To compliment the explosive action

performed by the many acts, a fusion

of fantastic local food is available, with

L

Nightlife

Nightlife Living at Harbour Lights

Insi

gh

t D

igita

l

Sweet music of the tuk band

47

Harbour Lights Beach ExtravaganzaCo

mp

lime

nts

Ha

rbo

ur

Lig

hts

47

48

ContentsNightlife

delicious choices straight of the grill

complemented by all the spices you

would expect of this island aff air. The

romancing of fl avour doesn’t end there,

as roasted marshmallows and cake with

a mesmerising chocolate fountain gives

a decadent end to the BBQ feast.

With free fl owing drinks throughout

the evening, Harbour Lights goes even

further with a fully fl edge nightclub

experience when the Dinner Show winds

down. For more of what has been called

“The Ultimate Tropical Party Fusion”, visit

Harbour Lights on Friday nights for their

drinks free party and enjoy the jubilant

Barbadian people. Want something more

relaxed? The Beach Party Sunday is lets

you unwind in front of the sunset before

starting your week ahead.

Whether you’re looking for a live show

for the whole family or a frivolous night of

fun, Harbour Lights has all the festivities

you would expect from a Zagat rated

island entertainment venue.

Co

mp

lime

nts

Ha

rbo

ur

Lig

hts

Experience the sweet sounds of steel pan at Harbour Lights

49

Info

Info On The Go

49

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

Newton, Christ Church

Tel: 227-6

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: barbadosreiki@hotmail.com or

touchofl ight@gmail.com

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 People’s 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: titti@wiit.net

Email: swedishconsulat@wiit.net

Consulate of the Swiss Embassy

24 Cane Garden Heights, St Thomas

Tel: 425-3281

United Kingdom 

E-mail: britishhc@sunbeach.net 

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, 

Bridgetown, St Michael 

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,

Bridgetown, St Michael

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

First 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

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

Explore COVER July 2014 New.eps.ai 1 12/11/14 2:01 PM