Live in Barbados

An article in today’s Barbados Advocate:

Artificial islands a viable option?

It is no secret that the available land space in this country is quite limited, and with more and more tourism-related developments popping up every and anywhere, some Barbadians are starting to wonder if there will be enough land left for them to own a piece of the rock.

It is for this reason, as well as the fact that tourism is our mainstay and needs every opportunity to progress and expand, that I think the idea of creating artificial islands off of the West Coast of Barbados is not a bad idea. That proposal, put forward by real estate magnate Paul Altman, has been on the table for about a year now and as I understand it, would consist of a 250-acre island that would house new tourism-based developments and a second with a size of 50 acres, to serve as a national park. Certainly, not only would it provide alternative accommodation for the tourists who visit these shores and provide employment for more Barbadians, but it could make this country more attractive to the more affluent tourists, which could mean more foreign exchange.

Indeed, this concept of creating islands would be somewhat new to the Caribbean region. Yes, countries have reclaimed land before, Barbados included – the current site of the Bridgetown Deep Water Harbour is what was Pelican Island – but to go to the extent of actually developing an island off the coast has not been done. However, I do think that it would serve to raise our stakes where the tourism industry is concerned.

Read full article here.

Personally I find this very concerning from an environmental impact.  Reports on the grape vine of the artificial islands in Dubai suggest the islands need round the clock maintenance to stop them from washing away.  The real estate market in Dubai has crashed and with that the influx of income to maintain the islands will surely diminish.

BPL would like to know your opinion on this controversial topic!

A Lancashire leisure tycoon has handed the keys to a luxury Caribbean holiday home to a children’s hospice in a bid to raise cash.

John Morphet, the Preston-born multi-millionaire, has given the two-bedroomed apartment on his exclusive Royal Westmoreland Estate on the island of Barbados to Chorley’s Derian House to rent out over the next year.

He hopes it will help raise up to £50,000 towards the £2.25m annual running costs for the hospice, which cares for children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.

Mr Morphet, who still has a home in Milnthorpe on the Lancashire-Cumbria border, said he was inspired to help the charity after learning it receives less than 10% of its funding from the Government.

See full article here.

Caribbean property could see prices increase by a regional average of up to 5%, international property investment consultancy Property Frontiers has announced. The firm says that as international buyers return and tourism climbs back onto its feet developers will seize the opportunity to start reversing any discounts or price falls from as early as April.

“Overseas property sales have been increasing since last April, and the Caribbean has seen among the fastest growth in sales volumes. This is because lifestyle buyers, mostly wealthy ones have been predominant in the market, and the Caribbean is the ultimate lifestyle choice,” said David Cox director of the firm.

“Lifestyle buyers had kept the Caribbean markets going anyway, so prices didn’t have to come down in most places. This leaves developers well placed to capitalise on the increasing demand to increase their turnover,” he added.

See full article here.

Barbados will soon have a direct non-stop flight from South America.

Starting Summer 2010, GOL, the second largest airline in Brazil, will operate a Boeing 737 from Sao Paulo to Bridgetown once a week on Saturdays, with same-plane connections to Buenos Aires, Argentina and connections to Rio de Janeiro at no additional cost.  This will be the second scheduled service from Sao Paulo in Barbados’ history. In the mid-nineties, BWIA operated a flight from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago through Barbados to Sao Paulo.

The new service was born out of meetings which the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), aided by Hon. Consul to Brazil, Jorge Nemr, held with GOL in Sao Paulo and in Barbados in August and September last year. Since then the parties have been in constant contact via e-mail and telephone. The flight will be promoted from March, 2010.

See full article here.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BTA) — Tourism, long believed by economic pundits to be the sector to pull Barbados out of the global economic recession, is already showing tremendous signs of improvement in 2010.

Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) preliminary figures show a 5.3 per cent increase in arrivals as at January 29 over the previous period in 2010, while official 2009 figures show that tourism officials met their target with the sector waning by 8.6 per cent. Early 2009 predictions were for a performance in the region of -8.5 per cent.

At a recent press conference Tourism Minister Richard Sealy, commended the captains of the industry for their sterling efforts that saw job losses kept at a minimal. Meanwhile a number of businesses that buckled under the recession reopened under new management and new branding.

See full article here.

Some of you were enquiring whether locals could apply for the field volunteer position being offered by The Barbados Sea Turtle Project and I have received the following information from the Field Director, Darren C. Browne:

 Locals can most certainly apply. The process is much simpler than that for international volunteers, and the two-month time period does not apply. Simply complete the attached form and send the data back to this email address, along with a copy of your CV. You will be considered along with our other local applicants.

Please click here to download the Field Volunteer application form for The Barbados Sea Turtle Project and please email your completed form along with your CV to: thebstp@yahoo.com

The Barbados Sea Turtle Project is looking for volunteers. This position would suit English speaking students. All you need is the cost of a flight to Bim, acoomodation and cooking facilities are provided.

Field volunteers required for nesting beach monitoring programme for hawksbill turtles – Barbados – The Barbados Sea Turtle Project – environmental jobs at Stopdodo.com.

Tomorrow morning at 6am, a friend of BPL’s is kicking off a Guiness World Record Attempt.

Al Sandeman is attempting to set a new world record for the most amount of birdies (Golf) in one day.

He is attempting to fit in 8 rounds of golf in the 12hrs allocated him.

The Sandy Lane Hotel has kindly allowed him to use the Country Club for his World Record Attempt.

Furthermore, Al is turning the challenge into an opportunity to raise money for charity; The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust.

It is a late call, but I would like to offer all those that read our blogs the opportunity to sponsor Al’s attempt with a Bds$ amount per birdie; Al is aiming for 40!

Please email all offers to maxwell.mulligan@barbadospropertylist.com

Thanx and have a great day!

Today’s Access Barbados newsletter introduces the Barbados National Trust open house programme…

The National Trust’s Open House programme runs January through March 2010.

Every Wednesday a beautiful house in Barbados opens its doors to the public to view from 2.30pm to 5pm.

All types of houses are on show from the grand old plantation houses rich with centuries of history, to newer luxurious Bajan-Style villas.

Check out the February calendar;

Wednesday Feb 3rd 2010
BELLEVUE, Waterford, St Michael

The plantation dates from 1635 and commands a broad view down its manicured slope. This splendid property has been restored and renovated in a way that enhances its special character. Mosaics, converted outbuildings, horses and vast grounds complete the picture.

Wednesday Feb 10th 2010
POLLARD’S MILL, St. Philip

Pollards Mill combines the best of old and new. Built circa 1722, the spacious old stone property has had many lives: as a plantation, a hotel and a fine restaurant. The mill still stands, and the entire complex is surrounded by 2.5 acres of enclosed tropical garden.

Wednesday Feb 17th 2010
FISHERPOND PLANTATION HOUSE, St. Thomas

Fisherpond House is an over 300 year old mansion, built of rubble stone in Caribbean Georgian style, and has been transformed into a jewel, beautifully filled with antiques, paintings and objects d’art.

Wednesday Feb 24th 2010
ST. ANN’S FORT & DRILL HALL

Two of the Garrison’s Historic Military buildings are on show both occupied by The Barbados Defense Force. Built in 1702, the naval magazine displayed in the grounds is the finest known collection of 17th century English iron cannon. The Drill Hall hosts the West India Regiment memorabilia & offers a remarkable view of The Garrison area.

Admission & Directions

Admission prices for the Open House programme are $10 for National Trust members, $15 for BARP members and $20 for non members. For directions to the properties and any further information please email the National Trust.

As Haiti continues its recovery effort, The Crane is hosting a charitable Gala Soiree to support the relief efforts, on Saturday, February 6^th beginning at 7:00pm.

This formal evening will include a delectable gala dinner, premiere entertainment, and a silent auction to raise additional funds.  Silent auction items include Registry Collection hotel stays, airline tickets, rounds of golf, a spa day at Sandy Lane, and much more.

All proceeds will be donated to Haiti relief efforts through the Barbados national coordinated effort.

Tickets for the evening, including dinner, dancing entertainment, and all beverages, are $300 per person.

We invite you to support this worthy cause by purchasing a ticket for the evening.  To pre-book the event, kindly contact us at loveforhaiti@thecrane.com or contact the hotel at 246-423-6220.

We expect this to be a sold-out event so please contact us as soon as possible.

We thank you in advance for your support of this important fundraiser.