Live in Barbados

To mark JetBlue’s new nonstop service fromJFK to Barbados, the low fare all coach airline and the Barbados Tourism Authority have announced an exclusive private concert with the Barbados pop superstar, Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty) at the Hammerstein Ballroomin New York City on December 3. 

The concert celebrates the pop diva’s new album “Rated R.” The concert is not available for public purchase, but fans will have a chance to win tickets through radio and online promotions.

In addition, JetBlue announced a “New York to Barbados” creative photo contest through social media outlets including Twitter and Facebook, inviting customers to celebrate JetBlue’s new nonstop service to Rihanna’s hometown and the launch of her new CD.

Justine Picardie has a nice piece in the Telegraph on Barbados’ colonial past, the Coral Reef Club, St. Nicholas Abbey, Fisherpond and Miss Marple…

There is much about Barbados that has changed since its day as a British colony, but as the gin and tonics clink, you can still see why the island became known as Little England, or Bimshire (the origins of which are obscure). Unlike other Caribbean isles, fought over by a variety of invaders, Barbados was under uninterrupted British control from the first landing of sailors in 1625 until the coming of independence in 1966. There seems to be an even greater concentration of cricket pitches and polo fields here than in the Home Counties, and the place names, like the architecture, are testament to its colonial past (Chancery Lane, Clapham, Hastings, Scarborough).

via Barbados: Sun, sea and G&T – Telegraph.

I have been out of the “Loop” for this past week, as my wife and I took a much needed Vacation to the island of Barbados. Many of you know we live in the sticks so getting to the Airport takes some planning. The night before our scheduled 6am flight we stayed in a airport hotel in Boston.

via Real Estate Blog – Boston to Barbados And Back..

Despite a persistent economic downturn with no clear end in sight, luxury hotels are cropping up on islands big and small. The suites are lavish, the spas are pampering, and as for infinity pools, there seems to be no end to them.

With guarded optimism in the air, airlines are adding flights to destinations across the Caribbean, and entrepreneurs and tourism boards are rolling out new activities like kite-boarding festivals and historical zip-lining tours.

But will this new outlook stand up to the continuing effects of the downturn, which caused a loss of about a quarter-million American tourists for the region last year?

via Something New Under the Caribbean Sun.

Still at the top of most people’s list, Barbados will be the new vacation spot for Britain’s biggest ever lotto winners who scooped a massive USD76 million jackpot.

See full article.

Just read this article that was released in the Los Angeles Times – of all places.  It is well written and for those who cherish their food,  some very true and good references on Bajan cuisine.

I came to Barbados for the flying fish sandwiches. ¶ Not that this small island at the easternmost edge of the Caribbean doesn’t offer other attractions. Like perfect weather. And beaches that come in two flavors — Caribbean, which has a sea that is turquoise and tranquil, and into which the sun sets spectacularly every evening, and Atlantic, where the coastline is rocky and the sand is the color and consistency of cake flour. ¶ Then there are the Barbadians themselves, people who are the very definition of friendly locals. And the fact that 300 years of British rule have left the island with some interesting Anglo-Caribbean quirks, including stone churches straight out of “Jane Eyre” and cricket players with dreadlocks. ¶ Still for me, it was the flying fish sandwiches. And the macaroni pie. And the pepper sauce. Definitely the pepper sauce. ¶ Because in my mind, the most compelling reason to travel anyplace is food. And Zagat — holy book of the foodie traveler — has proclaimed Barbados the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.

See full article.

Hike Barbados – Sundays January through December
See the range of Barbados’ natural beauty—and do some last-minuting toning before hitting the beach—by hiking through the cane fields, gullies, tropical forests and coastal communities. The free three-hour hikes depart from different locations on the island. You can choose from two-mile jaunts to nine-mile treks in either the morning, afternoon or evening.

Slam-a-Dom Extravaganza – January 21, 23, 24
Apparently, the sport of dominoes—we had no idea it was considered a “sport”—is huge among Barbadians. So much so that they created the international Slam-a-Dom tournament to promote it. We’ll bring our face paint and get our wave ready for the competition.

Waterman Festival – February 6-7
Since it’s an island, of course there has to be a fest dedicated to water sports. The Waterman Festival celebrates surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing with a series of competitive events. Activities take place all over the island and are mainly for the pros, but amateurs can give it a go as well.

Crop Over Festival – July 3–August 2
Crop Over is Barbados’ biggest, loudest and best-loved festival. Dating back to the 1780s, when the island was one of the largest sugar producers in the world, the end of the sugar cane harvest was marked with a big bash, and the tradition continues today. The party doesn’t stop for five weeks with live music, dancing, carnivals, markets, cultural presentations and more. The fun ends on Kadooment Day (August 3) with a festival and parade, complete with colorful costumes, calypso music and plenty of rum.

Barbados International Film Festival – December 1-5
This annual festival features independent cinema from all over the world, but the reason to see it is the locally made Caribbean and Latin American flicks.

The BTA are really coming up with some great ideas to help bring people to the island!

Barbadians living in the UK had an opportunity to meet with the nation’s Prime Minister, David Thompson, when he traveled to London on September 25 for a week long visit.

A major aspect of this trip was a special event in Reading, Berkshire, where he announced the launch of Barbados Family and Friends (BFF) Club, a unique initiative, developed by the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA). Targeting the Barbados Diaspora in key overseas markets, the aim of the scheme is to increase visitor arrivals to Barbados by rewarding members who encourage people to travel to Barbados, whether they are friends, family, neighbours or colleagues.

Members of the BFF Club can earn points for each visitor they refer, who travels to Barbados. Points will be awarded on air travel to Barbados as well as for accommodation in hotels and guesthouses.

See full article here.

The island of Barbados recently unveiled in New York, the design and concept behind its new ‘Long Live Life’ campaign developed by MMG Worldwide. The destination brand campaign is a celebration of the island’s rich history, culture, food and music, bringing to life the vibrant passion for life reflected by Barbadian nationals. Visitors to Barbados Tourism Authority’s web site, www.VisitBarbados.org, will soon discover a newly re-launched, interactive site, set to launch November 2009, designed as the centralized hub for interacting with all things Barbados, as well as creating an easy to use ‘tool’ to tailor-make an experiential Barbados vacation.

See full article.