And the Winner Is..............

A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.........

Days and nights are each filled with unique and wondrous tidings...Seems like I just went to Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso Semi Finals and tonight are Finals! Have spent some time in between learning some of the songs. I do have a favorite..only cause it makes me laugh and dance around! Was held in Kensington Oval Stadium. Recently built for The World Cricket Games.  It has stands and ground seating. Bobbi, Wayne, Wayne's Mom and I go. We have seating in the stands...but wonder down to the ground seating...Closer to stage and seems more fun. Place is packed and the crowed is ready to be entertained.  Everyone has a thought and opinion about who should and should not win...each song...and movement. Half the fun of the night for me was listening to the asides and conversations between and at times during the performances.This is a huge event in Barbados. It makes American Idol seem like a local talent show.  All went well till intermission...........when the rains came. Bobbi and  wee on the hunt for food and drink when the skies opened. We still got our nourishment....it took a really long time.....rains halted...for awhile......Eventually we gave up and found seats in the stands which were protected from the rain. All the finalists were great and entertained most. Must confess though...I did boo one song and performer. Not going to name names, but was not a song I appreciated at all.

Most of the crowd waited at the Stadium for the results to be given Happy to report my favorite was the winner. David "Popsicle" Hall!. Name of song...Don't Sell Cornwell....:)

Night View Kensington Stadium

Now we of course were hungry again....Its about 1am.. There are all sorts of food and liquid stands set up all around the Stadium and as we leave the aromas are great. We all go hunting and secure nourishment.Revived we walk on to the car. All of us are now happy, sated, and tired.

The idea had been that we would go and watch some of Foreday Morning  Jam. The Foreday Morning Jam in Barbados is a night-time street party with a parade of organized bands of revelers, covered in mud & body paint partying through the streets. It is one of the many Crop Over Events , and is a precursor to the Grand Kandooment Celebrations. Once we were all in the car, it was unanimous to forgo the mud and clay and go home.

The Foreday Morning Jump Up which some describe as the modern version of "Ole Mas" (old masquerade) started in Barbados in 1995 as a small spectacle, but quickly grew to over 15 000 revelers, with more than 1500 associated with bands. Costumes usually depict social issues or are just comical. Guess I will have to return another year to see these events. Hmm Not a bad thought!

Not sure you can get there from here.......

ZR Van

 Traveling it can be brutal. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it....and can leave one breathless..at the very least....

I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.

The plan was to go to the Cherry Tree Hill . Approximately 850 feet above sea-level, this spot offers an excellent view of the "Scotland District" which covers the parish of St.Andrew and is named after the Patron Saint of Scotland. Cherry Tree Hill is part of the St. Nicholas Abby plantation. Built in 1658 this is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. St. Nicholas Abbey Rum is produced at the on-site rum distillery. Sounds like a great day. Great view, lovely building and something to imbibe after.

The weather again influenced the plan. Pouring rain for awhile..Stopped me cold at my favorite Bridgetown coffee shop. Enjoyed a blended ice and coffee while I watched the people pass by, and the steam rose from my  body. It was a very hot day!


Eventually met Brad and off we went to catch  the bus. It came on time...Takes about a half hour to get to our stop. Sat in the back, where there is a constant breeze as long as bus is moving. Made some friends along the way. They advised us that it is a very long walk from the bus stop to Cherry Tree Hill. No one seemed to think it was a good idea....Suggested we might have taken a different bus and gotten closer. Oh well..."Is there any place near to stop to get something to drink?" Sure right as you get off the bus. "Thank you".

Felt the cooling and drying breeze as we  got off the bus and crossed over to the suggested place. Quickly found some outside and shady seating. In just a few minutes we were happily munching on fish sandwiches and drinking rum and cokes. Met some folks from the US and past some conversation. Sat and got comfortable and never made it to Cherry Tree
.
 If we had, these are some of the sights we would have seen:

No complaint...The day was spent as it should have been. Seems life works that way. Finally caught the

"To City" bus and got back to Bridgetown just in time to meet Bobbi and go Lime...at Mile Tree Restaurant . Chicken there is  delicious, drink welcome and company again excellent! ..So you see we did get to see some kind of a tree! The one we were supposed to.

You say you can cook?....OK yes please do so...

The traveler sees whats she sees.  The tourist sees what she has come to see..........

Wake to a really dark room. Phone is ringing.... Brad." Good morning". Morning? Its still dark..NO, oh no...Deluge rain....monster clouds. The world is dark.  "Hi Brad." Yawn..."Call you when I wake up".

Now this is not a nice way to treat me Barbados. I am lodging a complaint! Forecast - rain...followed by...rain...and also periods of rain.. It is beyond humid. Glass doors to balcony are fogged up. When sleep eludes me...well only one thing to do...Make a pot of coffee...Oh and see if anything good is on TV. So happy I have a kitchen! Make an omelet too. Its a stay in PJ's and bed (or couch) day.

I love food, and, I love everything involved with food,  love the fun of it,  love restaurants,  love cooking, although I don't cook very much..... I love kitchens...well coffee pots. I make a great cup (pot) of coffee.

Call Brad back. He offers to cook for me! Like this lots. Have not had a home cooked meal here, and didn't think I would.. Will be a treat..."What would you like to have"?."  "Surprise me".  Bet he will use more than the coffee pot and skillet. Hope so at any rate! Dinner plans made are set.What to do with the day though?

Sunshine through the clouds

Eventually the day does get marginally lighter. By 3:30 it looks like dawn.Take a quick swim, just can't resist..Water is so great and get dressed. My hope for the night: would like to see stars and the Moon would be an added bonus. We will eat on my balcony unless the rain drives us in. 


 A good cook is the peculiar gift of the gods. He must be a perfect creature from the brain to the palate, from the palate to the finger's end



Will have a chance to find out if he can back up his claims...

Dinner was great! Salt fish. veggies and mashed potato. My contribution was a drink I concocted....Bajan A..Maybe mango for desert?

Weather cooperated too, beautiful night...though no Moon to see...So put in  my own. Waves provide really nice accompaniment to good food and conversation. Brad, you can cook for me anytime. Thank you.

P.S....Had a great lunch with Margaret at Tapas Restaurant...very modern interior. Amazing view of waves crashing right beneath your feet. We went there on a rainy Sunday. Were hungry and many places closed till dinner. Food was really great and the menu varied and interesting. Could have spent lots of $$ but we chose wisely and bill was OK. Would think that at night view would be even better!!. Only criticism we wee offered a free drink that never arrived.... We mentioned it once....then after a few more minutes left without it being served. Seems silly to offer and then not deliver. Otherwise great place to spend a lazy afternoon....or evening!

Lazy Tuesday......Oh wait! I am on Vacation!

A true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of her liberty-her excessive freedom. She accepts her boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure....and fades quickly.......:)

Wake to a Sunny and (as very usual HOT day). Quick swim in the lovely, beautiful, amazing Ocean. Could have stayed all day. Strangely doing "nothing" bothers me.Think an adjustment is needed here. Don't you? Anyway..... left the sea to go upstairs and get dressed. As if in rebuttal, the rains come....Nice watch for a few minutes....but the nagging starts again. "Don't just sit there. Do something!"...."OK!!" Shhhesh!



What to do? How about shopping? Always nice...What do you want? How about some food and drink? OK.....there is a large market a few blocks away. I will get a few items and take a walk at the same time...Just an item or two.

Just a few items

Market is fun. Items I have not seen before. Lose myself. An hour or more later, my few items are overflowing the cart. Hmmm.  Maybe walk back and forth a few times? Will not tell you how much it costs. Just know that almost everything costs more here. I thought NYC was high priced with groceries, and it is. This tab was not shocking, 'cause I was price checking as I went along. Ask the checkout/cashier person about holding bags while I take some with me."Oh there is a van service free of charge"....Hurray! Thanks...I even get help to the van. Nice way to shop. Bring my bounty back...Refrigerator looks like I will be here for months...But most is still liquid or some sort or another...Should have some friends over...Wonder if I can have a party here?


People check in on me. Brad and a friend may drop in for awhile...Dinner plans made with Ann and Bobbi. Rain has stopped. Take another walk around my area and do some totally free window shopping...and chat with several new folks.

Learn more about costumes being created for the Parade at the end of Crop Over. Bajans as a whole seem really into this celebration. Much planning and designing is done for months(maybe a year) ahead of this event. Seems to me the concept of the costumes is to war as little as possible while looking as good as can be! Ladies as usual wear much less than the men...Always wonder about that...:)


Spent a few hours with Brad and his friend Gail. Was a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. We watched a rainstorm approach from the safety of my covered terrace, while having interesting conversations about varied topics. Happily the rain got bored with us and went away.


Next up was dinner. Hopped into a Van..I am getting really comfortable with asking and getting help with where to get out( should explain...van is a private car that picks up lots of folks and drops them where they ask which may or may not be a designated stop), Let me off right in front of the Restaurant.

Ann and Sue were already there and up some stairs we went. Just one word about the food here.... YUMMY!...Tiny, intimate place. Seemed to me that there was one person working in front..For all I know he did the cooking too!. Limited menu...Jamaican Fare. Had some kind of fruity drink and the Jerk Chicken. Delicious and the prices are extremely reasonable. Nice evening. Lots of laughter and got to know Ann a little better.

After dinner I got a happy surprise....the way home lead to Bobbi's house were I was given a bag of Mangoes and a bottle of coconut water to take back with me...Finally I will have a Bajan mango!! Thank you Bobbi! Again!!


Once home...lost no time eating and totally enjoying one of these delicious treats....Coconut water for tomorrow...

Nice lazy day....I think!

Bathsheba..Monday

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.............

So, today is the rescheduled trip to Bathsheba with Brad. Of course as we were discussing a time, it began to rain...hard. Hopeful it will clear up. Will meet in Bridgetown in front of Errol Barrow Statue

Errol Barrow

Its in Independence Park, on a walkway which seems to divide Bridgetown in half. Rain eventually ceases and I am on my way. Bus lets me off half a block away. Its an easy stroll, and happily I know where I am going!

Meet on time. Short walk to a coffee shop very reminiscent of Starbucks, for an icy coffee. Yum and so needed! Its air conditioned too. Feels like an oasis. Easy bliss. Fun to watch the passing pedestrian traffic.

Refreshed its a short walk to the bus station and now headed for Bathsheba. It is a hot and sweaty ride of about 40 minutes to reach the Eastern Coast. The views as Bathsheba came in sight are breathtaking. Giant rocks and huge palm trees border a sea that is a surfers paradise. We walk along the shore for awhile as we both air dry. Every step brings more beauty into view. Spend a few minutes watching some surfers....Just a really fantastic place to see and experience. Think there are no two minutes alike here when it comes to viewing. Truly a Paradise.

Round House Restaurant

Its late in the afternoon, and we are both hungry and thirsty. Brad leads me to the Round House Restaurant., which is located a few steps off and above the beach. The shady (of course!) table on the terrace is chosen.  Drink thirstily from a large glass of water followed by ice tea for me and a glass of wine for Brad. We order lunch and enjoy dining and talking and the cooling breezes. Food is very good and I get to try Bread Fruit chips...different...like! A short period of rain pushes us inside. Nice there too. Dark wood, open to catch sound of the surf pounding the shore and breeze while sheltering from rain or sun. Another glass of wine for him and a fabulous rum punch for me. Very nice way to spend a day!

Time to head back to Bridgetown. Its a short walk to catch bus. Have a conversation along the way with an expat from States. Interesting way to finalize our adventure. As we walk I catch sight of the Silver lining for the day.  Capture it. Now have to keep. Feel the day earned that Silver medal. Such a different shoreline and so much beauty to enjoy throughout these hours.

Catch bus back to Bridgetown, do some food shopping and then back to hotel to chill out watch the night sky while listening to the sounds of waves, crickets and enjoy a night as beautiful as the day. Now this was a day that encompassed all that I thought Barbados would be.

On the move and Soca Royale

Every exit is an entry somewhere.................

The time has come to leave the Hilton and move a short distance away to the Coral Sands Beach Resort. So packing again. In the middle of putting swimsuits in suitcase I put one on for a Ocean visit. The water feels especially good on my skin today..I look longingly at a beach chair in the sand , but not time for leisure right now. So back to room and packing.

A call to the CS and I know I can check in early. Bobbi comes to collect me and a short drive later we have arrived. This is a small Hotel right on the beach. There is a restaurant, bar and small pool as well as direct access to the beach. Jerry is at reception,  checks me in and comes to the room to show me the features. Very nice. Large room, full kitchen, AC,  lovely terrace overlooking the Ocean. Seems I will be comfortable at the very least here. Now that all my stuff is in the room it is time to drive again.

But first, there is a man selling coconuts by the road. Yes please! A few well placed wackes with a machete and I drink from the small opening created. When my drink is all down, he then wackes a few more times to open the nut so I can eat the jelly inside with a "spoon" he has fashioned from the out shell. New experience. Really delicious and fun to eat at the same time. Will be back for more another day I am sure. We go to get Wayne. We are late. He takes over the driving as Bobbi and I eat the omelets we picked up by the coconut man.

The whole day will be spent  at Soca Royale. This is the culmination of the Soca contests that have been going on through out  Barbados for months. It is held in Bushy Park, in St Phillip. We arrive around 3pm. It is blazing Sun, though it had rained hard here earlier.

A nice spot is found up the hill and under a tent. As usual I strategically place my chair for maximum shade.  On goes the Sunscreen, and a hat;  I am ready. The DJ and announcer keep us all entertained till the show begins. Once that happens everyone appears to be having a great time. Dancing all around, and all have an opinion about the singer, and presentation. Thee are 10 finalists. When the first round is over. The DJ comes out again, and the music is continuous and fun. We get some dinner and drinks at a vendor close by. We continue discussions about the performances. Everyone has a favorite it seems, and knows all the backgrounds.

Sky as Sun is setting is beautiful

  At 7 sharp the last round of the contest began.So many more people and the night is cool with a wonderful breeze. Even see people I know.  Sue and Barkley!  Music again great. Now as it is night there are pyrotechnics with almost every act. Fireworks and other affects. Some technical difficulties occur. I feel bad for those performers....How for them to wait or have to start again.

This has been a full day party! Music great!, people great, food good, weather great! I am happily tired and full of life at the same time. Thankfully I do not have to drive back. Wayne does a great job of getting us through impossibly crowded little roads, and on to the major road back to Worthing Beach Christ Church. Coral Sands. Now to unpack and get some sleep...Enjoyed the day very much. Thank you Bobbi and Wayne!

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along... Rumi

The reason for traveling is to regulate imagination by adding reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.....

A week has gone by so quickly..(well in 7 days!). Feels like I just got here and like I have always been at the same time.  The area I have been traveling in is familiar and I have even given out some directions..( stop laughing!)

Plans for a day trip to Bathsheba got cancelled...postponed till next week. Took a short spin around Bridgetown....got some Souse..chicken again...and lazed at the Beach and Pool of the Hilton. This was a beautiful day ....simply beautiful. Music, lovely breezes, nice folks all around me. My disappointment  over changed plans faded as I swam in the beautiful Ocean...and lazed by the pool. No place to feel anything but....bliss.

Then it is time for THE  Wedding!

Shower and dress...and off I go in the sudden rain, to Waterside Restaurant at the St. Lawrence Gap via my first taxi ride in Barbados. In just a few minutes driver stops and point across the road. "Just there". OK....after about 10 steps...I realize he has taken (and left me) at the WaterFRONT Cafe....in Bridgetown  It has stopped raining...but, no wedding here. So.....into another taxi after having a short discussion with the driver who checked with a third ...

and once again on my way to the wedding! Only....seems that out of nowhere..there is a very long traffic jam. Driver says can't be. Yes, it can!....OK so only 15 minutes late, but I am now at The Waterside Restaurant in the St. Lawrence Gap....in Barbados!

The wedding of Zak and Holly was Simple, Beautiful and Intimate....Loving and joyous.

The guests were all family of the Bride, and one of her friends...all from the US. Zak had me..It was a true honor to be asked to attend. I enjoyed every minute...Even the extra taxi ride.

Two become one

Finally smiles....Nerves gone

Zak and I bonded over a breakfast on the first morning of our stays in Barbados. Finalized our friendship over our having twin cameras and being without any family or traditional friends in this land. Days later, Zak has a whole new family and I a whole lot of real friends. What a difference a week makes.

Mr. and Mrs

Day 7 - Go West, Dear Girl, Go West...

Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.... 

Margaret on another FB friend I actually met on Saturday. We plan some time to get to know each other , while she does some work. She is a travel Agent:

http://www.BridgetownTravel.com/
http://www.BarbadosDayPass.com/
http://www.CaribbeanDayPass.com/
,

Bridgetown Travel : Sandals, Beaches, Barbados, Couples, Club Med, All-inclusive, and more....

bridgetowntravel.com

 Check it out !

We go West to see a few property's. Today is another blazing hot day.We make a stop at Batts Rock Beach. It has some beautiful scenery...Drive along the West Coast for a bit. Nice and beautiful. Anywhere you look.

Even with the AC on in the car we are hot. Back to Bridgetown we go. A visit to to the LIME store to "top up" my sim card. This is something you should think about when visiting Barbados. Roaming costs from the States can add hundreds of dollars to you stay. Unlock your phone( will not work with iPhones) Check out the local phone options and get a local sim. Easy way to control what you spend for communication.


Margaret and her Family are refurbishing a boat that will have Lunch and Dinner Cruises once completed. We paid a visit, and said hello...

At this point hunger and thirst have set in. A quick thought and The Waterfront Cafe was our destination: Refreshments were our goal.

Just what I needed!

Service friendly and quick, food good, drinks great! A definite stop for any traveler to Barbados. Had a lively and fun conversation going all day long with Margaret ...From our US lives to how to live in Barbados. Nice to get some time to know her.


Back to Hilton....where I quickly changed to a swimsuit and RAN into the Ocean!.Was a great refresher and soothed all the heat of the day away...Bliss! Up to room to shower for evening. Sky blackens and the rains come! When it rains here...it RAINS! Bobbi arrives and 4 of us are headed toward the Gymnasium...Thankfully an indoor event. Loved the evening. Was my first time to hear and see this kind of event. The enthusiasm and love from the crowd pushed the performers (18 of them) to really outdo themselves....It was a long evening...got home about 2am....Felt like I had worked! But fun work.Loved it!


Plan for evening:  going to Pic O De Crop Sosa semi finals. Calypso is the music and lively, fun, and ultimately exhausting is the description.  


Another day is gone.....I keep being asked if I am enjoying myself. My answer is YES! I feel so blessed with my friends and all the new folks I am meeting here. No one will allow to to feel anyway but happy....and really tired and at this point ready for some sleep.


Now tomorrow.................

Day 6 - How can you get tired on vacation?

 Vacations are your best chance in the year to get in some real living, to get out of the job-as-life box, off automatic pilot, and rediscover your passions, enthusiasms, friends, family, and the vitality of partaking in the world outside career brain-lock........

Bright, Sunny, Beautiful day. Waves rolling in and the birds chirping away. Beautiful Barbados! Time to see what this Hotel has to offer. My usual cups of coffee feel so good. My room is chilly, so door to terrace is open and Ocean sound  is my accompaniment...

The Barbados Hilton is a beautiful place. The people who work here are very friendly, and extremely helpful too. I had very few wants, but seemed that people were figuring out what I needed before I did. This is a large Hotel, and yet many employees greeted me by name after meeting me just once. Really an excellent added extra! Makes each guest feel special. Thanks you to all.

Decided to take a vacation from my vacation day. Lazed at the beach, swam in the Ocean...then lazed some more. Spent the day making sure my chair was in the shade...:)..Eventually I was hungry, and took myself to Cuz's...um shack? He is located on Pebble Beach, an easy walk from the Hilton. For $7BD bought (and devoured) a very devious fish cutter sandwich for lunch. Watched  him  grill it.... Washed it down with a Ginger Beer...Very good lunch. Happy me!

Cuz's Place

Back to the beach ...to nap...Under the Umbrella and think about moving and doing something.....nah, no need...I will just stay here.....Woke with the Sun in my eyes....Reluctantly left the beach...Back to terrace...same view..no sand...in the shade...All is wonderful.

More Rum Punch and dinner with Bobbi.....Nice Piano bar at hotel and Sushi/Tapas choice was perfect...Watched the entertainment at the Pool Bar from out seats.....Then the rains came. At night...No problem.


 Another wonderful day comes to an end...