NIGHT LIFE IN BARBADOS

When the sun goes down that’s when the real fun begins!!  Barbados nightlife is extensive and varied, providing entertainment for every taste, from historic dinner shows to romantic cruises and exquisite dining.

Dinner Shows
Barbados dinner shows provide insight into the history and culture of the island, as well as excellent entertainment and fine Barbadian cuisine!

Nightclubs
Barbados nightclubs mainly located in St. Lawrence Gap and along Bay Street  feature live entertainment most nights of the week.  Most bands play local music - calypso and reggae - but there are several excellent R & B bands that play top international music, sometimes with a Caribbean beat! Don't miss the Karaoke and live bands to entertain you.

Take your camera as you may not remember!!!!

Top 5 Beaches in St. Lucia

Reduit Beach

St. Lucian beaches are relatively short, but with five miles of white sand on Rodney Bay, Reduit is the place for a long stroll by the shore and a swim in calm waters. This is one of the most popular beaches on the island.

Jalousie Beach

With white sand, crystal clear water, and stunning setting between the twin Gros and Petit Piton volcanic peaks make this beach a favorite spot for sunning, snorkelers and scuba divers come for the adventures to be had.

Anse Chastanet

With a sharp drop off, coral reef and sea walls, this beach affords snorkelers and divers many opportunities for viewing the vivid ocean life without ferrying out to deeper waters by boat. The natural sand reflects the volcanic origins of the island.

Pigeon Island National Park

This quiet beach on the north end of the island is the place to combine sunning and swimming with a visit to the mini-museum then climb to a vantage point to see the historic Fort Rodney ruins and views of the distant Martinique.

Grande Anse

Soon to become part of a new national park, this mile long stretch of beach north of Dennery is set against a backdrop of cliffs in an area that was once a plantation. Visitors come to turtle watch where they can see the natural wonder of endangered leatherbacks which are known to be the largest of sea turtles, lugging themselves out of the water and onto the beach to lay their eggs.

Historic Places in Barbados

The Constitution River/ The Careenage

This flows through the capital Bridgetown, the river channels rain from higher inland areas through the Careenage into the Carlisle Bay where it connects.  This marina is so named because smaller vessels careened there for repairs while larger ships used the deep water harbor.

For 300 years had been the centre of communication and trade for the island, in recent times the modern Bridgetown Harbour overshadowed it and now it is mainly for sleek yachts, catamarans and other pleasure craft to berth. 

Two bridges separate the outer and inner basins; The Charles Duncan O'Neal Bridge which extends from Bridge Street/Wharf Road to Fairchild Street/Independence Square and the Chamberlain Bridge which extends from Wharf Road/Heroes Square to Independence Square/Bay Street.  Running along the careenage/constitution river is the decorative Bridgetown Boardwalk, overlooked by restaurants, bars and old converted warehouses.

Codrington College

Located on the perfect hill-top overlooking the splendid Atlantic, Codrington College boasts breathtaking views of the East Coast of Barbados. The serene surroundings include a driveway lined with cabbage palm trees and a beautiful lily pond; it is the oldest Anglican theological college in the Western Hemisphere and a most important feature of the historical, architectural, natural and educational legacy of Barbados.

The mansion house dates back to the mid seventeenth century, but the college buildings were completed in 1743 and opened in 1745 as a grammar school. In 1830 the college became a university level institution.

Dolphin Fountain

The tri-dolphin fountain was established in 1865 in honor of the first piped water in the city in 1861, it was known as the Fountain or Dolphin Garden. The garden itself and the enclosure came slightly later, the earliest work beginning in 1882.

Farley Hill National Park

The site where a superlative 19th century great house once stood is now the Farley Hill National Park.  Farley Hill Great House was considered the island's most stately mansion in its day, the beautiful mansion built in 1818 by Sir Graham Briggs for the entertainment of his guest Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, when the latter visited Barbados in 1861. Other Royal visitors including Princes Albert, Victor and George, later King George V of England, were entertained there when they visited the island in 1879. The building's walls are coral stone and still standing in spite of several fires and hurricanes that ravished the house.

In 1956, because of its quaint setting, the mansion was the scene of several sequences in the movie, "Island in the Sun", starring Harry Belafonte, but soon after it was destroyed by fire.  The Government of Barbados bought the property in 1965 and it was officially opened as The Farley Hill National Park by H.M. Queen Elizabeth 11 the following year, it is located in St. Peter.

The ruins of the mansion still stand.

National Flowers

Barbados

Pride of Barbados - Dwarf Poinciana

The Pride of Barbados blooms all year round, the more common varieties are a fiery red and yellow "sunset color" although other variations can be found.  The flower has five petals with a yellow margin in a pyramidal inflorescence. Each flower is about 1½ inches across with five sepals. The branches a prickly and the leaves are large and doubly compound.

Grenada

Bougainvillea

Bougainvilleas are widely-grown and popular tropical vines whose main attractions are very colorful bracts or leaves. These bracts are mistaken by many as the flowers of the plant because of their prominence. The flowers are actually the trumpet-like, small, white and inconspicuous items surrounded by the bracts. Each cluster of three flowers has three to six bracts surrounding them.

Tobago

Pride of Tobago – Chaconia

This flower, known by its long sprays of magnificent vermilion usually blooms around the time of the nation’s anniversary of Independence. As an indigenous flower it can be said that it has been witness to our entire history. In this way it represents the cycles of life and the continuity of the nation.  The color of this bloom also echoes the symbolism found in the red of the Flag and on the Shield of the Coat of Arms.

St. Lucia

The Rose and Marguerite

Unlike other Island St. Lucia carries two nation flowers the Rose and the Marguerite are the symbols of the two flower societies of Saint Lucia. They emerged as winners of the National Flower Competition in September 1985. The national are associated with the Flower Festivals.

Antigua

The Dagger Log's

Yellow flowers rise from the large rosette formed by the Agave plant. Years ago, fishing rafts were made from the flower's log (or stem) and fishing bait was made from the white interior pulp of the leaves.

Volcanoes

Grenada

Kick-'em-Jenny

This is an active submarine volcano off the north coast of Grenada, Caribbean. Deep reverberating noises have sometimes been heard onshore during eruptions. Volatile eruptions of Kick-'em-Jenny Volcano have broken the sea surface only three times historically in 1939, 1974 and 1988. An underwater survey of the volcano in 2003 found a second vent 3 km from the volcano.

St. Catherine Volcano

This is located on Grenada; the volcano contains tuff rings, and scoria cones, the most recent eruption at the volcano occurred at a scoria cone near Radix village in the past 1000 years. Hot springs and fumaroles are active at the volcano.

St Lucia

Soufriere

St Lucia is said to have the only "drive-in" volcano in the world, the road runs right through the crater of the Soufriere Volcano which is also known locally as the "sulphur springs", which has become a major tourist attraction.  The crater releases steam and sulphur with boiling mud and water bubbling away just a few meters from the tourists (beware of the smell of rotten eggs) behind a wooden fence that would appear to offer absolutely no protection should the volcano erupt.  The last eruption occurred in the late eighteenth century and the volcano is considered to be dormant; unlike the highly active Soufriere Volcano of the same name on the island of Montserrat. 

Until quite recently you would have been allowed to walk over the crater which is covered in a thin crust, unfortunately, one of the volcano guides fell in and now visitors are requested to stay behind the fence.  There is a stream running through the crater and a little further down are bathing pools which are reputed to have therapeutic qualities for the skin.

The sulphur springs emits a mixture of iron, calcium oxide, sulphur, copper oxide, carbon and magnesium to create the pungent smell and stain the rocks a green color.  Molten volcanic lava is not part of the toxic mix; otherwise the carter would not be safe to visit.

Barbados

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted.

St. Lucia

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish.

The Cormorants is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colorful.

Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and under parts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

Antigua

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Frigate birds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable colored throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos’ filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down.

Grenada

Sandpipers species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil, variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Lapwings are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions.

The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Tobago

The Ibises they have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soars.

Ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans, these are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Hawks have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

Wonders of the Caribbean

Tobago

  Argyle Falls

Argyle Waterfalls: The Argyle Waterfalls are Tobago's highest waterfalls, tumbling in a series of stepped cascades. When here you can have a nice relaxing swim in the deep cool pools.

Barbados

  Harrison Cave

This bravura, crystallized limestone cavern is said to be one of the wonders of the world.  Its pure clear water and flowing streams helped to create the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites which propagate the cave.

Antigua

  Devils Bridge

Devil's Bridge is a natural arch carved by the sea from soft and hard limestone; Devil's Bridge got its name because slaves from the neighboring estates went there to jump overboard, this was called a mass suicide area.

Grenada

  Grand Etang

The shallow Crater Lake is host to a wide variety of wildlife; this Crater Lake is also surrounded by a lush tropical forest and is part of the nature reserve.

St. Lucia

The Pitons

The most prominent and the most photographed landmarks in St Lucia are without doubt the Pitons. The twin Volcanoes of Gros Piton and Petit Piton are covered in lush green vegetation, the Pitons seem to majestically rise from the blue waters of the Caribbean. What makes them so stunning, they can viewed from every angle they are just as extraordinary a sight.

Island Festivals

Barbados

Grand Kadooment! This carnival showcases large bands with persons dressed in elaborate costumes to portray various themes.  Designers compete for the coveted Designer of the Year prize while the revelers seem more intent on having a good time! The revelers make their way to Spring Garden area accompanied by the energetic rhythms of calypso music. When they reach Spring Garden, the party continues with more fantastic music, lots of food and drink; for some a quick swim at the nearby beach.

St. Lucia

Jour Ouvert street jump up is a wild affair involving loud pulsating soca and calypso music and dancing in the streets of Castries.  Revelers are free to wear whatever they wish, and are usually judged for the best, weirdest outfit (referred to as Ole Mas).

Trinidad and Tobago

Carnival in Tobago is linked directly with Trinidad’s carnival. With its massive masquerade bands, spectacular costumes, pulsating music and unparalleled stamina for partying, Trinidad's Carnival is often described as the greatest show on earth. It is a time for release and everyone is invited to join the party.

Grenada

Grenada Carnival, famous for its color, creativity and unique cultural character, which are one of the island’s biggest annual festivals. Each parish features its own brand of traditional costume or mas’, and many have activities.

Antigua

Antigua Carnival where beautiful, colorful, convoluted costumes are prepared.  Carnival conclude in a massive street party called J’ouvert (meaning day break), the dancing literally doesn’t end ‘til morning.

Caribbean Fruits

Five Fingers (Star Fruit)

This fruit has a golden yellow color; half-ripe it’s a lemon green and unripe they are very green, all can be eaten. The fruit is sweet, watery, slightly acid and pleasant to taste. Five Fingers is also referred to as the "Star Fruit", when the fruit is cut across it has a striking star shape, thus name “Star Fruit”.

Cashew

The cashew is yellowish-orange; when ripe the fruit turns a bright reddish orange color, the cashew fruits also leaves a sort of tangy taste in the mouth.

Guava

Guava is a tartly scented fruit which is eaten raw when ripe; it is also used for making the popular Guava Jelly or tinned guava nectar.

Golden Apple

This fruit can be eaten green or ripe; the juice is made by blending the flesh with ginger and sweetening with sugar.

Passion Fruit

The flavorful clear sop is scooped out of the hollow husks of the passion fruit for a delightful taste experience; Passion fruit juice is a preferred thirst quencher.

Bajan Treats

Guava Cheese

Sugar-coated jell-o squares. Made from guava and sugar, I fast became a convert to this flavorful treat.

Jam Puffs

The pastry crust is flaky and buttery, little pieces breaking and fluttering off when you take a bite, in the center there you can find lip-smacking strawberry jam.

Tamarind Balls

This is a local sweet made with tamarind pulp, sugar, sometimes spices and even has the tamarind seed inside.  They’re tart and sweet, all in the same bite.

Turnovers

This is a pastry filled with coconut and cinnamon and glazed with honey and sugar a mouth watering delight for everyone in the family.

Sugar Cakes

For those with a sweet tooth this is just the treat for you, the sugar cake is made of coconut and melted sugar with cinnamon and can be found in a variety of colors and yes  it’s as delicious as it sounds.