#RoyalWestmoreland

[thechasefiles]

Seriously??? Bajans really need to stop complaining in private and put pen to paper! Object to this type of nonsense. If I was a real estate agent with a wealth of experience i would be really insulted by this. This country has over 120 Real Estate Agents who could qualify for this job. How didn’t they meet the criteria??? Stupes!! The more things change the more they stay the same. #thechasefiles #nonnationalrealestateagent #bajanrealestageagents #royalwestmoreland #immigrationdepartment https://www.instagram.com/p/CWSpopgrydm0umrbRrMkjOLBQQM_I5ZFXIhC700/?utm_medium=tumblr

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National Rum Punch Day

The Bajan recipe for a great rum punch is very simple, based on the idea that the word punch comes from “panch”, meaning five in Sanskrit.

One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak, a dash of bitters and a sprinkle of spice, serve well chilled with plenty of ice

You won’t be able to go very far before you are offered a rum cocktail in Barbados, it is served everywhere, including the beach.  Especially at the beach in fact.

Rum is the national drink of Barbados, where Mount Gay have their distillery in the centre of the island.   Be warned though if you ask for a rum and Coke in a bar you will be given a 330ml bottle of Coke, and a 1/4 bottle of rum.  They don’t serve it small measures, you get it in a bottle, with a bowl of ice and mix your own.

If you did want to celebrate National Rum Punch Day (September 20th) at home then this would be our suggestion for a great recipe:

Sour: 1 measure of lime juice, freshly squeezed Sweet: 2 measures of sugar syrup – see below (or ready made) Strong: 3 measures of dark Mount Gay rum. Week: 4 measures of water Dash of Angostura Bitters Spice: freshly grated nutmeg

Place two measures of sugar in a saucepan with a little water and cook until the sugar has dissolved.  Add it to the juice.

Add the rum and water. A good quality passion fruit juice can be used instead of water but reduce the syrup slightly.

Serve with plenty of ice, a dash of bitters and a grating of nutmeg.

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What To Do With The Kids When It Rains in Barbados

  There is no denying that with an island as green as Barbados, it does, unfortunately, rain from time to time.  Generally overnight or in the morning (and never for very long) but sometimes it might be in the middle of the day, putting paid to any ideas of spending the day at the beach.

Though to be honest, if you sit at the beach under an umbrella it can still be a fun way to spend the day.   Especially if you are on Mullins Beach near Holetown because you can relax under an umbrella, lie on a sun lounger and make the most of the Wi-Fi at Mullins beach bar reaching the beach.   They even do lounger side service, simply put your flag in the sand and a waiter will deliver your snacks and drinks to you, meaning you really don’t have to get wet.    The bonus being of course, if you are staying at Royal Westmoreland you get the lounger, towel and umbrella for free on production of your membership card (issued by guest services when you arrive).

If lying on the beach isn’t your thing how about the cinema at Limegove?  They have regular screenings throughout the day, with current films on offer, to suit all ages.   They also serve snacks and drinks right to your seat meaning you don’t need to miss a second of the film.    While at Limegrove you could also do a bit of duty free designer shopping.

If shopping is your thing then there are lots of other places to do that too!  Cave Shepherd is a great place for fragrances and souvenirs, and of course Bridgetown, the capital, has a whole wealth of shops to explore.

Another great place to take children when it rains is Earthworks.   You can watch the icon coloured plates, bowls and mugs being made and even order something personalised to be shipped to you at home.  Obviously you would need to keep an eye on small ones as all breakages do need to be paid for, but great fun for older children to look at all the colourful china.  There is also a cafe upstairs that does great toast panini and milkshakes, with a great view out to the coast.   With vertical plastic covers to keep you dry on the balcony when the run comes in sideways!

A pricier option for something to do in the rain might be a trip on the Atlantis submarine.    They do dives during the daytime, or in the evenings.  Not for the claustrophobic though as this is a submarine and space to move around is non-existent.  Though once inside and sitting on the benches the view is spectacular.  Well worth a trip.

Also on the “must visit” trip for a rain day is Harrison’s Cave.   This underground cave is filled with stalagmites and stalactites, viewed from a motorised train that travels around the cave system with a guide who explains who the caves were discovered, and how they came to be formed.  Definitely a trip not to be missed.

And of course, you could always still go in the see or to the pool, the water will still be warm enough, and after all you are going to get wet anyway so the rain shouldn’t put you off!

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Golfing at Royal Westmoreland

One of the main reasons we bought Fairways was because of its situation on the Royal Westmoreland Golf Course.   The Royal Westmoreland was designed by Robert Trent Jones, and has spectacular views from every fairway and green.

Ian Woosnam, Masters Champion, European Ryder Cup captain and fellow resident of Royal Westmoreland, has described the four par 3’s on the course as some of the best he has played anywhere in the world.   As golfers ourselves we loved the idea of being able to wake up every morning and be able to walk down to the Clubhouse and tee off just moments later.

The villa itself sits beside the tee for the tenth hole so it’s the perfect spot to sit and listen to fellow golfers teeing off, without them feeling the embarrassment of being witnessed completely missing the shot!  It is also perfectly situated to mean that after playing nine holes a willing family member may be able to meet you with a cold drink or a round of toast.   Though of course there is always the Starter’s hut that serves snacks and hot drinks at the beginning, or half way round (and you can order for collection at the mid point before you tee off).

Our son in law has written a detailed guide to every hole in this blog post here:  How To Play Royal Westmoreland

It is true that there are other golf courses on Barbados, Sandy Lane and Apes Hill to name just two but in our opinion they don’t have the same feel as this one.

This one feels like playing in your own garden

We are also happy to offer some complimentary rounds for you to enjoy, please check our Special Offers page to find out more

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Visiting the fish markets in Barbados

Fish markets are dotted along the main roads of Barbados and vary in size from just a table to a municipal building housing several fishermen selling their catch.

It doesn’t matter which one you visit but we strongly suggest you visit at least a few of them whilst you are on the island.

Typically the table will be at the end of somebody’s drive, selling maybe one or two varieties of fish.   There might even be another table with home grown fruits or vegetables for sale too so you can pick up the makings of a salad at the same time.    In a few places there are larger market stalls where fisherman will store their catch in large plastic tubs filled with crushed ice to keep the fish as fresh as possible.    Whilst in Bridgetown there are bigger “markets” where several people work, gutting and filleting fish before it is sold on a much more commercial scale.

Regardless of where you chose to buy you know it will be fresh, and much cheaper than you are used to at home.   If you go for the medium or larger places they will prepare your fish for you and throw in some free advice on how to  cook it.   Want tuna for eight?  No problem.   A large piece of fish will be cut and weighed, and then boned and cut into steaks before being bagged and handed to to you.   King fish, marlin or the local’s favourite: “flying fish” are likely to be on offer on a daily basis, with a few other specials sometimes for sale.   Think lobster, snapper, barracuda.

The fishermen are keen to share stories of the catch with you and tell you how best to cook it so do take the time to chat to them.    Nothing in Barbados is done in a rush, especially when it involves a rather large knife!

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New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/mount-gay-rum-barbados/

Mount Gay Rum, Barbados

    You won’t have even left the airport terminal on your first visit to Barbados before you realise that rum is synonymous with Barbados.   It is where rum was first made, as a bi product of the sugar trade, and it was on ships leaving Barbados that sailors discovered the longer the rum stayed in old oak whisky barrels the better it got.

The rum is named after Sir John Gay Alleyene who was the first manager of the original distillery, bought by John Sobers.   When Sir John died in 1808 the Sobers family decided to rename the rum in his honour and so Mount Gay Rum was born.

You can find more about the rum by visiting the distillery, just outside Bridgetown on the island.   Don’t come along though expecting a full blown distillery tour.   This is not that at all because the original buildings were never designed for visitors and it would be dangerous to have people wandering around whilst the alcohol is being distilled.

Instead you are guided through the history of rum and its association with yacht racing (and the significance of the red Mt Gay caps) and shown a short film.   Then the fun starts

Tastings of six of Mt Gay’s rums.   Everything from the white rum, through to the XO (Extra Old).   If you want to try all six I would seriously consider going by taxi!  Our tour guide, Romal, was superb.  Telling the story of each rum with a real passion, flair and humour.   We even got treated to a Lion King rendition as he held one of the bottles above his head.

Then if that wasn’t enough you then finish in the bar where you can buy a cocktail (discounted on production of your entry tickets).

Tours are timed throughout the day so do check their website for timings, and current charges.  When we visited it was BDS$20 per head.    There is also a well stocked gift shop that you can visit even if you don’t want to do the tour.

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10 great places to eat lobster in Barbados

In honour of September 25th being National Lobster Day we thought we would share a post on the best places in Barbados to eat lobster.   There is something for every budget here, from lobster in a risotto to whole tails.   Do let us know if you find any other great spots to enjoy it.

The Lobster Pot — Speightstown

The Lobster Pot is the only restaurant on the island that offers fresh local lobster as well as a number of other seafood delights.   Chef Gregory Austin has returned to his native Barbados after working at various establishments around the world including the two Michelin starred Le Gavroche where he worked inder head chef Michel Roux junior.

Lobsters Alive — Carlisle Bay

Though this restaurant is currently closed it reopens in October and is well known on the island (and with the nearby cruise companies whose passengers disembark closely and make a beeline for the place).

The secret to the restaurant’s success is its owner, Art Taylor, an Australian with an airplane who realized long ago that the best way to get fresh lobster in Barbados was to go off-island and get it himself. Each week, he flies twice to Bequia in the Grenadines and loads his small single-engine Cherokee airplane with a good 700 pounds of the spiny treats. All of it ends up in a massive holding tank located inside the restaurant. In season, it’s not uncommon to have upwards of 3,000 lobsters splashing around on-site, providing a nice little show for those dining inside. (Read more on UncommonCaribbean )

Tides — Holetown

As you first walk into Tides you would be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled into an art gallery by mistake, not a restuarant.   Don’t be fooled though, this beautiful location is both.  The walls are adorned with the most incredible art, all available to purchase, which makes quite the backdrop as you wait for your table to be ready, or as you wander off to the bathroom.

The location of this restaurant really is one of the best spots on the island in our opinion.  When you make your reservation make sure you ask for a railside table, to be sure you are on the edge with the best view (subject to availability obviously).

Zen Barbados — The Crane

This restaurant has been awarded the top spot on  Zagat’s Barbados food chart (yet how many people outside of Barbados have heard of compared to the likes of The Cliff etc).

Zen’s sophisticated, Asian-inspired architecture and interior decor complement its dramatic setting, complete with an all-glass frontage offering spectacular views of Crane Beach.

Private booths, designed in traditional Japanese style, and a large Tatami room with a recessed floor, provide an option for parties up to 14 to dine in privacy.

The Fishpot — Little Good Harbour

This little ocean front restaurant, which is housed in a 17th century fort ( Fort Rupert ) is considered by many to be one of the leading restaurants in Barbados.  Created by a husband and wife team 17 years ago it really is a stunning spot, no matter the time of day.

Champers — Bridgetown

Champers is a magical place when the sun goes. Our Open Terrace is light by lanterns and candlelight and overlooks the Caribbean Sea. The dinner menu is uniquely authentic; international with bold and intense Caribbean flavours.

Bajan Blue — Sandy Lane

For beachside Barbados dining, the atmospheric Bajan Blue is perfect. Located on the Lower Terrace, this informal restaurant offers all day dining and a mélange of European, Caribbean and Asian influenced cuisine

Lonestar — Mount Standfast

Lonestar is an iconic building, which started life as a garage and from the road you can see how the owners have always preserved that look.   Another stunning setting, it is a beautiful location for a decadent lunch.

Primo Bar and Bistro — St Lawrence Gap

This beach side bistro is down in a part of town that you might think of as just being “party central”.  Only opening at 5pm it provides a great spot for reasonably priced food and drinks as you watch the sunset.

Nikki Beach — Port Ferdinand

You might have heard of Nikki Beach before as they have a few other resorts around the world, this one is new in Barbados and is already one of THE places to be seen.

Nikki Beach Barbados serves lunch by the sea seven days a week. Diners will enjoy Nikki Beach’s globally-inspired cuisine and signature sushi boats, dishes with local flair, organic chicken, fresh fish and seafood and an on-site rotisserie. Nikki Beach is dedicated to using seasonal, local ingredients that are organic whenever possible to create farm-to-table dishes that support the Barbados community

  You might be wondering why we haven’t included that most famous of Barbados restaurants, The Cliff, on this list.   Well at the time of writing they weren’t serving lobster on their menu 🙂

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Shopping in Holetown

    “Something to suit every pocket” is a much over used phrase, but it really couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to shopping in Holetown.

Just down the hill from Royal Westmoreland, Holetown, is one of the largest towns on the west coast of Barbados.  Smaller than the capital Bridgetown, but larger than nearby Speightstown, it is a great spot to do a wide variety of shopping.

At one end of the shopping spectrum there are the ladies selling hand made bracelets and hair braids, along side the fisherman showing that morning’s catch on tables beside the road.   Sitting in the shade of the trees they will happily call out and offer to braid hair, patting a small stool that appears to be held together with masking tape.   Whilst also offering to sell an array of beaded bracelets and necklaces.

Men hang out that the fish markets, dotted all along the roadsides.  Some are on tables and some are now in larger markets, all of them caught that day and available to buy whole.   Or as a fillet.   We defy you find fresher fish.   Much of the catch is pre-bought by the world famous restaurants of course, but you can rest assured that what is left for the public to buy is in no way inferior.

At the other end is Limegrove with its array of designer stores and friendly doormen.   Everyone from Victoria’s Secret to Michael Kors, Bulgari, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Breitling, Theo Fennel, Colombian Emeralds,  and Armani have a store there.  Brightly lit, often with an offer of a cold glass of something fizzy, it is a wonderful place to wander around, even if your wallet doesn’t quite stretch to buying anything.  Of course if you are thinking of treating yourself purchases are tax free when exported off the island.

Just along from Limegrove is a fabulous supermarket selling everything you might need during your stay.   From freshly baked breads and pastries to local delicacies and imports from Waitrose in the UK.

Holetown is also home to a small collection of Chattel Houses.  These traditional Bajan houses are now home to a series of independent stores selling everything from clothes to souvenirs, cigars to important American food.  All set around a central courtyard with a cafe.     The cafe is a great place to stop for breakfast as they have free wifi, a range of international newspapers and some of the best smoothies on the island.

Where would you start?

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New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/fish-markets-in-barbados/

Fish markets in Barbados

Fish markets are dotted along the main roads of Barbados and vary in size from just a table to a municipal building housing several fishermen selling their catch.

It doesn’t matter which one you visit but we strongly suggest you visit at least a few of them whilst you are on the island.

Typically the table will be at the end of somebody’s drive, selling maybe one or two varieties of fish. There might even be another table with home grown fruits or vegetables for sale too so you can pick up the makings of a salad at the same time. In a few places there are larger market stalls where fisherman will store their catch in large plastic tubs filled with crushed ice to keep the fish as fresh as possible. Whilst in Bridgetown there are bigger “markets” where several people work, gutting and filleting fish before it is sold on a much more commercial scale.

Regardless of where you chose to buy you know it will be fresh, and much cheaper than you are used to at home. If you go for the medium or larger places they will prepare your fish for you and throw in some free advice on how to cook it. Want tuna for eight? No problem. A large piece of fish will be cut and weighed, and then boned and cut into steaks before being bagged and handed to to you. King fish, marlin or the local’s favourite: “flying fish” are likely to be on offer on a daily basis, with a few other specials sometimes for sale. Think lobster, snapper, barracuda.

The fishermen are keen to share stories of the catch with you and tell you how best to cook it so do take the time to chat to them. Nothing in Barbados is done in a rush, especially when it involves a rather large knife!

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Harrison's Cave, Barbados

Harrisons Cave is on everybody’s “must see” list and for good reason.

Harrison’s Cave is a massive underground cave structure, which stretches over 2km in a network of underground caves first opened to the public in 1981, though there is mention of their existence as far back as 1795.   They rediscovered in the late 1970s by Ole Sorensen and Tony Mason who set about exploring and plotting them extensively.

The temperature in the caves is a cool 27 degrees, regardless of the outside temperature so the perfect spot for some respite from the height of the midday sun.   One main area of the caves is a huge cavern, termed “The Great Hall“, measuring over 50 feet (15 m) in height.

The caves are naturally formed by water erosion through the limestone rock.  The calcium-rich water that runs through the caves have formed hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites.

The tour through the caves is done by tram with a tour guide who offers up information on points of interest along the way.  At certain points during the tour visitors are permitted to get off the tram and get close up to the formations.    After the Great Hall the tram stops at “The Village“.    At The Village some of the formations have joined together to form columns after thousands of years.    Other areas the tram stops along the tour is “The Chapel,” “The Rotunda,” and “The Altar.” Visitors travel through the Boyce Tunnel via tram to all depths of the cave.

Tours are conducted everyday from 8.45am until 3.45pm and prices start from BDS$30 for children, BDS$60 for adults and lasts an hour.