Barbados
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, this 166
square mile gem of white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters is our first
feature. Known as ‘the land of the flying fish’, Barbados, originally named
‘Los Barbados’, meaning ‘the bearded ones’ derived its name from the Bearded
Fig Trees once found in abundance on the island. Historically, Barbados was an
English/British colony dating back from when the first permanent settlers
arrived in 1627.Bussa's Rebellion which occurred in 1816 was the largest slave
revolt in Barbadian history and was also the first of three large-scale slave
rebellions in the British West Indies. Gaining independence on November 30th,
1966, this island boasts of many attractions. Attractions that range from a
visit to an underground cave, to a splash into its clear sea waters, to inland
safaris as you explore the island's terrains, to aerial treks across huge
gullies of lush vegetation, to surfing the waves in the Soup Bowl down in
Bathsheba, to spending your Friday nights in St. Lawrence Gap, to visits to the
many local heritage sites and finishing it all off with the sampling of its
appetizing foods, not forgetting the cou cou and flying fish the national dish
of Barbados.
Language
The official Barbados language is English,
however their local dialect - referred to as Bajan dialect – is often spoken as
well. Some examples of famous bajan sayings are:
- Cheese-on-bread - an expression or exclamation
- Cuh-dear - an exclamation (e.g cuh dear, you ent know no
better than that)
- Caw blen - wow! [vulgar]
- Malicious - to be inquisitive/nosy
- Nain – nothing
- Gine - to be going / going to..
- Kawblema! - oh my goodness! / God blind me if it ent true
- Leff he - to leave someone alone / do
not trouble him
- Leff - leave / the direction known as
left.
- Mek sport- to joke/kid around / (you) mekin' sport
- Wha gine on - what's going on with you; what's new!
- ZR - "Zed-R" - a
private-owned route taxi (So named because of the license plates beginning
with "ZR")
Currency
The Barbados dollar is pegged to the USA
dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = BDS$1.98. US dollars are accepted
island-wide and most stores and restaurants accept major credit cards and
traveller's cheques.
Weather
I believe that the best time to visit
Barbados is up to your purpose for visiting. There are two main seasons- the
dry season (during the northern hemisphere winter and spring) when the
temperatures are a bit cooler and we experience less rain, and the wet season
(during the northern hemisphere summer and autumn) when days are likely to be
warmer and we expect higher rainfall. The weather is a bit unpredictable as it
may rain at any time of day without indication or the sun may just be out for most
of the day. However, do not forget your sun screen as the sun can be very hot
most of the time.
Visa
and Entry Requirements
All visitors to Barbados must have a
passport and valid return ticket to be allowed entry here. The passport must be
valid for the duration of your stay. Most countries do not require a visa to
visit Barbados. This depends on the purpose of your visit and your country
of citizenship. Persons travelling to Barbados on holiday may require a visitor
visa.
Important Information:
- Passport should be valid for duration of your trip.
- Return ticket to country of residence.
- Intended Address.
- Evidence of personal support.
- A child under the age of eighteen (18) travelling without a
parent/guardian must have a letter of authorization from parent/guardian.
Transportation
Getting around Barbados is easy and cheap.
Other than the usual taxi there are three means of public transportation for a
fee of only BDS $2 or US $1. There are the large buses which are owned by the
Government of Barbados - painted blue with striped yellow sides, they are seen
along every major route in rural and urban Barbados. Privately-owned mini-buses
(yellow-painted with blue stripes) and ZR vans (white with maroon stripes) are
readily available and ply almost every route possible. If you are looking for
an authentic bajan experience, then skip the taxi and take a ride on any of the
public transportations.
Things to note:
- The music is often loud on the privately-owned buses
- They often speed while driving
- The bus is usually packed up to the brim
Places
to visit:
- Harrison’s Cave
- Bathsheba- The Soup Bowl
- Garrison Savannah Racetrack
- Saint Nicholas Abbey
- George Washington House
- Morgan Lewis Windmill
- Farley Hill National Park
- Mount Gay Rum Distilleries
- Gun Hill Signal Station
- St.Lawrence Gap
- Atlantis Submarine
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