As I sit here at work wishing it were 5 pm already, my mind drifts to the 1000 places I rather be than at this desk. In particular, our next vacay spot in 2010 - Barbados! This ingenious idea was that of my mother's when we were talking about my next trip back home. "Let's go Barbados when yuh come na..." Who could turn that down?!
You could pronounce this country 2 ways. 1) Bar-Bay-Dus or 2) Bar-Bay-Doze. I have very very faint memories of a family vacation as a child when my parents took me and my brothers. I don't even think Johann was born then; I'll have to check. Lee was ready to pack his bags the minute I told him about it. We'll most likely do this 2 week vacation next year around August/ September when we've both accumulated time off and money. We plan to go to Trinidad, spend a couple days before leaving with my parents for about 4 days in Barbados.
Here are some fun facts about this Caribbean Island:
Is the birthplace of Rihanna, who moved from Barbados to the United States at the age of sixteen to pursue her music career.
Was chosen by Tiger Woods as the location for his wedding in 2004.
Has always flown only the British Flag, until achieving it's independence in 1966.
The National dish of Barbados is Cou-Cou and Flying Fish.
Cou-cou is a dish made with cornmeal and okras, in much the same way that it has been made in Africa for centuries. It is accompanied by flying fish which have been prepared in an aromatic sauce of tomato, onion, chives, thyme, fresh pepper, garlic and other herbs.
It is good luck to have a mongoose scurry across the road in front of you.
Some time during your stay you are more than likely to see a Barbados mongoose scurry across your path. The Mongoose is a slender, furry creature of about 24 inches from its head to the end of its bushy, squirrel-like tail. It has a brown coat and looks a bit like a Weasel or a Stoat. They were brought to Barbados from India in 1879 to combat the problem of the increasing rat population - and the ensuant threat to the sugar industry. Unfortunately for the planters they had made one big mistake. The rat is a nocturnal animal while the mongoose likes to go foraging during the day - so they rarely cross each others path.
Flying fish jump out of the water and can glide for 30 to 50 metres!
Barbados is hailed as "The land of the flying fish". This interesting fish abounds in our waters and has become something of a national emblem as well as a staple part of our diet. Other popular local fish are dolphin, kingfish, sailfish, barracuda, tuna, red snapper and chub. Incidentally, whenever you see "dolphin" on a menu, please don't think that you are about to eat "flipper" and his friends. Dolphin in Barbados is an ugly but delicious fish, not a porpoise.
Barbados was originally named Los Barbados, meaning 'the bearded ones'.
The many fig trees on the island had long hanging, aerial roots. To Pedro Campos, the Portuguese explorer who sighted the island in 1536, these roots made the trees look like they had beards, hence the name 'Los Barbados.
Pictures that I've found online get me very excited to visit. My parents, Lee & I are total beach people. We stay for hours upon hours and once we have a beach chair with some drinks - we might never leave! I can't wait to chill-lax, take great pictures and see the sights. I even mentioned to Lee the other day "Honey, won't it be GREAT to get engaged in Barbados!!!" He only smiled and said "Sure it would.." I'll have to work harder on that, but I'll keep you updated on my progress!
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