Author Archive

Patrick

On-Site Barbados: Sea Side Bar – Your Home for Booze, Bajan Cuisine and a History Lesson

Chicken, Macaroni Pie and Salad at Sea Side Bar, Barbados

Perched on a hill across the street from the famed Bathsheba Rock, Sea Side Bar is the perfect place to stop to refuel on rum punches, Bajan staples and “old talk” while exploring Barbados’ unique east coast.

continue…
Patrick

Wish You Were Here

Reaching for the Rainbow, Barbados by Patrick Bennett

Reaching for rainbows over Cotton House Bay AKA Freights Bay, Barbados. Try it for yourself with this Barbados rainbow wallpaper.

continue…
Patrick

Friday Happy Hour: The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Single Malt Scotch

Balvenie Caribbean Cask by Patrick Bennett

Those who frequent our site may find this hard to believe, but sometimes, just sometimes, we drink spirits other than rum! I know, I know, we’ve written about the joys of rum over a hundred times in the past two years, and now we’ve even declared this coming February The Month of Rum, but man cannot live on rum alone. (Believe me, we’ve tried.) So, before throwing ourselves enthusiastically into a whole month overflowing with the golden goodness of rum, I’d like to take a moment to enjoy my second favorite spirit: scotch.

continue…
Patrick

Caribbean Wallpaper Wednesday: Money Can’t Buy You Beach

Public Beach at Curtain Bluff, Antigua by Patrick Bennett

It’s said that the best things in life are free. A kiss from your crush. A smile from your son. The kaleidoscopic wonder of another sunset. None of these moments cost a penny yet all of them carry a value — one no exchange rate can place a number on.
Now if you don’t already know this you may find it hard to believe, but on many islands there’s something else money simply can’t buy: beaches.

continue…
Patrick

Friday Happy Hour: Doorly’s XO and 12 Year-Old Rums, A Couple Rare Birds

Doorly's Line of Rums, Barbados by Patrick Bennett

For me there’s a simple truth driving why I travel. The impetus in it’s most elemental form is just to experience something I can’t get at home. But as those potential experiences become more and more rare, the desire inside me to experience them becomes larger and larger. It’s true for rare sailing destinations, hiking paths, foods of the Caribbean, or beaches and it’s also true for rum.
Luckily for those, like me, driven to sample rare Caribbean tastes you can’t find at home, Doorly’s fine Barbados rum (from our friends at R. L. Seale & Co. Distilleries) advertise their scarcity right on the label using a unique avian scale: macaws.

continue…
Patrick

On-Site Barbados: Surfer’s Bay Beach Bar – No Kooks, No Problems

Surfer's Bay Beach Bar

Luckily Surfer’s Bay Beach Bar isn’t exclusive to those with a penchant for getting tubed, pulling aerials or catching the perfect wave. All you need is a laid-back vibe and you’ll fit in perfectly at this idyllic beach bar on the southernmost tip of Barbados.
On our first visit last year after surfing the afternoon away with Boosy of Boosy’s Surf School, the small bonfire was crackling, lofting glowing embers into the West Indian evening, chill tunes we being pumped from hidden speakers, the open air seating area was lightly bustling with activity, the man behind the bar was flashing smiles at his thirsty flock, a beautiful young woman with a pleasant British accent floated among the crowd letting patrons know when their food orders were ready to be picked up and two local ladies were in the back kitchen efficiently preparing Bajan staples like macaroni pie and fried fish as well as more upscale fare like grilled tuna.

continue…
Patrick

On-Site Barbados: Oistins Fish Market By Day, Another Side to Barbados’ Best Weekly Party

Oistins Fish Market By Day, Barbados by Patrick Bennett

Visitors to Barbados who miss the weekly fish fry Friday nights (and Saturday nights too, but Friday is generally better) in Oistins are missing what has become the best weekly, open air parties on the island. But don’t be so quick to dismiss Oistins as a one trick pony. For Uncommon Caribbean travelers, a visit to Oistins any day of the week during the day offers a special, more authentic cultural experience… And as a bonus, better prices.
Before the weekly parties came along, Oistins was already a major fishing community in Barbados’ Christ Church parish. On any given day for a couple hundred years, an armada of small, traditional fishing vessels have bobbed in Oistin Bay, fishermen have weaved nets on the shore, and stands have provided fresh fish for lucky patrons.

continue…