You good?
Welcome back to Caribbean paradise! I hope your last week was a satisfying week filled with positive memories. Perhaps the sunset photos I share will serve to lighten your mood while you absorb the beauty and warmth.
My past week was filled with moments of gratitude for the friends I have and the best life I am living.
It's surreal to be surrounded by (for which I'm most grateful for) greenery, flowery plants and warm weather in early December. The Christmas period I grew up with/lived most of my adult life was cool/colder winter weather with the idea of a white Christmas being the ideal state.
My friend and good neighbour Sam is a true blessing. He is another of the kindest people I am blessed to call a friend. He is generous with his time, willing to lend a helping hand and proactively anticipates his friends' needs. I have the gift of sitting with him most evenings to watch the sun set, reflect on our respective day's events and learn just a little more about being a Bajan. Thank you Sam!
I received the following two images through WhatsApp from my very good friend Sajee early in the week. How better a way to invigorate your day and your life! Thanks Sajee for your kindness and thoughtfulness in sharing1 🤗
I have many more friends to pay tribute to in the weeks ahead. I'm blessed with the good fortune of being in the midst and rubbing shoulders with kind, thoughtful and generous people. I suspect you may have the same gifts in life as well!
One parting thought. I also appreciate that there is a razor sharp edge between the amazing life I live and what may lay on the other side of the coin. I received yet another reminder of the fragility of our lives. I learned about a woman whom is a mutual traveller to Barbados visited her doctor in November because a sore arm. The scan she had also caught a section of her liver. She discovered, by chance, that she had Stage 4 liver cancer with the likelihood she only had six weeks to live. She passed away with the six week period. May the universe bring peace to her family and to her spirit. All we have is the moment we are living in! Ensure you are present in that moment! 🙏
As promised, I'm starting you down the path of learning
Bajan sayings - Part 1 which help you when you visit Barbados.
May the universe bring endless blessings and moments of magic 🦄 to you and your loved ones in the week ahead. 🙏
Travel Update
I've started more detailed planning for my Nepal adventure as I'm co-ordinating my travel with fellow travellers Mark and Ruth (from Weymouth, England). My current thought is to fly to Kathmandu on Sunday, March 8 connecting with Mark & Ruth later in the week. We'll be traveling together for a few days visiting various villages where water projects have been completed. We may also join up for the Kori Trek which is a 6 - 7 day hike. We are likely parting ways after the trek as I want to visit Lumbini (Buddha's birthplace) and Chitwan National Park (activities tbd). I'm be opportunistic (making it up as I go) about my Maldivian travels after the first seven days on Ukulhas. I'll also be in touch with friends in Sri Lanka to confirm dates in the weeks ahead.
Travel Maps
I'm wandering about parts of Bridgetown courtesy of the local buses and vans.
Blessings
My life, which is infused with daily blessings that I am grateful for, got a healthy dose of extra blessings courtesy of my good friend (and neighbour) Sam AND his sister Lynette on Saturday morning. Sam gave me a shout telling me to meet him at the top of my driveway. He had a container of Christmas Pudding ice cream which he had bought for me. He bought a smaller container as he was unsure I would like this flavour. A guy stops by Sam's home every Wednesday and Saturday to check if Sam wants ice cream and eggs (I think!). Sam and I share a common delight for ice cream. I should mention that Sam's diabetes means he has to temper his ice cream eating.
While I was returning the hammer I borrowed from Sam to secure my Barbados flag, Lynette and I started chatting about oatmeal and sweet bread. She disappeared for a minute, reappearing with home made oatmeal bars and a loaf of her sweet bread! She has also offered to repair the faulty stitching on two pair of my Columbia shorts.
What a remarkable start to my Saturday! Every day is a true blessing! 🙏
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| Heaven in an ice cream container |
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| Lynette's oatmeal bars |
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| Lynette's sweet bread |
Sunday, November 30 is Barbados Independence Day. The day is marked with speeches in Kensington Oval (including inaugurating a new President), a Barbados Defence Force parade from the Oval to the government buildings in downtown Bridgetown and yours truly flying a Barbados flag at my temporary Sea Glass Cottage home. Click the above Independence Day link if you'd like more Independence Day background and history.
Sam invited me to join him to watch the parade in person. We also met Pedro, Sam's nephew, and Pedro's daughter to watch the parade together.
Sea Glass Cottage Celebration
I hoisted by Barbados flag somewhat belatedly. My delay was my tardiness in figuring out how to display the flag, find thumb tacks and secure a hammer from Sam to drive the tacks into the wood. I finally overcame my obstacle with the flag fluttering in the cool sea breeze!
Cadet Sargeant Samuel Lawrence
Sam shared the following photo as part of the wonderful information he shared about Barbados history and Independence Day celebrations!
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No. 3 Company,
Barbados Cadet Corp
Combermere School - 1969 |
National Heroes Square/Cenotaph War Memorial
We visited National Heroes Square and the Cenotaph prior to the parade. We had a primo viewing spot for the parade - just right to the Cenotaph. The government and local dignitaries were located in a viewing area to the Cenotaph's left.
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| National Heroes Square |
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| Cenotaph |
Parade
My first Bajan parade was magnificent with distinguished uniformed personnel from across the
Barbados Defense Force (includes police services) and regulatory bodies (immigration services). What is surprising for me was the number of personnel in uniform for a country of 283,000 people. It feels like almost everyone must be involved at some point in their life. The number of active military personnel is 610. The number of police is 1,400 employees.
Sam was busy taking photos so I had the benefit of Pedro providing colour commentary on the various groups marching by. Apologies for my inability to remember each group in the photos below. Somewhat a blur at the time.
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| And the parade passes the dignitaries |
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Parliament building and House of Assembly
in background |
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| Dignitary viewing stand on the left. |
Barbados History
Sam graciously provided the following photos which chronicle many aspects of Barbados history. Enjoy!
Loyal son The Most Honourable Jeffrey Davidson Bostic was installed as the second President of Barbados in a ceremony marked by a call for Barbadians to renew their love for country and the revelation of President’s awards to give young people a helping hand. The above link gives you access to a wonderful 24 page booklet documenting MH Bostic's personal history leading to his Presidential inauguration.
BTW - Sam proudly shared that the new President and himself attended the same school -Combermere School!
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| MH Jeffrey Bostic and King Abdullah at Sandhurst |
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| His Majesty Abdullah II, King of Jordan |
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| Congrats at Inauguration ceremonies |
Walkabout Bridgetown
I'm sharing photos from the central part of Bridgetown to hopefully provide you with a better first-hand experience of the city. Bridgetown is a busy cruise port so the number of cruise ships docking impacts the island's traffic and pedestrians significantly. Cruise ships were in board on the day I took these photos.
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| Swan Street |
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| Swan Street - pedestrian shopping |
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| Mutual Building - UNESCO Heritage |
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| Bus Staging Area - adjacent to General Post Office |
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'Bus' during a slow moment. Conductor collecting
fares - $3.50 BBD ($2.40 CDN/$1.75 USD) |
Gautier's Quality Bakery
I discovered the very best sweet bread, made by Gautier's Quality Bakery, through a recent purchase at Jordan's Supermarket. I decided I should buy a loaf or two directly from the bakery located just outside Bridgetown's downtown core. I have to make a return trip next Monday, as the bakery usually bakes and distributes the sweet bread on Monday afternoon. They keep a small inventory in store for local sales. I also have their WhatsApp number to confirm the bread's availability on Monday.
The bakery is minimalist with a few bakery products. They also serve meals which is a similar commercial set up for all the Bajan bakeries I've visited to date. I did manage to find a couple slices of cinnamon bread and a rock cake to take home with me. The cinnamon bread was simply divine!
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| Storefront |
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| Servery counter; bakery products on far wall |
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| More food and cashier |
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| My purchases |
Local Fauna
Meet the Bananaquit - a fine feathered friend which loves sweets like flower nectar.
Sunsets
Our past week included a few days of rainy and overcast skies limiting the opportunity for sunset photos.
November 30
December 1
December 3
The limited opportunity for sunset photos was a blessing in disguise. I had the chance to have a great convo with Rudy Ballantyne, who with his wife Denise, own and operate Bibian's Beachhouse where I've happily been their guest in past (
Ballantyne Rentals). My rental experience in Barbados has been more akin to becoming a long lost family member (as opposed to a tenant). Denise had a big hug for me on our first meeting, the day after my arrival. My convo with Rudy focused on their past and future travel plans. The one big constraint for travel is having the confidence to leaving their two key businesses (beach house/car rental company) with trusted people while they travel.
December 5
December 6
Last minute sunset photos as Sam and I had to hurry back from picking up our Saturday evening meals from the Lemon Rock Bar & Restaurant.
Meals
The weekend meal routine is now set. Friday night is dinner at Wendy's, Saturday night is takeaway meal from the Lemon Rock and Sunday lunch is prepared by Jackie. I need to order my Lemon Rock meal through Sam by 4 pm Saturday afternoon, then Sam drives us to the restaurant at 5 pm to pick up our meals.
Lemon Rock Bar & Restaurant
I think I've now decided that grilled fish is my standing order going forward. Amazing fish!
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| Restaurant entrance |
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| Christmas display |
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| Dining area |
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| Service area |
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| Grilled fish |
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| Notice the generous portion of hand cut fries! |
Jackie's
Last Sunday's meal included lamb stew, macaroni pie, vegetables (including beets, my fav!), coleslaw and salad. Jackie sends me a voice text on Saturday afternoon with the Sunday menu. All I need to do is send a text to confirm my order and show up around noon on Sunday to pay (cash, please)/pick up my meal!
Sea Glass Hunt Update
My cup runneth over in the sea glass hunt activity. Sam has given a couple empty ice cream containers to store my precious treasures. I've also notified Joanne, the intended beneficiary, of the bounty heading her way eventually. Joanne transforms sea glass and sea shells into the most amazing jewelry!
The beach has been relatively quiet since I arrived so I think I may be the sole person collecting glass. I'll see if the situation changes as I anticipate more visitors arriving in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned!
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Notice the number of blue glass pieces in
comparison to the other colours. |
Next Week
Another relaxing week in paradise planned for the week ahead. I'll visit Jackie for lunch on Sunday,
travel to Gautier's on Monday for my sweet bread, food shopping on Pricesmart (Barbados version of Costco) on Tuesday with Sam's driving/membership assistance and organize a visit of the local Masonic Temple, dinner at Wendy's on Friday night, order/pick-up lunch at Lemon Rock on Saturday. Then there's the daily beach walk at low tide. I'm also immersed myself in initial travel planning for Nepal.
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