Barbados Beach Vacation Rentals

Barbados Crop Over Carnival 2012: Faces & Feathers

Barbados Crop Over Kadooment day was marked by dancing in the streets, lively music, many feathers, sequins, laughter, and smiles of celebration. I noticed a bit of alcohol flowing as well … but that goes with the territory. I snapped a few photos and put together the short video you see below. Get your sequins [...]

Barbados’ Chattel Houses Find New Life

Chattel House: Barbadian slang for a small , movable house made of wood. The term harks back to the country’s plantation days when a plantation owner housed slaves in these houses, which were designed to move from one property to another. Today, the island is dotted with colorful – and, today, charming – chattel houses. [...]

Barbados' Jewish Synagogue Offers Fascinating Religious and Economic History of Barbados

planetbarbados@gmail.com

The Jewish Synagogue in Bridgetown, Barbados, was originally built in 1654, making it one of the oldest buildings in the western hemisphere.

It has a museum attached that offers fascinating history of the Jews in Barbados, who were blocked from developing large plantations. The resourceful Jews found other ways of earning their livings on the island, eventually becoming key players in the island's history and economic development.

The Synagogue was fully restored in 2011 and, during this process, a Mikvah (purifying bath) was discovered below ground; please don't miss it.

The Mikvah is now open and the synagogue active. The Mikvah and the museum are must-do's for anyone interested in Barbados history.

I took a photo showing how some exhibits are underfoot ... such a clever way to display artifacts.

A Yank in Barbados: What Does Paradise Look Like After 4 Years?

planetbarbados@gmail.com

When I first started visiting Barbados, I couldn't get over the beauty. I'm widely traveled but - except for Bali - I've never seen beauty that rivals Barbados' beauty. The sea really is aqua; the sand really is white (with a touch of pink). The palms really do bend seductively across the sunset over the horizon.

Of course, living on a paradise island is different from visiting one. And I've lived on the paradise island of Barbados now for 4 years this month.

I'm a Yank and like most of Yanks I like immediate gratification, lots of choice, and cheap prices. I get none of these things in Barbados. Serivce is often slow, the amount of goods is limited, and, when I gasp at the prices, I have to remind myself that every single thing I see here except for coconuts and rum came on a ship.

Just now I got off the phone with LIME, who provides (or doesn't) phone service. For a new apartment on the island that I manage, I was "approved," as they call it, for service two months ago -- but still don't have. This morning a woman from LIME called and asked how I liked my service and could she sell me some gizmo.

In a controlled growl I said I didn't yet HAVE service to comment upon. When I could tell she wasn't going to do anything to help, I asked to speak with customer service. She, of course, wasn't "able" to put me through to customer service. This sort of thing drives me to distraction.

Still and just the same, at any time of day - and partciularly after a frustrating exchange as the one with LIME - I can look outside at the sparkling aqua Caribbean Sea 30 steps from my back door. If I just stop a moment and take the time to breathe in the sea air, I will relax. I will get over the slowness and inefficiency and my own uptight reaction to it.

Frustrations lurk around every corner no matter where we live. Last week I was in Virginia getting a new driver's license. Lordy, that was Frustration City. But I didn't have blue beauty streaming into my windows there. There was no warmth awaiting when I stepped outside the DMV. There was no beach to sink my toes into.

Each and every time I travel away from Barbados, I step off the plane at BGI and just want to kiss the earth. I love this place. Love the history, the landscape, the virbrancy of the colors, and the sound of the sea. I love the people. I love my work helping visitors from the world over find accommodations. I love my Bajan husband.

I love my life in Barbados more than I've enjoyed life anywhere. This is my home now. Damn the frustrations; if tardy phone service is the price I pay for getting to live here, so be it. I'll use a tin can and string if I have to.

“Left at the Coconut Tree” in Barbados

Although the island is just 14 by 21 miles in size, getting lost is the name of the game when driving in Barbados.

Doing Nothing in Barbados

Barbados is a fabulous place to do absolutely nothing. I admire the guests in our Barbados vacation rentals on the beach in St Lawrence Gap who lie in the sun all day, breaking occasionally to cool down with a swim in the sea or pool, then going to dinner at night. Such exquisite rest and [...]

Colorado or Barbados: Which is More Beautiful?

Which is more beautiful, my family farm in Colorado or my new home on the beach in Barbados?

If the BP Oil Disaster Happened in Barbados

Look at the size of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with the size of the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Barbados Police Enforce Shirt-Tucking

In the town in which you live, imagine the police gently but firmly telling schoolkids to tuck their shirts in. It happens here in Barbados and is one reason I love this place. Decorum and deportment matter. Everywhere in the world, citizens decry the increase in crime. This is true here in Barbados as well. [...]

Christmas Spirit in Barbados: No Snow Req’d

When I moved to Barbados nearly three years ago, Christmas felt like an unnatural act. To a Yank from northern climes, Christmas is supposed to feel like … Christmas. But with Barbados’ perfect Groundhog-Day climate, Christmas felt no different from Memorial Day from Independence Day from First Day of School from the Day Big B [...]

In Barbados, Say “What????” If You Love Me.

Life in Barbados for an expat.

Going to the Movies in Barbados is Not Without Risk

Going to the movies in Barbados is not without risk.

The Opposite of Barbados and Just As Enchanting: Alaska

Barbados is small. Alaska is big. And as different as they are, they share some commonalities.

Crab Porn in Barbados

When she snapped this photo, my friend Sharon didn’t realize she was peeking into the bedroom of two Barbados crabs. Sharon wrote me, “I was with my mom at Tapas for lunch. We were seated upstairs. My mom looked down at the sea and asked me to take a photo of one of the many [...]

When Your Fairy-Tale Barbados Wedding Gets Rained On

With love and hope and great anticipation, the bride and groom gaze into one another’s eyes and decide to have a storybook wedding on the beach in Barbados, the “Jewel of the Caribbean.” Sparkling blue sea, beautiful white beaches, brilliant sun … and a couple in love. What could be more ideal? The couple books [...]

Things I Thought I’d Never Tolerate for a Second .. in Barbados

Barbados view of the Caribbean Sea

Barbados Beach: Sink Your Toes into Heaven on Earth at Carlisle Bay

Granted, not all Caribbean islands have sugar-white sand like Barbados, but even so, the first image any visitor with any awareness at all of the Caribbean thinks of is (and should be) Caribbean = warmth, blue sky, sparkling blue sea, gorgeous beaches Lest future visitors think otherwise, the image of warm, blue sea and beautiful [...]

In Barbados, Brush Your Teeth — Quick!!

Rarely does the water in Barbados go off, but it did today. It was fun, actually.

Come, Take a Ride With Me in Barbados! (Video)

Barbados driving can be a challenge for a North American like me who’s not used to driving on the “wrong” side of the road. Add a gear shift and the uninitiated has got double-trouble. And then there is the problem of road signs – or lack thereof – to help navigate. And those charming distractions [...]

Barbados Sea Swim: No Adult Supervision!

Swimming in the Caribbean Sea in Barbados is not scary!

Barbados Beach Vacation Rentals & the Caribbean Sea: A Video

Video showing St Lawrence Beach Condos pool and Caribbean Sea

Barbados “Best for Foodies,” according to the UK Telegraph

This morning’s Telegraph has a great “Best of” article about the Caribbean, naming Barbados “Best for foodies” … I’ll add TripAdvisor links to the places the Telegraph recommends. I’ll also take this opportunity to promote the St Lawrence Beach Condos on the south coast (here on TripAdvisor), which is smack dab in the center of [...]

Rosey Chan: Extraordinary in Barbados

Barbados’ Holders Season gave its audience an extraordinary gift last evening: Rosey Chan, a young British woman who plays piano like a goddess. She’s called a classical pianist but she’s actually a performance artist whose rich fabric of classical music is woven in a tapestry of jazz improvisation, contemporary electronic music and performance art. Last night’s [...]

Almost a Bajan

The road to citizenship in Barbados for an American citizen.

Barbados At 30 Below

Guest Post By Debbie Grant Have you ever tried to sit outside in the dead of winter, watch the sunset, drink wine and eat delicious appetizers on an outdoor deck? If you’re Canadian, you probably have tried, and been successful after donning your long undies, snowmobile suit, balaclava, heated snow-boots, thermal gloves and of course [...]

Barbados Vacation Rentals: What You Pay Is the Full Cost

Watch out for add-on fees in your vacation rental accommodation. St Lawrence Beach Condos prices its condos for the full cost; there are no add-on surprises.

Barbados Friendships & Departures

If you could leave your current life behind for three years to live in Barbados, what do you think you’d treasure most about being on a paradise Caribbean island? The slower pace, smaller scale, and easier lifestyle? The warmth of the sun? The music of the waves and gentle wind in the palms as you [...]

Vacation Rentals for the Non-Tourist

Inhabit Vacations offers vacation rentals that are hand-picked by “curator” Rebecca Rosenfelt, herself a vacation rentals owner and life-long traveler. Inhabit’s properties are infused with local character and chosen to join the Inhabit network because they offer unique style and high quality for the discerning traveler. These special properties are for the “non-tourist.” I want [...]

Bad Berries in Barbados? Doesn’t Matter

Are you familiar with the TV show that aired in the early ’90s called Northern Exposure? It’s about a New York Jewish doctor who is forced to be a physician in Cicely, Alaska, for four years. His culture shock includes moose wandering the streets, coping with a landlord who might or might not provide service [...]

Christmas in Barbados: Round & Round We Go!

Barbados roundabouts celebrate Christmas with vivid displays.

Barbados Featured in Blue Caribbean Dive Magazine

Blue Caribbean magazine serves the interests of dive enthusiasts.

Cheers, Barbados Turns 44 Today!

Barbados celebrates her 44th birthday of independence from Britain today, November 30, 2010.

In Barbados, Tourists Aren’t the Only Ones Having a Whale of a Good Time

For the past few weeks, Barbadians have been staring out to sea. However, it’s not boats that have caught their attention, but the antics of one of Mother Nature’s biggest marine creatures frolicking in the island’s waters. The article below is from yesterday’s The Nation News here in Barbados, written by Heather-Lynn Evanson. Humpback whales have been making spectacles [...]

Type A in Barbados

Take the girl out of her Type A American culture to Barbados and you get .. a Type A Yank being shown a slower, calmer, gentler way to life live.

Are you visiting this season?

lisabeth9685@gmail.com

This coming season makes a great time to visit Barbados. With the climate just right for your visit, there is no better time to come stay with us in a professionally managed rental. We have units for groups of any size, and on any budget. Inquire today and let us help you plan your perfect vacation!

Barbados is a great place to visit!

lisabeth9685@gmail.com

There are so many reasons to visit Barbados, from the shopping and recreation, the beautiful climate and relaxation. Take a step back, and then take a step forward in booking your next vacation with us. We provide all the tools for you to reserve your rental online and also over a wide range of concierge services. If you have any questions at all, just pick up the phone and calls us or shoot us and email and we will be happy to help you start planning your vacation.

Why Rent with Barbados Beach Vacation Rentals?

lisabeth9685@gmail.com

Barbados Beach Vacation Rentals is a leading property rental company in Barbados. All of our properties are professionally managed so you can be sure the quality of your stay is superior to any hotel in the area. We also provide a wide range of concierge services to make your vacation easy and enjoyable. If you have any questions make sure you inquiry and let us help start planning your vacation today!