Alluring Nights & Motley Colored Afternoons: The Budget Affability Of Barbados - Feature
Reflecting into the ideas of ocean destinations, moving towards South America provides a bit of flavor while still retaining the idea of the North America continent. The key becomes the ease of use factor, safety (of course) and a bit of adventure to intertwine the possibilities of fun.Highlighting the aspect that budgets are tight, entices a more budget-minded airline like Jet Blue to promote a sense of getaway. While the ideas of other name airlines playing to a notion of expanded first class can definitely be important, the reality in making the destination distinctive, especially in a lower part of the Caribbean previously dominated by another carrier, shows the foothold that Jet Blue has begun enticing in its customers. Even structuring from Los Angeles through JFK where new direct service to Bridgetown, Barbados has been implemented becomes fairly easy despite some close connections which even with possible terminal transfers is immensely doable.
The key to this reigns two-fold both on-board and in the waiting transit at JFK in NYC. Terminal 5, effectively becoming JB's hub, has exceptional workstations with power and free WiFi which allows for last minute work before escaping out of the country. Moving onboard, despite a lack of power outlets in the seats, the lengthier leg room and the Direct TV are a plus, despite the fact that it cuts out when the plane reaches 100 miles offshore of the States. Adding to this points, the inclusion of Arizona Ice Tea as an option and complimentary chips and cookies (because there is only economy class) gives the service a leg up.
Arriving on Barbados, a quick transfer to the Almond Casuarina Resort precludes the aspect of rum punch, which is always the tendency on the island. Barbados, as a matter of course, is a British Commonwealth and still retains that essence of cool colonialism with a balance of Caribbean culture, both musically and historically.
The all-inclusive resort at Almond Casuarina Beach, simple but effective in its structure, offers a sense of community without overwhelming with the need for bells and whistles. The simple pool, main and lobby bars, open for specific parts of the day, balance out the notion of the guests, which range from young to old, couples to singles, Americans to Brits and beyond..
The room, simply furnished but with pull-out couches, leads out onto balcony overlooking the pool. While cigars may be had on the balcony, smoking in public places is banned on the island adding to a notion of good air.
Beyond the pools lies the private beach area where the lithe silty water of the bay reside. Off in the distance, the gleam of the lighthouse crests over the waves with a lithe sense of knowing.Food retains a dexterity of importance with guests within the resort because although there is alot to be seen around the island, many visitors never leave the safety of the compound because everything needed is at the finger tips whether it be the breakfast buffet at Waves, snacks into the late evening at Enids or a simple but enticing lunch at Dover.
Dinner at Waves within the open air structure, with the bar in sight, provides a familiar perspective in terms of hearty food that maintains understood and effective dishes without trevailing into more specific ideas of seafood preparation across the island. The beginning notes resounding with the bartender's incumbent "Something Dark" cocktail led into the evening's perspective.
Beginning with a diced prawn and seafood salad accompanied by a local puree of butternut squash soup, the main course of lobster thermidor and fillet steak definitely gave a sense of completion as music started to play.
Heading out onto the island many historical and geological possibilities are available, though transportation (specifically the kind that requires driving on the wrong side of the road) must be thought out with advance notice as the wildlife peppering island from sheep to snails just move along their merry way.
Harrison's Cave is situated in a gully of sorts cut into the limestone of the island allowing for an underground system of pools leading far down beneath the surface. While not volcanically formed, the caves do retain certain visual references including underground waterfalls, stalagtites and a Grand Hall that reaches over 140 feet in height
Further up into the hills, Hunte's Gardens, run by the exceptional and eccentric Anthony, offers an Eden that Prospero would be proud of with a soundtrack all its own which reflects in arias from Mozart to Ludwig Van in a jungles of treasures that Alex from "A Clockwork Orange" or even Malcolm McDowell for that matter would be proud of: a living, breathing paradise situated within a hidden grove. Above in his abode, Anthony offers a possibility of rum punch where hours can be lost.
Moving into a more historical base, the George Washington House, restored to its past structure, relives a moment in the mid 1700s when a young man from Virginia ventured down into the Caribbean for a sense of adventure in a port which was as vibrant as any in the West Indies. While formality did set in, hat boxes secretly held the inventiveness of rum while instruments of bloodletting were used to cure ailments and not to wring information.
The Sunbury House, conversely compared to GW on the harbor, sits in the middle of the island over a grassy plain, a plantation house where life continued with elegant banquets and breezy afternoons as a giant cypress tree casts shade over a wedding in process gleaming in purples and whites.Food returns the basis to where the interest of living truly lies: the stomach. Different possibilities revolve between towns, resorts and the simple street-based delicacies.
Within the harbor of Bridgetown, the ideas of seafood continue to permeate the entirety of the menu at The Waterfront Cafe, because of its plentiful bounty with flying fish being an undeniable delicacy interwoven into many meals.
The intention of "Tapas For Two" at the restaurant speaks to the Spanish influence of the region inherent with beef, conch and shrimp swirled in a variety of sauces as the beginning balance of tamarine juice and a rum-infused frozen concoction announces The Connection.
Intermixing with the vitality of Bul Jol, with its salted cod base blended with lime, oil and fresh thyme, the main course revels in the intensity of the Seafood St. Jacques mixing local fish, scallops and shrimps into an almost "Hot Brown" vision prepared in lithe baked beauty that leaves one prone to a knockout.
Down the road near city center at the Oistins, the vitality of a Saturday night reflects across the board from the Michael Jackson impersonation show to the Calypso beats to the island music jam mixing not just hip-pop and pop but a sense of culture and dance uniquely Barbados open to the gazing and interactive view of outsiders.
Within this cauldron of activity, Uncle Georges takes up only a small space as the grill permeates quickly with the incessant smell of marinated fish. While many options are available, steaming hot, the inclusion of marlin, the sailed-type fish considered one of the most intrinsic sportsfish in terms of fight, is notorious for being difficult to cook and more often than not (specifically in the US) is smoked to less-than-overwhelming results. However, the effect here grilled with a certain type of seasoning and accompanied by sliced potatoes is exceptionally smooth and tasty.
Bordering the land down the island, The Crane Resort sits situated above bluffs and a magnificent pink beach, where the sunlight bakes with wonder and the storms swirl with gusto and intensity off shore, subject only to the whims of a day pass.
Overlooking the intensive stone-like structure borders a vaulted pool, which offered respite atop the pinnacle of the resort with lukewarm water perfectly suited to the tenderness of the midday sun.
Under the cover of post ended wooden beams at The Carriage House on-site, the grilled mahi mahi marinated in a light sauce with a light salad entranced with sun dried tomatoes and french fries offered a light contention to the frolic at hand.
The night time vision of Champers, confident within its fine dining structure, lists its deck over crashing waves with a notion of seafaring elegance beginning ever so slightly with the Devil's Margarita, a signature drink, pleasing and unfettered to the eyes but packing a pepper and tabasco punch to get the blood flowing.
Beginning with a camenbert which provided a paradox of lightness enviable in its puff pastry interspersed with spiced apples led through into the second reveal of prepared fish previously difficult by Stateside standards: barracuda. Notoriously known as a bony fish, the inclusion of its parmesan-encrusted exterior over mashed potatoes allowed for a grilled marinade to resound in a tender steak that dazzled because of its sheer propensity not to.
Barbados offers an interesting possibility both for those adventurous or not, relaxed or active, with an eye for budget which allows its treasures available and willing. With Jet Blue's new route to Bridgetown from JFK and the Almond Casuarina's affable and all-inclusive progression, visitors need not journey forth to enjoy but, for those undeniable of island life and the discoveries abound, the beauty from the Hunte's Gardens to the nighttime energy of Oistins beats with a heart all its own.