Barbados
Barbados is a coral island, pushed out of sea by volcanic activity in a far away time. On the West Coast of Barbados, coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea. Coral reefs fringe the Barbados shoreline to provide excellent snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Along the East Coast a lively surf is blown briskly by the strong and constant trade winds and the waves pound against a rocky shore. The constant breeze of the trade winds give Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate. When you visit Barbados, you will see it is mostly a flat coral island with excellent beaches, but there are rolling hills and many deep ridges and gullies, with an interesting distribution of flora and fauna. Within the Barbados coral core there is a vast array of caves and underground lakes which provide an excellent supply of drinking water that is amongst the purest in the world. Geologically Barbados is unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years. This and other anomalies make this Caribbean Island quite phenomenal, and there are geological structures that you will find only in Barbados.
Barbados Expectation
Barbados is a very beautiful island, with lots of art, activities, night life, music, history and some of the best restaurants to be found anywhere. But what makes Barbados even more special, and the reason why so many visitors keep returning to the island year after year, is the people. Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and friendly souls, always ready to greet you with a sincere smile. Barbadians make you feel welcome and special, in this lovely Caribbean Island. You will feel its your home and will want to come back again and again to Barbados: A unique Caribbean paradise, surprisingly sophisticated, friendly, fun and always Naturally Charming!
Local favorites places
Mark "de Boss" Holder is one of leading surfers on the island, after winning the surfing nationals six times. He also has made his mark internationally at the Surfing Worlds, which has been held in such places as South Africa, France and Portugal. He says, "I love to compete internationally and it wouldn't have been possible without my sponsors, Billabong, FCS accessories, Smith sunglasses and Reef." This dynamic personality can be seen pulling in deep barrels at Soup Bowl or slashing up the smaller south coast waves. He is definitely "de Boss" of the surf scene in Barbados, living on both the South and East coast depending on the season. As he put it, "Wherever deAction is I will be there in the water or at night."
Favorite breaks in Barbados: "Soup Bowl, Bathsheba is #1, and I love training in places like Silver Sands shore break, it fun. I also like Sandy Lane."
Favorite music: "I do a little rap myself, music is the food of life....if there were more music there would be less corruption in the world. I like reggae, R & B and soft rock."
Favorite night club: "McBride's, Boatyard and Ship Inn; I love the atmosphere and I feel welcome."
Favorite places to eat: "Oistin's and Chicken Rita (south coast) ....they save the day. In the Bathsheba area, I like Smokes' Shop and People Choose (rum shop)."
Kevin Talma is a waterman living the life. He's a surfer and windsurfer but his passion is kiteboarding. He lives to be in the water. If he not kiting off his home beach Long Beach, he's surfing. He's a Landscape Architect by profession and says, "I love beautiful places and traveling." This family man also finds time for drumming with some of the local bands.
Favorite beaches: "Long beach is amazing for kiteboarding and after a great session I enjoy hanging out with friends. "Soul Bowl" is my favorite surf break."
Favorite night club: "McBrides."
Favorite place to eat: "Sushi at the Crane Hotel."
Favorite events in Barbados: "Crop Over, Waterman festival and I also enjoy the atmosphere in Bridgetown."
Fullmoon is a Silver Sands man, pushing his limits as a windsurfer. Also very involved in the fishing community and if you hear him blowing the conch, you know there is fish in the market. If you are missing him from the windsurfing scene it's because he's out on the ice boat (this can last for over a week). This fun loving fellow can also been seen out at night as a DJ. He is an entertainer and a joy to be around.
Favorite beach: "SilverRock is perfect for wavesailing."
Favorite place to eat: "London bar and Oistin's."
Favorite nightclub: "Extreme Club."
Favorite music: "Reggae."
Favorite food: "Coucou and flying fish." (national dish).
Wolfgang and Rosie Lange are Germans that have made Barbados their home. This couple pioneered the windsurfing scene in Barbados. He was one of the first windsurfers to discover windsurfing in Barbados, and the first to promote and develop windsurfing in the Silver Sands area. They now own a piece of paradise directly on the famous Silver Sands beach, and manage their luxury house and apartments. As Rosie puts it, "I love Barbados because of it's diversity. I enjoy cooking and there are some great supermarkets to get food". Wolfgang adds, "Everybody is easy going. I've traveled the world and I think the people of Barbados are the friendliest. I also believe it has the best package taking everything into consideration." Wolfgang has diversified and if he isn't ripping up the waves in front of his home he is on the golf course or cycling across the island.
Favorite Beach: "Bottom Bay is extremely beautiful, just to relax and enjoy the view. I like windsurfing anywhere between South Point and Long Beach."
Favorite places to eat: "I like the Sunday brunches at Sandy Lane Hotel and lunches at Lone Star. If I wish something more elegant, I'll check out Cliff, Daphne's and Calabaza restaurants. On the south coast I enjoy Waterfront Café and Mama Mia"
Favorite night Club: "Ship Inn."
Favorite food: Wolfgang, "Tuna tartar and any local fish."
Tony "Corn" Lord is a true waterman pushing everything to the limit. This Silver Sand man is respected highly in the fishing community because of his fishing skills. If it is going out on the ice boats for days or spear fishing off the reefs in the Silver Sands area, he has the reputation of getting the biggest catch. He began as a windsurfer and surfer, but once he was exposed to kiteboarding and won The Barbados Waterman Event, he became the leading kiteboarder in Barbados. This young good looking man might be quiet but his actions speak loudly.
Favorite beach: "Long Beach and SilverRock for kitesurfing."
Favorite places to eat: "Maydine's Cook out, a local hangout spot in Silver Sands, Oistin's and Café Sol."
Favorite night club: "McBrides and the Ship Inn."
Favorite music: "R & B and reggae."
Favorite event: "Waterman and Crop Over."
Favorite food: "Bacon."
Kyle Harris is manager director of Morgan Fish House, the biggest and best fish processing facility in Barbados. He makes his living from the sea and he also spends his off time in the sea. He says, "I am always in the sea. I've now started long boarding and this is a new addition to my many other activities; windsurfing, kiteboarding, diving and yachting (I like partying too)." He also says his family is his biggest priority and enjoys introducing them to the bajan beach culture.
Favorite beach: "Long Beach for kitesurfing and Freights for longboarding...it's fun."
Favorite places to eat: "Tides restaurant and Lexi's Bar (Oistin's), or going to Ken for pudding & souse with Kevin and Brian on the traditional Saturdays."
Favorite festival: "I love the Waterman festival and this time of the year. It has a festive atmosphere and the conditions are good during the months of December to March. Instead of Crop Over this year, I rented a house on the east coast and just enjoyed family, friends and the surf."
