Monday, June 26, 2006

Summer Travel

It's summer time. Most kids are out of school (mine still have about a week and 1/2 left). And it's the time when many families travel. Having been in the travel industry for many years, I find that people still have a hard time getting out that door for their summer holiday travel. So I thought I'd add a few tips to hopefully help people travel better in the summer time.

1. Make sure passports and travel documents are in order. If you are going to a different country, you need to make sure you have all the proper visas, insurance and other items needed for tavel. Check the countries webpages to see if there is anything that you need that your travel agent isn't telling you. While they don't have to "get your visas for you", a Travel Agent is required to give you info on visas/Passport and Health requirements for all countries that you are visiting.

2. Pack light (better said than done). check out the weather (well in most places summer travel is going to be warm to hot, unless you are visiting South of the equator). Take outfits that work in several different ways. Keep colors similar so you can mix and match. For kids, take at least one outfit per day..again try to mix and match things and don't overload on shoes.. Remember.. most places you can pickup a thing or 2 for you or the kids to supplement what you have.

3. Kids medications.. even over the counter.. Have some basics ready and with you.. in your carry on.. sniffle stuff. pain stuff.. etc... Also, make sure you have any prescription meds that you need in your carry on.. not in your checked luggage if you are flying.. and carry a separate list of those meds as well.

4. toys for the plane/car etc.. take toys/books/crayons etc that they will play with and that will not go rolling under the seats (lost some toy cars that way on a plane once.)

This is just a short list of what I find important. I'm sure I'll find more things to add later

Click on the link on the title to see a great website with tons more info.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Queen Mary 2


Queen Mary2.. Great Picture that I took in February 2004 when the ship pulled into Barbados for the first time. Just felt like showing it off on my blog.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Highland Adventure Centre - Barbados


Went to Highland Adventure Centre (in the northern part of St. Thomas Parish) yesterday (June 17th 06) as a part of my children's school (St. Gabriel's School) family fun day activities. It was really great. I haven't been there in a number of years and had a very enjoyable time. They have hiking and biking and horseback riding as well as a snack bar and facilities.

As part of the fun day the shool had a jumpy tent placed on the grounds and had the children bring their footballs and cricket bats as well. At around 4:15pm the Highland Staff seperated those that wanted to participate into 2 groups and led everyone on 2 different hikes. The first was labled as a 20min hike for the younger kids and the 2nd as a 1 hour and 45 min hike for those heartier souls.

I choose to go on the 20min hike with my 2 daughters and 2 of their friends (who I was looking after for the afternoon). We walked along a narrow path through open fields (used by cattle and horses mostly.. how did we know this.. well all you had to do was look down) . We mostly walked single file for the first little while, then the path widened a bit in spots and those that wanted to go ahead could do so. It was a gently sloping hike through that gave us some really great views of Barbados. In the end the time was 40min in total. Some walked faster than others, but a good hike was had by all.

My husbands brother took his family (older children) on the harder hike and they all had a great time. they hiked up to Mount Hilliby, which is the highest point in Barbados, and back to the centre. With the exception of a few scraps and bumps, they all had a great time. Even the Headmistress of the school (who is an avid hiker) went along on this one and really enjoyed herself.

What a great day. the views are spectacular and if you are there in the evening, take a light sweater at the breezes do blow on the cool side.

I highly recommend this spot on your next visit to Barbados.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Paynes Bay Beach and TuckAway Ice Cream , Barbados

I'm usually on the Rockley/Accra Beach bandwagon, but I've been back to what used to be my favorite beach in Barbados and it's really great these days.

Over the last few years, the beach at Paynes Bay (at the Coach House entrance... any cab driver can take you there) has come back. It's great. the sand is back making it wide and nice. the water over the last 2 days has been very calm and really feels good (your not fighting the current or waves). Beware that there isn't much shade, but if your willing to spend the money, there is a beach vendor with chairs and umbrellas. Also, the Coach House Restaurant has a beach service that serves food and drinks. and there is a shower at the top of the walk by the road (hidden on the beach side of the gate).

We visited Tuckaway Ice Cream shop just south of Paynes Bay. it's on the other side of the road from the beach. The ice cream is fabulous.. All home made on site and natural.. The kids had chocolate, I had coffee ice cream and my hubby had soursop (which is not for every one). The had lots of other flavors.. almond, peppermint, sundae, rum and raisin. and more.. You can get milk shakes, sundaes etc. It's open every day 9a-9p even Sundays and holidays when it's open from 4p-9p

Enjoy.

Monday, June 05, 2006

ICC Cricket World Cup 2007


So what's a girl from North Carolina doing talking about the Cricket World Cup 2007. Well I live in Barbados, and the island is currently turning itself upside down in preperation for the worlds 2nd largest sporting event (the Football/Soccer World Cup holds the first spot). Lots of new construction and renovations going on. We are building a whole new cricket oval.. well not a whole new one.. but almost.

Check out the Cricket World Cup website at http://www.cricketworldcup.com/ Read it carefully if you are interested in Tickets, accommodation etc.

It's not just taking place in Barbados. The events start in early March with warm up matches in Jamaica, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Barbados. The opening ceremony takes place on the 11th March and then Group Play matches start playing in St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad, Jamaica, and St. Lucia on the 13th march. The Super Eights (second stage) begins on the 27th March in Antiuga, Guyana, Grenada and Barbados. The semi finals are late April and the finals are being played in Barbados on the 28th of April 2007.

If you have already made your plans or reserved your tickets, you had better get on the stick.

enjoy..and go West Indies.