Barbados Outdoors Barbados has transformed into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean Sea. British influence on the island remains in local manners, customs, attitudes, and tempered politics, not to mention the name the islanders give themselves: the Bajans. Bajan is a term derived phonetically from the British pronunciation of "Barbadian" and characterized by a warm nature, the Bajans are enthusiast practitioners of outdoors activities, including golfing, riding, hiking, biking, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, hunting and many others, including dinning out, nightlife and countless festivals. Many festivals are the result of British-born traditions, as the customs remain, such afternoon tea and British cricket, which is the national passionate sport. Dressing for dinner is a must and closely related to British traditions that Barbadians expect visitors also to observe this custom when going outdoors. Festivals run all year long because almost every day there is something to remember and celebrate. The Holetown Festival is held in February and commemorates the arrival of the British settlers in 1627. The Celtic Festival is particularly attractive because it features a Rugby Tournament, and different performances at hotels, dance halls and local churches. Children are not left out and the International Festival and Fair's are not only colorful but their proceeds benefit the improvement of the life of many children and young people in Barbados. Music and art are also important and one of the most remarkable festivals during the year is The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts. This festival celebrates hand-made crafts and all other creative arts of Barbados. The Holders Season is one of the most classic festivals, at this time that features the premiere international festivals in the Caribbean. During this season, it is usual to find associated activities, including opera, classical, jazz and Caribbean music. Other popular festivals are: - Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes - Crop Over Festival - Oistins Fish Festival - Cohobblopot - Kiddies Kadooment - Grand Kadooment In addition, the Bridgetown Market Festival, consisting of several stalls selling local food, beverages, local arts and crafts, while calypso music is playing live and visitors to the stalls join the celebration. In addition, for those who prefer the nightly activities, there are many nightclubs all over the parishes. Nightclubs feature live entertainment most nights of the week year round, including local bands and international performers visiting Barbados. Many clubs have calypso and reggae bands, while Rhythm and Blues is usually performed in piano bars. There are plenty of Karaoke establishments and party streets with live bands Popular Nightclubs: - After Dark - Baku Beach Club - The Boat Yard - Casuarina Beach Club - Harbour Lights Beach Party Open Bar - Jam Rock Café DJ Music - Hip Hop - Reggae Lounge - Ship Inn - Waterfront Cafe Guitar The following are popular outdoor activities in Barbados: - Friars Craig, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic site; Ship - Queen Street Beach, Barbados Type of Activity: Beach - Gun Hill Signal Station, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic site; All terrain vehicle trails - Rum Factory and Heritage Park, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Park; Historic site - Animal Flower Cave, Barbados Type of Activity: Cavern/cave - Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, Christ Church Type of Activity: Beach - Berwyn, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic site; Ship - The Careenage, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Waterway - Soup Bowl, Bathsheba Type of Activity: Beach - Farley Hill, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic home - Bathsheba Beach, Bathsheba Type of Activity: Beach - Codrington College, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic site - Enterprise Beach, Barbados Type of Activity: Beach - Cave Bay, Barbados Type of Activity: Bay; Beach - Bottom Bay, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Beach - Folkestone Marine Park and Visitor Centre, Barbados Type of Activity: Specialty museum; Park; Aquarium - Queen's Park, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Park - Sandy Lane Golf Club, St. James Type of Activity: Golf course - Beaches of Worthing, Christ Church Type of Activity: Beach - Orchid World, Barbados Type of Activity: Garden - Royal Westmoreland Golf Course, Barbados Type of Activity: Golf course - Harrison's Cave, Barbados Type of Activity: Cavern/cave - Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Barbados Type of Activity: Wildlife park; Nature reserve - Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Bathsheba Type of Activity: Garden - Flower Forest, Barbados Type of Activity: Forest; Garden - Welchman Hall Gully, Barbados Type of Activity: Garden - Foul Bay, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Bay - Rockley Beach, Christ Church (or Acrra Beach) Type of Activity: Beach - Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic site - Caribbean International Riding Centre, Barbados Type of Activity: Horseback riding stable; Equestrian trail - Carlisle Bay, Barbados Type of Activity: Bay - Ayshford Rare Species Farm, Barbados Type of Activity: Wildlife park - Barbados Golf Club, Christ Church Type of Activity: Golf course - Graeme Hall Swamp, Barbados Type of Activity: Wildlife park - Turner Hall's Woods, Barbados Type of Activity: Forest; Nature trail - Arbib Nature and Heritage Trail, Barbados Type of Activity: Nature trail; Historic walking area - Gibbs Beach, Barbados Type of Activity: Beach - Apes Hill Golf Club, Barbados Type of Activity: Golf course - Rockley Golf Club, Barbados Type of Activity: Golf course - Pamir, Barbados Type of Activity: Ship - Green Monkey Golf Course at Sandy Lane, St. James Type of Activity: Golf course - Farley Hill National Park, Barbados Type of Activity: National park - Ellion, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic site; Ship - Ce-Trek, Barbados Type of Activity: Historic site; Ship - Stavronikita, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Historic site - Iron Gardens, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Garden - Lord Willoughby, Bridgetown Type of Activity: Historic site - Lord Combemere, St. James Type of Activity: Historic site; Ship Bajans love to gather outdoors to play games, cards, checkers, or simply to socialize. There are lots of local Rum Shops were people meet, socialize and share a festive time. Rum and Coke are as traditional as the Pimm's Cup, golf and cricket, and a sophisticated tropical experience in most of the British Islands in the Caribbean. |
