I couldn’t have planned better for such a wonderful lunch with a group of happy hearted locals. This family goes all out only a couple times of year and I got to join! Ryan took me the long route to his Aunties house. Here are some of the sites along the way.
The drive through the Mahogany trees to reach the popular look out point of Cherry tree hill.
The view from Cherry tree hill.
I had no idea that Barbados had the second largest amount of windmills per square mile in the world (Holland being number). This is the last standing on the entire island.
Getting closer to the east coast town of Bathsheba.
Got to catch a round of some locals playing cricket.
We made it! (I made that sound like it was a huge trek, but you can get from one side of the island to the other in less than 45 min… Driving slowly). These were taken from the lunch table on their balcony.
Then there was the feast!
Options of meat: seasoned pork and skins, chicken and gravy, fried fish, flying fish and shrimp curry.
Average Sides: Beans, rice, salad, cooked veggies with cheese, green beans, and twice baked sweet potato.
Tradition local dishes: Macoroni pie, corn pie, bread fruit baked or in a casserole, bacon wrapped plantains and candied yams.
Sample platter? Yes please.
Rum punch! Obviously not the bottled kind from the store in which the first ingredient is corn syrup, oh no no… This is “Aunt Pats High Octane” Rum Punch. Delicious and deceiving.
As soon as I thought I couldn’t take one more bite, they announce desert is being served. This is when you casually unsnap the top button and lean back for a stretch. Hmmm, would it be homemade cookies or maybe a pie? Turns out it was a spread that would put hometown buffet to shame! I personally like the young girls face as she eyeballs the cupcakes in front of her.
A personal thanks to Ryan and his family for the open door, pleasantly full belly and great conversation… Especially that chat about only being as old as you feel. Cheers to a youthful spirit!
Like most of the events this week, I’ve just been saying yes and going with the flow. Not really knowing what to expect leaves me with the anticipation of a kid on their first day of school combined with the excitment of a 20 year old the night before their birthday.
Tonight’s festivity is a concert. The talk around here has been as if the Michael Jackson of the Islands was coming to town.
Machel Montano is a Carribean super star that sells out crowds and keeps them going till the sun comes up. I was lucky enough to be invited to the VIP experience of this incredible performer.
The show!
Complementary drinks and food all night, so we started with the Mojito’s! As you can see, they don’t hold back on the mint.
These vibrant girls decided to give me a personal bajan dance lesson. In America they say “dancing” or in this case “grinding”. In Barbados what you may hear includes but is not limited to: Whining, wuking-up, juking, gyrating, or in a full sentence: “I guine down de road tuh pelt some waste”.
The fun keeps going…
And going…
And going! I wanted to post these blurry pictures to prove the energy that is produced with the intensity of the spectators. The crowd never stops moving! Jumping, juking, singing, dancing and my favorite is the bandanas being whipped in the air. These people have redefined the word “party”.
Bedtime this evening: 6am
Her Happy Trails 