The Hauntings of Barbados

Happy Halloween to all! To celebrate Halloween we thought we would give you an inside scoop of the Top 5 Haunted Places in Barbados. It is believed that Barbados has many hauntings because of its long and very distraught history, take a look below and see the ones we consider to be the top five scariest!

1. Fisherpond Great House- This plantation house which is over 350 years old has been said to be haunted by a number of different ghosts. One being, a young girl named Violet who drowned in the pond many many years ago. She tends to play games in the house such as locking people in the bathroom! Many bizarre happenings have been seen and heard by the owners- glasses clinking throughout the night and mysterious footsteps heard trekking up the stairs!

2. The Chase Mausoleum, Christ Church Cemetery- It has been said that the coffins of family members which were buried there in the early 1800's, moved around in the locked vault sometimes lining up vertically along the walls. At one point the Governor of Barbados personally sealed the vault but nine months later the coffins were all rearranged even though the seal of the vault had not been tampered with. To combat this phenomenon, the coffins were buried in different locations and now the empty Chase vault lies open for all to see.

3. Hanson Plantation House- This plantation house which is located in St. Michael, Barbados has been known to be haunted by slave workers. This plantation was owned by Sir John Berney and 66 African slave workers were held on this plantation in 1792. The family which currently resides at the house has witnesses on several occasions the paranormal activity such as slamming of doors and footsteps down corridors.

4. Halton Plantation House- On various occasions, an elderly man has been spotted roaming the house of Halton Plantation. No one quite knows exactly who this man is, however there is speculation that it may be the ghost of the Honourable Samuel Rouse Esq. who was buried in the family vault at Halton Plantation in 1784. Tucked away in one of the various cart roads, this vault can still be observed up to this day.

5. St. Lucy Parish Cemetery- Although no paranormal reports have been made about this cemetery, a very strange vault is located amongst the tombstones. This gravestone has inscribed on it, "This vault shall never be opened." It is said amongst many of the St. Lucy locals that two witches were burned at the stake and their ashes buried in this vault.

So, If you are visiting Barbados and are in the mood to get a scare the three places open to the public are St. Lucy's Cemetery, The Chase Vault at Christ Church Cemetery and the vault at Hanson Plantation.

Melanie & Kimberly*

Images: Loop Barbados

Are You Eating Organic and Raw?

Are you eating organic and raw? Well you now can at Holders Farmers Market.
We have all heard the word because lately, that is what everyone is buzzing about..organic. So what does it actually mean and why should you care? Well, organic food is food which has been produced using methods that:
* Do not involve synthetic inputs such as modern synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers
* Do not contain genetically modified organisms
* Are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents or chemical food additives.

This all means that the food which is produced organically is clean and like in all aspects of life the cleaner the better!

Eating organic has many benefits not only for your body and mind but also for your environment. Below are a few but important benefits of eating organic.

* Organic foods do not have pesticide, herbicide or fungicide residue on it. Who wants to be digesting food which contains all of these dangerous chemicals?
* Organic foods allow for less choline chemistry in our environment and reduce off farm pollution
* Organic foods are not genetically engineered IE it is real
* Organic foods reduce toxic load
* Organic foods have an intense realistic flavor
* Organic foods have a high vitamin and mineral content

Now finally, Barbados will be able to access these benefits and more by attending and purchasing organic food/produce from Holders Farmers Market. Holders Farmers Market opens from 9AM - 2PM every Sunday from November 6th 2011 and will be located at Holder's Plantation House. From fruits and vegetable, to milk, to eggs - Barbadians will finally be able to locate their weekly supply in one convenient place! What a relief right? Well, we at Loop Barbados certainly think so.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Images: What Katie Ate, tumblr

The Rescued Barbadian Site- Morgan Lewis Windmill

Situated in the parish of St. Andrew is Morgan Lewis Windmill. This windmill was the last operating windmill in Barbados - ceasing operation in 1945 - and was listed as a site on the World Monuments Watch List in 1996. This watch list is made up of 100 of the most endangered sites in the world and after being enlisted, a two year restoration was under taken to bring the mill back to its former glory. Take a look at the mill from two decades ago and what is looks like today!

Morgan Lewis Windmill- 2 decades ago in dire need of restoring

Morgan Lewis Windmill in 2010

Morgan Lewis Windmill- dyed on silk by Deborah Younglao

This site, overlooking the rugged Scotland District on the East coast of the island, is one which you must see at least once in your lifetime!

Melanie & Kimberly*




images: Deborah Youngalao, Loop Barbados,  Squierj

A Staple of Barbados - Breadfruit

You may be wondering, what this strange sounding 'thing' called Breadfruit is? Well, it is a species of flowering tree in the mulberry family which produces a fruit called Breadfruit. It can be traced back to the late eighteenth century when the quest for cheap, high-energy food sources for British slaves was prompted. As a result, this plant (originally discovered in Tahiti) was shipped over to Barbados and other Caribbean Islands.

Breadfruit in one of the many trees found here in Barbados

Today in Barbados, breadfruit is considered a local staple and can be prepared in many different and delicious ways. It can be boiled and cooked down in a butter sauce, pickled with cucumber and scotch bonnet peppers,  cooked in a creole sauce made from tomato, bell peppers, onions and other seasonings, made into chips and fried and we can't forget the famous roasting of breadfruit on a bon fire! When visiting Barbados we highly suggest that you try breadfruit in any form or fashion. You are sure to enjoy this delicious Barbadian Staple!


Melanie & Kimberly*


Images: Loop Barbados

Barbados Has Made Top 50 Beaches In The World

Loop Barbados is happy to announce that CNN Travel has recorded Bottom Bay Beach in Barbados as the 47th best beach in the world! This beach, which is located on the south east coast of Barbados, is tucked away by high coral cliffs, making it an almost unexplored part of paradise. With velvety white sands, turquoise waters and tall palms completing the scene, its no wonder this beach made it to the top 50 of the world! However, if you decide to take a swim, be very cautious as - depending on the current and swell of the day - the waves and current can become very strong.

View of Bottom Bay Beach, Barbados

View Looking East on Bottom Bay Beach, Barbados

Through the Palms at Bottom Bay Beach, Barbados

To read the full article see CNN Go: World's Best 50 Beaches

Melanie & Kimberly*


Images: Loop Barbados

An Organic Movement in Barbados- Holders Farmers Market

Such a great initiative is being developed in Barbados which is stressing the importance of not only eating organic and fresh but also creating a healthy lifestyle on a whole. So what is this you wonder...we are talking about Holders Farmers Market! This farmers market is like no other in Barbados and we at Loop Barbados support it to the fullest. Holders Farmers Market will commence on the 6th November, 2011 and will continue every Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM. The market is located at the historic and well known Holders House, Holders Hill, St. James, where you can come to buy your organic produce, discover the benefits of holistic massages and explore the market and what it has to offer at your own pace.

Just to give you a little insight on the inspiration behind the market, Mark and Jack recognized the importance of eating raw, organic foods and how these foods aid in the combat against diseases such as diabetes and cancer. In turn, they also are very passionate about supporting the local farmers on the island and trying to encourage more people to buy locally, which benefits everyone at the end of the day. Basically if you buy organic from Holders Farmers Market, you are eating healthier, supporting the local agricultural industry and your pocket will thank you, as the pricing of the produce will be less than the supermarket's imported produce. What more could you want?

Customers will be able to have a full and authentic experience of what a farmers market is all about. There will be a great variety of vendors at the market -from the Healing Holistic Center offering massages and reflexology to local vendors offering fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts, sausages, cheeses and much more - there is something for everyone! To get some more general information on Holders Farmers Market you can take a look at their Frequently Asked Questions.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Image: Whimsicalities

Wishing Everyone a Bright and Beautiful Weekend!

We at Loop Barbados hope everyone (wherever in the world you are) has a bright and beautiful weekend!

Sunset at Fresh Water Bay, Barbados

Melanie & Kimberly*

Image: Loop Barbados

The Hill Once Lined With Cherries

Located 850 feet above sea level, Cherry Tree Hill is one of the most magical spots in Barbados. The view it offers is of the entire "Scotland District" which covers (in entirety) the Parish of St. Andrew and is named after the patron Saint of Scotland.

As its name readily implies Cherry Tree Hill was once lined with Barbadian cherry trees, however is now bordered by mahogany trees. The hill is part of St.Nicholas Abbey and is definitely a sight to be seen!

View from Cherry Tree Hill

Imagine seeing this through your own lenses...

 Melanie & Kimberly*



Image: Loop Barbados

The Greenest Economy is what Barbados Wants

Many stakeholders within the local economy have recently signed onto the ultimate goal of establishing Barbados as the greenest economy in the Caribbean and Latin America! Andy Armstrong, President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, talks about looking at a more multifaceted approach if Barbados truly wants to implement a sustainable green economy.

Like anyone will tell you in many aspects of life, diversity is key to success; and this stands true for sustainability. Barbados cannot just depend on one renewable energy source - IE the sun - but rather it needs to take a more versatile approach. There has been a great look into wide-scale wind technology and under current consideration is the development of an off shore floating wind platform in Barbados which has caught the eye of European countries such as Norway.  

Although all of this sounds wonderful and we at Loop Barbados are 120% fully supportive, our only question/concern is why have the more basic and obvious methods of sustainably such as reducing, reusing and recycling not been mentioned more highly in the discussion of sustainability. Why has only large scale renewable energy plans been readily broadcasted when smaller scale projects like reducing wastage rarely talked about? Is it not as important? Does it seem that we are taking step 4 before step 1? What do you think?

Melanie & Kimberly*


 Image: Brown Dress With White Drops

Off The Beaten Track: Codrington College

Our second feature in this segment is Codrington College, which can be considered quite difficult to find and as we say "Off The Beaten Track". This college is perched on the picturesque hillside of St. John and a feeling of tranquility and serenity surrounds you as you enter the driveway lined with cabbage palm trees. Take a look below and indulge yourself in the beauty and wonder of Codrington College!

  

Codrington College is the oldest Anglican theological college in the Western Hemisphere and is the perfect example of the architectural, natural, educational and historical tradition of Barbados. Not only does Codrington College boast of educational heritage as it was opened as a grammar school in 1745 and then progressed to a university level institution in 1830, but it also possesses beautiful natural surroundings. The calm lily pond is a famous feature of Codrington College along with the various species of palm trees scattered along the lush grass of the property.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Image: Loop Barbados

Monday Morning Update

Hope everyone had a brilliant weekend (whatever you all got up to). Barbados was beautiful as usual (except for some unexpected clouds and drizzles on Sunday).

We thought we would give everyone a small update on how the Loop Barbados website is coming along. We had a meeting last week Wednesday with the website designer and programer and we are happy to report that everything is coming along beautifully. We cannot wait until we get to share a little sneak peak of what the website will be like and what it will encompass! This coming week we have a few meetings with clients as well as a few projects planned. If any one has any questions on Loop Barbados or Barbados in general do not hesitate to contact us.

Melanie & Kimberly*

'Hot Fuh Days'

Wirri Wirri Peppers are a kind of cherry pepper found in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean. Many locals claim that they are 'hot fuh days' (meaning very very hot). Aside from the heat, these peppers have a great flavor to them and are included in a variety of dishes including white rice, fish, chicken, pork, stew and the list goes on! Also, pepper wine, which is a wine made from sherry infused with Wirri Wirri peppers, is a favorite among locals and visitors. A drop (literally) can be added to soups, broths or stews for a added kick (of flavour).

Freshly Picked Wirri Wirri Peppers

 Melanie & Kimberly*



Image: Loop Barbados

One Of The Oldest Survivors In Barbados and the Western Hemisphere

St. Nicholas Abbey, located in St. Peter,  is one of the oldest homes in Barbados, surviving in almost its original state. Estimated to be built between 1650 and 1660, St. Nicholas Abbey was named after George Nicholas who automatically inherited (due to matrimonial law of the period)  the house when he married Susanna Berringer, Daughter of Jehu. George soon ran into debt and in 1730 lost St. Nicholas. The house is currently owned by Barbadian architect Larry Warren.

St. Nicholas Abbey, St. Peter, Barbados - Mike Toy

St. Nicholas Abbey resembles the English Jacobean manor houses of the first half of the seventeenth Century. The Jacobean Style is the second phase of renaissance architecture and was named after James I of England, whose reign it was associated with.  St. Nicholas'  only other counterparts in the Western Hemisphere are Drax Hall in Barbados and Bacon's Castle in Virgina.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Image: St. Nicholas Abbey

Travel Barbados The Right Way

When it comes to defining sustainable travel, it is a little bit like a family deciding where to vacation, everyone has their own idea and no one can agree. However one thing is certain, sustainable travel is one where the environment, economy and culture of the destination you visit is aided rather than damaged; and as a result that destination and its characteristics are preserved so that the great grand children of your great grandchildren can see what you saw or more! We all know that Barbados is a magical and treasured place - to both its locals and visitors. This is why it is absolutely vital to do our best to protect Barbados. Don't we want to experience the beauty Barbados has to offer every time we return?

Now most of you know the regular, switch off the lights and reuse the hotel bath towel and so on. Therefore,  Loop Barbados (with the help of National Geographic and Yale University) decided to add some other  steps  you can take to preserve the beauty and culture of Barbados so it is kept that not only your children but their great grandchildren can see what you saw.

1.  Unplug before you leave - Sustainable travel commences from the time you leave your home, so ensure all electronics that will not be in use while you are gone are unplugged. For example the TV, computer, Printer, Microwaves ETC.

2. Travel paperless - With the usage of internet and smartphones rapidly increasing in today's society, is there really a need to print your ticket? Plan you trip online and only print when necessary. Even maps today can be featured on phones or tablet computers.

3. Visit during festivals - Visit Barbados during a festival (such as Crop-Over) to be a part of vibrant, local celebrations. This in turn provides a doorway into our culture and aids in supporting local customs and traditions.

4. Select Tour operators who support sustainable tourism practices - The question here is how do you know when they support these methods. Well when making the booking simply ask how they support sustainable tourism practices. If they have no clue what you are talking about you have your answer.

5. Book responsibly and new- When booking your hotel look to see if it  has any kind of certification such as Green Globe or Earth Check. Also most new properties employ energy efficient equipment.

6. Does it have a "sense of place"? - Look into whether the service you are booking enhances the character and authenticity of the destination. When browsing on the specific website you should feel an overall sense of Barbados.

7. Lighten up- Packing lightly will not only make it easier to get where you are going but also reduce jet fuel consumption.

8. Buy local  -  By purchasing from local markets, vendors and artisans you are reducing the amount of money which leaves Barbados and in turn boosting our economy.

9. Respect local culture - This can be done by choosing local guides, staying in locally owned accommodation,  eating local foods, respecting local customs and tradition and treating others as you would wished to be treated.

10. Know what is endangered - If you update yourself on the animal and plant species that are  endangered you can better help protect them by not purchasing produce made with these materials (such as turtle back jewellery, coral decor). This lessens their demand and in turn reduces their supply by vendors.

11. Fly non-stop (if possible)- Flying non-stop is not only more convenient but also more fuel efficient.

12.  Lend a hand - contribute something to a local community you are visiting whether it be a small monetary donation or making sometime to volunteer at a local organization such as Clean Up Barbados.

Some of these steps may be big, others small, but they all can make a difference, especially if we take them together.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Images: Brown Dress with White Dots, Pyramad Song

# 2 Hits Barbados's Waters

On Sunday,  ASP # 2, Sally Fitzgibbons arrived in Barbados to ride our waters and snap our waves for two whole weeks. The surfer, born in Australia has many reasons to join us here on the island - her main motivation however, our incredible surf breaks. The different coasts of the island have different breaks of variable sizes, however the most consistent points are on the East Coast with Soup Bowl, Bathsheba being the number one choice. According to Kelly Slater, 10 time ASP world champion, "Soup Bowl is one of my top three  favorite waves in the world".  Additionally, along the East coast the surf may be up at Sand Bank, High Rock or Parlor.

Chelsea Tuach at Soup Bowl on the East Coast of Barbados

With regards to the South Coast the best breaks are South Point and Freights. Other spots also include Brandons and Silver Sands.

South Point on the South Coast of Barbados

 Let us not forget the West and North Coast where the breaks consist of Batts Rock, Church Point and Tropicana (West) and Maycocks, Duppies and North Point (North).

Tropicana Break on the West Coast of the Barbados

So remember, if surfing is your thing Barbados is your place..or at least Sally Fitzgibbons and Kelly Slater think so.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Images: Kenny Tuach, Surf Mag, Surf Hatteras

The Fish That Flies...Or Does It?

Historically, Barbados was known as the 'land of the flying fish'. Once abundant, the fish can be found in the warm tropical waters surrounding the island and despite its name does not actually fly. Prior to 'take off', the fish bursts through the water and into the air at speeds of up to 55kmh. Once in the air, the fish spreads its fins and glides across the surface of the water (appearing to be flying).

Today flying fish has become a part of Barbados's national dish and many locals' daily feast. It can be eaten fried with peas n' rice or in a cutter (sandwich); steamed in a butter sauce; or its soft roe can be extracted and fried up as an appetizer known as flying fish melts.

Whole Flying Fish Caught Fresh

Lady Preparing Fillets Of Flying Fish To Sell

Flying Fish With Wings Expanded

So on your next visit to Barbados don't forget to try the famous flying fish.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Image: Loop Barbados

Off The Beaten Track: Harry Smith Beach

Due to  Barbados only being 166 Square miles many people may think..oh I can see and do it ALL. However this may not be necessarily true. There are many unique spots in Barbados which are either 1. difficult to locate 2. hard to get to or 3. only locals know of them. Loop Barbados has decided to feature an "Off The Beaten Track" segment which will bring about awareness of these magical spots therefore allowing you a better chance to visit them. Our first feature on the Segment is Harry Smith Beach, located in the parish of St.Philip on the south east coast of the island.

View of Harry Smith beach from the cliffs

Shoreline of Harry Smith Beach

Lone Gentleman enjoying the beach to Himself

Steep Staircase to the magical Harry Smith Beach

Where the sands are white and the water stunning Harry Smith beach is one of the most remarkable beaches Barbados has to offer. The beach, named after Harry Smith - the once owner of the abandoned great house which lay just above the beach on the cliff- is lined with dramatic cliffs and crystalline rock pools. Experience the desolate beach for yourself and we guarantee, it is one you will never forget.

Melanie & Kimberly*


Image: Loop Barbados