Monday 20 July 2015

The Caribbean Nightlife...

I did this post as I think it will be useful for anyone looking to venture out to enjoy the nightlife of their Caribbean destination choice. I can only share with you my personal experiences and look forward to your feedback in places you, yourself have enjoyed! The Caribbean is a bustling region, some islands may be a little more relaxing whilst others may have abundance in nightlife activities to choose from! It's time to take out your dancing shoes and wine (dance) to the Caribbean beat, whether it is Soca or Sweet Reggae!

1) Club 51 Degrees- Trinidad

The premiere nightclub of Trinidad is renowned for its "always on point djs", there is nothing like good music to set the vibes right! Popular nights are from Thurs-Sat, in Trinidad the weekend starts from mid-week!



2) D Avenue (Ariapita Avenue)- Trinidad

The Avenue is popular hotspot for nightlife located on Ariapita Avenue, Port of Spain. It's strip of restaurants and bars makes bar hopping very accessible, I'm sure it will not be too difficult to find a place where you can fit right in!



 
 



3) The Shade Nightclub- Tobago

This nightclub is filled with vibes! Definitely try and not miss enjoying a night out at their Friday and Saturday night parties. Just note everything starts late in this relaxing island however, don't be surprised to realise you are out partying all night with the vibes this club brings!



4) Pier One- Jamaica

The Pier One club located in Montego Bay provides a night filled with great music and is usually packed with visitors and locals alike! I had so much fun at this ocean open-aired club that I would definitely recommend checking it out!



5) Saint Tropez Oceanclub- Curacao

The Saint Tropez Oceanclub is a beautiful lounge set alongside the ocean which really adds to the upbeat Caribbean flair! A great spot to dance the night away however, the club closes by 1:30am so if you're looking for an all-nighter check out other hotspots nearby!



6) Harbour Lights- Barbados

Harbour Lights is another club set at the beach with both an indoor and outdoor dance floor! But why not complete your  night out by dancing in the sand (ladies heels may not be the best choice) after all, you are vacationing in the Caribbean! Harbour Lights also offer a dinner show (7:30-10:30) and is open to the public, so bring the entire family to enjoy some entertainment while having dinner.




7) Oistins Fish Market- Barbados

This place is dear to me as I have visited this spot so many times as a child and several years ago I visited Barbados and was marvelled at the development of this site! There are many food huts set along the fish market with soca and reggae music vibrating in the background! The most difficult choice is to decide where you're gonna eat! This place is really a great spot to unwind, have a beer and enjoy the local cuisine!



8) Saint Lawrence Gap- Barbados

St. Lawrence Gap is a strip of bars set along the southern coast, it's never difficult to find a place to sit back, relax and have a drink! Popular spots to hit along the gap include Reggae Lounge and Old Jamm Inn, for that relaxing vibes. Check out Sugar Ultra Lounge for that chic, club experience for those looking for a complete night out!



9) Gros Islet Street Party- Saint Lucia

The Friday night Gros Islet Street Party is the happening place to be in St. Lucia! The entire street is filled with bar and food stalls giving you a chance to sample the local fare whilst dancing to pulsating soca, dancehall and reggae music.


Caribbean Food! Let's make your taste buds dance!

Like any part of the world, the Caribbean is home to many unique cuisine and dishes that surely will make your trip unforgettable! Whenever I visit any new place, trying the local food is something I never miss out on! Let me share my favourite delicacies of the Caribbean with you!

1) Crab and Dumpling- A delicacy based on curried crab served with dumpling is a top favourite for both locals and visitors to Tobago! The meat is marinated in curry, garlic, hot peppers, onions, cilantro and chive!



2) Conch- This meat is something like a sea escargot, it can be found in many stews and soups however, I have tried jerk conch in Jamaica and it was absolutely delicious! Curried conch in Trinidad and Tobago is also very popular.




3) Roti- Trinidad and Tobago is very famous for its roti but it can also be found throughout the Caribbean! The dhalpuri roti is filled with seasoned, grind dhal and is usually served with curried chicken, goat, duck or even shrimp!



4) Jerk- The spiciness of jerk makes this dish a top favourite of mine! The Jamaicans really know how to make your taste buds dance!



 
5) Rice and Peas- The Spanish influence in the Caribbean is still very evident in this dish! And of course it pairs well with jerk!


6) Pan Chicken- Another Jamaican dish however it is unlike what you will expect like jerk. The meat is marinated over the week and cooked over pimento wood and usually served with grilled breadfruit!



7) Fish Broth- This delicious light soup is made of fish, carrots, onions, provisions, potatoes, hot pepper and local seasoning. This soup fills you with content, no matter what version you may try, you can't go wrong with a bowl of fish broth!





8) Bake and Shark- The popular dish served at Maracas Bay, Trinidad! You can't reach the shores of Trini and not try this delicious fried shark sandwich and all the condiments you can imagine to add to your liking!



9) Callaloo- A stew made out of dasheen leaves (a type of spinach), okra, onions, pepper, garlic, pimentos and coconut milk. Callalloo is popular in Trinidad, Jamaica and Dominica and is based on a dish out of West Africa, brought to these shores during slavery. This makes up a typical Sunday lunch in these islands!



10) Doubles- Trinidad and Tobago's popular street food, doubles is definitely one not to miss! If you're not a fan of spicy, ask the vendor for slight pepper!



11) Flying Fish- Oistin's Fish Market, Barbados on a Friday night is definitely the place to be to try this delicious and flavourful fish which is usually fried.

Create Memories with your Family on Your Next Caribbean Vacation!





The Caribbean is a great place for building memories with your family, why not make it your next family vacation destination? No matter which island you choose, I'm sure you will have tons of options to make everyone happy! It's always nice to participate in an island tour (land or sea), as it gives you the chance to see more of the place you're vacationing! The beaches are never a problem, so building sand castles will definitely be part of your daily activities! Some destination offers an educative, interactive experience to get to know the fascinating animals of the ocean; check out Dolphin Cove, Jamaica or even book a snorkelling or diving tour to explore! A great tip before embarking on your journey is to do a little research in advance, it's always nice to hear what others have recommended!












Share with us your favourite memories from your family vacations!

Beaches...Beaches..Beaches!





The Caribbean always a top spot for visitors who seek to relax in the beautiful beaches that called this region home! If you're anything like me, my idea of a vacation is to unwind on a beach, sipping a cool, refreshing drink, while enjoying the beautiful beaches around me! The beaches in the Caribbean are truly breath taking! My favourite beaches that I've had the opportunity to dig my toes in the sand include the islands of Tobago, St. Lucia, Barbados and Jamaica! However, I do intend to extend this list in the near future! What beaches have you visited that have absolutely taking your breath away or wish to visit?

Take a peek at the video posted to help narrow your pick!

Honeymooning in the Beautiful Caribbean




After all the stress of planning your big day, selecting an ideal honeymoon destination to celebrate your marriage is important. The destination chosen should be reflective of the needs of both you and your partner whether the destination is for complete R&R or add a little adventure in the mix. There are so many beautiful resorts set across the entire Caribbean region to choose from but I believe an Adults-Only All Inclusive would set the right ambience for your honeymoon. For those who are shopping around for your honeymoon destination, check the vids below to help in making your decision! Personally, I would love to visit Antigua or Bahamas as my ideal pick!


 


Island Destination Weddings...Romance, Caribbean Style!




Have you considered having a destination style wedding? Imagine saying those vows with the gorgeous Caribbean waters glistening in the background, waves crashing adding to the moment and you and your guests are greeted with the cool, ocean breeze! Talk about a wedding island style!! Destinations weddings are becoming increasingly popular and if you are a guest to one, why not make a vacation out of it as well! If you are to select an island to create your perfect dream wedding, where do you think will be your top choice? I think location is key in creating your dream wedding but also the resorts available, should be a key factor in your decisions...let's look at the top romantic resorts in the Caribbean!






Sunday 19 July 2015

Trinidad and Tobago...Exploring Tobago!

Trinidad's sister isle, Tobago is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches and coral reefs! It is definitely a vacation destination to completely surrender yourself to the warmth of the Caribbean. Let's explore this beautiful island!

1. Pigeon Point

Pigeon Point beach remains one of the most popular beaches on the island and should definitely be on your checklist when visiting Tobago! Unwind on this beautiful beach whilst sipping on a cocktail or beastly cold beer available from one of the many beach bars or satisfy your hunger and enjoy the popular Tobago delicacies Crab and Dumpling or Curry Conch! As a Trini, there is nothing like relaxing in Pigeon Point and appreciating the beauty of the sister isle!





2. Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool

The Buccoo Reef is the largest coral reef on the island and definitely the most frequently visited! You can book an excursion tour on a glass bottom boat at Store Bay or Pigeon Point. The reef boasts a vast and spectacular array of vibrantly coloured aquatic life; sea turtles, parrot fishes, angel fishes and 40 species of corals. On a tour through the Buccoo Reef, the boats usually stop off at the world famous Nylon Pool, an offshore sandbar which has formed a beautiful, clear pool in the middle of the ocean.






3. Argyle Falls

Take a short 15 minutes hike to visit this stunning three-tiered waterfall and swim in the pools at its base! The Argyle Falls is a popular site to check out when you're vacationing in Tobago! In my visit to these falls I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, the falls are indeed beautiful! Have you visited?




4. Fort King George

This beautiful historic fort is well preserved and is a strong reminder of Tobago's colonial past. The Fort was built by the British but changes many hands over time before finally being reclaimed once again by its first owners. Fort King George stands above Scarborough majestically over looking the Caribbean Sea and includes a Museum on its compound displaying artefacts from its Amerinidian heritage and colonial pasts.





5. Charlotteville

This quaint fishing village is situated on the eastern point of the island and follows a winding road with beautiful scenery along its route! It's bay is quiet but beautiful with fishing pirogues jotting the background. A trip to Charlotteville definitely makes a nice road trip but as long as you're there don't miss the opportunity to discover Pirate's Bay. A track is situated at the base of the fishing village and requires a 15 minutes walk to the beach! The walk may be a little daunting but the views along the trail is spectacular and Pirate's Bay is truly a treasure!






6. Nightlife

If you're looking for nightlife activities Tobago is no different from it's sister isle, Trinidad. There are many options available, en route to Pigeon Point, take a stop and enjoy a drink at Bago's Bar while listening to the waves crashing in the background, absolutely beautiful! At Store Bay/Pigeon Point junction, bar hop at Jade Monkeys and the nearby bars around. Tobago is an isle of great vibes! If you're looking for a night of pumping, the Shades nightclub is a definite stop, where the vibes continues all night with the music by its talented DJs.