News
Barbados – Island Life
Our trip to Barbados was really quite a revelation. We still have plenty more to tell you about the diving, but as a light interlude, with thought we would tell you about some other aspects that we really enjoyed. Whilst most of our daylight hours were spent under the water, our evenings and our day before flying were spent seeing the rest of what the island had to offer.
What surprised us the most was the food. It was simply wonderful. Barbados is a gastronomic delight. Even better, there was loads of choice for vegetarians too. From street food to fine dining, Barbados has something for every occasion. We were only on the island for five nights, but managed to sample a little flavour of everything. One of our first experiences was lunch on our first day of diving, when Barbados Blue handed us each a roti, filled with either chicken or chickpeas, full of flavour and wonderfully messy to eat. On the same evening we dined at Cocktail Kitchen, where the chef was recently crowned “Chef of the Year” in the Caribbean. On top of this, as the name implies, they make a pretty mean cocktail too, with our favourite being the Mango Chow, made with scotch bonnet chilli infused rum, mango, lime, coriander and brown sugar! Located in the popular Saint Lawrence Gap area, you can go on and listen to live music and party the night away, but we were diving, so we had a couple of cocktails and retired to bed!
Friday night is the night to head to the famous Fish Fry in Oistins. You do not have to eat fish, there is a wide range of freshly BBQ’d food on offer, but it is the atmosphere and entertainment that brings the crowds here. Amazing live music, dancers and a vibrant buzz fills the place from early in the evening to early the next morning. Sunday, why not try a traditional Bajan buffet at Atlantis Hotel, with a huge choice of food and THE best Caribbean IPA we have ever tried (Round Rock IPA by Brew House). If fine dining by the sea is more what you are looking for, to celebrate a special occasion or simply to treat yourself, then we can heartily recommend either Fish Pot or Champers. Both have lovely settings, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and both offer a very special dining experience.
The island of Barbados has lots to offer. It is the home of West Indian cricket, and whilst we did not get time to catch a game on this trip, we have done so once in the past, and it is a great experience. If you want to spend more time in or on the water, there are loads of sports to try. Barbados Blue also offer freediving tuition and the Carlisle Bay site is perfect for both beginners and the more experienced alike. You can sail, snorkel from a pirate ship, kayak, paddle board, pose on a speed boat and more. The beaches are pristine and uncrowded. We toured Harrison’s Cave, which is a great place to spend a few hours. The tour takes you through a large excavated underground section of caverns with stalagmites and stalactites lit up as you progress with your guide through the system.
We also visited the Mount Gay visitors centre, for a tour about how they make the oldest rum in the world, and, of course, to taste a few samples too! Finally, we also got the chance to tour the island, taking in the wild Atlantic coastline, as well as the gorgeous Caribbean shores. As we toured inland, and the vegetation became more lush, we came across a few mongoose and green vervet monkeys.
We could have spent weeks exploring and tasting our way through Barbados. It has so much to offer, and we have only just scratched the surface both with the diving and above the water. But what we have experienced, we have loved. In our next feature, we will get back to the diving, but we wanted to give you a flavour of what the rest of the island of Barbados has to offer. Talking of flavour … the hot sauce on Barbados is epic…
For more information and inspiration visit:
http://www.atlantishotelbarbados.com/
http://champersrestaurant.com/
http://www.caribbeanbrewhouse.com/
http://www.littlegoodharbourbarbados.com/
https://www.visitbarbados.org/
For more from Nick and Caroline, visit www.frogfishphotography.com
Gear News
Go anywhere with Stahlsac
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
- RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
- External zippered flap is easy to open and close
- Welded external handles make transporting a breeze
Panama Mesh Backpack
The most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.
- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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