| Learn the local customs of Barbados. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Barbados locals. Map |
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On the beaches of Barbados there are a number of locals who think that instead of actually working for a living, they can just sponge off tourists. These people don't see what they do as begging, but actually believe that visitors to the island should give them something for nothing. You will be able to spot these people as they wander up and down the beaches, looking for people they think will give them something. If you give them one thing, say a cigarette, they won't leave you alone until they've got a lot more. The most annoying thing about this is that these people are clearly not homeless or particularly poor, they just want something for nothing. The actual homeless/poor people do not tend to ask for anything. Leave a Comment
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 Great Album by FenLeave a Comment
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 Bajan Fisherman by luke850Leave a Comment
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An update for you all - Oistens has been refurbishing the area for Fish Fry nights, and I have now included some photographs to show you the refurbishment. It really has tidied up the area, and the vendors stalls are so colourful. All in all Oistens has been regenerated in this area.
Do go to Oistens on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night to sample local food at its best, Friday night is noisy, with loud music, so much finger lickin' food to choose from, and colourful locals to watch reggae, or dance in their own inimitable way. Do not miss this , it is fun. Just get the bus to Oistens cooking starts when the sun goes down. Enjoy. Thursday nights are crowd free, and you can obtain your food almost immediately, there is no music, but still good food.
The photo shows the two slate roof buildings which houses the catch of the day and the locals who clean the fish ready for sale. Please be courteous and ask permission if you wish to take photographs.
The Oistens Fish Festival takes place over the Easter weekend, and it brings a carnival atmosphere to this small coast fishing village. There are contests in fish boning, and other skills, testing local prowess. There are also stalls selling crafts and home cooked foods.
Photo by joanj Leave a Comment
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Chattel houses are a unique part of the Bajan landscape.
The name chattel was confusing to me, but the word "chattel" comes from the English common law. It refers to personal property as distinguished from real property (land as in real estate).
Plantation workers on the sugar cane plantations had houses that could be disassembled and put up again in another place. The foundations were of loose stone. This was because the workers did not own the land that the houses were built on. In the event of being fired or some other dispute they could be moved to another place.
The houses are usually small and brightly colored and have a steep gable roof with short eaves, constructed of corrugated iron. This is to prevent the wind getting under the edge of a flat roof and lifting it off.
Chattel houses often have jalousie windows (very popular in the tropics) which may have wooden slats and three sets of hinges (2 vertical and one horizontal) for maximum flexibility against the wind and sun. They are often trimmed with ornamental wooden fretwork. Leave a Comment
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You should always greet someone before asking directions etc.Barbados is influenced alot by north America and Canada and you will see this on the island in daily life.Barbados is also one of the richest islands in the Caribbean.Barbados is politically stable and has a generous government,so lots of foreign investors are attracted here. Leave a Comment
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 Yummy rum bar by rachel_sun
Bathing suits should only be worn on the beach,not around shops and also skimpy clothes will be out of place in a town.Remeber that you have to pay a departure tax when you fly back home of around bds $25,so budjet for this.Make sure you keep the copy of your immagration card that you filled out on your flight out safe as you will need to hand it in when you fly home. Leave a Comment
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A Bajan national dish is Cou-cou and salt fish. Cou-cou is a cornmeal and okra pudding. It is ladled with gravy and served with a salt fish stew. Cou-cou in the making is a wonderful sight to see and a challenge, much energy is put into the stirring, for if any lumps are allowed to form, it is considered a failure. The finished mixture is packed into a bowl, and then turned out on to a plate. The centre of the mound is sunk with a spoon and a light gravy ladled into the centre and around the golden mound. I
I have eaten this dish, and it is lovely, I have also had a friend make cou-cou for me, and can tell you it looks like hard work. There is a special little wooden stick called a cou-cou stick, that is the traditional tool for stirring the cou-cou.
Also a national dish is flying fish and cou-cou.
That too is delicious, and when I visit a friend she sometimes cooks this for me. If not the cou-cou, then the flying fish, and sometimes, Bajan Fish Cakes, another culinery delight. Leave a Comment
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If you are in Barbados on a Friday you must make it to Oistins, on the South shore, for the fish fry put on by the locals. The different grilled fish fillets are offered by about a dozen or more vendors, but almost all offer flying fish, the local speciality. Walk around first and check different one out; most offer free samples. Prices are good, mostly about US$ 8-10 per plate.
Don't get there too early, because once it gets dark live island music is played for all to hear.
There are also several trinket vendors offering different styles of jewelry and other handicrafts. Leave a Comment
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Bajan tradition is for "pudding and souse" - an old island dish still made everywhere, and served on Saturdays.
The pudding is made from grated and well-seasoned sweet potato, which is stuffed into the cleaned pig's intestines called "belly" which is then steamed. The cooked pudding looks like a long dark sausage. This is cut into clices and served with the "souse" - pig's head ,feet and flesh cooked until tender, cut into slices and "soused" or pickled with lime juice, onion, hot and sweet peppers, salt , finely chopped cucumber and parsley.
I cannot tell you what it tastes like, because when I was offered it, and asked what the dish contained, I politely declined!. If anyone has tried it, please let me know !! Shall be interested. Leave a Comment
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