This company, Party Destinations, (who we don’t know anything about) have just posted a nice video showing Barbados as the party center of the world. While it’s a nice short look at paradise, you can be sure the Trinidadians won’t agree to the suggestion that they come to Barbados to party, especially after suggesting the Trinnis are the party kings and queens of the Caribbean.

Anyway, this company have tried to interest you in Barbados in less than three minutes and open and close with pictures of Rihanna. Whoops, we did it again and for all to note; we love the Trinnis in Barbados.

Here’s the YouTube link:

watch?v=-I_K9N5L1Hs

The Barbados Amateur Gymnastic Association held its first invitational gymnastics competition on 21st April 2012. The event was held not only in the superb surroundings of Concorde’s hanger, but the airplane hadn’t been removed meaning that participants and spectators watched a lively event under the wings of a superstar.

Under the coaching of Alison Jackson,Team Barbados and her Flip Gym teams earned many gold, silver and bronze medals. Seven other teams from Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago added to the efficiently run competition.

Professional judges operating under USAG rules with quick scoring through electronic systems provided the competitors and audience with up to date information.

Many of the gymnasts were competing at levels 1 through 5 with a handful at levels 6 & 7, with just Barbados’s top gymnast, LaToya Ince, at level 9.

Events were held simultaneously in vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise and pommel horse. The parallel bars and the men’s and women’s artistic events brought both enthusiasm and applause from the audience.

This possible annual event brings Canadian Ms Jackson’s Barbadian 20 year’s gymnastics association to the forefront. With over 250 local gymnasts regularly participating and 40 making the national team squad, the future looks very good.

With an entry fee of just BDS$10 and programmes at only BDS$5, the admission prices ensured a full attendance allowing the spectators to make sufficient noise to show their support for their favourite individual and team performances. Events ran from 9am to almost 10pm providing excellent value for spectators, but hard work for the gymnastics association and volunteers.

Countless individuals provided some excellent athletic performances, which provided entertainment to many spectators at their first gymnastics event. The enthusiasm of the audience to applaud great skills from the gymnasts of all teams and countries was a great show of Barbadian friendliness.

The exciting location at the Barbados Concorde Experience will bring tourists and locals to spend the day looking around Concorde, even when the gymnastics are long gone.

While some may feel that a day in Belize is never enough, others that have been here would love to spend a lifetime and some can only spend a day before their cruise ship departs. As a Sales and Marketing Representative for one of the largest tour operators (Yute Expeditions) in Belize I often get asked this question, ‘If I only had one day in Belize what should I do?’

Truth of the matter is, I can never seem to find just one right answer to that question, mainly because there is so much to do even with a small window of opportunity; however, this is what I would recommend to you if you only had one day in this amazing jewel of ours called Belize.

AM

After breakfast, climb aboard a smaller vessel that will take you inland to the Tourism Village, feel free to look around and pick up a couple souvenirs from the local artist in Belize City. Now comes the tricky part of the day, what to do when time isn’t on your side. The real question here is, “What do I want to know about Belize”, does the history of the Mayan People intrigue you, what about the warm Caribbean sun and turquoise waters calling your name as the fresh Caribbean breeze whistles and inviting sound in your ear or are you more interested in experiencing the different cultures of Belize. Then I have wonderful news for you, there is a little something for everyone, whether it is adventure you’re seeking, yearning to zip through jungle canopy at Caves Branch Outpost or take a relaxing float in an inner tube through caves used by the Mayas for rituals. The Belize zoo is also an excellent choice for families with small children, last but not least the islands of Caye Caulker and San Pedro awaits those who would love to sun bathe in the warm Caribbean Sun or snorkel with nurse sharks and Rays.

Cave tubing and Zip lining at Caves Branch Outpost

Soar through Belize’s unspoiled jungle canopy from treetop to treetop from a bird’s eye view of the rainforest below. An accelerating adventure, there are 10 runs at heights ranging up to 100 feet off the ground, culminated by rappelling down from the last treetop to the ground for that final adrenaline rush.

The beauty about Cave tubing & Zip Lining is that you can combine both tours because they are located in at the same site; I highly recommend that you try both of them. Zip line in the morning; take a break to enjoy an amazing buffet style Belizean lunch then gear up for your afternoon relaxing cave tubing tour.

Your trained guide will set you up with your necessary equipment, begin the one mile trek through Belize’s sub-tropical forest, waltz across knee high portions of the river and pass through two caves before reaching a stunning lagoon surrounded by steep limestone walls. Along the way, your guide will point out various exotic flora and fauna, native to this region.

Float along the cool waters in an inner tube illuminated only by your headlamp, gently pushed by a current or led by your guide into two large chambers – both impressive sanctuaries used by the Mayas for sacrificial rituals. Plunge into darkness and listen to the sounds of the cascading waterfalls and bubbling rapids. Upon exiting the caves, continue floating along the jungle-lined river for approximately thirty minutes before returning to the starting point.

Total travel time 2 hrs to and from Belize City, Zip line tour takes 45 minutes to do and Cave Tubing is as follows; 35 minute hike to get to cave, 45 minute actual cave tubing and 30 minutes tubing over open water.

Another Excellent choice from Belize City would be the ancient Mayan Site of Xunantunich, total travel time to Xunantuntich would be 3 hours round trip but definitely worth the drive.

Xunantunich was the first site to be opened to the public, when the road and the hand cranked car ferry were completed in 1954. What you will see today is a Classic period (300-900 AD) ceremonial center, with large plazas ringed with pyramids. The tallest is the astonishing 130 foot “El Castillo” (The Castle) which is large by Mayan standards and is only exceeded by the Caana pyramid at Caracol in the Mountain Pine Ridge. The site was occupied until around 900 AD and was likely abandoned after an earthquake, the evidence of which was discovered by archaeologists in the mid-1900.

The Islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker

Best way to get to the islands;

An hour and a half boat ride gets you to San Pedro, boats leave every hour from the Tourism Village in Belize City, or you can do it the easier way. Get a cab to take you to the municipal airstrip for a 15 minute flight out to the island. Either way you decide to do it is always the fun and right way.

The islands are perfect for those of you who want to take the advice of the warm Caribbean sea breeze and head over to one of the islands for one of many activities offered. The cool Caribbean waters off San Pedro are a natural haven for marine life, boasting hundreds of species of Marine life from the tiniest creatures such as sea horses to the largest such as whale sharks. San Pedro has also become a sport fisherman’s hot spot for fly fishing for permit and bone fish.

The white sandy beaches are perfect for the couple who would just like to relax on the beach and soak up the Caribbean Rays.

What to eat on the island? The catch of the day is always the way to go, when on the island do as the locals do. Fresh gilled sea food with rice and beans is always the best choice and you can find the freshest of food anywhere on the island. I always say, “Follow your nose” because it never lies.

The above tours and adventures are designed to get you back to Belize City before you need to board the ship and set sail to your next destination.

I hope that my recommendations assisted you in deciding what to do in terms of adventures while in Belize. If you have any other questions about what Belize has to offer, feel free to send me at email at yuteeexp@btl.net or check us out on the web at www.inlandbelize.com

Image credits: Belize City (Hickatee); Ziplining (A Crom); Caribbean Sea (CameliaTWU)

by Simon Wong

Some of the best beach holidays can be taken in sunny Cuba. The beautiful beaches of Cuba are famously seductive. Ernest Hemingway once wrote, ‘It not only looks wonderful, it is wonderful.’ when speaking of Cuba. So, get ready to jump into the Latin rhythm and spend your upcoming holiday on one of the glorious unspoiled beaches. With the temperature ranging between 24C and 29C, the warm water is cooled by light winds and the country averages 330 sunny days per year. This offers great odds for a near perfect holiday.

Beautiful Destination Points

Cuba can be divided up into 289 natural beaches. The northern beaches feature powdery sands and clear, turquoise water of the Atlantic Ocean. While the southern beaches are just as beautiful, they are a less popular tourist location, making them perfect for those who want to take beach holidays away in tranquil isolation.

A few of the popular locations include Varadero beach, St Lucia and Cayo Largo del Sur. White sands and calm blue water await at the popular Varadero beach with over 100 hotels to choose from in the area. On the other hand, St. Lucia is the perfect beach for those who like a little more seclusion. Since there are fewer hotels in the area, this beach on the north east coast is much less populated. The Cayo Largo del Sur is the destination point for hundreds of turtles each year to lay their eggs creating an amazing spectacle. This area is also wonderful for practicing water sports due to the pure, transparent water. The Bay of Pigs is another popular spot for experiencing the excitement of snorkelling, diving and fishing on your Cuba holiday.

Sightseeing

Beaches are not the only thing to enjoy in Cuba, plan to spend time strolling through Old Havana and see all the colonial sights, or visit the equally historic Trinidad. Diego Veazquez founded Trinidad back in 1514 and is exquisitely preserved with its maze of cobblestone streets, vibrant colors and unique architecture.

How to pack for Cuba holidays

Cuba is a warm, tropical island, so pack accordingly. Choose light colored, loose fitting cotton clothing for outdoor activities, but keep in mind that air conditioned restaurant and tour buses may call for a light jacket. Cuba generally calls for casual clothing, although more formal attire can be worn if you are planning on attending the theatre or spending time in an elegant restaurant.

Click here for great deals and offers on Cuba holidays and Barbados holidays. (Image:  Topyti)

FIFA have found some people guilty of taking bribes with some warned about their future conduct. Some officials have not been charged because they resigned before the investigations were concluded.

Barbados had two officials being investigated and both have been totally exonerated from all changes; they didn’t take the bribes offered. They may have been offered $40,000 at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) delegates meeting last May, but they refused the offer.

Dave Hinds is the general secretary of the Barbados Football Association. Mark ‘Bob’ Forde is a long serving FIFA referee. Both were under serious pressure to prove their innocence, but in the end, they prevailed. They have both declared their innocence all the way through.

Good to see that some justice works well in the world. Mind you, it’s sad to see that some took bribes and some ran away before they could be found guilty. Barbados officials can carry on their work with their heads held high.

Looking for a fantastic holiday destination? Consider Jolly Beach in Antigua. Antigua is one of the Leeward Islands. It is a sailor’s paradise. Many yacht and other sailing vessels routinely make port there. Antigua is also a magnet for people who love water sports. Even if you just want a place where you can sit under a coconut tree and watch out over the glorious blue Caribbean Sea, Antigua is perfect. It has phenomenal weather, great entertainment and beautiful beaches. One of the best of those beaches is Jolly Beach, an amazing stretch of pure white sugary sand located on Antigua’s west coast.

First time visitors to Jolly Beach are usually stunned. The beach features over a mile of pure white powdery sand. You can just stand back and watch the beach go on forever. It looks so warm and welcoming with the turquoise Caribbean Sea on one side and a row of coconut palms on the other. You can feel the stress draining out of your body and being replaced with peace and tranquillity. You can lay in the shade and sip on fresh coconut water while you await the fresh exotic seafood dishes for which Antigua is known.

Jolly Beach is located at Jolly Harbour. Here fresh seafood is brought ashore every few hours to support the local restaurants that line Jolly Harbour. These restaurants feature the freshest seafood possible. The fish are still alive when they get to the restaurants. The chefs transform the seafood into delectable dishes that will make your taste buds do a jig. Jolly Beach also has a series of nightclubs, hotels and watersports as well as chair and umbrella rentals. It has all the entertainment someone on holiday could want. There is entertainment activities for children and adults.

There are a number of great hotels on Jolly Beach. They include a number of all inclusive resorts, large international chains and small boutique hotels. There are even some inexpensive bungalows. The prices are reasonable enough to suit any budget. So you can go all out and splurge on an all-inclusive resort or work within a moderate budget and still be able to stay on the beach in Antigua. No matter which hotel you choose you will only be a short walk from the beach. That is important because nights on Jolly Beach are truly special.

When the sun goes down on Jolly Beach millions of stars fill the blue velvet sky and create instant peace of mind. All seems well with the world when you stroll along Jolly Beach at night. The sound of the waves breaking on the shore, the cooling Trade Winds and the smell of tropical fruits and spices floats on the air. Tropical rhythms fill the night and flavourful exotic tropical drinks make the night special in Antigua. And then there are the spectacular sunrises as the skies slowly transform from navy blue to gold to brilliant white daylight. Take some time and visit Jolly Beach in Antigua.

Click here for great deals and offers at Sandals Grande Antigua and Antigua holidays . (Image: palestrina55)

When I talk to Brits in Barbados they often remark that they miss the football and we talk about the differences in weather. We discuss how they’ll sit in the frozen terraces of football grounds on cold and wet winter nights. On every occasion they tell me that their half time delight in the possibility of buying a hot cup of tea and a Pukka Pie. The Pukka Pies have become a tradition at football matches and in recent years have become easily available in the UK’s high street stores. Easy to hold in one hand with tea in the other, they’re hot, taste good and warm you up.

How pleased they’ll be to see the largest food store group, Supercentre, in Barbados, is now stocking a range of Pukka Pies in the freezers. They offer a selection of oven pies together with some of the 3½ minute microwave specials. No longer will the Brits miss their Pukka Pies, but maybe they’ll chase it down with a cold Banks’ beer.

Barbados is one of the few countries around the world stocking the famous pies. Pies are usually called patties in Bimshire (code for Barbados; sounds like a British county – ‘shire’). Available in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Malta, Portugal, Spain and the Canary Islands; they’re obviously available where the Brits congregate, to talk about the football back home.

The pies in the UK are usually about £1.50 in a store and around £2.50 at a football match. In Barbados they’re $9, around £3. For those who like their Branston pickle, a small jar in England is around £1.40, but £3 ($9) in Barbados.

http://www.pukkapies .co.uk/ from Leicester, England.