Storm warning

Image: National Hurricane Centre

Kadooment Day revelry could be seriously hampered by a tropical wave heading this way.

According to the latest advisory from the Barbados Met Office: "The strong tropical wave now located about 700 miles to the east-southeast of Barbados continues to show signs of organization. Environmental conditions remain favourable for a tropical depression to form during the next 24 hours or so, as the system moves towards the west-northwest at about 15 to 20 mph. On its present track, the leading edge of the cloud mass will begin to affecting Barbados by tomorrow afternoon, with some pockets of moderate to heavy showers, isolated thunderstorms and occasional gusty winds spreading across the island. Indications are that some of this activity will persist into Monday."

Well, folks, you know the drill. Keep tuned to the media for details and put all the usual preparations in place. Be safe out there.

God is good

What could have been the Caribbean's worse air disaster since the Cubana crash in the 1970's was thankfully a simply a close call for over 160 persons travelling on a Caribbean Airlines flight from New York to Guyana on Saturday morning.

Apparently, the pilot overshot the runway and the plane skidded out of control, barely stopping in time before plummeting down a 200 foot ravine.

Wuhloss. Repeat after me .... God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!

BIM is abuzz

Well, folks, it's a hot, long, festive weekend ahead as we move into the final phase of Crop Over.


A few minutes ago, soca star Ruper "Rupee" Clarke was crowned The People's Monarch for 2011, netting BDS$25, 000 for his song I Am A Bajan. Congrats, Rupee!

Tonight, nine contenders will attempt to unseat last year's Calypso Monarch The Mighty Gabby and grab prize money and a Kia Sportage in the Pic-o-de-Crop Finals at Kensington Oval.

They are: AC (Cave Shepherd All Stars); Chrystal Cummins-Beckles (Cave Shepherd All Stars); De Announcer (Cave Shepherd All Stars); Adonijah (De ADC Building Digicel Big Show); TC (De ADC Building Digicel Big Show); Kid Site (Bacchanal Time); Khiomal (Celebration Time); Blood (Headliners); Popsicle (House of Soca) After the Finals and in the early hous of Saturday, thousands will parade in the streets at the Fore-day Morning Jam until the sun rises. Later that day, Spring Garden Highway will come alive with local food, arts and craft at Bridgetown Market.

On Sunday, Kensington Oval will be the place to be for Cohoblopot and Monday is the big jum-up day, Kadooment (barring the impending storm washing the day out.)


Word on the street is that local superstar Rihanna will be in for the festivities, ahead of her big LOUD show at the Oval on August 5. I'll be out with my camera in case Ms. Fenty decides to 'work' it on the road.

Speaking of Ms. Ri-ri, her show is sold out. Every ticket is gone, even some $1000 one I heard were floating around.

I'll keep you posted on some of the happenings this weekend. Have a safe one, peoples!!!

Fustic House - A slice of paradise

Hi, peoples. Hope all's well with you and yours.

I'm starting my summer blogging session off with a look at one of the best kept secrets in the north of Barbados, the luxurious Fustic House in Half Moon Fort, St. Lucy.

I first saw images of this exclusive hideaway in a local tourism magazine, and I was so blown away that I visited its website to see more.

I hope to visit the property in the near future and bring you a review and some photos of this slice of paradise, but for now here are a few images courtesy of Fustic House's PR team. (Thanks, Jenny!)









Incidentally, Fustic House has a new Executive Chef, Stephen Bredemear.


The British born Stephen lives in St Peter with his Barbadian wife and their son Tyler.

Trained in the UK, Stephen spent ten years from 1985 absorbing the best European experience at four separate “Relais & Chateau” hotels with Michelin stars. First, the Hotel De La Plage, Brittany, where he trained under Laurent Ferre, then Bishopstow House Hotel in Warminster, and then the much-loved Chewton Glen Hotel in Hampshire. Stephen’s European education was finished off at the De Vere Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth, one of England’s oldest 5 star hotels.

In 1997, he headed for Bermuda, where he was appointed Executive Head Chef at Once Upon A Table in Devonshire, and also ran their outside catering arm for corporate events as well as state dinners for the Premier of Bermuda.

Three years later, he was appointed as Head Chef at Tamarind Cove Hotel, Barbados. He was employed for several years as Executive Chef at the new Calabaza Restaurant and in 2008, nominated Head Chef at Cove Spring House. During his time there, Stephen cooked for Royalty, celebrities and captains of industry.

Sounds like the guests at Fustic House are in good hands.

TK Toppin at AnimeKon 2011

I managed to check out AnimeKon last weekend and it was quite a departure from reality. I had no idea there were so many gamer, sci-fi and anime fans in Barbados! The outfits the young peole were wearing were crazy and entertaining for sure.

Sci-fi author TK Toppin was there promoting her debut novel The Lancaster Rule, and I took a shot of her as she was autographing a book for an eager customer.

Her second novel, The Master Key, a sequel to the Lancaster Rule, is now available online and will be in print format in late August.

Good luck, TK!