Monthly Archives: September 2016

In the Heart of Barbados, Superb Jamaican Cuisine

 

Even from here, I can smell it.

The smoky fragrance of jerk fills the air and makes my stomach yearn for that distinctive taste of Jamaica. And since I live in Miami and I’m currently in Barbados, that yearning for “yard” food is real.

It’s about to be satisfied, however, at Jamaica 246.

A humble hole-in-the-wall in a strip mall on Bay Street in St. Michael, the two-year-old has found favor not just with expat Jamaicans but also with Bajans, particularly those who studied at the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus in Jamaica. One of a pair on “Bim” (the other is in Warrens), the eatery serves classic Jamaican comfort food. Today: ackee and saltfish; curried goat; steamed fish; oxtail; jerk chicken and jerk pork – the latter three the most popular items on the menu, which changes daily. Sides are exactly what every Jamaican hopes for: golden fingers of festival; fried dumplings; and triangles of bammy, fried to a crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Pick a protein, side and a starch (rice and peas, of course!) and for between BDS$20 and BDS$35 you’ve got Jamaica on a plate.

Jamaica246

When I arrive at lunchtime the line at the takeout counter is a dozen deep, so I take a seat in the dining room for waitress service. With plastic place mats and lazily turning ceiling fans it’s quintessentially Caribbean; I could easily be in Kingston. And when the food comes, it certainly feels as if I am.

Jamaica246

The jerk chicken – which the restaurant starts cooking at 5:30am each day in a metal drum that’s rolled into the car park to spread its aromas (and to avoid a smoke-filled kitchen) – tastes as good as anything I’ve had in Jamaica. It comes with a fiery, flavorful jerk sauce; a crisp vegetable slaw; and two perfect triangles of bammy. Accompanied by a glass of homemade sorrel, it is, simply put, a taste of heaven. And of home.

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, CJ Travel Editor

The post In the Heart of Barbados, Superb Jamaican Cuisine appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Silver Airways to Launch New Miami Bimini Flights

 

Silver Airways is launching new Miami Bimini Flights, the carrier announced this week.

The new flight will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between Miami International Airport and South Bimini Airport.

Flights will depart Miami at 12:55 PM and arrive in Bimini around 1:40 PM; returning flights will depart South Bimini at 11:05 AM and arrive in Miami around 11:50.

Silver Airways already operates daily flights to Bimini out of Fort Lauderdale, as does Cape Air, which operates seaplane service between Fort Lauderdale and Bimini and from Miami’s Watson Island Seaplane Base to Bimini.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

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New Beach Resort Coming to Dominica

 

A new beach resort is being planned in Dominica.

The Silver Beach Resort and Spa is slated to debut with around 200 rooms in the next few years, according to Dominica Tourism Minister Robert Tonge.

Silver Beach

The Minister revealed the project at this week’s State of the Industry conference in Barbados.

The hotel is set on 12 acres of beachfront land on the north of the island near the town of Portsmouth.

The project is an approved real estate project under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment program.

Silver Beach

Plans are for the hotel to be managed by an international brand or an “experienced” management company.

The post New Beach Resort Coming to Dominica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The World’s Happiest Island

 

What’s the happiest place on earth? It is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a Caribbean island.

Following a five-year Happiness Index study conducted in partnership between the Aruba Tourism Authority and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, it turns out that Aruba is the world’s happiest island.

The study comes on the heels of the United Nations’ 2016 World Happiness Report, which determined that Denmark was the happiest place on earth, with 75.3 percent of the population said they were “happy” with their lives.

The new study found that, in Aruba, 78 percent of the Aruban population was happy, higher than even Denmark’s rate.

While the 2016 report covered a number of countries in the Caribbean, this marked the first time a Caribbean island had truly measured its own happiness index.

“Over the past five years, we’ve collected a significant 2,000 surveys, stratified across four core groups in Aruba, and have seen the desired stability in the island’s happiness levels,” said Dr. Robertico Croes of UCF.

Aruba has marketed itself as a destination using the phrase “One Happy Island” for nearly four decades, but this was the first empirical proof. And it could be an exemplar for the region’s other tourism-dependent economies.

The findings of the report were revealed this week at Aruba’s first-ever Happiness Conference.

This week's Happiness Conference in Aruba.

This week’s Happiness Conference in Aruba.

“As the No. 2 most tourism-reliant nation in the world, Aruba greatly values the happiness of our local people – they are the heart and soul of Aruba and ensure the quality tourism experience that has defined our destination,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of Aruba Tourism Authority. “We evaluate the success of our tourism not only by its tangible benefits, but also by intangible benefits including local happiness and life satisfaction, as that directly impacts visitor happiness.”

The most recent World Happiness Report had found Puerto Rico as the Caribbean’s happiest island, though it was ranked just 15th in the world.

“Among all the destination research projects our university has conducted around the world, Aruba has been one of the most compelling islands to make inquiries about quality of life and happiness,” said Dr. Manuel Rivera, also of UCF. “Throughout the course of our studies we’ve confirmed Aruba’s people are generally happy with their quality of life as well as with the imperative connection between the destination and tourism. Happiness in Aruba can be seen as a self-fulfilling cycle, tourism development drives happiness for the residents which in turn results in happy tourists.”

The UN’s World Happiness Report is based on data from a Gallup World Poll, which asks questions to think of a ladder, with the “best possible life” being a 10, and the “worst possible life” being a 0.

The Aruba study was more in-depth, looking at a happiness scale consisting of 10 items; five items covering life satisfaction; time perspective consisting of six items and one construct on tourism including 8 dimensions and 35 items.

And the UN seems to approve of the local study and its methodology.

“We’ve reviewed the results of the study, which is in line with our methodology, and believe it merits attention on a worldwide level,” said UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “We would like to see this model applied across other Caribbean islands and worldwide.”

Now, Aruba is indeed urging other Caribbean islands to follow suit and perform their own in-depth happiness studies.

“It is important to measure the success of a country beyond economic indicators and to make happiness and well-being an integral part of our national dialogue and intent,” said Otmar Oduber, Aruba Minister of Tourism, Transportation, Primary Sector and Culture. “We would also like to see prestigious World Ranking Reports to incorporate ‘small island development states’ such as our One happy island, in its studies.”

The post The World’s Happiest Island appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Sandals Is Building More Caribbean Overwater Bungalows

 

Sandals hasn’t even opened its new planned overwater bungalows in Montego Bay — and now it’s building even more.

The company has announced an additional 12 Caribbean Overwater Bungalows at its Sandals Royal Caribbean resort in Jamaica.

The new Over-the-Water Private Island Butler Honeymoon Bungalow room categories will be available for sale today for arrivals beginning February 1, 2017. (The first wave of bungalows is slated to debut in mid-November).

Caribbean Overwater Bungalows

Inside one of the planned bungalow units.

The bungalows will feature glass-vision floor panels and lit water to ensure guests can enjoy underwater views at any time.

Couples can admire the ocean from their private outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tub or on their over-water hammocks.

Every bungalow boasts hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and custom crafted king-size beds.

Caribbean Overwater Bungalows

Inside, each is equipped with a smart TV, a large ceiling fan and bathrooms with his and hers sink, a large backlit mirror adorned with mosaic tile, and a walk-in rain shower.

Outside, the private patios feature an extended sun deck, outdoor shower, sun lounger and a bistro set for two.

Couples will enjoy Butler Elite service, 24-hour room service and a private water taxi to take them to and from the resort.

Rates start at $2,652 per night.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

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