Caribbean Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Scots bowled ’em over in Barbados

30th April 202430th April 2024 funtime65

As the countdown begins for a cricket clash of the Auld Enemies a cry of freedom from when us Scots bowled ’em over in Barbados.

My old Aberdeen buddy Jevan is a proud Trini-Scot.

So he doubly delights in any victories over the Engerlush.

West-Indian born with a birthright to love cricket he is something of a fixture in around the Oval.

With his dapper dandy schtick while he is also wont to take on a fancy dress mask.

On the occasion he took me along to the Oval it was India who were in opposition on the first day of a Test match.

Howzat for a day out?

When if memory serves me well only three wickets fell all day.

The rum though tumbled all day from the moment we got into our box.

And the host looked quizzically at me when I said I would start slowly with a coffee.

And they turned to Jevan and asked ‘who’s this joker, get him a Mount Gay’.

Watching cricket with West Indians is an education,

Winning a maiden over

Everybody on Barbados has an opinion and an expertise.

And the charming, beautiful woman in our company opined.

On the selectors, the tactics and Bajan, American and British politics without missing a beat.

All the time remaining sharp of mind and style.

While my senses dulled through good rum and my body swelled from the fishes of the Caribbean and the staple Mac’n’cheese.

Holding out for a hero

By the time they called stumps I had had a lesson in life and cricket which to West Indians is much the same.

My charming West Indies cricket fan colleague had relayed to me the joy of a particular roasting an England legend had endured on this ground.

When Michael Holding had Geoffrey Boycott jumping around in his crease before getting done all ends up.

For yesterday’s Boycott, read today’s Joe Root, and a fast-bowling Scot.

And a fast-living, sharp-dressing Trini-Scot cheering on his mother’sland.

Remember too that this is an island with Scotland at its heart, the region named after the Scots who went out there.

And maybe thinking on when me and him, two proud Scots bowled ’em over in Barbados.

Twenty Twenty vision

The World T20 Cup runs through June in the West Indies and the US.

With my own Scotland playing England at the Kensington Oval, Barbados on June 20.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both fly nine hours to Bridgetown.

And, of course, you can go high-end at Sandals or Turtle Beach.

Or even take your significant other to a couples hotel at Club Barbados.

America, Caribbean, Countries, Europe, Music

Ich bin vinyl Berliner

20th April 202420th April 2024 funtime65

And to mark Record Store Day ich bin vinyl Berliner.

And I warn you you’ll be seeing a lot more of these lame Teuton rib-ticklers in the next few days’ odyssey of east Germany.

There will be much to fit in during my whistlestop transit through Berlin en route to Chemnitz, next year’s European Capital of Culture.

Wax lyrical

But one stop-off we’ve been recommended is the Hard Wax Berlin record store at 44A Paul-Lincke-Ufer.

No David Hasselhoff here… Hard Wax Berlin is known as a dance destination.

Situated in an old factory building behind the canal in Kreuzberg it keeps the theme going with a metal counter.

Where DJ Hell, Modeselektor and Marcel Dettmann have all polished their acts over the years.

Of course music and musicians played a key role over the Fall of the Berlin Wall despite The Hoff’s interruption.

And we’ll also delve into the part heavy metal played and the Leipzig protests 35 years ago… stay tuned.

Jammin’ in Jamaica

But getting back to those beats.

And today’s celebration of record stores allows us to take a spin around other cool vinyl shops across the world.

Now if you’ve been watching One Love, the Bob Marley biopic, and if not why not?

Then you’ll be familiar with the Jamaican record store scene.

And particularly Orange Street, Kingston, where everyone from Sir Coxswane Dodd to Bob flicked through the records.

Known to locals as Beat Street, Prince Buster was even born here.

Rockers International and Randy’s keep the tradition alive.

The vinyl Trade

Now we all know the rich crossover between reggae and punk.

And indy label royalty Rough Trade started life in Notting Hill, London as a reggae record store.

If timing is what music is all about, and it is, then Geoff Travis had it in spades when he bought his shop in 1978.

And he was open to the fusion of reggae and punk… today Rough Trade spans the whole range of indy music.

Bigger in LA

Of course when it comes to size the US of Eh tries to do everything bigger and better.

And few could argue with the credentials of Amoeba Records in Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Where I’ll take time to frequent when I’m in La La Land next month.

The hangar-sized emporium occupies an entire city block and is across two huge floors.

We’ve been pointed to the Jazz room, the Out of Print section, the Punk aisle by the excellent guide The Vinyl Factory.

But whatever your thang is you’ll find it there.

LA though is for next month… Germany is my appetiser this week.

Where I’ll be happy to say Ich bin vinyl Berliner.

Caribbean, Countries, Deals

Andi Oliver’s food glorious food in Antigua

6th April 20246th April 2024 funtime65

Now it takes one to know one so I’m flagging up my fellow Caribbeanophile Andi Oliver’s food glorious food in Antigua.

You’ll have seen the awesome Andi on British television screens.

Not least on her odyssey of the West Indies, the Caribbean with Andi and Miquita, her daughter and fellow Celebrity Googlebox partner.

Their first stop in the BBC show is Antigua where they meet their eldest relative who retraces colonial days.

Before heading for Barbados ahead of Bim becoming a republic, and getting their DNA results.

Handi Andi

Reckon mine too would show Barbados roots, having found my name on the Building Wall of Barbados.

Next to Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

Antigua was where it began for Andi though through her mum’s family.

And she is heading back there for the Pepperpot Rum Shop pop-up experience in Fort James next month.

The collaboration between Andi Oliver, the Treehouse Beach Club and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority launches on May 8.

Andi’s offerings coincide with the Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week (May 5-19).

Now you may have sampled Andi’s wares at her London restaurant Wadadli Kitchen, and foodie memoir, Pepperpot Diaries.

Curry favour

Visitors to the pop-up will be treated to some of Andi’s most celebrated dishes, like chocolate curried goat, alongside innovative new recipes.

A sensitive issue here having taken my goat Bandanaman to racing victory in Tobago.

Now having gambolled with goats and I draw the line at cooking them I am available to help Andi out.

Having learned ocra at the hand of Ruby at Club Barbados.

And curry with Auntie Ali and Uncle Kenneth at the Blue Crab in Tobago.

See, I told you I had Caribbean roots.

Pineapple Beach Club

If you want to enjoy the flavours of Andi Oliver’s food, glorious food in Antigua then..

A week at the Pineapple Beach Club by Elite Island Resorts for May 5 to 12 from London Gatwick with British Airways is from £2,061.50 pp.

Caribbean, Countries

Easter eggstravaganza in the Chocabbean

14th March 202414th March 2024 funtime65

And they personalise us out in the Windies which is why I know there will be an Easter eggstravaganza in the Chocabbean.

As you’ll know if you find yourself out there from the Murty written on the Building Wall of Barbados next to Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

While the good people of Tobago even have a chocolate in the name of my daughter Laura.

Now it’s often been said of me that if I was chocolate I’d eat myself.

Life is schweeeet

And that’s an option in the Caribbean where life is schweeeet.

Boutique resort Cap Maison in Saint Lucia has created an indulgent chocolate-themed Easter break.

The holiday includes an excursion to the local Howlerton Estate in Castries.

And learn about the bean to bar chocolate- making process.

And, of course, sample the chocolate.

Hello old bean: Chocolate making in Tobago

This being the Caribbean, of course, drink is to the fore too.

With a chocolate-themed cocktail-making masterclass at Cap Maison.

Under the expert guidance of Cap Maison’s professional rummier.

Choc wellbeing

While chocolate can be found too in its spa experience.

With several of the treatments at the Spa Maison incorporating chocolate into the mix, including Chocolate Delight.

Where guests will breathe in the scented aromas of chocolate as they experience the stimulating effects of a chocolate body scrub.

Followed by a rich chocolate body wrap, completed with a warm chocolate oil relaxing massage.

The spacious private villas (2 – 4 bedrooms) will also appeal to families along with the secluded beach.

And proximity of Rodney Bay and its family friendly attractions.

Of course, Saint Lucia also has an abundance of family-friendly activities.

From a visit to the sulphur mud baths, horse-riding along a beach or a rainforesr, zip line adventure.

Count us in

Rates in a one-bedroom Garden View Room on a half board basis in the summer season (3 April – 19 December) start from £538 per room, per night.

Up to two children under 12 stay FREE and eat FREE when dining with parents.

*All activities and excursions can be booked separately at an additional charge through the hotel’s concierge desk.

So go on treat yourself to an Easter eggstravaganza in the Chocabbean and CapMaison in Saint Lucia.

America, Caribbean, Countries, Europe, UK

I’m a copy Kate too around the world

12th March 202412th March 2024 funtime65

Everyone has their own altered reality of who they are so I admit it, I’m a copy Kate too around the world.

And aren’t we all, airbrushing here and pretending we’re somebody we’re not?

And so for this Irish-Scot, schooled in Classical Greece and Rome, with a tranche of Irish-American rellies I’ve channelled all their icons.

Now, far from wanting to come in and do a fixer’s job for the Windsors.

But I’ve always found that the best way of redressing a pile on is to send yourself up.

Altered images

And so if Kate Middleton put out a Picasso-type photo of herself and her sprogs then she could show that she can laugh at herself.

Now four score months and seven days ago (or thereabouts) I brought forth my Presidency.

See, there I am, writing an order in the White House in DC.

And, I was entitled to do so, having been given the authority by no less a figure than George Washington himself.

The new President of America: In Washington DC

Now, I’ve been photographed with many an American icon over the years.

Martin Luther King, Elvis Presley, Annie Oakley and more recently Donald Trump, although he probably met them all too.

Of course, I fought too in the American Civil War.

In fact much like the Universal Soldier of Donovan’s song or the Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil I was there for the major events in history.

My place in history and culture

With the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Archduchess Sophia in Sarajevo at the time of their assassination which triggered the First World War.

And spooky this, she too like Kate was of ‘common stock’

Then modern rock royalty in Cliff Richard in Portugal and R&B (that’ll be Rihanna and Bandanaman) in her native Barbados.

While I’ve skied with Olympic champions in Gelsenkirchen, won the Open Golf Championship in Portrush in the north of Ireland, run with the Pamplona bulls.

And danced with Judy Murray and sung with Natasha Bedingfield… you can make up your mind on those last two name drops.

Fake it till you make it

Now, there’s the old saying about fake it till you make it.

Now admitting it is the first step which is why I acknowledge I’m a copy Kate around the world.

Kate though has it the other way round down Kensington Palace way as she prefers to make it till she fakes it.

Africa, Caribbean, Countries, Deals, Europe

My Valentine’s Day proposal

13th February 202413th February 2024 funtime65

Alas, it’s gone, the restaurant where I got down on one knee for My Valentine’s Day proposal. But the love lives on.

Of course, I had merely gone to tie up my laces when the eager Miss F screamed ‘yes’ and that was it.

And yes, as my old mucker and travel blogger par excellence Tom Sweeney has since advised ‘slip-ons old boy, slip-ons.’

While Malta, the jewel of the Med, was an idyllic location in truth I had my eyes on another gem.

Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia, had long been my aspiration.

And I have visited since and laid back on a booze boat on the Bosphorus singing Abba.

As I would have 31 years ago… and want to with The Scary One soon.

Now for Istanbul, you can also read Venice and a number of other go-to destinations to consider.

So we’ve put together a triple helping of romantic destinations for you to pop the question.

House of Mara

Masai Mara, Kenya | JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

Future is orange: The sunsets in Kenya, ah!

And I get a tingle when I think back on Siobhan Byrne, of Adams & Butler, who found love in Africa with a Masai warrior.

Sprawling 580sq miles, the expansive reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, with over 100 mammals species.

And travellers can share the thrill of spotting one of the legendary Big Five as we started doing in South Africa.

JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is the first luxury safari lodge to sit within the Masai Mara National Reserve.

It offers 20 private tents, each with their own terrace, to soak in the vistas’ spectacular sounds.

Room rates start from £1,278 per night. For more information, visit www.marriott.com

Bermuda short

Bermuda | Rosewood Bermuda

And anywhere that’s good enough for Sean and Micheline Connery should be good enough for the rest of us.

So knowing already that they like Jocks, then myself and by-now Tartanised other half would be made welcome.

On the pink sands at Horseshoe Bay Beach, one of the world’s most Instagrammed beaches or Astwood Cove Beach.

Or if you like an ancient natural cave then the Grotto Bay Beach Resort’s Natura Spa is where you want to go.

Room rates start from £253 per night. For more information, visit www.gotobermuda.com

Anyone for Venice

Venice | The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice

And si, we’ve stood on the Rialto Bridge a-gazing longingly… at the prices, but what price love Venice for us romantics?

Of course, one way of saving more for your Aperol Spritzes for my Valentine’s Day proposal is to sacrifice a gondola ride for a vaparetto (a water taxi).

Now, if money is no object and romance is always worth it then the The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice is steeped in Venetian history.

It was commissioned in 1525 as the residence of the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti and later used as the official residence of the Vatican’s ambassadors to Venice.

And it has been a favourite with top-tier travellers since the palazzo became a hotel in 1895.

For that oh-so-special moment, we would recommend guests embark on the Riva Yacht Experience, where they can follow Head Concierge Ivan Schultz on an exclusive cruise.

Room rates start from £1,003 per night. For more information, visit www.marriott.com

Of course, you may already have your romantic day set out but it’s just that this is my Valentine’s Day proposal.

Caribbean, Countries

Share One Love with Marley

1st February 20241st February 2024 funtime65

And the thing about the Godfather of Reggae is that he is revered around the world but luuuuurved in the Caribbean as I discovered when I was invited to share One Love with Marley.

You see that’s the thing with the West Indies that while the individual islands all have their individual identities they all share one love…

And if ever they forget it they have Robert Nesta Marley’s enduring anthem.

Which rings out everywhere to remind them.

Even at the height of Soca madness during the Crop Over carnival week in Barbados.

World party

Me-me: And Dee-Dee at Crop Over in Barbados

Where we brought the cooler party (or mas) which was appropriately called One Love to a conclusion.

By following the mass gathering of performers on stage.

By singing One Love before taking our weary, rum-sodden bodies off to our respective billets.

And yes, it was on the minibus home that I dozed off and only awoke when prodded by one of our gang.

Because I was pushing my hands forward in a dig motion, reliving and replicating my pool volleyball move from earlier in the day.

Bob’s the job

All of which rambling brings us back to Bob who has honed ever more into view this month.

With the release of the biopic One Love.

Now, of course, any Marley pilgrimage will have at its heart his beloved Jamaica and the Bob Marley Museum, his old home.

Where One Love is at the heart of the message…

With the display including a life size 3-dimensional hologram of Bob from the One Love Peace Concert in 1978.

While the One Love Café serves Marley inspired recipes and juices… schweet.

And other islands are included

It’s a scene played out across the Caribbean and there will be special love for Bob this March on Anguilla this year for Bankie Banx’s Moonsplash Music Festival.

Moonsplash is only the longest-running indy music festival in the region and this year’s bash runs like this:

21 March: Kick-off cocktail with local talent igniting the vibes at Savi Beach Club.

22 March: Reggae night with Grammy-nominated Protoje.

23 March: Legends Night with The Legendary Wailers, channeling Bob and the roots of reggae.

24 March: And the Sunday Festival begins with a day-time Jimmy Buffett tribute concert.

Culminating in performances by Mighty Mystic and the Moonsplash Allstars.

All following in the rich traditions of those who have come before.

With Buffett, Toots & The Maytals, Gregory Isaacs and Third World among the acts jumping in Anguilla.

How to get to Anguilla

Anguilla is accessible from the UK via British Airways or Virgin Atlantic on services to Antigua (ANU), followed by a short inter-island flight transfer to Anguilla (AXA).

An alternative route is with Air France via Paris (CDG) to St Maarten (SXM), followed by a short boat transfer or flight.

American Airlines also operates a service from Miami International Airport (MIA) into Anguilla, with connections to the UK available.

Or you can just float there when you share one love with Marley.

Caribbean, Central America, Countries

Panama chat

23rd January 202423rd January 2024 funtime65

Now it’s been nearly 325 years since pasty-faced Scottish types tried to make a Central American strip their home before retreating to their cold damp climes… so it’s about time for Panama chat.

Because had Asher Warr and Robin Faulkner been around from 1698-1700 then maybe the Scots would have stuck around.

The two British entrepreneurs launched their first property Amarla Cartagena in Colombia in 2022.

And after the success of that venture they have followed that up.

Panama revisited

With Amarla Casco Viejo in Panama which opened last year.

We’re reliably informed that it is a striking departure from the staid, traditional hotels that dominate the local hospitality scene in Casco Viejo.

And that the hotels are true to the Amarla brand with genuine values rooted in local culture, community and design,.

While redefining the luxury hospitality experience.

Amarla Casco Viejo is perched right in the heart of the historic district of Panama.

With the adults-only hotel giving an intimate experience, with only eight rooms.

Now we have experience of adults-only on the Caribbean in Barbados.

Couples therapy

And don’t be put off being a single in a couples hotel.

Because, as your Bandanaman found out your fellow guests will be only too happy to invite you over for drinks and to sit in for dinner.

Amarla Casco Viejo is designed to offer guests the chance,

To experience understated luxury and local Panamanian culture.

From the architecture to the locally influenced restaurant Kaandela.

Fiery local flavours await and the bar has a spirited South American selection of mezcals and coffee.

Best sipped, they say, on the rooftop, overlooking the trendier-by-the-day Casco.

March of time

Now we’re told too that March is a good time to travel, perhaps that was the earlier Scots’ mistake in their vain bid to set up a colony in Darien.

Temperatures are said to stick around the high 70s and low 80s without too much humidity.

And ocean breezes make for cool and comfortable evenings.

Maybe time then to put the past behind us and head for Central America again and indulge in Panama chat this year.

And you don’t even have to go by ship, although my globetrotting gal did.

Instead you can fly with KLM from Glasgow via Amsterdam round-trip, all from under £1,000 (£973).

And remember to come back with a Panama hat which they imported from Ecuador via those masterly milliners.

But that’s another story… and maybe another Amaria will pop up there too.

Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Europe

The Yanks are coming over there

4th January 20244th January 2024 funtime65

Send the word, send the word over there, that the Yanks are coming… the Yanks are coming over there.

Bringing us 107 years up to date from George Cohan’s rousing American First World War rallying song.

And two World Wars and two Cold Wars later and the Yanks are still saving our skin.

Which is why I, for one, always stop to say hello and thank them for coming to visit as holidaymakers and ancestral researchers.

That and the fact that for My Dear Old Irish Mammy America was always the Promised Land.

And half my family went on to make their lives and fortunes there.

Welcome to all Americans

It seems that America empties around Edinburgh Festival time, any royal occasion in England and St Paddy’s Day in Ireland.

But while we get an awesomeness of Americans (the official collective word) paying top dollar on our shores.

It is Italy (and whisper that around the French) which is the biggest draw for Americans at this time of year according to wall art creator StoryBoards.

The study zoned in on keywords such as ‘flights’, ‘restaurants’ ‘ski facilities’ and more next to 43 popular destinations.

Italian Americans

And found Italy has 93,000 average searches from September to December.

Of course the food, culture and history is a draw year-round.

But it’s the winter markets and the great skiing facilities and high-altitude luxury in the Italian Alps which brings the Yanks back.

Now Japan is going through its climactic challenges jus now but it’s as popular as ever with Yanks.

With 33,275.49 average searches.

It’s the blend of ancient traditions and modern festivities, serene winter landscapes and vibrant city lights that does the job.

Thailand, a sunny winter destination with 88F average temperatures garners 23,000 average searches.

And it’s not just the beaches Americans flock to with the tropics and the temples high on the agenda too.

All Greek to us

Classical Greece and its islands where culture and the pace of life feels unchanged over millennia is fourth with 12,293.11.

While the Caribbean because of its proximity and its party vibe is understandably also in the top 5.

With Aruba claiming 11,096.67 average searches.

And so because we love a top ten here’s a blisticle listicle of where the Yanks are coming over there.

Blisticle listicle

Border force: The German and Austrian border

Italy: 92,969,

Japan: 33,275

Thailand: 22,933

Greece: 12,293

Aruba: 11,097

Hawaii: 8,868

Germany: 8,094

Jamaica:?7,320

Cuba: 6,885

Mexico: 6,536

Caribbean, Countries, Food & Wine, Ireland, UK

The ultimate New Year hangover cure

1st January 20241st January 2024 funtime65

It makes sense when you discover its magical contents, and for the day that’s in it we’re recommending the ultimate New Year hangover.

Coconut water, and who knew that the ubiquitous Caribbean drink (other countries are available) will put you back on your feet.

It’s all to do with the potassium, electrolytes, fibre and natural sugars.

All in those coconut shells you see traders carving out by the side of the roads that cost pennies.

Of course it might be that all that dancing you did the night before.

And the fruit from your rum punch and water to rehydrate protected you from the ravages of the hangover.

Or the fact that you’re in Barbados for carnival that makes you blank out the lethargy in your head.

Fry and high

Of course, there are those, ourselves among them, who swear by…

The Ulster/Scottish/English fry of bacon, sausage, eggs, puddings, mushrooms, beans… it’s replacing the lost salt, you know.

And I will forever be indebted to Donna for putting Jevan and myself back together after our all-nighter at Foreday Morning.

And giving us the cold splash of reality that is a hosing down.

To remove the mud and purple paint and wake us up… never a thing for those trudging back from Edinburgh this morning.

Bru knew?

The Scottish hangover cure they say is to just carry on (behave!)

But what is true is that the Jocks do swear by the elements in the bubble-gum tasting Irn-Bru soft drink.

Yes, it’s a rush of sugar but also that iron, although there’s only 0.002 ammonium ferric citrate.

But according to an expert in this field, Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall, who spent 10 years drinking in 30 cities across 14 countries it deffo works.

Now if coconut water, big fry-ups or Irn-Bru aren’t your thing (and why not?) then caffeine is a favourite fall-back.

Cup of coffee for the road

One more cup of coffee: With my Dear Old Mum

I developed my taste for coffee from 15/16 and having it thrust into my hand the morning after a school house party.

How you take it is your own beeswax but I’ve been a black only drinker since my days at uni in frozen Aberdeen.

When leaving the flat to go down into the bracing wind to the shop for milk became too much effort.

Particularly after the first al-nighters with Jevan when he introduced me to real Bajan rum, Mount Gay.

Now where is that streetside coconut water seller in Aberdeen when you need one?

Now I am nothing if not a service-provider and of course the ultimate New Year hangover cure is the sunshine you get.

On the road with the Further Adventures of Bandanaman.