Caribbean Archives - Page 4 of 19 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

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.

Caribbean, Countries, Culture, UK

Zephaniah, it’s a wrap

7th December 20237th December 2023 funtime65

It’s a day we’ve been dredding without even knowing it was upon us… for the world’s greatest living poet Benjamin Zephaniah it’s a wrap.

Now you might recognise him as the preacher from Peaky Blinders but Brummy Benjamin had been a street poet for decades by then.

A man of the world and a child of the Windrush Generation of West Indians who bailed out Britain after the war.

The son a Bajan postman and Jamaican nurse, resettled in England, he was of his world.

And he spoke to the world with wit, wisdom, energy, compassion and warning.

Preacher man: Benjamin in Peaky Blinders

Of course, like every prophet in his own land, he was largely ignored by those who could effect change.

And staggeringly he was offered an OBE by the palace who clearly hadn’t read his republican rhetoric.

For a starting point for Benjamin you’ll want to start in his beloved Birmingham and a Peaky Blinders tour.

Or even a visit to his favourite football team and former European champions Aston Villa’s ground Villa Park.

A citizen of the world

Benjamin, though, had a thirst for the planet, a vegan, he expounded its survival in his writings.

A passionate advocate of women he championed women’s rights throughout his life.

And in a reminder of the close links forged through a joint oppression in Britain from the indigenous population.

Who would put up signs in workplace doors and hospitality’ ‘No blacks, no dogs, no Irish.’

Benjamin spoke up in the theatre of conflict that is the North of Ireland.

And, of course. he like me is a poet and his words inspired my rap ‘A wake-up for the people’ at the Edinburgh Fringe.

And the paean I wrote for him and sent to Benjamin Zephaniah.

A child of the Windrush

Now his greatest legacy as he leaves us after 65 years around the sun will be for all of us, fellow travellers through this world, his words, his message.

Which he is oft-quoted on in the phrase he coined ‘the last ones of the ship.’

When he argued that the most recent immigrants turn on any future incomers to the country.

As a son of the Windrush Generation you can do worse than remember Benjamin in both the island of his people, Jamaica.

Famous five: Forth Stanza at Edinburgh Fringe

Or his native, multicultural Birmingham and adopted island of Britain.

Benjamin Zephaniah, it’s a wrap. But your words and your poetry will always live on.

Caribbean, Countries, Europe, UK

400 years of Will’s World

10th November 202310th November 2023 funtime65

And as if we need an excuse it’s 400 years of Will’s World… excellent, party on, as we mark four centuries since his folios were first published.

And as the companion the BBC will no doubt ask me for, to support the fine Shakespeare: Rise of a Genius series, here’s his go-to sets.

Anyone for Venice

Venice: The republic of Venice with its rich maritime empire and narrow, sinister alleyways was fertile ground for Will.

And where he set The Merchant of Venice (the clue is in the title) and Othello, studies in anti-semitism and racism.

The lagoon city’s labyrinthine closes remain relatively unchanged since Will’s day.

So visitors with any literary knowledge can conjure up Iago and Cassio, and in the Ghetto the money-lender Shylock.

The prints of Denmark

Kronborg Castle, Denmark: And the inspiration for Will’s most celebrated creation and play Hamlet.

A lookout post at the Royal Danish Castle of Elsinore… between northern Jutland and modern-day Sweden.

Where every summer the Danes put on the play… wherein we’ll catch the conscience of the king of theatre.

Where it be done

Scotland: Where it be done it be done quickly, to misquote Will and Lady Macbeth.

The newly amalgamated Scotland is naturally the setting for Will’s new project, the glorification of King James I of Great Britain.

And helpfully for us he namechecks those dramatic places in the north… Inverness, Dunsinane, Cawdor and Glamis Castle.

Athens is a classic

Spoiled and ruined: At the Acropolis in Athens

Athens: And you’d think that any focus would be on the play which references the classical Greek city, Timon of Athens.

But that tale of the Athenian who squanders his riches on parasitic companions until he is poor and they reject him.

But for real Atheniana we turn to Midsummer’s Night Dream where four Athenian lovers are manipulated by fairies.

Shakespearabbean

Bermuda: And to show that Will’s World, like his imagination, stretched far and wide we’ll take you to an exotic island.

Of course we know Will liked a foreign isle for his characters’ adventures.

From Othello’s travels in Cyprus among others.

While we know too from our own peregrinations in Tenerife that Shakespeare was fond of Canarian wine.

But it was Bermuda where Will sent Prospero.

Inspired by William Strachey’s letter on the shipwreck of the Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609.

Caribbean, Countries

Joel has the whole world in his hands

7th November 20237th November 2023 funtime65

You know when you’ve been greeted with the warmest shake in cricket… Joel ‘Big Bird’ Garner has the whole world in his hands.

Even when a cheeky Scot asks him how the once impregnable West Indies could have lost to Scotland.

And would it not be better if he and his fellow Bajan Collis King here at the World Travel Market in London got their whites back on?

All-rounder Collis has, in truth, never stopped, still turning out at 72!

Take a seat

The two cricketing legends are sat at the booth in the Barbados section of the World Travel Market at the Excel in London Docklands.

And they are telling me that the problem with West Indian cricket is the administrators.

Weeding out global warming

The Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill has shaken me warmly by the hand and congratulated Scotland on that famous win.

We have shared cricket memories (he has naturally more) and I am reminded how accessible and chilled Bajan politicians are.

And how I met his predecessor at the Kennington Oval and the minister dressed up in casual Bermuda top and shorts.

Bajans can pull off the look in a way British politicians just can’t… Rishi Sunak just with his sleeves rolled up is enough to make you dizzy.

Pleasantries aside I have come to ask the Minister how Barbados is addressing the unwelcome build-up of seaweed on its shores.

Something that had taken me by surprise when I last visited last year for the Barbados Celtic Festival.

The big Bajan clean-up

The Minister has a novel interview manner, actually answering the question, in a way that will never take on in Britain.

He tells me that the problem abates at this time of the year.

But that the government and the hotel and hospitality industry are committed to cleaning up the shores.

To make sure that we all enjoy the Bajan experience and its golden beaches and sapphire sea.

In with the Bajan bricks

I have taken up more than my fair share of the Minister’s time.

And probably exhausted their patience… so I lap up the Cou Cou (Ruby taught me how in Club Barbados).

So it’s probably best I didn’t suggest to Joel that his giant hands would be major benefits in scooping up seaweed.

And then truly I could say Joel has the whole world in his hands.

You see, ever since I found my name ‘Murty’ next to Rihanna ‘Fenty’ on the Building Wall of Barbados I think I am in with the Bajan bricks.

America, Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Deals, Europe

Every day’s a Tropical Sky schoolday

30th October 202331st October 2023 funtime65

Now as I’ve still so much to learn I rely on the dream-makers, our holiday providers, to teach me… and I know that every day’s a Tropical Sky schoolday.

Because Tropical Sky it was who schooled me in snorkelling after earlier false starts in Barbados.

I’ve picked up a number of other attributes on the way.

Keeeeep dancin’: With Judy Murray in Portugal

Learning to play tennis like a grand slam champion from Judy Murray in Quinta da Lago on the Algarve.

Ride like Roy Rogers in the Wild West and cling onto a tub on the rapids in Colorado.

Paint like Picasso in Tobago though I kept reaching for the mixing pot to drink out of habit thinking it was rum.

Or cook like Craddock and bake like Berry anywhere between my old stomping ground of Co. Wicklow and the States.

All these skills and a few more, tobogganing, scootering, paddel (a hybrid between squash and tennis) and paddle boarding I’ve also picked up along the way.

Although I was for once tongue-tied when asked to blow my own trumpet (still to do that one) by the inimitable Marsha in Tobago.

Picture perfect: With SLM & Marsha in Tobago

When she asked our party what we were good at.

And while my colleague (and her favourite) Vic wowed her with his acumen in building his own house.

My claims of being a poet from my time at the Edinburgh Fringe didn’t impress her and she pipes up: ‘Jim, you got no skills.’

Of course I showed off me skills while seeing off Vic at the goat racing with Marsha watching. No kiddin’!

All of which came to mind while browsing through the list of activity holidays Tropical Sky have to offer in their latest mail drop.

Antigua, set and match

Curtain Bluff hotel, Antigua: Anyone for learning tennis, and the five-star Curtain Bluff Hotel, in verdant Antigua.

Look out for Antigua Tennis Week each Spring and Tennis Challenge Week in November.

A seven-night AI stay at Curtain Bluff Hotel, with flights from London Gatwick, arriving 20 May, is from £3,679 pps.

Curry favours in Sri Lanka

Anantara Kalutara Resort, Sri Lanka: Now I’ve another of my go-to holiday providers, G Adventures, to thank for teaching me the secrets of curry making.

Not all of them mind, I could still do with Spices Cooking School at Anantara Kalutara Resort to fill in the rest.

Their interactive classes see you explore the spice markets with the chef and pick out the ingredients before tucking into your meal with Prosecco.

A seven-nighter, arriving 12 June is from £1,629 pps half-board with return flights from London Heathrow.

Cookery classes can be booked for an additional cost of £124 pp.

Wild West Hero

Tanque Verde Ranch, Arizona: Now forgive me if I retell the story of how I ran into a cowboy ex-Aberdeen University classmate in the baking sun on the Great Plains.

And I asked him as he taught me how to ride a horse if he missed the sub-zero temperatures of the north-east of Scotland.

Now Tropical tell us that nestled amidst the desert and mountains of Tucson is the Tanque Verde Ranch.

A six-nighter at Tanque Verde Ranch, arriving 12 June from £2,649 pps, sharing a Road Runner Sala on full board basis.

With return flights from London Heathrow with Tropical sister company www.americansky.co.uk).

Painter Lucia

Anse Chastenet: In St Lucia is a long way from Joe Reilly’s art class painting apples that looked like men’s parts.

As it happens it took my Tobagonian pals to make an artist of me and show that I could paint… in this case a mill.

The Anse Chastenet is nestled within a 600-acre estate with beaches, coral reefs and views of the Pitons.

Let artist Naja Misaki Simeon take you on a group class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or opt for private sessions for a fee.

A seven-nighter AI at Anse Chastanet, arriving 12 June, is from £2,449 pps with return flights from London Gatwick.

Atoll order

Fushifaru Maldives: Now what to do when you’re caught between a coral and a hard place.

As I was in Kuramathi when swallowing water I tried to stop on the Indian Ocean floor.

Only to be scolded for killing the coral while it was cutting my feet!!

Snorkelling was my limit but if you want to extend yourself to scuba diving Best Dives at Fushifaru Maldives will show you how.

A seven-nighter AI at Fushifaru Maldives, arriving 20 May is from £3,299pps with return flights from London Heathrow.

And for my Tobagonian pal Marsha’s information.

Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Europe

The day the world’s cats are feline good

29th October 20231st November 2023 funtime65

Moggieday, Moggieday, so good to me, and with apologies to the Moggies and Papas, today is the day the world’s cats are feline good.

And we have animal activist Coleen Paige to thank for pushing to have a national day for cats in 2005.

To go along with National Dog Day in 2004 (see, you can love both), and National Puppy Day in March 2006.

Now, we’ve all been there on our travels when we’ve had kitties cuddle up to our legs and made us feel welcome.

So on this, National Cat Day, indulge us while we share some puss pics from our travels.

How Bazaar

Istanbul: And our feline friends in Istanbul are the type of learned bunch TS Eliot would take to.

As we found out when we went shopping in the most historic and enchanting row of stores and stalls in this magical city on the Bosphorus.

Where you’ll find moggies sprawled out over books on the counter… cat lit if you like.

The Catmino

Tenerife: And when you need someone to show you the way then you could do worse than follow the cats.

Because they know their way around, of course.

Mind you this furball in Tenerife knew better than to take to the open paths in the baking hot sun of our CaminoWays trek back in the day.

Furza Italia

Rome: Moggie mia… you’ll spot your gatti Italiani because of their swagger.

As they amble past you on your 100km walk from Lazio into Rome on your Via Francigena.

I guess that’s why they call Rome the Eternal Kitty.

Desert cats

Jordan: Now we all know about the camel, the ‘ship of the desert’.

But our furry low-maintenance feline friends we found on our G Adventures adventure are adaptable to any terrain.

And they make a better sleeping companion under the stars in the Wadi Rum.

The Cattybbean

Fur he’s a jolly good fella: Kitty fun in Barbados

Barbados: And we all know that the cat rules the roost, or at least that’s how it is here where the mother-in-law’s moggie Mishka is on holiday.

And it is certainly the case in St Nicholas Abbey, ancestral home of the Cumberbatches (yes those Cumberbatches).

Where I had to give way on my Bajan Scottish odyssey because the top cat on the island is this furry fella.