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Barbados Travel Guide
Essentials for a Great Crop Over/ Carnival
I am still on a high from my incredible and unforgettable experience at Barbados Crop Over 2023. Attending an official Carnival festival has always been on my bucket list. I, of course, being an alumnus of Xavier University of Louisiana and a resident of New Orleans for four years, have had my share of Mardi Gras memories. I’ve been to so many parades and danced in the streets, but I have never had the complete involvement including the costume.
Last year, while I was planning my full year of forty celebration, I thought that this would be the perfect time to attend a carnival. Like Mardi Gras, Carnival season is based around Lent and usually starts typically at the beginning of the year with Trinidad & Tobago. I knew I needed some time to prepare for Carnival this year. I had already planned on my shoulder surgery at the beginning of the year and I wanted more time to snatch this body together. Barbados Crop Over was the best decision to attend, being that it was later in the year around harvest season. I also really wanted to see Barbados, thanks Rihanna.
I did my usual research and found the perfect group to join for my Crop Over extravaganza. Black Girls Travel Too had an all inclusive amazing Crop Over trip on their social media page. I quickly signed up with their payment plan and got to planning my own elevated experience.
Barbados Crop Over 2023 was such a mind blowing, liberating and special trip. My jaunt was filled with so much fun, laughter, dancing and heat! Not just me in my costume, but the weather in Barbados was on another level. After getting through this incredible time, that everyone in my opinion should experience once in their lifetime. I decided to share some insight on what to bring on your trip, so you can easily have an awesome time as well.
I’m no Carnival expert, but this surely won’t be my last Caribbean Carnival season. See my list below of all the essentials you need for you own great Crop Over/ Carnival experience.
Carnival/ Crop Over Essentials
- Portable fan
Now I have been to several countries in the Caribbean, but Barbados in the summer is a whole new level of hot. Especially, when you’re surrounded by tons of people dancing nonstop. The humidity and sun had me sweating as soon as I stepped outside. This portable fan was a game changer. It’s super compact and I carried it everywhere with me. It has a long battery life, so I was able to keep the party going.
(Purchase here) - WATER
This should be self explanatory. It’s HOT! You’re sweating immensely and dancing hours on end to Soca music. There will also be lots of liquor involved in Carnival. It is absolutely essential you stay hydrate and drink plenty of water. Drink more water than you would on a normal day. - Portable battery charger
The Carnival season consists of several days of non stop and possibly overnight partying. Don’t forget that you will be trying to capture all the fun you’re having on your phone. Whether you are team iPhone or Android, you will need a back up battery charger to keep your phone alive during those long days and nights. - Comfortable shoes
As stated above, you will be partying, dancing and standing for hours on hours. For Jouvert/ Foreday and Grand Kadooment (the finale) you will definitely want to invest in some super comfortable shoes to wear. Even better if your shoes match your outfit/ costume. - Fanny pack/ leg bag
You will want to keep those hands as free as possible as you’re attending fetes and “chipping” (dancing) down the street you’ll want to store your essentials and currency safely. I highly suggest a fanny pack or leg bag especially for Jouvert/ Foreday and Grand Kadooment - Wet wipes
You will be outside all Carnival, literally. This definitely limits your bathroom options. This means that most likely you will be using a portable toilet to use the restroom. You will feel so much cleaner and better using these wipes to refresh and sanitize. - An amazing crew
You know how the saying goes, “The more the merrier.” An amazing party is always better with your crew to join and hype you up. Imagine being in the streets with Soca music playing and you bopping with your friends having a great time. Now add beautiful costumes to that experience. You can’t tell me that’s not a fabulous time. I am so very thankful to Black Girls Travel Too for the sisterhood I enraptured during my trip. I am also thankful to Krave the Band for providing the gorgeous costumes and ambiance of Grand Kadooment.
For the complete shopping list for Carnival Essentials click here!
*Doctor’s orders: Notice that I didn’t put sunscreen on the list for essentials. As a physician, I must emphasis the importance of wearing sunscreen DAILY. No matter where you are on this planet you should be putting on sunscreen every day. No matter your shade from peach to plum put on your sunscreen before you walk out the door in the morning. I was double coated in sunscreen and reapplied often during my entire stay in Barbados.
23 hours in Panama
I’ve said it again and again, I love to take advantage of a good stopover flight. It is the absolute easiest way to travel to two countries in one trip. Airlines have finally caught up with this trend and certain ones now provide quick access to their country of origin. When planning my trip to Barbados last year, I had the idea in mind to search for a stopover during my tour.
During my flight research, I quickly discovered Copa Airlines, based in Panama City, had a stopover program. Their flights are designed to have an extended layover in Panama City, so you may enjoy the beautiful Central American city and country. I happily and rapidly booked my flight to Barbados with an extraordinary Panama City excursion in between.
I had exactly 23 hours in the beautiful mecca that is Panama City. I had a chance to learn about and visit the world renowned and highly advanced engineering that is the Panama Canal. I had the opportunity to explore Casco Antiguo (its Old Quarter). While I was there, I enjoyed some authentic freshly shaven ice and a Panamanian meal for dinner. I went bar hoping at night to a few rooftop bars to see the beautiful skyline of the city. Most importantly, I was able to rest and relax before my non stop partying in Barbados.
Definitely consider Copa Airlines and a stopover in Panama City during your next travel destination.
See more information on my 23 hour Stopover in Panama below.
Where I stayed: JW Marriott Panama City
How I got around: Uber works very well in Panama City. I spent about $15 USD to get to my hotel from the airport. Uber to other parts of the city varied from $4-10 USD per ride.
What I saw: After I checked into my hotel I refreshed and went straight to the Panama Canal. To visit the Canal, the Miraflores Visitor Center is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Panama City. I highly recommend you check out the Imax movie narrated by Morgan Freeman, of course, about the Panama Canal. The movie is included in your ticket price to view the canal. I then took an Uber to Casco Antiguo (its Old Quarter). This area of town is full of culture, cute shops and restaurants. After dinner I went to a few rooftop bars to view the skyline. I started at Tantalo Roofbar in Casco Antiguo. I ended my evening back at the JW Marriot’s rooftop bar, which has a spectacular night skyline view and a affordable drink menu.
Where I ate: I stayed in the Old Quarter for dinner. I asked my Uber driver who picked me up from the airport for dinner recommendations and he recommended, Diablicos, for delicious authentic Panamanian cuisine. Prior to dinner I also stumbled upon this man making freshly shaven ice. He recommended and made it the authentic Panamanian way with fruit flavors of passion fruit and sweetened condensed milk. That shaven ice was so good especially in the humid air that is Panama City. My hotel stay included breakfast, so I was able to fill my belly before my flight to Bridgetown, Barbados the next morning.
What I spoke: Spanish is the spoken language in Panama. You may find some locals that speak English in the touristy areas like hotels, shops etc., but most people only speak Spanish. My Spanish level is intermediate, but I definitely felt comfortable enough communicating decently in the country.
What I bought: The Panamanian balboa (PAB) is the national currency of the Republic of Panama. Since I was staying less than I day, I opted to just use my credit card for my purchases instead to getting cash. Exchange rate is $1 USD = $1 PAB
Belizean Nice Cream
Original Blog post from: Confections, Crafts and Couture.
Happy National Ice Cream Day! Here we are in the middle of July and Los Angeles is finally starting to feel like summertime. This week has been extra warm and I have been throughly enjoying basking in the sun. Ice cream is a great way to cool down during this time of the year, when the hot days are consecutive and a break is needed. I honestly though eat as much ice cream as you would think.
Let me be clear, I enjoy that creamy confection that is gobbled up by the gallons by millions of fans. My favorite flavor of ice cream is actually cookies n cream to be clear, it’s just not featured much on my palate . This may come off as bougie, but I try not to eat ice cream here in the US because is just not that good. US ice cream, if not premium quality, is usually filled with chemicals and unknown substances that I dare not know. When it comes to food we all know fresh is best, so I try and save my ice cream experiences for overseas.
Last month while I was in Belize enjoying my birthday vacation, I decided not only to enjoy some ice cream but to make some as well. I actually made ice cream out of bananas, also known as ‘nice cream.’ This idea came to me while in Belize after receiving too many ripe bananas from our lodging accommodations to eat for breakfast. The kitchen where I stayed was equipped with a blender, so I tossed the bananas in with some previously purchased coffee creamer. After letting the nice cream freeze for a few hours, dessert was done. The nice cream came out delicious and tasted just like frozen banana pudding. The only thing missing were some Kaleidoscope Sprinkles to make it pop.
This was my first time making nice cream, but I definitely will be enjoying this recipe again this summer. If you’re looking for another cool treat to enjoy this summer I suggest giving this simple enjoyable recipe a try. It’s super light, refreshing and so easy to make.
See recipe and ice cream from all over the world below.
Banana Pudding Nice Cream
Ingredients
5-6 medium ripe bananas
¼ cup of Vanilla Cannoli flavor or your favorite coffee creamer
Cookies for decoration, optional
Kaleidoscope Sprinkles for decoration, optional
Directions
Peel bananas then transfer to a blender or food processor. Add coffee creamer. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides.
Transfer nice cream to a medium sized freezer safe bowl. Place nice cream in the freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight (for a firmer texture).
Serve nice cream with your favorite cookies and/or sprinkles.
Devour and enjoy!!
BELIZE Travel Guide
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Secret’s out about Secret Beach
I’m back! I have returned from my birthday trip to Belize browner, happier, older and wiser. I have entered a whole new decade and returned from visiting a whole new country. Belize is a beautiful Caribbean nation that is filled with kind and lovely souls. It has a very laid back and calming spirit, so it was definitely the perfect locale for the 40th birthday trip.
While I was doing my usual research prior to my trip, I came across on social media this happening spot called in Belize called Secret Beach. What truly caught my eye about this place was the beautiful beach and the comforting restaurant chairs placed in the clear sea waters. I knew going to Belize and visiting Secret Beach was a must and the best way to spend a day on my vacation.
After getting the chance to do exactly what I planned and spend the day at Secret Beach, Belize, I will say it is worth a visit! Secret Beach was probably the best beach experience I had on San Pedro island. I was actually able to enjoy my surroundings and place my feet in the sand and the cool waters of the Caribbean Sea. (There is a huge problem with Sargassum (Seaweed Algae) on the Caribbean coast right now, so many beaches are not accessible for swimming.) Secret Beach not only offers pretty beaches and crystal blue waters, but also several establishments for eating and drinking. I honestly did notice that the prices were higher in the area for tourists, but the drinks and food were worth it. (I paid $45 USD or 90 BZD for two drinks from the bar). There are other activities to enjoy while you’re visiting as well.
I decided to share my secrets for Secret Beach Belize with you, so you hopefully get a chance to visit and enjoy your experience as much as I did.
Secret Beach Helpful Hints:
1. Secret Beach is located on the northwest side of San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) island in Belize. It’s located approximately at 45 mins. away from downtown San Pedro/ San Pedro ferry via golf cart/ taxi.
2. Secret beach is open from 10 AM -6 PM Sunday- Saturday.
3. Secret beach has a full bar and restaurants on-site for a variety of food and drinks. (I did notice the prices to be higher on the beach than other places on the island). Cash/ Cards accepted. I recommend Aurora’s Bar & Grill, Pirate Bar & Grill or the Blue Bayou Restaurant & Bar.
4. Besides lounging on the beach there are other activities to choose. There is a masseuse available for hire for a lovely massage session, there are water swings, there’s snorkeling and there’s an inflatable water park for the kiddies.
5. For more information CLICK HERE!
Colombia Travel Guide
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Weekend in Colorado
Last month in April I had the pleasure of visiting not only Denver, but Colorado for the first time. One of my good friends, Lynette, invited me to join her in celebrating her 40th birthday in the Mile High City. I knew automatically it was going to be a good time because Lynette and I always have a great time together. Lynette also joined me last year for one my best Coachella experiences as well. I was extremely excited to RSVP to this April extravaganza.
Denver is incredibly close and a quick plane ride from California and yet I never took it upon myself to plan a trip there. This capital of Colorado is known for its high altitude and more recently for getting people even higher with THC. Denver also has more to offer with their sports teams, outdoor activities, arts, food, culture and more. I knew my first visit to Colorado was going to be a quick weekend rendezvous, so I tried to encompass as much as I could.
My weekend excursion to Denver to celebrate my friend’s 40th was an absolute wonderful time. I really felt the love and appreciation of my fabulous friend, Lynette. My three day trip also showed me why Denver is loved and appreciated by so many as well. This western wonderland is expansive in its mountainous beauty, parks, art exhibits, rich culinary scene and much more. Although the weather may be indecisive my mind is completely made up that I will be returning to Denver again.
Please see my Denver tips and weekend Itinerary below.
City of Denver Tips
- Bring layers! Denver weather can be ever changing and indecisive so dress accordingly.
- Denver is VERY spread out with different areas/ neighborhoods. Save money by renting a car or using friends/ family with vehicles.
- Altitude Sickness is felt more when dehydrated or intoxicated. Stay thirsty (for water) my friends.
- Being a mile high in the air dries out your skin. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Weekend Denver Itinerary
Where I stayed: Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Downtown Denver.
Friday:
Land at Denver International Airport. Take light rail or drive into downtown Denver, check-in and check out happy hour at your hotel.
Head to Appaloosa Grill for Friday night dinner and live music.
Head back to the hotel for a great night’s rest.
Saturday:
Walk over to Syrup for brunch with flavored mimosas and full servings of delicious food.
Walk off at that full brunch by wandering and exploring downtown for art murals and architecture.
Head to Lookout Mountain Park trail for a more aerobic activity and great views of the city.
Have a snack, including homemade fudge, at Buffalo Bill’s Cafe and Gift shop.
Head to Red Rocks Amphitheatre for an evening concert or
Head back downtown for dinner at the Denver Milk Market and evening show at the Denver Improv Comedy Club.
Sunday:
Head to the Denver Biscuit Company or Toro restaurant for homemade biscuits and southern cuisine or an all you eat exquisite Latin fine dining brunch experience.
Head to the airport to your destination full of great food and experiences.
Other activities recommended for Denver:
If you want some other amazing and unique experiences in Denver, click here.
There are also other things to do:
A Day in Bordeaux
Paris is the most visited city in the world. Although, my favorite city in the world encompasses so much culture and is a world in its own, I must tell you that there is so much more to France than Paris. Besides the French capital city, there is of course the South of France. I had the chance to visit this gorgeous traveler’s wonderland some years ago outside of my yearly Parisian trip. There are also many inland areas of France that are just as beautiful and worth exploring.
A few years ago, during my annual trip to Paris I decided that I would visit the well known Champagne region. I have been a big fan of champagne and popping bottles as a part of bougie weekend brunch lifestyle. Also since one of my favorite mottos is “Rosé all day”, I was interested to see how this effervescent libation was made. During my tour we visited several champagne houses, had plenty of tasting opportunities, free time to explore the City of Champagne and even visit the gravesite of Dom Perignon. My very memorable and slightly inebriated day trip to Champagne, France was amazing. I enjoyed the experience so much that I decided I wanted tour another region outside of Paris the following year. I used my love for another French drink to inspire my next area of exploration.
Bordeaux is well known in its robust and full body wines, but there is more to it than beverages. The city of Bordeaux has a famous museum, a bustling transit system, France’s largest public square, picturesque cathedrals, delicious restaurants, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and so much more. Bordeaux is easily accessible with a quick train ride from Paris. I started my day in the morning and spent a full day in the city. If you have more time available I recommend staying a few more days as there are areas outside of the city worth visiting as well.
Overall I am so glad I had the opportunity and foresight to venture outside of Paris and visit Bordeaux. I definitely plan to come back to visit some wineries and book a spa day at Caudalie during my next visitation.
Check out my Bordeaux day trip information below and plan a day of exploration for yourself.
Transportation: Bordeaux is a quick 2-3 hour train ride from Paris. There are several trains that travel to/ from the city so you have plenty of options of when to leave and return to manage your itinerary. The tickets are also very affordable if you book your tickets in advance. The earlier you book your tickets the lower the price for the most part. The more popular train times, cost more so plan accordingly. I booked my roundtrip ticket online. You also have several options for departure points from Paris.
Things to do in Bordeaux:
- Marche de Capucins- Great for buying fresh foods and flowers. While I was there I happened to stumble upon an open flea market as well.
- La Cite du Vin
- Musee du Vin et du Negoce
- Les Bassin de Lumieres
- Promenade Sainte-Catherine
- A spa day at Caudalie Spa
- There are several wineries outside of the city to visit for day tours
Want further ideas for things to do in Bordeaux? Click here
Places to see in Bordeaux:
- Place de la Borse (The Water Mirror)
- St. Andre Cathedral
- Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux
- Pont de Pierre
- La Cite du Vin
- Grand Theatre
- Monument aux Girodins
- Jardin Public
Food and Drink (Places to eat and drink well while you’re there):
- BLISSS (Fancy French)
- La Fine Bouche (Fancy French)
- Chai Maestro (Spanish/ European)
- Arcada (French)
- Restaurant Epicentre (French)
- Loco by Jem’s (French/ Gastropub)
- Suzzi (Swedish/ Healthy)
- Lume (Italian/ Mediterranean)
- Tupaq (Peruvian/ Latin)
- Pizzas- Les Cancres (Italian)
- O p’tit bahut Bordeaux (French wine bar)
- e Metropolitain (French wine bar)
Best Open Markets in Paris
The French are known for their impeccable food standards. Besides French culinary schools and world renown chefs and restaurants there are other rules and regulations that make French food so superb. Did you know that bakeries must bake their bread on-premises to hold the title of ‘boulangerie‘ in France? Also in France a bakery cannot use the term ‘pâtisserie’ by law unless there is a maître pâtissier (master pastry chef) on site. With all these exceptional food standards for French restaurants and food shops it makes you wonder where Parisians buy the freshest vittles.
Here in the US, farmers markets have recently become a popular place for fresh and sustainable food outside of the local grocery store. In France, open markets are a normal and traditional part of life. The French typically head to an open market versus going to a marché (grocery store) for buying their daily food. The open market is known as a source for the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, prepared foods and flowers and is an integral part of France’s famed tradition of good eating.
In Paris, there is at least one open market available in every district or arrondissements. I have had the opportunity to visit a few different markets in Paris and have decided to compile a list of the best open markets in Paris.
See below for the Best Open Markets in Paris.
For more information on French markets click here.
𝓑𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓞𝓹𝓮𝓷 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓱 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓮𝓽𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓼
𝟏. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡é 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 -📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟐. 𝐑𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐭.- 📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟑. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡é 𝐏𝐫é𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧- 📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟒. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡é 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝- 📍 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟓. 𝐑𝐮𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭-📍 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟔. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡é 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞-📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟕. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡é 𝐃𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐧-📍 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟖. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡é 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐲-📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟗. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡é 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞- 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢- 📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟏𝟎. 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 -📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟏𝟏. 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭-📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟏𝟐. 𝐃’ 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭-📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟏𝟑. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭- 📍𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫.
𝟏𝟒. 𝐑𝐮𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐢𝐥- 📍𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐫.