What a fabulous day today in Barbados!  The bed was really comfy last night, so after a good night’s sleep, I went down to the Colony Club’s generous breakfast buffet which consisted of an omelette station, fruit, yogurt parfaits, various fish and breads, and other breakfast standards.  After breakfast, it was off to the Lancaster Great House in St. James.  Under the direction of Roger Chubb and Virginia Trieloff, the exhibitions highlight the best of Barbadian, Caribbean, European and Canadian art and raises money for various Barbadian charities.  While ownership has passed through a few families, there has been a house on this site since the latter part of the Seventeenth Century.  Current exhibitions include Barbadian Furniture from 1680-2009 and Sculpture in the Garden by Jerome Radigois, which is definitely a site to see.  Both will be highlighted until the end of May.  Corrie Scott is a successful artist and well known in Barbados for her magnificent portraits, paintings, and promotion of the arts.  She is very involved with the Lancaster House and takes it upon herself to get the word out to the world of all the various art exhibits, music and theater events.    She works closely with Wendy Kidd, who planned the incredible Holders Festival, which included numerous local and national well-known music acts, as well as artists, jewelers, and craftsmen.

After seeing the Lancaster House, we paid a visit to St. Nicholas Abbey, and took a tour of the plantation and distillery.  This house was bought by Larry Warren in 2006, but still preserves its 350 year history.  The plantation is developing aged rum and is barreled in the finest oak bourbon casks and aged in old stables.  You can go home with your very Barbados Rum in a personalized etched bottle.  It’s the perfect place to come for an hour or relax for an entire day on their patio, just reading a book and enjoying the cool breeze. 

The food today was fabulous.  For lunch, we were treated to a true Barbadian meal.  But it wasn’t just a meal…it was an experience!  John Chandler and his wife Rain own the Fisherpond Great House, an incredible 350-year old plantation home and have it filled with wonderful antiques.  They also have a spectacular flower garden and make the flower arrangements for many weddings, both at their plantation and elsewhere.  The brightly colored hibiscus flowers that covered the long wooden dining room table were gorgeous and all of the glasses and silverware were antique.  The meal itself was phenomenal.  We started off with a carrot, pumpkin, ginger soup, then some mango sorbet, and for the main course, a delicious mahi mahi.  John and his wife host Sunday brunches and people can enjoy over 30 traditional food items while sitting outside and enjoying the peaceful setting.

Dinner was at The Cliff, an amazing restaurant, owned and designed by Brian Ward and overlooks the calm Caribbean sea.  The drink menu was extensive and I enjoyed the first drink on the menu, called the #1, which included dark rum, amaretto, pineapple, coconut, and cherry liquor.  Let’s just say I felt really good after just one!  I started off dinner with a delicious portobello mushroom salad followed by seared tuna and topped it off with a wonderful mix of guava, mango, and rasberry sorbets.  Leave yourself plenty of time at The Cliff, as it is the perfect setting for a relaxing and romantic meal.         

Tomorrow morning, we’ll be getting a polo lesson.  This should be interesting, since I can’t even remember the last time I’ve even been on a horse!