Blog | Bottled Sunshine

‘Hyatt Regency Trinidad’ | Hotel Review

Oct 11, 2018
3 min

‘Hyatt Regency Trinidad’ | Hotel Review

For those who know Steven and myself, we simply love and adore Airbnbs. Truth be told, I’ve always enjoyed the self sustained Airbnb setup compared to the “dependent” nature of a hotel room. But this time around was different, Steven travelled to Trinidad and Tobago for ‘The CCCU – Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions’. Being me, I jumped on a plane to accompany Steven to Trinidad – duh. After all, it was only for a weekend and the flights weren’t ridiculously expensive.

5 EXHILARATING THINGS YOU MUST DO IN ST.VINCENT

Jun 3, 2018
3 min

5 EXHILARATING THINGS YOU MUST DO IN ST.VINCENT

The island of St.Vincent has so many beautiful things to offer, but strangely, it feels as though tourism isn’t “their thing”. If you’ve ever been, then you know what I mean and if you haven’t, seriously, what are you waiting for?? – go see for yourself! But despite the very laid-back nature of the island, St.Vincent has a naturally untapped, or rather, an uncommercialized feel about it – and I simply love it. Here are seven exhilarating things that you must do in St.Vincent:

‘SVG’ IN A NUTSHELL: A QUICK (AND USEFUL) GUIDE TO ST.VINCENT & THE GRENADINES

May 27, 2018
4 min

‘SVG’ IN A NUTSHELL: A QUICK (AND USEFUL) GUIDE TO ST.VINCENT & THE GRENADINES

Heading over to St.Vincent & The Grenadines? Here is a list of helpful and useful information which will prepare you for life on the islands. AREA CODE – The country code of St.Vincent and The Grenadines is +(1) 784. TOTAL AREA – St.Vincent and The Grenadines is one nation which consists of 32 islands. Nine of which are inhabited – St Vincent, Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union Island, Mayreau, Petit St Vincent and Palm Island. The entire nation is 150 square mile

LA SOUFRIÈRE VOLCANO: A JOURNEY TO THE TOP

Barbados’ Festivals of 2018 – Will They Make Our To-Do List? [PART 2]

Mar 12, 2018
4 min

Barbados’ Festivals of 2018 – Will They Make Our To-Do List? [PART 2]

This is a continuation from PART 1 ‘Barbados’ Festivals of 2018 – Will They Make Our To-Do List?‘ Celtic Festival Barbados (May 24th – 27th, 2018) The Barbados Celtic Festival is essentially a celebration/festival through music and food which merges the cultural connections of Barbados and the Celtic Countries. Therefore, the festival will be sure to include music from the Pipes and Drums from around the world, steel pan, fiddles and folk music! #FunFact: Irish immigration to

Barbados’ Festivals of 2018 – Will They Make Our To-Do List? [PART 1]

Jan 12, 2018
5 min

Barbados’ Festivals of 2018 – Will They Make Our To-Do List? [PART 1]

The small island of Barbados enjoys an active social scene filled with exciting festivals which all showcase our history, culture, sports and our love for all things fun. While they are a fair bit of festivals throughout the year – let’s be realistic, we can’t attend every last one, so here is a list of this year’s festivals and let’s see which ones will make it onto our to-do list! *drumroll* Sugar and Rum Festival (January 15th – April 15th, 2018) Everyone knows that Barbad

Our Top 7 Most Romantic Places In Barbados

Nov 12, 2017
3 min

Our Top 7 Most Romantic Places In Barbados

Barbados is one of the most romantic islands in the Caribbean and I consider ourselves extremely lucky to be able to experience it – every, single, day. With crystal blue seas, picturesque green gardens and breathtaking historic sites, Barbados’ romantic nature appeals to all. So here are what we consider to be some of the most romantic spots on the island! 1. St. Nicholas Abbey An architectural marvel, being one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemis

Why Visit Barbados: 5 Beautiful (And Colourful) Reasons to Visit Barbados

Oct 14, 2017
4 min

Why Visit Barbados: 5 Beautiful (And Colourful) Reasons to Visit Barbados

Anyone who has visited Barbados can list the many things which they love about the island, but for me, I see Barbados as an island not only full of personality and charm but full of colour. The oranges, the greens, the blues, the purples – all the colours of the colour wheel (and in-between), working in perfect harmony, resonate within the island life that is Barbados, so, here are 5 beautiful (and colourful) reasons to love and visit Barbados time and time again! 1. Oran

A Tropical Thanksgiving: 4 Reasons To Celebrate Thanksgiving In Barbados

Oct 8, 2017
2 min

A Tropical Thanksgiving: 4 Reasons To Celebrate Thanksgiving In Barbados

Thanksgiving is one of the USA’s most cherished and adored holidays. Celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday in November – November 23rd in 2017, Thanksgiving is typically about amazing street parades, food, football and not to mention, family. Although Barbados doesn’t have a Thanksgiving holiday, nor do we traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving, here are 5 reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving in Barbados – with a tropical twist of course! 1. No Sweater Weather = Amazing W

Mount Gay Rum… Because Every Epic Story Starts With Alcohol

Sep 7, 2017
4 min

Mount Gay Rum… Because Every Epic Story Starts With Alcohol

Gosh, it seems like such a long time since my last blog post and I truly must apologise but I’ve been #adulting… *insert an incredibly loud sigh here* But, I’m back and boy do I have a story for you, a rum story, a great epic story because after all, every epic story starts with alcohol – so here goes the story of the ‘Mount Gay Rum Cocktail Tour’… I have been dying to do a tour at ‘The Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre’ for a while now, but timing was never on my side – you know

A Quick Guide To The Barbados’ Wildlife

Jul 28, 2017
2 min

A Quick Guide To The Barbados’ Wildlife

Without a doubt, the zoo (pretty much any zoo) can be one of the most captivating activities for children and adults alike. But… Barbados doesn’t actually have a zoo (sorry to burst your bubble). What we do have is a wildlife reserve – which is ten times better than a zoo! Now hear me out, while we may not have a fascinating white tiger like the ‘Singapore Zoo’, nor do we have giant pandas like the ‘Toronto Zoo’, what makes “The Reserve” truly unique, lies in the foundation o

5 Things To Do When You’re At ‘The Fish Pot Restaurant’

Jul 19, 2017
2 min

5 Things To Do When You’re At ‘The Fish Pot Restaurant’

I simply love ‘The Fish Pot Restaurant’ – like L.O.V.E – ‘love overcomes virtually everything’ type of love. And for the record, this is not a paid advertisement – I wish! But, it has definitely grown to become one of my favourite restaurants – but why? Unlike most restaurants in Barbados, ‘The Fish Pot’ – located on the west of the island, is more than a dining experience, rather, it encapsulates island life at its best by merging breathtaking turquoise waters, amazing drink

Beach Safety | 7 Tips To Avoid Drowning At The Beach

Apr 11, 2017
4 min

Beach Safety | 7 Tips To Avoid Drowning At The Beach

The tropical island of Barbados is known for its pristine sands and calm clear blue crystal-like waters – it really is no wonder why it’s dubbed as the playground for the rich and famous! But, beyond the breathtaking nature of the sea, it is also important not to take the sea for granted – so here are 7 tips and measures to take to avoid drowning while at the beach. 1. Do Not Drink And Swim Despite the fact that Barbados is the land that invented rum, we most certainly do

5 Of The Most Delicious (And Cheapest) Bajan Eats

Mar 10, 2017
4 min

5 Of The Most Delicious (And Cheapest) Bajan Eats

One of the best things about travelling is being able to experience different people, lifestyles, cultures and food! So what better way to experience a tropical island than through the love of food? Here are 5 of the most delicious (and not to mention some of the cheapest) foods that you’ll find on the face of the island. 1. Fish Cakes There is nothing quite like some freshly fried fish cakes right out of the pot! These mouth-watering balls made with codfish or even whitef

5 Of The Most Popular Rum Shops To Visit In Barbados

Feb 10, 2017
3 min

5 Of The Most Popular Rum Shops To Visit In Barbados

The rum shop is an integral part of the Barbadian culture and history. But don’t let the name fool you now, we definitely do not spend all day just sipping on our great blends. Rather a lot of time is spent socialising with people from every social and ethnic background and no topic is off limits! One of the unique things about the rum shop is its signage. Over the years, even though the traditional structure of rum shops has changed and evolved, one thing that remains the sa

5 Popular Car Hire Companies in Barbados (Plus 3 Smaller Alternatives) That You Need To Know!

Jan 4, 2017
3 min

5 Popular Car Hire Companies in Barbados (Plus 3 Smaller Alternatives) That You Need To Know!

Hired cars can be an added bonus to any vacation as they are not only great value for money but it also makes it easier to truly experience the ‘island life’ as not every part of the island can be easily accessed by bus – or comfortably by foot! With Barbados being 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, it’s pretty easy to navigate your way around this little gem, so take a look at our list to help you get started on your adventure! Popular Car Hire Companies 1. Direct Car Renta

How To Ensure A Zika Free Holiday

Dec 23, 2016
3 min

How To Ensure A Zika Free Holiday

In the Caribbean where the tropical atmosphere inevitably brings out our tiny (but not so friendly) friends, it would be helpful to know: when they are more prevalent and how to prevent being bitten by these little vampires. What You Should Know: The weather plays a significant role with any type of small terror in any country but, humidity and bugs generally tend to go hand in hand. In the Caribbean, the temperature is generally consistent all year round, averaging anywhere

How To Make The Most Out Of Your Two Day Trip In Barbados!

Dec 16, 2016
6 min

How To Make The Most Out Of Your Two Day Trip In Barbados!

Barbados’ 11 parishes offer breathtaking taking sceneries as well as unique and historic adventure, making it an irresistible destination to explore. Here’s how to visit each parish and make the most of your trip – yes, in two days! Day 1 1. Visit The Parliament Buildings In The Heart Of Barbados – St. Michael Barbados is home to the third oldest Parliament in the Commonwealth which is located in the heart of Bridgetown. The Parliament Museum is open to all on Mondays, Wed

12 Things You Need To Know (and Didn’t Know) About Barbados

Dec 7, 2016
5 min

12 Things You Need To Know (and Didn’t Know) About Barbados

Depending on your travel style, Barbados can be very captivating, fun and not to mention humorous island to travel to. Like going to any new and exciting part of the world, there are a few things you should know: 1. Barbados Is The Size Of A Dot (A Very Small One) …When Compared To The USA With a total area of 430 square kilometers, it is the 184th largest country in the world by area with the population estimated to be 284,735 (2016) people and growing. That’s a mere 977x