With airlines grounded all over the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had to cancel their family holidays, couple escapes and beach vacations. We know that Barbados is a second home to many, with one of the highest visitor return rates in the world. We invite you to experience the warmth, comfort and friendliest of Barbados from your home, until we can welcome you to our shores again. 
Here are five ways to experience Barbados without leaving your home.
 

1. Try Cooking a Classic Bajan Dish
We love macaroni pie fresh out the oven. Here in Barbados we usually pair it with fried flying fish but you can pair it with fried chicken or your local fresh catch. 

Recipe

1/2 pound tubed macaroni

4 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 cup evaporated milk

 1/3 cup ketchup

1 tbsp. yellow mustard

1 small onion, grated

1 egg, beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F (180C).

Boil the macaroni noodles in salted water, until tender but still firm.

Drain the macaroni and return to the saucepan.

Add the onion, cheese, milk, ketchup, mustard and egg to the saucepan with the macaroni. Add salt & pepper to taste and herbs such as marjoram / thyme – mix well. 

Pour mixture into a greased dish and top with more grated cheese. Fine breadcrumbs can also be added as a topping.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.

2. Listen to the Rhythms of Barbados
You don’t just hear Bajan music, you feel it! If you have visited Barbados before you may know some classic calypso songs, sweet soca or even some Barbadian folk melodies. You will already be familiar with the music of our Bajan Superstar Rihanna, but we invite you to get to know some other local artistes like Red Plastic Bag, The Mighty Gryner, Biggie Irie and more. You may discover a new favourite!
 

3.     Visit Barbados Virtually
The beautiful scenes of Barbados’ beaches, countryside and people are just a click away thanks to social media and the internet. Feeling like a trip to the beach? Open one of the many live beach camera streams from around the island and leave it running on your screen. 
Be immersed in stunning aerial videos and photos by following @abovebarbados and @its.barbados on Instagram. Keep up with all there is to see and do in Barbados by checking out @visitbarbados – another one of our favourite Instagram pages. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @realtors_barbados. Our team will be going live with fun Bajan cooking classes, yoga classes, villa walk throughs and more.
 

4. Enjoy a Bajan Rum Punch 
What is a trip to Barbados without a classic Bajan Rum Punch? This simple rhyme will help you remember the recipe:

1 part sour (lime)

2 parts sweet (brown sugar)

3 parts strong (rum)

4 parts weak (water or juice)

+ a dash of bitters and a sprinkle of nutmeg spice, and served chilled, over ice.
 
 

5. Enjoy the Warm Hospitality of the Bajan People 
During the COVID-19 lock down, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley asked Bajans to ‘let love go viral.’ She encouraged local talent to create a feel-good music video and song to unite the nation during the pandemic and times of social distancing. 
‘This is Who We Are’ – is a collaborative song featuring some of the best local talent. If this doesn’t make you miss your ‘Bajan family’, we don’t know what will.
 
We look forward to welcoming you to our island as soon as flights resume. Start planning your trip from now by browsing our rental villas online at barbadosvillarentals.com.