Yahoo! IndiaMy Yahoo!Mail

Past Forward

How the country got its name of Barbados has for long been a point of debate. Some believe it was the Portuguese who named it while others argue it was the Spanish. In terms of documented history, Spanish documents from 1511 show a reference to Isla de los Barbados meaning, island of the bearded ones.

Like most countries that have had colonial rule, Barbados suffered at the hands of its rulers. But unlike some of its neighbours, they had uninterrupted British rule from 1627 till independence in 1966. All through this period, the country is said to have enjoyed a good amount of autonomy. When the British first arrived here, they found the island largely uninhabited and hence imported a large number of black slaves. Over the years, Celtic people from Ireland and Scotland were also sent to Barbados as slaves.

The economy of Barbados has for centuries depended on sugarcane cultivation and allied activities. But of late, large amount of foreign direct investment has seen the country fast-track to economic stability.

Transport Yourself

So you have tickets to a Barbados game! Wondering how to get there? There is only one airport in Barbados, the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport (IATA: BGI) and it is connected well with most of the major airports in the world. For travellers from India, a stopover in London or the US would be required before boarding a flight for Barbados.

Once there, look out for local taxis called ZR's. These are convenient and will take you almost everywhere on the island. Buses are also a good way of getting around, but make sure you know the right bus route before you board one. One the whole, travelling within Barbados is a fairly pleasant task!

Been There, Done That?

Cricket would most certainly be on your mind and there may also be some who would travel to the Caribbean for the 'feel' of the event even if they don't have tickets to the matches! For these souls, here's a list of places to see and things to do: In Bathsheba: Fabulous for surfing all year round. If you can't surf, this may be a good place to learn! In Bridgetown: It's the capital and renowned for the nightlife in addition to the Duty Free shopping When eating out: Lord Willoughby's Tavern, Bagatelle, St. Thomas For a night out: Sharkey's Bar, The Boatyard Hotel

Bet You Didn't Know This...

It's easy to get married in Barbados. So if you are taking that special someone with you to the World Cup, may as well win your own trophy! Here is a checklist of things when you apply for a wedding license. And trust us: the other services will fall into place!

Valid passports or birth certificates.

Return tickets.

If either of you was divorced, an original Decree Absolute or a certified copy of the Final Judgment.

If either person was previously married and widowed, a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate in respect of the deceased spouse.

For a Roman Catholic ceremony, the relevant documents must be sent by your bishop to the bishop of Bridgetown.

Where necessary, all documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

And here is some more trivia:

Barbados and Japan have the highest per capita occurrences of centenarians in the world.

One of the signatures on the original United States constitution was a Barbadian, as the printer of the document.

During the 1800s Barbados was said to be one of the healthiest countries in the World.

Travel Tips

Whether or not you are going to enjoy the cricket, you will get the sun! So enjoy it! Recommended dressing includes clothing for the tropical climate, i.e., light cottons and beachwear that you are comfortable in when visiting the beach. Beachwear is also acceptable in many beach bars that dot the coastline.

The easiest form of calculating expenses is to use this math: $1 US = $1.98 Barbados. And this rate remains constant. So the fluctuation of other currencies with respect to the US Dollar will affect the rate of the Barbados Dollar. And if that's too complex, just carry the USD around. They are widely accepted! As are major credit cards and traveller's cheques.

If you intend to drive around Barbados, you will need a local license. You can obtain a Barbados drivers license for $10.00 Bds on producing a valid National or International License. All authorised car rental companies can issue you a driver's license if you have a valid license.

PHOTO © AP