My Barbados Blog

Since the island of Barbados was not affected by Hurricane Dean, our updates on the rest of the Caribbean will be continually posted in our Caribbean Travel Blog.

We are in contact with Jamaican tourism officials, hotels and travel suppliers, and will post information as we receive it. Currently the Southern coast of Jamaica, along with the capital city of Kingston are the two most affected areas.

See updates - The Caribbean is Open for Business

Hurricane season officially runs from June to November.

In past most of the storms occurred in August, September and October. This season was predicted to have lots of storms, but currently the radar is clear of any tropical storm system.

We've received numerous inquiries from travelers about the 2007 hurricane season, and the question most asked is "where do I go to avoid hurricanes".

Every year hundreds of our clients enjoy their Caribbean vacation during hurricane season, so I do not advise avoiding the Caribbean during this timeframe. Unlike the winter season, the summer months offer great hotel values, along with many airfare sales.

There are islands normally outside the hurricane zone. The ABC islands are rarely hit by tropical storms or hurricanes and they are Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago are also good choices during hurricane season as they have rarely been hit by hurricanes.  

Unlike tornados, there are advance warnings of hurricanes, and travelers who do not heed warnings prior to leaving find themselves on an island during a storm.  

For those travelers that are especially jittery planning their Caribbean vacation during hurricane season, we suggest booking a "last minute trip."

These trips can be booked within 7-14 days, and as mentioned above advance warnings usually occur during this timeframe. Last minute doesn't mean planning at the final hour. Most travelers who take advantage of these vacation packages choose their dates in advance. Within two weeks of travel they visit our last minute booking engine and choose their vacation.

The downside is you have to choose the packages that are offered, but the upside is you can save up to 60% and more, along with avoiding islands in the path of approaching storms. 

Of course Mother Nature always wins out, and sometimes for those who have planned in advance, vacation plans have to be altered because of an approaching storm system.

We always advise travelers to purchase trip insurance, and in the case your vacation plans have to be changed because of a hurricane or tropical storm, you will not lose the money invested. In some cases we have been able to change plans without penalty and direct travelers to another destination.

So do not automatically assume your Caribbean vacation will be ruined during hurricane season.

As long as the forecast is clear, head on out to the Caribbean islands and have a great vacation.

Linda

Here's a great blog about Hurricanes for those of you following the current hurricane activity in the Caribbean, along with lots of other useful information on the subject of hurricanes. 

Visit Hurricane !

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The island of Barbados is getting back to normal today. Most of the damage reported were lots of broken tree limbs, and minimal roof damage to a few properties. Friends on the island today report sunny and breezy weather.

Unfortunately Grenada, St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Trinidad/Tobago suffered more damage, with Grenada taking the blunt of the storm.

The center of the storm passed over Grenada, which has barely recovered from 80% damage from Ivan last year. Many houses on Grenada were damaged, and hospitals suffered roof damage and leakage. One of the police stations roofs was completely blown away. Relief aid is getting underway in the region. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Grenadians, and we can only hope the other 10 or so hurricanes predicted this season will bypass the island of Grenada.

Emily's winds are estimated to now be 115 mph, and forecasts project that she may have increased wind strength during the next 48 hours. Jamaica is now under a hurricane advisory, along with the Dominican Republic and Haiti. 

Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao are all under a tropical storm warning. It is forecasted the strong rains will produce life threatening flash floods and mud slides. The island of Haiti already suffered both flash floods and mud slides during Dennis. At this point I don't think even the "experts" know what Emily is going to do, or where she will hit.

What is expected is that Emily will arrive in the Central Caribbean. We just learned Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas has cancelled their scheduled visit to the island of Puerto Rico tomorrow.

I am certainly glad Barbados was spared from this latest tropical storm. And I'll take this opportunity to say hello to our dear Bajan friend Clara, who always says she and her church members have prayer sessions, and pray the hurricanes away from the shores of Barbados. You sure must have been praying Clara. So glad you and your family are safe. Tell David hello, and we will see you in January or February 06. We have not yet decided our arrival date, but will stay two or three weeks.

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Grantley Adams airport will re-open tomorrow.

It appears Emily has bypassed Barbados for a direct hit. Last reports were the sun was trying to peak through the dark clouds, little rain, and sporadic winds. 

Barbados, and the rest of the Caribbean continue to be on a tropical storm warning as of 5:00 p.m. today. Another tropical storm, Franklin is already building steam off the coast of Africa.

We hope all of our friends, and visitors throughout the Caribbean take heed, and stay safe.

Linda, Travel 2 the Caribbean

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A decision was made by government officials last light to shut the island down by mid-day July 13 in preparation of tropical storm Emily. Heavy rains, and dark over cast skies are being reported today. 

Locals report last night was very strange. The island normally has the wonderful tradewind breezes constantly blowing off the coast of Africa, but last night the air was reported as being still and humid. Many locals report the lack of noise from birds and the whistling frogs.

I can't imagine a night in Barbados without the musical sound of the whistling frogs. That alone would be enough to make me feel a bit apprehensive.

Barbados is usually lucky with hurricanes, and as one of our local friends Clara says "we just pray them away".

Several locals feel that Emily will spare Barbados, but fear for the rest of the Caribbean. Emily appears to be fickle, making unusual turns, starting and slowing down. At this time no one seems to know exactly where in the Caribbean Emily will actually become a hurricane force.

Hope all goes well for Barbados, and the rest of the Caribbean in Emily's path. Unfortunately, this is just the start of what looks to be a very active hurricane season.

Linda, Travel 2 the Caribbean

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Predictions are that tropical storm Emily can develop into a hurricane and hit St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada and Tobago by late Wednesday afternoon. 

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response (CDERA) released a statement at 5 p.m. Tuesday, that the tropical storm had not intensified in the past six hours,  but there was a possibility that it would intensify overnight Tuesday.

“As a result of the increased forward movement at 20 mph, Emily will impact Barbados, and Tobago around midday Wednesday and then continue to Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia,” the release stated. Releases are issued every six hours.

Linda, Travel 2 the Caribbean

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