I’ve been here in Barbados for almost 9 months now, and it is unsurprisingly uncanny how much the island, energy, people, vibe, and calm have greatly influenced and/or inspired my photography, art, music, and cooking.

These are two more varieties of what I’ve been calling Island Bars that have a spiced (nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, clove) brownie base topped with different cheesecakes and grated coconut.

Here there is one is topped with a locally sourced (and abundantly available) mango cheesecake with mango sauce and the other with a mauby Bajan brown sugar cheesecake and mauby fudge.

(My “diet” is extremely grateful that I have very kind neighbors who are more than willing to make sure I don’t eat both full trays of these all on my own.)

Yes, it’s very common to want to capture the fun and joy of being here. I identify with these guys.

I remember hanging after school for hours with my friends.

And how odd I thought I’d be friends with them my entire life and then I get older and go to college and go out into the world and meet and make a whole bunch of new friends to hang out with.

And then Facebook and social media come along and reconnect me with the friends I thought I’d always be friends with until I got older and then thought I'd never hear from or reach out to or see ever again and it turns out that still, after sometimes decades, there is a special bond that still connects with the deep, realest, most formative growth experiential part of me.

All because I spent so many afternoons hanging at (or outside) the local pizzeria — or candy store or local park, etc, — seemingly innocuous and almost benign in hindsight, but then in present reality, some of the strongest bonds I’ve ever formed.

As previous referenced, views like this make it easy to forget back pain, hunger, or any other (quickly rendered) moot or irrelevant inconvenience I though I was suffering.

If you’re spiritual or even physically suffering, as we say, “This is what the good doctor orders”...

Though I had 0% of my major (for me) plans today come through — largely to the disruption of transit schedules and general traffic caused by road construction and repairs the merged plenty of the main route’s two-way lanes into one [hence this view pictured, replicated many times], I still chose to make it a positive experience, remembering how grateful I still am to — incredulously — be here in lovely Barbados.

The very kind people of this group and of the island have extended charitable invitations to join them on the beautiful Bim waters — catamarans, sailboats, yachts, etc. — but my lower spine dual disability has been keeping me from safely spending a half hour in a land vehicle, much less a few hours on the water.

Fortunately the ocean wazes have proven to be great (if not the absolute best) therapy for my lower back, and continued at-home PT has improved during my almost nine months here. So much so, that I can now start considering going on boat trips.

I have no idea who this shipcraft belong to, but looking optimistically forward to taking in the splendidly beautiful island viewed from an ideally practical offshore vantage point.

One side of Bridgetown Careenage

As I was enjoying my Ackee Tree lunch yesterday afternoon in Worthing Square Food Court, I was surprised to see how impressive the burger one of my lunch companions was enjoying. Especially since I had literally just hours previous fielded suggestions for decent burger places, as my last (and only) two burger experiences proved negligible at best.

So curious was I to find out it this burger could possible change the trajectory of my burger quest, that I returned today and found the Bowtie Cafe truck the served my friend’s lunch. And glad I am that I did as I was served a 5oz Angus beef burger, adeptly ground and grilled meat — seared, juicy, and slightly crumbly, as I prefer it — respectfully complimented by properly cooked maple bacon, crisp and cool greens and tomato, and heat-hinting pepper jack cheese.

The aioli it comes with was hardly needed for the already richly flavored burger, but still still proved a utile dipping condiment for the hearty yet airy, rustic sweet potato fries.

So happy to finally find a burger that has altered the trajectory of my good burger quest, and ever more excited I am that, thanks to this always helpful group, I list of other restaurant and burger joints to further enlighten many future burger expeditions.

As I was enjoying my Ackee Tree lunch yesterday afternoon in Worthing Square Food Court, I was surprised to see how impressive the burger one of my lunch companions was enjoying. Especially since I had literally just hours previous fielded suggestions for decent burger places, as my last (and only) two burger experiences proved negligible at best.

So curious was I to find out it this burger could possible change the trajectory of my burger quest, that I returned today and found the Bowtie Cafe truck the served my friend’s lunch. And glad I am that I did as I was served a 5oz Angus beef burger, adeptly ground and grilled meat — seared, juicy, and slightly crumbly, as I prefer it — respectfully complimented by properly cooked maple bacon, crisp and cool greens and tomato, and heat-hinting pepper jack cheese.

The aioli it comes with was hardly needed for the already richly flavored burger, but still still proved a utile dipping condiment for the hearty yet airy, rustic sweet potato fries.

So happy to finally find a burger that has altered the trajectory of my good burger quest, and ever more excited I am that, thanks to this always helpful group, I list of other restaurant and burger joints to further enlighten many future burger expeditions.

As I was enjoying my Ackee Tree lunch yesterday afternoon in Worthing Square Food Court, I was surprised to see how impressive the burger one of my lunch companions was enjoying. Especially since I had literally just hours previous fielded suggestions for decent burger places, as my last (and only) two burger experiences proved negligible at best.

So curious was I to find out it this burger could possible change the trajectory of my burger quest, that I returned today and found the Bowtie Cafe truck the served my friend’s lunch. And glad I am that I did as I was served a 5oz Angus beef burger, adeptly ground and grilled meat — seared, juicy, and slightly crumbly, as I prefer it — respectfully complimented by properly cooked maple bacon, crisp and cool greens and tomato, and heat-hinting pepper jack cheese.

The aioli it comes with was hardly needed for the already richly flavored burger, but still still proved a utile dipping condiment for the hearty yet airy, rustic sweet potato fries.

So happy to finally find a burger that has altered the trajectory of my good burger quest, and ever more excited I am that, thanks to this always helpful group, I list of other restaurant and burger joints to further enlighten many future burger expeditions.

Early lines for pretty much every cart and vendor at Worthing Square Food Court earlier this afternoon. Great weather abiding, great foods and moods abounding.

Happy to have finally met in person the St. Johns, Leslie and Savitri, — who I am friends with through a lovely FB Barbados group — while they were divide-and-conquering Worthing Square Food Court and I was there as well to do some “burger research”.

(I’m not usually found at the food court on the weekends, but it was great to see it buzzing a bit with friendly people energy.)

Curry. Goat. Poutine. From the Ackee Seed Curry Culture food truck in Worthing Square Food Court in Christ Church.

(I’m a little heavier and much happier for it.)

“Chinese music under banyon tree...” goes a line of lyrics from the song Aja from the album of the same name by Steely Dan — both a favorite song and band of mine.

I usually grab my Worthing Square Food Court meals to-go, but today met with colleagues old and new for introductions while — and soul music , not Chinese music, emanated from the court speakers — some Ackee Tree goat curry poutine (fries) were made extra enjoyable by the company, and by the cooling shade artistically deep forest-evocative sloping limbs of the statuesque that barely hides itself in rhe far back corner of the otherwise food-truck festooned courtyard.

“Chinese music under banyon tree...” goes a line of lyrics from the song Aja from the album of the same name by Steely Dan — both a favorite song and band of mine.

I usually grab my Worthing Square Food Court meals to-go, but today met with colleagues old and new for introductions while — and soul music , not Chinese music, emanated from the court speakers — some Ackee Tree goat curry poutine (fries) were made extra enjoyable by the company, and by the cooling shade artistically deep forest-evocative sloping limbs of the statuesque that barely hides itself in rhe far back corner of the otherwise food-truck festooned courtyard.

Even shrouded in clouds, last night’s rare strawberry moon was a sight to behold.

Even shrouded in clouds, last night’s rare strawberry moon was a sight to behold.

Coming from a city well known for its unique pigeon experience, how great it is to find that Barbados (or much of the Caribbean) has an indigenous pigeon of its very own.

My newest neighbor — who’s been appearing a couple times a day on this perch from a tree right outside my bedroom window — is one such native pigeon, this one named a scaly-naped pigeon, and accurately so. [I have since learned they are locally known and referred to as Ramiers.]

(If I didn’t work for myself I could believe that he/she is being sent by a boss to check up on me and make sure that I was actually *working* while working from home....).

Another errand outing, another chance meeting. Was recognized on Worthing Main Road by Danita — a fellow Welcome Stamp-er — a friend who first introduced herself on a post of mine during my first week here in Barbados.

And like me is very much hoping to extend her stay here after the 12 months have transpired. Thanks, Danita, for saying hello — it was a great pleasure meeting you finally in person.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

ECO REBEL and Prosource Limited yesterday spearheaded a fun, engaging, entertaining, and educational pop-up cleanup in Oistins Bay were father-daughter volunteers and other participants of all ages were invited to repaint the waste station walls, plant trees, have a dance session, and enjoy refreshments and merch, all for the advocacy of inspiring “action” among locals’ efforts to beautiful their communities and as well to not only live healthier lives, but to better enrich and support the health of our planet. In essence, to waste less and sustain more.

It was a treasure and treat to witness the activism and camaraderie, and the now sea-themed, newly beautified waste station walls are a more than welcomed sight to behold when walking by or driving by, and a hopeful reminder of the positive changes communities can effect for themselves and their neighbors with each others efforts and support.

A snapshot of the community-building and -beautifying event presented by Dominique Tudor, head of @ecorebelbarbados, and @pro.source.ltd, inviting locals and guests to paint a mural, plant a garden, and engage in advocacy for a cleaner and healthier neighborhood and planet.

Who doesn’t love some nighttime ice cream...? (More like who could use some late night ice cream, as this pic is from May 1, a rare night when I’m out past sundown.)

J. very much enjoying a custom collab with Top Hat Bakery for a Bajan Coconut Cream Chocolate Doughnut.

Another collaboration with my favorite local baker Top Hat Bakery with a Bajan Coconut Creme Chocolate Doughnut, topped with chocolate glaze and toasted coconut. (Good thing a friend and her son came by to eat and take home a majority of these richly tasty delectables.)

I never want to take for granted how close so many bus stops are to the ocean — often literally just a few steps away. (Also, I never tire of the abundance of lush trees.)

The Oistins Boat Yard’s moored ships still retain their core beauty and prestige, no matter how aged or bare boned. Yet another innocuous revelation of the revered timeless beauty and charm of this island.

In honor of today (June 9) being World Ocean Day. (And yes I did avail myself to at the very least a view of the ocean down the alley towards Worthing Beach, for a few minutes post-shopping, to mark the occasion.)

Another fun collab with my go-to local Bajan baker Stacia of Top Hat Bakery, and even though I was thinking of cream-filled chocolate dough doughnuts, receiving instead chocolate-covered plain doughnuts turned out delicious as well.

Especially using a coconut cream for the filling and toasted coconut and chocolate sprinkles added on top (done separately here though no less enjoyable or tasty than the combined toppings I originally imagined).

In fact, so reminiscent of the Boston Cream Doughnut faves of my youth, we now have an (un?)official Bajan Cream Doughnut — of which I will definitely be ordering more of!

Another fun collab with my go-to local Bajan baker Stacia of Top Hat Bakery, and even though I was thinking of cream-filled chocolate dough doughnuts, receiving instead chocolate-covered plain doughnuts turned out delicious as well.

Especially using a coconut cream for the filling and toasted coconut and chocolate sprinkles added on top (done separately here though no less enjoyable or tasty than the combined toppings I originally imagined).

In fact, so reminiscent of the Boston Cream Doughnut faves of my youth, we now have an (un?)official Bajan Cream Doughnut — of which I will definitely be ordering more of!

When I was in Manhattan, NYC, I’d have to walk 15 minutes in either direction from my apartment to get to a park wide enough to offer unobstructed views of the beautiful sky. And even recently, the south side of Central Park is exponentially getting cluttered with high rises seemingly fighting to see who can block the most sunlight.

Back in NYC, it took time and effort to take in a panoramic view of the heavens, easily going weeks — often months, with my disability — without a view of the sun’s casual stroll across the high blue.

Here in Barbados, though, it’s near impossible to hide from the sun — unless I’m indoors, and even then it knows how to sneak through various windows to pat me on the back or kiss me on the cheek.

And with no effort, no obstruction, the sun can easily distract me with her beauty and charms, flashing me a smile to say good night, and I need only sit at a bus stop to receive it and the aura of light that wisps behind her — like the train of a ball gown — as she turns the corner.

Only the second time out of the apartment since last Thursday — to do some quick and basic local shopping — and was met by Elva Mary Tudor, finally meeting in person the local Bajan whose Grandma’s Kitchen brand Bajan fish cake batter has been serving me most deliciously well since pretty much my first month here (two dear friends being the couriers of this delicious batter thus far).