Black Travel: Barbados Photos

Barbados: A Travel Paradise

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  First settled in 1625, the island of Barbados is known for its warm people, 98% literacy rate, strong dollar and conservative, Christian-based society. The country also boasts the world's oldest rum, Mount Gay Rum, established in 1703. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  The National Flower of Barbados is the Pride of Barbados (Dwarf Poinciana or Flower Fence). The Pride of Barbados blooms most of the year; the more common varieties are a fiery red and yellow although other colors exist. The Pride appears on the nationalCoat of Arms. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  As is common with many houses in the Caribbean, Bajan homesteads come in many warm pastels. The rich wood of Mahogany (here adorning balconies and doors) was introduced to the island after the Treaty of Paris in 1763 and has become a popular accent on new homes. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  Just because Bajans are surrounded by beauty, doesn't mean that they necessarily know how to cultivate it. That isn't the case with this woman, whose beautiful home is surrounded by plant and floral life which she diligently maintains with a green thumb.(Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  Indigenous to Barbados, the Blackbelly originated and evolved on the island, an appropriate mix of African hair sheep and the European wooled breeds. Blackbelly are able to tolerate heat and have more stamina than most breeds of sheep -- and they're cute. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  A native Bajan climbs coconut trees to grab the young fruit for tourists. For a small price, he will cut the young fruit open with a machete and stick a straw in for a refreshing afternoon cool-down: coconut water! (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  There are no private beaches on the island of Barbados -- all beaches are open to the public. There are no nude beaches either (nudity is illegal), and not all beaches are "safe" for swimming, though the East coast is known to be a surfer's paradise. Swimming, snorkeling and sailing are all a go on most beaches here. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  Bursting at the seam with all sorts of flora and fauna, Barbados is ripe with delectable delicacies such as these (unripe) baby bananas -- perfect for a nice tropical drink, or a meal of green figs and dumplings. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  Not nearly as mountainous as Jamaica, Barbados is more appropriately termed a hilly terrain. From this perch in the parish of St. Lucy one can see a good portion of the rest of the island. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

• Barbados: A Travel Paradise

  Located in the northern parish of St. Peter, Speightstown is a quaint village with character. Positioned right along the coastline, the town was settled in 1630 and boasts a Grand Canal running through its center. American actress Claudette Colbert settled in Speightstown when she retired from film. (Photo by Angela Bronner)

Travel to St. Lucia

• Travel to St. Lucia

  Plan a trip to lovely St. Lucia this winter and melt the blues away! (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  The Pitons are the most famous and recognizable natural formation of St. Lucia and in the Caribbean. The twin mountains frame the port at Soufriere and are protected as a natural park. The local beer of St. Lucia, Piton, is made on the island. (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  The island of St. Lucia is not large, 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, driving around the island is a nail-biting experience at best due to windy roads and blind corners. Taking a boat from one end of the island is a fun and easy way to get from point "a" to "b" quickly and smoothly. (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  These women don full-out Carnival regalia to pass out official St. Lucia Jazz Fest programs. More inspiring photos of the Jazz Fest to come! (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  This amazing flowering tree is just one example of the tropical foliage all over the lush island of St. Lucia. The interior of the island is covered in rainforests as well as banana fields. (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  St. Lucia is a volcanic island. The heart of the volcano is located just outside the city of Soufriere, which translates to "sulfur in the air" - and that is no joke. The area surrounding the volcano smells of rotten eggs and burns the back of the throat. But after you adjust to the smell you can wade in the sulfur springs which are said to be therapeutic for rheumatism and other skin ailments. The water is 77 degrees Fahrenheit in the center of the spring but where it ekes out of the walls from the earth, it is up to 115 degrees. (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  The Volcano on St. Lucia was originally a cone, but after its last eruption in 1776, the formation changed to a Caldera much like the famous U.S. Crater Lake. However, this volcano still spews magma and gaseous fumes. Geologists visit twice yearly and predict an eruption sometime within the next 100 years. (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  Locale fare is spicy and sweet at the same time. This generous portion of boiled jerk chicken, saffron rice and macaroni and cheese was prepared from all organic and locally grown and raised products. Macaroni and cheese is considered an island delicacy since its ingredients are imported. This particular plate boasted homemade pasta and French cheeses. Delicious! (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  Cashew trees grow in abundance all over the island of St. Lucia. What may surprise you is the way the edible part grows. Notice the giant pepper like formation - that's actually the nutrient source for the nut, which is obviously, the brown crescent moon-like bulge on the left. (Photo by Claire Grant)

• Travel to St. Lucia

  A local bodega off Derek Walcott Square boasts an exotic array of cooking oils, spices and ingredients. Notice the yellow looking oil on the top shelf -- that's whale oil from the Caribbean Sea. St. Lucia is one of the few Caribbean islands to legally hunt whales as they signed to the St. Kitts and Nevis Declaration in 2006 lifting the worldwide moratorium on commercial whaling issued by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1982. (Photo by Claire Grant)

Cayman Islands Getaway

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  The Cayman Islands offer a wide variety of exotic Caribbean fun. Beautiful horticulture is just one of the wonders that tourists can enjoy while visiting the Cayman Islands. Over 50 percent of the island's plant life is on display at The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. (Photo: Cayman Island Tourism Authority)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  A beautiful Canadian tourist takes in the sights and sounds of the clear, warm waters of the famous North Sound of the Cayman Islands.(Photo: Karu F. Daniels)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  Blue Iguanas are serious business in the Cayman Islands. This photo was taken at The Blue Iguana Recovery Program, which is a partnership of local and international conservation groups, who share a commitment to ensure the survival of the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana. (Photo: Cayman Island Tourism Authority)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  A Jamaican native gets up, close and personal with a real life stingray at Stingray City, one of the Cayman Islands' most popular tourist attractions. Countless stingrays, known to be scavengers by nature, (some nearly six feet in diameter) swarm around thrill seekers brushing their velvety bellies against human hands and feet. (Photo: Karu F. Daniels)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  A beautiful Caymanian native doesn't hesitate to strike a pose with a green sea turtle at Boatswain's Beach, which houses more than 15,000 turtles. (Photo: Karu F. Daniels)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  This rusted anchor is a symbol of Cayman Islands beauty. It's situated between the famous Kaibo Bar and Grill and Cayman Kayaks, which are perfectly suited for tourists to explore the shallow waters of the protected Central Mangrove Wetlands. (Photo: Karu F. Daniels)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  Captain Marvin is a real life living legend. The 90-year old Caymanian native is the original water sports company on the island, transporting thrill seekers to the deep waters for snorkeling and scuba diving. (Photo: Karu F. Daniels)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  Visitors to Pedro St. James Castle are transported back in time when slavery was the norm. Today, housekeepers don antebellum regalia while tending to affairs. (Photo: Karu F. Daniels)

• Cayman Islands Getaway

  Caymanian artist Chris Christian shows one of his paintings at his home in the quiet area of West Bay, which is also the location for Cayman Traditional Arts (aiming to promote and preserve Caymanian culture through demonstrations, workshops and events in a grassroots fashion). He is also the proprietor of the Rocky Shore Guest House, a growing bed & breakfast offering the most personalized service to guests. (Photo: Karu F. Daniels)

Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  LL Cool may have freshened his eyes with a procedure called blepharoplasty.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Singer Patti LaBelle is one of the few black celebrities to have admitted having plastic surgery. In an article on Black Voices, she admitted to having her nose made smaller.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Whitney Houston is naturally beautiful, but appears to have had a breast augmentation.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Vivica A.Fox seems to have evolved slowly over the years into another being. The cat-like eyes she sports now, compared to the photo on the left, are possible evidence of a face lift.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Rapper Sandy "Pepa" Denton of Salt-N-Pepa looks very different in her most recent photo on the right. Could she have had breast implants?

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Rihanna may have also had her breasts enhanced, but with a more subtle touch.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Mariah Carey seems to have had a breast enlargement as well. In addition, there is a slight difference in the shape of her nose.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Lil' Kim's appearance has also changed dramatically from her first appearances as a star on the red carpet.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  Michael Jackson's plastic surgery transformation is almost legendary.

• Alleged Black Celebrity Surgery

  According to Awfulplasticsurgery.com, Jennifer Lopez may have had a nose job, and altered her lips.