Caribbean Travel - St. Vincent

If my fellow blog readers and followers are interested in my time spent in St. Vincent.

Let me know and I will start posting new feeds.

???????

Caribbean Travel - St. Lucia - Favourite Restaurant

 St. Lucia

Razmataz

The owner of Razmataz originated from Nepal. The decor and atmosphere is reminiscent of his background, homeland and culture. The cuisine reminds me of tandoori and fusion cuisine. The food may taste similar to Tandoori hut and Hakka.

The mints are from Nepal. It's not the conventional peppermint, but actually colored seeds and yes they do freshen your breath after the meal. You also receive a bookmark keepsake.

Decor at Razmataz

Caribbean Travel St. Lucia - Part 4 Bay Gardens Resort & Spa, Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Inn

St. Lucia

As I hinted before the Bay Gardens Hotel chain is my favourite in St. Lucia. I will let the pics do the blogging for me, and then I will tell you the features I love the most.

Bay Gardens Resort & Spa, Reduit Beach

 

 

Bay Gardens Inn, Rodney Bay Village

Source: Keisha Franco-Daniel

Features

• You can stay at the cheapest hotels and have access to amenities across the properties such as the gym and the spa. ( I used the gym...needed to burn calories)
• Free shuttle service across the properties
• Reduit Beach Avenue is home to Rodney Bay Mall, Bay-Walk Mall and other businesses with most of them providing duty free shopping. It's like being on Ariapita Avenue; just more upscale.)
• You wouldn't believe it but the three establishments are in a busy area but when you enter, it's tranquil, relaxing and enjoyable
• There's a Massy Stores 1-2 minutes from the Inn (nostalgic Trini abroad)
• The Hotel is right next to the Inn and even though I didn't take pictures, it's also gorgeous with a nice pool
• The meals were great and room service was impeccable
• I earned a Silver Loyalty Card (best rate guaranteed, priority check-in. complimentary room upgrade and choice of alcoholic gift on check-in (wine or beer))

Source: Keisha Franco-Daniel

Caribbean Travel - St. Lucia Part 3 - Jounen Kweyol

St. Lucia

Jounen Kweyol - National Festival

I'm a Carnival baby...but I have maternal Tobagonian roots and I love Heritage Festival. May be that's why I love Jounen Kweyol. It takes place end of October into early November, but the people of St. Lucia are fiercely patriotic and they wear the national garb weeks before the festival is celebrated. The activities take place island-wide inclusive of Creole Storytelling, Domino competitions,  displays of traditional culture (food, crockery and home items) and Creole Dancing.

I love the alcoholic concoctions, fresh juices especially the Pommecythere juice, Fish Cakes (Trinis know this dish as Accra), Cocoa Tea and Roasted Bake, the St. Lucian version of Tamarind Balls (sticky not smooth), roast pork and breadfruit. My favourite, favourite dish is Bouyon Donbwe Epi Latje Kochon, for short St. Lucians say Bouyon (pigtail with a lot of red beans and dumplings well-seasoned with herbs and spices). The locals speak a French patois / dialect more than English.. I speak proper French but from the time I heard Bouyon and Kochon I was hooked...I love pigtail.

I would suggest during the festival have a light breakfast because its food all day. On the first day of celebrations, I slept with a lot of sunblock by the pool. I couldn't move....my husband took pity on me and carried me up the steps....I really enjoyed the food.😆😆😆😆😆😆 I guess you can tell....

Here's some pics.

Source: Keisha Franco-Daniel

Caribbean Travel - St. Lucia Part 2 - Mamiku Gardens

St. Lucia

Take a peek, I have more attractions, a hotel chain and my favourite local festival to show.

Mamiku Gardens

Mamiku Gardens is a banana, tropical flowers and fruit plantation, which also doubles as one of the botanical gardens in St. Lucia. It cost EC$20.00 to visit and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's owned by the Shingleton-Smith family since 1906. I was fortunate enough to visit this scenic location in 2016, October. It boasts over 300 species of plant life. It's a steep trek and the gardens are vast. I only made it high enough where I saw that spectacular view of Praslin Bay. The higher you go you will see many pathways that you can take and well-labelled flora to tease your eyes and tickle your senses. I was really unfit that year...couldn't climb any higher.

Psst....I will tell you a secret, this estate turned plantation / gardens has a dark and mysterious past...yes a suicide took place there, steeped in circumstances of war, battle and honour in the 18th century. I will include a brochure I received when I visited, which recounts the past and present story of the gardens. There's also Brigand's Bar (old plantation house)...borrow a walking stick, sit on the bench, catch your breath because Piton beer, ice-cream and snacks are provided for a few EC, and the servers are cool and will tell you stories of the island.

  Welcome & History

                                                                                                                                     

                                                                      Pictures of the Gardens                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                               

Source: Keisha Franco-Daniel

  

Caribbean Travel - St. Lucia Part 1 - Attractions

St. Lucia

I'm a Trini to the Bone. My. country is where I would love to grow old. But if I had to change that decision, my second home is St. Lucia. Anytime I'm on the internet or social media, and I see those two famous mountainous volcanic peaks, Les Pitons its like a call to come home...wanderlust💝😎

See some pictures of my favourite spots and my favorite local festival, that I think you may enjoy whenever you visit St. Lucia.

• Les Pitons - Famous and Majestic Volcanic Peaks (Gros Piton and Petit Piton) located in the southwestern part of the island. It will take your breath away. The national beer, Piton is named after it and to my taste bud has the flavour of a mild Carib...all in the Lager Beer family😁  

Aneil Lutchman - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aneil4lom/30806688094/in/dateposted-public/

• Praslin Bay

This is a beautiful bay is on the eastern coast of St. Lucia that reveals itself after exiting south of Dennery on the Vieux Fort Highway (no potholes...smooth driving) . This shot was taken from a height within Mamiku Gardens

Source: Keisha Franco-Daniel

• Splash Island Water Park and Reduit Beach, Gros Islet

This water Park belongs to Bay Gardens, my favourite hotel chain in St. Lucia, but we'll blog about that in a bit. It is an open-water park with obstacles course, rock climbing, dunk the basketball, water polo features, slide... its fantastic, loads of fun and slippery. I slept like a baby that night. It was complimentary with my stay....so I'm not sure of the regular admission price.

The water park is situated on Reduit Beach...gorgeous waters...I even took a dip during a thunderstorm...the water was warm and fabulous..I'm adventurous, please don't try.

                                                                                                     Source: Keisha Franco-Daniel

• Derek Walcott Square

As I said in the "About Me", I love West Indian novelists. I had to visit the square off Brazil Street,  Castries (the capital) named after Nobel Laureate, Mr. Derek Walcott (deceased), well-known Poet and Playwright.

• Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Micoud & Laborie Streets, Castries

This Cathedral was constructed in the 20th century and it stands on Derek Walcott Square in Castries. It's a beautiful and historic building.

I've much more attractions to show you, so I think I'll do St. Lucia Part 2

Self-Defense Moves

Basic Self Defense Moves

Ladies, we utilize social,visual and print media, so we are aware of the dangerous times we live in.  Travelling on public transport, to walking the streets, driving in our cars, going to after work limes / clubs, attending church/mosque/mandir and even entering our homes we need to be alert and vigilant. 

I don't think I mentioned it earlier but my husband is a member of the national security fraternity. Based on his training and background, he took me through some basic self defense techniques. His approach is not turn me into Sarah Connors from Terminator or Alice from Resident Evil😆, but to be able to get away from a predator / perpetrator. 

He gave me the following tips:

• It's necessary to keep physically fit because to employ these techniques proficiently you require focus, agility and at times momentum
• A conscious decision must be taken to choose fight to make it to flight from the choices of "Fight/Flight/Freeze"
• In trying to extricate yourself from threatening situations you must accept the fact that your perpetrator may inflict pain and by virtue of your defense actions you will feel pain.
• He has taught me certain moves and I've located a video depicting same. Please click on the link  Source: 5 Minute Crafts https://youtu.be/94V828qSPqE 
• Be realistic, events like this happen quickly and the perpetrator is not gentle or slow to action
• You can check out dojos or security experts who provide training
• Guys, this is a great gift for the ladies in your life

Ticktr

Ticktr 

I'm a cinema "peong" aka movie fan, for as long as I can remember... you name that big show I've seen it. However, I've experienced more than once the down-side of the movie-going experience.

Have you ever wanted to see that new blockbuster...the one that everyone's talking about..but every time, it's sold out or the lines are so long you change your mind. Ticktr can help!

Ticktr is an app with some super features. You can only purchase for Movie-Towne shows.

Features

• Online ticket purchase from anywhere location in the world once you have data or wi-fi access

• Convenience of credit card, no trip to the Automated Teller Machine or lining up in the bank for cash

• The app provides Now Showing (all cinema listings and shows), Now (look at your watch and whatever movies are showing within that time-frame will be displayed.) and My Tickets (all your virtual tickets will be stored.

• You can purchase weeks in advance of any movie opening.

• When you have selected your movie, you then pay and once the transaction is successful you are given an AlphaNumeric Code and also a Bar Code as a fail-safe. These are received via e-mail and you also receive an e-mail providing proof of purchase.

• Please note there is a Convenience Fee of $5.00 

• When arriving at the cinema you proceed to the stand-alone kiosk (redemption station), which is user-friendly. You will input your AlphaNumeric Code or scan the barcode on your phone and the machine will print your ticket. It takes 2 minutes maximum. There Customer Service Representatives who can assist you if you're unsure when accessing your ticket for the first time.  

Visit  the App Store or Google Play Store or drop an e-mail at team@ticktr.co for more details. 

Magna Rewards

Magna Rewards

Yes my fellow bloggers...Magna Rewards

You might be saying Kiki, we all know about Magna, but just in case you missed the new stuff..check it out.

Hot Magna Tips:

Magna Rewards has a new app in the App Store or Google Play Store with cool features such as:-

• Its free
• A person as young as 14 years can possess a Magna Rewards Card 
• Rewards (Partners offering monthly specials)
• My Wallet
• My Magna (showing how many points)
• Instant Points Redemption (you know longer wait for vouchers to redeem your points you can redeem the points straight off the card)
• Inbox
• Partners
• Your Virtual Magna Card (if you forget your card at home and you have data or wi-fi access, you can access your virtual card through the app)

For more details check www.magnarewards.com

Tyres 3 - Tyre Size

I'm really enjoying blogging on tyres...I hope the tips are helpful.

Tyre Size

The Tyre Placard - it's a sweet gift....it just keeps on giving. I would go to tyre service centres for a new tyre or tyre repair and when asked "so what size do you need?"...I would have this look like deer in headlights but not anymore.

If you look at the image in the top right hand corner you would see "175 /65R15 84T"; i.e. the tyre size. Ease to use and gives you more knowledge with regard to your vehicle.

Tyres 2 - Safe Air Pressure

How much air should I put in my tyres?

I was a driver for many years and I would rely on the Gas Station Attendant to put air in my tyres. I  was never sure of the Psi requirement, so I'm quite sure I may have driven my car with under-inflated and over-inflated tyres. Until one day I took the car to service and the Technician asked "how much air do you put in the tyres?". I was clueless. But then he showed me what to check for.

• This image can be found on the rear part of your door frame (driver's side). In the table above which shows your maximum tyre rating , you will utilize the upper part, more so since our legal speed limit is 100km/h. I don't think any of us drag race in Wallerfield or work for Team Mc Laren😉.  For those who love technical jargon, the table is called a tyre placard.

• Never use the maximum psi that your car tyres can take. This is found in black writing on each tyre above the rim. For my vehicle its 40 psi, that information just indicates how much air the tyre can hold. The rating table above shows the requirement for your vehicle based on manufacturer's specifications,  which is for the safety of you and your passengers. We all know that a balloon can be inflated within an inch of its capacity...but not too long after "pop goes the weasel".💣

• For my vehicle, which is front end loaded, the safe psi for the front tyres are 32 and for the rear tyres 30 psi. In some vehicles the tyres take the same psi.

• Its dangerous  to over-inflate tyres. In local parlance you may hear someone say "you put too much air in the tyre it could buss". Have you ever wondered what that really means? Well, I'm about to tell you. If you drive on tyres that are over-inflated, the treads on your tyres experience adverse wear and tear (more contact made with the asphalt and the centre of the tyres). You will have a rough, rocky or bumpy ride. This can spell trouble and serious expense for you - suspension, shocks and stability rubbers.....if this is a constant practice and other vehicle maintenance requirements are not adhered to.

• Worst case scenario, based on speed, cargo and passenger load and over-inflation, tyres can overheat and burst....aka " a blowout" which is highly unsafe and scary.

• Similar problems occur with under-inflated tyres

• I CAN'T OVER-STRESS DON'T FORGET YOUR SPARE IN THE TRUNK IT NEEDS LOVE TOO.

Tyres 1 - Tyre Change

When should I change my tyre(s)?

How many of us know when to change our tyres? Your significant other or random guy may watch your vehicle and say do you know your tyres are "cutting"?. By that time you may have to change more than one tyre, if not all. It may also mean that your vehicle requires alignment, balancing, possibly speed balancing and tyre rotation.

These are regular activities associated with car maintenance but still costs can be minimized if you know how.

Tip:Tread Wear Indicator Bars

Treads are the grooves we see on our tyres and only a small cross section of our tyres make contact with the road (contact patch). The tread wear indicators are small rectangles depressed between the treads. With time and use, the indicators will rise and be on level with the treads....that indicates your tyre needs changing.

Depressed💃= Great

On level😭= Check a tyre service expert who can advise you.

Take a walk to your driveway or garage and check it out for yourself!!!!!!

Rituals - The Coffee Club Card

Rituals - The Coffee Club Card

The Rituals Coffee Club Card is my oldest and possibly my #1 favourite discount card. See below the reasons why I love this card:-

• The durability of this card. The card still carries my maiden name, therefore my card is almost ten years old.

• The longevity of the company has established a loyalty programme, which has serviced the public for some time

• For every dollar spent you can earn one point

• This card can be used across the Pizza Boys Group with brands such as Donut Boys, Wok and Roll, Rituals Coffee House, Church's Chicken and Pizza Boy for discounts.

• The level of discount received is based on the amount of points earned.

• The Pizza Boys Group has updated its discount card to the Global Brands Loyalty Card. Guess what....its the same as the Rituals card, however not in appearance but in functionality. The same rewards are being offered.

• With the Pizza Boys Group of Companies, provided a double-whammie / "WE GT". Apart from the card aspect of the Loyalty Programme, there is another component, a Birthday Club for free and you can include at least three of your children. With the birthday club you receive a birthday voucher redeemable at only the Pizza Boys Group of Companies

Western Union

Western Union

Western Union is a safe and secure system of global money transfer; both local and foreign currency to loved ones, friends and family. It is an alternative option to the commercial banks and other similar bodies who may offer this service.

The advantages of a Western Union (WU) Card are as follows:

• Earn 60 points for each international money transfer

• Earn 30 points for each local money transfer

• With 200 hundred points, you earn discounts on your money transfers or cell-phone credit

• In addition, WU will have Send or Receive Promotions, which provide you to with the opportunity to win fantastic prizes; (I won a TT$1,000.00 in units at Unit Trust Corporation in 2006 and a Carnival promotion in 2014....AWESOME - Royal Castle Food vouchers, Excellent Stores vouchers and also vouchers from other incredible merchants; all bundled as one terrific gift).

• Also the WU card allows you 10% discount on every purchase made at Excellent Stores (on foreign items only); the card must be displayed and ID provided

Pricesmart and Affiliates

Pricesmart


If I can make this broad statement, all "Trinbagonians" know about Pricesmart and the serious discounts on food, clothing, appliances and household items, as well as, the discounted prices on the fast food sold at its stores. 

However there are some discounts that may not be common knowledge, check out the hot tips below:-


• Payless Shoe Stores that are annexed to a Pricesmart Store provides a 20% discount to its customers on the presentation the Pricesmart card. This is applicable even during the "BOGO Sale" or on reduced / sale items -...GREAT SAVINGS!!!!

• Mileage Mack provides car alignment services, certain car repairs and of course tyre repair / replacement services. In addition to excellent service, the company provides a discount on tyre purchases with the presentation of a Pricesmart Card. This saved me some cash in 2014 /2015 when I had to replace two tyres on my car. 

       Bonus Tips

• Mileage Mack also takes TTARP

• Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago provides T&T's public with a Pricesmart Diamond Card holders with a credit card facility.

     Key Benefits

• $200 Welcome Bonus Points by spending $960.00 in three months
• 2% cash back on total purchases at Pricesmart amounting to TT$6,300
• 3% cash back on total purchases at Pricesmart above TT$6,300
• The maximum cash back that you can earn for the year is TT$3,000 
• This cash back is provided as a Diamond Cash Certificate to be spent at Pricesmart
• You can have two cards-in-one; personalize your Pricesmart Credit Card with photo-id and your 
• Pricesmart Diamond Membership Number (convenience)
• You have the option of having the Pricesmart Membership Fee automatically deducted off the credit card (convenience)
• You can earn 1% cash back also on all non-Pricesmart purchases too.

For application form and more information on this unique product check out the link below

http://dr.scotiabank.com/tt/cda/content/0,1244,CCDtt_CID4034_LIDen_SID18_YID5,00.html

Unimed Health Insurance and Discount Card

Unimed

A Unimed Card is obtainable from the Insurance Company / Insurance Broker that your employer has obtained Group Health Insurance from for its employees. 

Benefits

• This card allows you to obtain health care abroad within the confines of the coverage provided under the policy. 
• However, in Trinidad and Tobago nationwide you are able to obtain discounts ranging from 5-15% at select merchants, medical practitioners and medical services when the Unimed card is presented.
• So apart from the claims that you would present to your company to obtain a tiered refund after visiting the doctor, purchasing prescribed medication and other medical services, you also received these array of discounts. 
• M&M Insurance Brokers Services has also provided a user-friendly booklet with the card to guide to you the businesses providing these discounts😊😊

This type of product is also provided by Sagicor with its Cari-CARE Card and Health Net's Medical Discount Card

bRewards Rewards Programme

I love bRewards Rewards Programme I love bRewards Rewards Programme. The "bpartofit" mantra by B-mobile is all inclusive - pre-paid and post-paid customers can open a Loyalty Account, earn loyalty points and receive a Loyalty Card. The Loyalty Programme is a tiered system of Club, Gold and Platinum. Every time you top-up or pay your post-paid bill you receive points.

Your points can be used for the following:-

• Discounts on purchases of mobile devices and smart phones
• Discounts at pre-selected and preferred partner merchants
• Special surprise and bonus rewards









At the under-mentioned merchants you can enjoy, yes enjoy discounts!



• Hilton Hotel - based on the Loyalty Card you possess you can access discounts of 10-15% of food and beverage 
• Rituals Coffee House - you can obtain discounts on hot or cold beverages
• Tropikist Beach Hotel and Resort - discounts ranging from 5%, 8% and 10% can be applied to standard hotel rates based on your card status
• Discount at Courts Furniture StoreYou can get discounts at bookstores, gyms, restaurants and health / wellness stores etc.
• However, there are many more....to check it out log on at http://bpartofit.com/brewards/

Remember even if you are not a bmobile customer, but family and friends are, whenever you share costs / bills with them, and they use these cards you share in the savings💚💣

Caribbean Airlines Duty Free Premium Card

Caribbean Airlines Duty Free Premium Card

The Caribbean Airlines Duty Free Premium Card is an add-on value to the Caribbean Miles Card.

Who would not like the following service as a Caribbean Airlines traveller-:

• Flexibility to make you duty free purchases online at your convenience
• 10% off your online purchase
• Zero standing in line
• Virtual opening hours 24/7
• Also you can use the wedding registry facility

I enjoy this card so much when I travel...its a WIN/WIN

For further details please check https://www.caribbean-airlines.com/#/caribbean-experience/duty-free