The culinary traveler in the Caribbean

One of the most pleasurable parts of traveling is being able to experience a place's culinary offerings. And while the Caribbean Islands are known for their gorgeous beaches, laid-back, relaxing vibe, and luxurious resorts, the local cuisine is also worthy of praise. 

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Naturally, since the Caribbean is a network of islands, it shouldn't come as a surprise that some of their best dishes are made with the sea's freshest bounty. Conch fritters are a delectable Bahamian dish, salted codfish, and roasted breadfruit are a favorite in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, while Barbados natives swear by their crispy, battered fried flying fish cutters, served on fluffy salt bread with lettuce on the side. 

Aside from the aforementioned salt bread, the Caribbean also boasts a variety of mouthwatering bread and pastries. For instance, there's the roti from Trinidad and Tobago that's best eaten dipped in curry sauce, the popular Jamaican patty, which is essentially like the empanada with a yellow pastry that has a hint of turmeric, and endless filling options, and the typical Jamaican breakfast mélange of ackee fruit served with Johnny cakes and bammy, a local flatbread made from cassava. 

Other must-tries for the gourmet traveler is Aruba's keshi yena a gooey, messy, and cheesy delight made out of Gouda cheese shell that's stuffed with chicken, vegetables, and eggs, the Puerto Rican mofongo, a plantain and pork cracklings mash, and callaloo, a green stew of water spinach, amaranth, and okra, mixed with seafood, coconut milk, and chili. 

The Caribbean's beaches may have all the acclaim, deservedly so, but with the vast assortment of local dishes to choose from, culinary adventurers looking for a good meal will definitely be singing the islands' praises.

Image source: wikipedia.org

 As the Bermuda-based chairman of Coco Reef Resort in Bermuda and Tobago, John Jefferis knows all about the area's hotel and tourism industry. Follow this Twitter account for updates and insights on travel and tourism in the Caribbean.

What Happens When a Guest Breaks Something In The Hotel Room?

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Guests are asked to maintain a certain amount of decorum during their stay in hotels. Each hotel stay is a contract between the hotel management and the guest. Each party has specific obligations---the hotel to maintain a sense of order and excellence in service, the guest to have an enjoyable stay at no cost or harm. When the guest breaks or damages items in their hotel room, both parties suffer.

Some hotels waive damages for which guests are responsible, but such treatment is usually reserved in good faith for trusted and regular clients. However, there are other considerations, such as the extent of damage or the item(s) that were broken. Nevertheless, most hotels follow a strict payment policy. That is, what is broken or damaged is charged to the guest’s account at the end of his or her stay.

Some guests do not feel this is justified and may demand a reconsideration. However, upon checking in, guests are asked to sign a form, which stipulates a clear and absolute paying policy in the event of damages to hotel property.

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A signed form means guests have agreed to pay for whatever damages they inflict on hotel property during their stay. There are exceptional occasions that could merit consideration on the part of the hotel. For instance, guests who have been robbed or who have been subject of crimes leading to property damage are normally not asked to compensate.

It is always best to read hotel forms before signing. For any other concerns, guests are encouraged to ask their concierge.

Known for his outstanding management skills, John Jefferis has built dozens of hotels around the world. Learn more about the hospitality industry by following this Twitter account.