The Cheapside Market

On Saturday morning I took a ride into Bridgetown for a stop at the grocery store to pick up some basic items such as juice to keep in our room refrigerator. I also wanted to check out the Cheapside Market, a place I had researched before the trip.

I’m a big fan of farmers markets. From mid-spring to late autumn, nothing beats buying fresh locally grown produce. Michele and I frequent several of the local farmers markets here in New Jersey to find the fruits and vegetables of the season. We cook most of the meals we eat, seldom go out for dinner, and use fresh ingredients whenever we can. It makes quite a difference in the overall quality. The Cheapside Market makes the farmers markets at home seem very small by comparison!

I took the ZR to Bridgetown, hit the grocery store for some juice, then walked to the end of Broad Street and crossed through the park to Fontabelle Street, following it to Cheapside.

The market is located inside of a large building with open access from all sides. I walked in, immediately immersed in the hustle and bustle of the crowds purchasing produce from a seemingly endless number of vendors stacked end to end in crowded aisles. I encountered all types of fruits and vegetables that I’m familiar with; peppers, beans, yams, potatoes, bananas, coconuts, okra, cabbage, squash. Then, there were strange looking things I’ve never seen before.

I came to buy some fresh fruit, and the vendors were very helpful in directing me to find the fruit that I wanted. After mistaking a sliced up squash for a sliced up mango, the nice Bajan lady directed me to the stall next to her, where I bought several mangos. I also wanted bananas, and was sent to the far end of the aisle to buy a bunch. Everything is weighed on scales so you can buy as much as you like, or afford. The ‘Cheapside’ name is fitting as well, because I bought both the bananas and mangos for a total of $6 BDS (or $3 US).

Returning to the hotel with fresh fruit, part of me wished we had a kitchen so I could buy and cook some of the delicious produce at the Cheapside Market! Maybe next time.

TRAVEL TIPS:

Saturday is the busiest day at Cheapside. The market will be packed with vendors and all sorts of fruits and vegetables can be purchased.

Cheapside Market is located slightly east of the Princess Alice Bus Terminal. If you arrive at Princess Alice, walk towards Bridgetown and take the next north-bound street to Fotabelle Street and the market. If arriving at Fairchild or the ZR lot, make your way down Broad Street to the end, cross through the park, and continue on Fontabelle Street to the market.

Ask vendors if they have the fruit/vegetable you are looking for. If they do not, they will direct you to a stall that does. Prices are cheap (like the name!), don’t worry about haggling because you will be getting a better price than in a grocery store.

A Scholarly Fall Foliage Trip - Princeton

In my college days, many years ago now, autumn was always my favorite time of year to be on campus. It’s hard to say whether it was because the new school year was getting started, the leaves were changing, or the days were sunny and cool when you could sit outside and study. Something just always felt right about it!

Two years ago, Michele and I went north to the Palisades and Sleepy Hollow for a fall foliage day trip. Last year, we went west along the Delaware River. This year, we decided to try another unique location and decided on Princeton, home of one of the country’s finest universities.

The trip started out with a drive west, bypassing Trenton by taking Interstate 295 around the city to the Princeton Pike exit for Mercer Road.

Our first stop was at the Princeton Battlefield State Park, located on Mercer Road, a couple of miles from town. George Washington scored a big victory here on January 3, 1777 coming on the heels of his Delaware crossing and the battle of Trenton. We didn’t end up spending too much time here, the park was not really very impressive compared to Washington’s Crossing State Park that we visited last year. Other than the Clarke House and a few historical markers, it’s a large field. The foliage wasn’t great, most of the trees were either bare or had yet to change, and walking trails were lacking. The park also sits directly on busy Mercer Road. Worth a quick stop, more interesting things were ahead of us in Princeton.

Mercer Road took us directly into the center of town where it intersected Nassau Street, with the University buildings on one side and the town shops on the opposite end. It took a little bit of driving around with our map to get oriented with the campus, and finding a lot to park in at the University was an obstacle (either lots were for student use, or since there was a home football game that left the stadium lot out of the question). We noticed plenty of on-street parking meters near the train station and decided that was the best bet, pleasantly surprised at how cheap they were. At 30 cents an hour, the little bit of spare change I had with me bought us over two hours of parking.

The foliage at Princeton University was more vibrant than what we saw earlier, making for better photo opportunities as it blended with the unique architecture of the campus. Constructed in the Gothic, or Collegiate Gothic style, the buildings featured interesting combinations of gray stonework and masonry. We walked through the various quads along with students going about their weekend activities. The marching band had assembled outside one of the halls in preparation for the football game.

Michele and I spent the better part of a few hours taking photos of the campus. One particular highlight, the University Chapel, blended intricate stained glass windows with high cathedral stone arches. The library, and Alexander Hall also offered aesthetically pleasing stonework.

With time set to expire on the meter, we drove back into town and found the municipal parking garage to use for the remainder of the afternoon. A few blocks away was Triumph Brewing Company, and after a morning of walking around we were ready for some lunch and a refreshing beverage!

Michele and I have been on a bit of a brew pub tour throughout the state since she bought me the New Jersey Breweries book this past summer, and this was our first visit to Triumph. The entrance may be on Nassau Street, but it’s a walk down the long corridor before you’re finally inside the brew pub. The interior was nicely laid out with two bars, one on the lower level and one on the floor you enter, with a small dining area there and an upstairs dining area as well.

We ordered a sampler of the craft beers, and Michele was pleasantly surprised by the variety and taste (fewer bitter beers on tap) compared with the other pubs we’ve visited so far. She decided on the pumpkin ale and Gose (a German wheat beer) while I stuck with the more conventional IPA. We treated ourselves to a full lunch with appetizers (calamari for me and the meat and cheese platter for her), and a main course of lamb kebab for me and gnocchi as her entree. The food was excellent and reasonably priced, with good customer service as well. We decided to stop back later to fill up a growler of fresh beer.

On to explore the town, we encountered a mix of high end shops that catered to the wealthy area residents, mixed with college hangouts and places frequented by the less wealthy student crowd. The Princeton University Store carried every imaginable article of clothing and accessory with the school logo and in orange school colors. By coincidence, Michele’s top was orange and she received numerous compliments around town all day! I picked up a pint glass and shot glass from this store to add to our collection.

As our day finished up, we stopped back at Triumph for a growler of Oktoberfest Ale and came home to relax. Free from the worries of academic life that the Princeton scholars faced, I filled up my new pint glass and sat back to relax for an enjoyable ending to another great day trip!

TRAVEL TIPS

Princeton is best reached by car, or using NJ Transit on the Northeast Corridor rail line. Driving from the east, take I-195 to I-295 North, which becomes I-95. Exit on the Princeton Pike for Princeton and continue into town. From the west, take I-95 and the Princeton Pike exit. From the north, Route 1 south is the best option.

Princeton Battlefield State Park is located on Mercer Road, about two miles south from the center of town. Park is open daily and free.

Parking in Princeton can either be at the municipal public garage off of Chambers Street or metered street parking adjacent to campus The meters are a bargain at 30 cents per hour. Walking is the only method for exploring campus, you can explore on your own or sign up for a group tour.

Triumph Brewing Company is located on Nassau Street across from the University, with a full line of craft beers and full menu.

Tastee Sub Shop - A Lunch Fit For........A President!

Everywhere there are establishments that claim to be ‘World Famous’. Everything from restaurants and bars to electronic stores and car washes. But what does it really take to be world famous? Perhaps being known to people on several continents? Or perhaps maybe hosting dignitaries or world leaders?

On that note, it’s time to check out a little place called Tastee Sub Shop.

Michele introduced me to Tastee Subs not long after we first started dating. This little sub shop in Edison, New Jersey is her favorite and she was a frequent patron while living in the area, now making stops from time to time while in the area for a bite to eat. Tastee Sub Shop does one thing, and they do it better than anybody; they make subs. No pizza, no grill, just subs and bags of chips and sodas. And it’s all done in an assembly line manner - the first person takes the order and slices the meat, it’s passed to the next person who adds cheese, then the next who handles toppings, on to the next to last person who wraps it or puts it on the plate, and the final cog in the machine is the cashier. But the quick assembly is overshadowed by the supreme quality of the final product, all of the freshest ingredients cut and served same day.


This model for a small business success caught the eye of one particular person with a significant interest in how the economics and management of small business is conducted in America. On July 28, 2010 President Barack Obama visited Tastee Sub Shop to have lunch and discuss economics with local small business owners. Tastee Sub Shop was in the news and had served the President of the United States!

Michele and I decided to take a short road trip to Edison the following weekend for some subs where the atmosphere was still buzzing from the presidential visit. When we arrived at Tastee Sub Shop the line was roughly three times the normal volume and snaked around the store. With new fame comes new clients, and the crowd featured a mix of regulars and curious first timers. Despite the length of the line, it moved quickly in the normal method that Tastee Subs handles business, and the time spent waiting generally revolved around conversation of the President’s visit. The staff that was working and had also worked the day of President Obama’s visit shared their thoughts; the President was a very down-to-earth gentleman who was happy to meet them and listen to what they had to say, and brought a positive vibe to the staff.

When my turn to order came, I chose the #5 Super Sub (same as the President) and picked out a cold drink and chips to go with. As in all my previous experiences here, I had a fresh, filling, and delicious lunch.

Regardless if you’re the President of the United States or the guy or gal from the office or job site down the street, you’ll get great service and an excellent meal for a reasonable price when you stop by Tastee Sub Shop.

And they’re humble enough to not declare themselves ‘World Famous’.


TRAVEL TIPS:

Tastee Sub Shop is located at 267 Plainfield Avenue in Edison, New Jersey. Interstate 287 is the closest major highway to use to getting there.

Hours of operation are from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

Prices for a half sub are approximately $5.00, for a whole sub are $9.00. Chips, sodas, pickles, cookies and macaroni or potato salad are the only other menu items. The emphasis is on the subs!

A Ride on a ZR Minibus - The Island Roller Coaster

Traveling on a budget, most of your money is spent getting to your destination and paying for lodging. Now it’s time to get out and explore, but renting a car or hiring a taxi is out of the question. What other options are available? It’s time to travel like the locals, and with the locals, using public transportation.

Public transportation abroad is often very different from what people in the United States are used to. Americans are accustomed to the bus or the subway with fixed and reliable schedules, and also trains that operate in a similar fashion. When abroad, you may be dealing with vehicles that run erratic schedules, cram people in, suffer breakdowns, or drive like maniacs. Perhaps, it’s all of the above. But to have an authentic experience getting to your final destination, sometimes it’s necessary to literally get up close and personal with the locals.

In Barbados, there are three main types of public transportation; the government bus, the private bus, and the ZR minibus. Briefly, the government busses are colored blue, run on fixed schedules, and only accept exact change. The private busses are more laid back, play the radio, have a less fixed schedule, and can give change if you don’t have the exact fare. Then there is the ZR.....

A fleet of Toyota minibuses cruises the island, white in color except for a stripe down the middle and a number posted on the vehicle indicating the route number. The ZR (pronounced zed-r) shuttles people around the island on its own schedule. A route description is posted on the front windshield, for example, “Silver Sands via Oistins” in addition to its number. The minibus seats the driver, a front seat passenger who is sometimes the fare collector, a dozen more fixed seats for riders, and fold out seats to accommodate more. And they can always fit more as people double up and sit on the floor. The driver speeds between stops and will always pick up another passenger, because each one means another $1.50 BDS collected!

Which leads to a story of our first night in Barbados.

Michele and I took an almost empty ZR from the Coconut Court in Hastings where we were staying to Oistins early on Friday evening. I had my fish dinner, and as the food court started to crowd we decided to leave. At the bus stop down the street we joined a larger group looking for a ride out of Oistins. Private taxis pulled up and offered fares, with some takers, but I knew that some sort of bus would come shortly. It just happened to be a ZR.

As a few wary tourists looked on, we hopped on board the ZR and paid the collector our $1.50 each. A Bajan gentleman offered Michele the front seat, which in hindsight would be a mistake, and I climbed in the row behind with other passengers, a mix of locals and travelers. As a reggae mix on the radio provided the background theme, the sliding back door was thrown shut and we were on our way. The driver pulled out of the bus stop and hit the accelerator, flying past other vehicles turning off the highway and slowing only at the bus stops where he beeped the horn to find out if any more passengers could be picked up.

Between Oistins and St. Lawrence Gap the majority of the travelers had already left the ZR for their hotels, and a few locals had taken their place. Each stop abrupt; slowing quickly followed by speeding that threw us back and forth in the seats.

Past the Gap the pace really picked up as the driver flew through traffic, dodging and weaving, horn honking, music playing. Twists and turns in the road that slid me into the person beside me or forced me to grab the seat in front to prevent it. And the ride went on.

Traffic picked up, the driver didn’t slow down. The horn seemed to honk constantly and be the most effective tool to deal with the situation. As we rode up fast on a line of slowed traffic, the horn blared but the car in front couldn’t move. At the last possible moment the driver slammed on the brakes bringing the ZR to a halt, sending me flying off of the seat and into the rear of the seat in front of me before I bounced back and landed in place. We had narrowly missed the vehicle in front of us by inches!

With a collective sigh of relief, traffic began to flow and the normal business of honking the horn and picking up or dropping off passengers resumed. We were in the last 500 meters from the Coconut Court, the bus stop next to it was for us, so I called out “Next Stop!” and the driver hit the brakes for one last time on our ride. The door swung open and I rolled out of the back seat as Michele anxiously climbed out of the front. In a second the door slammed shut and the ZR sped off into the night towards Bridgetown.

Michele and I walked upstairs to our room. Her face was still was one of complete terror, but as for me... I was energized! All I could say to her was, “That...was..AWESOME!! I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt so alive!”

She disagreed.

During our stay in Barbados we used public transportation to explore the island, and rode the blue bus, the yellow bus, and other ZR taxis. While none of the other rides were as crazy as our first evening, traveling with the locals was a rewarding experience as we rode around the island in true Bajan style.





TRAVEL TIPS:

Public transportation in Barbados is cheap and reliable. The fare is $1.50 BDS regardless of the distance you travel on a single ride. This applies to the government (blue) bus, private (yellow) bus and ZR. However, it is often necessary to change busses in Bridgetown to get to your final destination.

All of the busses stop at the designated bus stops along the road. They will either be marked “To City” or “Out of City”, meaning to Bridgetown or away from Bridgetown. Exact change is required for the blue bus. The yellow bus and ZR will make change if needed.

The bus terminals in Bridgetown are the Fairchild Street terminal and the Princess Alice terminal. Each has specific routes. The ZR minibus arrives and departs from the transit yard in Bridgetown, which is roughly a 300 meter walk from the Fairchild Street terminal. The distance between the Fairchild Street terminal and Princess Alice terminal is approximately 1 km.

If you are claustrophobic, suffer from motion sickness, or have any similar issues, the ZR is not recommended. Wait for a blue bus to come along. To signal for the next stop on the ZR, either press the buzzer if one is available, knock on the side of the van, or call “Next Stop” to the driver.

Friday Night in Oistins, Barbados

It was the middle of the afternoon on Friday, first day in Barbados. Less than twelve hours earlier we were in New Jersey, and now we had traveled to an island only a few degrees north of the equator. It didn’t matter how exhausting the day had been, I wanted to go to Oistins!

Located on the southern tip of the island, Oistins is a small fishing village that attracts both visitors and locals to its famous Friday night fish fry. Nothing is fancy about Oistins, but it is a true example of an authentic Bajan (that’s the local term for Barbadian) dining experience. It should come as no surprise that fish is the main dish on the menu and any seafood fan will be satisfied, but enough other choices for the non fish eaters can be found as well.

Michele and I hopped on a ZR minibus and the ride to Oistins took about twenty minutes from out hotel. We decided to go a little bit earlier in the evening because I had worked up an appetite from the long day, and we wanted to beat the large crowds that would be showing up later. Not far from the bus stop where we got off were the plethora of vendor’s stalls, all with grills and fryers running at full capacity. Menus written on chalk boards in front of the stalls listed the choices and prices, and vendors generally always had tuna, dolphin fish, and of course flying fish among the selections. Waitresses working for the various owners stood by to take orders and seat patrons at the nearby tables.

I decided to order the grilled flying fish, part of the national dish of Barbados, and a side of rice and peas for my meal. We were seated at one of the nearby picnic tables; all of the dining in Oistins is outdoors in this relaxed atmosphere where we mingled with other folks from the UK, Canada, and USA. Dinner arrived a short while later along with Banks beer, the locally brewed beverage. I used the Bajan yellow pepper sauce with the fish; I had heard reviews of how spicy it was, but for me it didn’t seem over the top on heat and added a nice compliment to the fish. A long day of travel was rewarded with a tasty and filling meal!

After paying the bill, Michele and I walked around the area checking out some local vendors and crafts for sale. An outdoor stage was being prepped for musical acts to follow shortly, and the crowds were getting larger as more visitors and locals arrived in Oistins.


It had been a long day, and we walked back to the bus stop to take the bus back to our hotel, which is a story itself! I promised myself another trip to Oistins before leaving Barbados, and I returned during the week for more delicious seafood.

If fancy restaurants are your fare, don’t bother with Oistins. But if you want a tasty meal at a reasonable price in a relaxed atmosphere, don’t miss out before you leave Barbados!




TRAVEL TIPS:

Oistins is located on the South Coast of Barbados and is most easily reached using the No. 11 minibus for Silver Sands via Oistins. $1.50 BDS for the minibus. The blue bus on the south coast highway will also pass through Oistins.

Friday night draws the biggest crowds, along with entertainment on the main stage. For smaller crowds and more relaxation, go earlier in the evening on the weekend, or visit Oistins on a weeknight. Most vendors are open in the evenings throughout the week.

A full meal is about $20 - $30 BDS, which includes a main dish of fish or chicken and side dishes such as rice and peas, macaroni pie, and french fries. Banks, the locally brewed beer is one of the beverages of choice. Plenty of soft drinks are also for sale; ginger beer is a tasty island treat!

Lunch at J.J. Bitting Brewing Company

If there’s one thing I enjoy having on my birthday, it’s good beer. When I can sample some local brews, it’s even better. It took a little bit of research to find a brew pub in the area for a day trip, or more appropriately, afternoon trip. That’s how I stumbled upon the J.J. Bitting Brewing Company.

Just up the Parkway in Woodbridge, J.J. Bitting Brewing Company is conveniently located on Main Street underneath the railroad trestle that NJ Transit trains frequently pass over. It should come as no surprise that the pub theme is railroads, along with a miniature train making its rounds overhead on a model railroad track. The fermentation tanks also add a nice touch of atmosphere in the front of the pub.

I enjoyed all of the beers that I sampled; the HopGarden Pale Ale, Avenel Amber, Rat Pack Pilsner and Black Jack Stout. The food was excellent as well - I chose the rack of ribs to accompany the beer, and the portion was more than I could eat in a single meal. The menu included a diverse selection of appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees to choose from.

Michele and I finished our lunch and beers and we bought a growler of Avenel Amber to take home for the rest of the birthday weekend celebration.

If you enjoy craft beer, good food at reasonable prices, and authentic atmosphere with a casual dining experience, J.J. Bitting Brewing Company is a solid choice. We’ve already decided to come back soon to try some of the other entrees and sample the beers we didn't drink this time around.

Happy Birthday to me!


TRAVEL TIPS:

J.J. Bitting Brewing Company is located in downtown Woodbridge at 33 Main Street across from the train station. Follow directions and signs for downtown Woodbridge business district.

The pub opens at 11:30 AM Monday - Friday, 12:00 PM Saturday, and 3:00 PM Sunday.

Prices for most entrees are less than $20.00.

More Than Sun and Sand in Barbados - Andromeda Botanical Gardens

Carribean islands generally sell themselves on the tropical beaches, but with a little bit of exploring it’s possible to find equally relaxing spots away from the ocean. Michele and I were already enjoying our first couple of days at the Coconut Court in Hastings, on the south coast of Barbados, and decided to take a day to explore the eastern part of the island. The Andromeda Botanical Gardens in Saint Joseph Parish near the town of Bathsheba was the destination of choice.

Getting to the gardens meant a bus ride across the island from Bridgetown, an interesting ride itself. After leaving the city, the bus passed sugar cane fields through the rugged interior of the island and then descended downhill toward the Atlantic Ocean. Here there was a convenient stop next to the Botanical Gardens. The trip took roughly 40 minutes with the stops along the way, the public transportation in Barbados is reliable and destinations all over the island can be reached easily for a day trip.

The Gardens have two main nature trails, one goes up the hillside and the other is relatively flat. We were given a guide sheet to the trails that described the various plants and also gave a little bit of history on the Gardens. Started by the Bannochie family, local horticulturists, the Andromeda Botanical Gardens became part of the Barbados National Trust when Mrs. Bannochie passed away. The diverse species include orchids, ferns, bougainvillea, palms and cacti that all thrive in a tropical climate.

We walked both trails, starting with the steeper of the two and then finishing with the easy trail. It didn’t prove to be a problem, since we were constantly stopping to photograph the flowers and trees. We also discovered some ponds, one full of lounging frogs and a vigilant kingfisher standing nearby, the other full of fish and aquatic plants. With plenty of area and not overcrowded with visitors, it was a very peaceful experience to explore at a leisurely pace.

At the end of our trek we relaxed and had a bite to eat at the visitors center before catching the bus back to Bridgetown.

If you’re looking for a break from the beach, interested in photography, or just searching for a zen experience, the Andromeda Botanical Gardens might be the perfect day trip!




TRAVEL TIPS:

Getting to the Andromeda Botanical Gardens requires taking the Bathsheba bus from Bridgetown if you do not have your own private transportation. The Bathsheba bus leaves from the Fairchild terminal in Bridgetown and schedules are posted in the terminal. The bus fare is $1.50 BDS.

The Gardens are open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and the admission fee is $17.50 BDS for adults. A gift shop and cafe are located at the visitors center. The café offers several lunch choices at reasonable prices.

Stay hydrated while walking the trails. There is plenty of shade, but afternoon temperatures are hot.