19th January
Barbados is the most easterly island in the West Indies out of the chain of Leeward and Windward Islands. It stands in a splendid location with the powerful Atlantic Ocean on its East coast and the clear, calm waters of the Caribbean Sea on the South and West Coasts. The island is only 21 miles from north to south and 14 miles from east to west, so no part of Barbados is far from reach. The island is only 166 square miles, scarcely larger than the Isle of Wight. The climate is a holiday-maker’s dream – tropical, but tempered by the sea breeze from the north-east, with temperatures hardly varying from 24-27 degrees C (75-80 degrees F) and humidity is pleasantly low.
From its founding in 1627 to its independence in 1966, the island was a British colony and, unlike the rest of the Caribbean neighbours was never taken by force. It has an endearing blend of British and West Indian cultures and has the reputation of being the friendliest people in the Caribbean.
Our ship berthed just outside Bridgetown, the Capital of Barbados, and almost at once you realise why Barbados is know throughout the Caribbean as “Little England”. The market-town atmosphere, Georgian houses, Parliament Square and cricket ground to say nothing of the signposts to Hastings and Worthing. The principal industry is tourism closely followed by sugar and its by-products (more than 3/5ths of the island being under the cultivation of sugar cane.
Barbados does not have the striking heights and lush tropical forests of some other West Indian Islands, but there is plenty of variety. The Atlantic coast is not unlike Cornwall, with its long stretches of superb and surprisingly under-crowded surf beaches interrupted by dramatic rocks. The flora is mainly pink and purple bougainvillea, oleander (in many colours) and hibiscus. These are dwarfed by rows of royal palms raising their plumed heads high against a gentian blue sky.
Our tour today was called Coast to Coast. This scenic drive had been specially designed for those people who’d prefer an overview of Barbados with little walking, which was needed after yesterday’s hectic schedule. The coach took us out of the harbour down through the centre of Bridgetown (and a another traffic jam). The guide showed us the shopping areas that Doreen would explore later on in the day. We then proceeded out of town towards the centre of the island, passing many colonial buildings, into the countryside, where we saw the sugar cane fields. Our first stop was at St. John’s Church, some 800 feet above sea level, where you could see the Atlantic coastline beyond. After a 30 minute stop we continued to the Atlantic coast, down some very narrow, steep and bumpy roads, to our next stop Bathsheba, which was an idyllic and picturesque location (see photos). Geoffrey headed to capture pictures of the beautiful views and Doreen headed to the craft stalls, and later said “what beautiful views?”.
Unfortunately all too soon we were off again, where we drove north along the coastline before turning inland again up to Mount Hillaby, situated in the heart of the island, 1000 feet above sea level, where the landscape swept down to the Atlantic coast, here we had a welcome rum punch why we relaxed and took in the scenery.
From here we continued our drive back to the Caribbean coastline to Holetown (where the first settlers landed in 1627). As we drove through town we went down the opulent Sandy Lane area, where the rich and famous live and holiday (including Tiger Woods, Cliff Richard and possibly Simon Cowell). We then returned to the port at Bridgetown.
On arrival at the cruise terminal, which resembled Bluewater on a busy day, the week before Christmas. We decided to walk and leave the port and head towards town. On route we found a small craft shopping area, where we sat and had a drink and some lunch. Doreen chatted to the owner and enquired whether she knew the location of a bead shop, within minutes we had a policeman joining in the conversation, who said he knew of a place in town and said he would walk with us into town, which would take approximately 15 minutes. On route Geoffrey chatted to the policeman about crime levels and cricket. On arrival into town he took us into a small shopping mall and took us right to a bead jewellery shop – not quite what I was looking for, but very nice nonetheless. After telling us not to pay more than $4.00 for a taxi ride back to the port, we shook hands and he left. After making a small purchase we left and walked round the corner into Broad Street, which is the main shopping street in town After half an hour walking around we took a taxi back to the port and ship.
Another successful day.
Tomorrow is Nicola’s birthday and needless to say we will be thinking of her and we wish her a Very Happy Birthday, Love from Mum and Dad.
Barbados is the most easterly island in the West Indies out of the chain of Leeward and Windward Islands. It stands in a splendid location with the powerful Atlantic Ocean on its East coast and the clear, calm waters of the Caribbean Sea on the South and West Coasts. The island is only 21 miles from north to south and 14 miles from east to west, so no part of Barbados is far from reach. The island is only 166 square miles, scarcely larger than the Isle of Wight. The climate is a holiday-maker’s dream – tropical, but tempered by the sea breeze from the north-east, with temperatures hardly varying from 24-27 degrees C (75-80 degrees F) and humidity is pleasantly low.
From its founding in 1627 to its independence in 1966, the island was a British colony and, unlike the rest of the Caribbean neighbours was never taken by force. It has an endearing blend of British and West Indian cultures and has the reputation of being the friendliest people in the Caribbean.
Our ship berthed just outside Bridgetown, the Capital of Barbados, and almost at once you realise why Barbados is know throughout the Caribbean as “Little England”. The market-town atmosphere, Georgian houses, Parliament Square and cricket ground to say nothing of the signposts to Hastings and Worthing. The principal industry is tourism closely followed by sugar and its by-products (more than 3/5ths of the island being under the cultivation of sugar cane.
Barbados does not have the striking heights and lush tropical forests of some other West Indian Islands, but there is plenty of variety. The Atlantic coast is not unlike Cornwall, with its long stretches of superb and surprisingly under-crowded surf beaches interrupted by dramatic rocks. The flora is mainly pink and purple bougainvillea, oleander (in many colours) and hibiscus. These are dwarfed by rows of royal palms raising their plumed heads high against a gentian blue sky.
Our tour today was called Coast to Coast. This scenic drive had been specially designed for those people who’d prefer an overview of Barbados with little walking, which was needed after yesterday’s hectic schedule. The coach took us out of the harbour down through the centre of Bridgetown (and a another traffic jam). The guide showed us the shopping areas that Doreen would explore later on in the day. We then proceeded out of town towards the centre of the island, passing many colonial buildings, into the countryside, where we saw the sugar cane fields. Our first stop was at St. John’s Church, some 800 feet above sea level, where you could see the Atlantic coastline beyond. After a 30 minute stop we continued to the Atlantic coast, down some very narrow, steep and bumpy roads, to our next stop Bathsheba, which was an idyllic and picturesque location (see photos). Geoffrey headed to capture pictures of the beautiful views and Doreen headed to the craft stalls, and later said “what beautiful views?”.
Unfortunately all too soon we were off again, where we drove north along the coastline before turning inland again up to Mount Hillaby, situated in the heart of the island, 1000 feet above sea level, where the landscape swept down to the Atlantic coast, here we had a welcome rum punch why we relaxed and took in the scenery.
From here we continued our drive back to the Caribbean coastline to Holetown (where the first settlers landed in 1627). As we drove through town we went down the opulent Sandy Lane area, where the rich and famous live and holiday (including Tiger Woods, Cliff Richard and possibly Simon Cowell). We then returned to the port at Bridgetown.
On arrival at the cruise terminal, which resembled Bluewater on a busy day, the week before Christmas. We decided to walk and leave the port and head towards town. On route we found a small craft shopping area, where we sat and had a drink and some lunch. Doreen chatted to the owner and enquired whether she knew the location of a bead shop, within minutes we had a policeman joining in the conversation, who said he knew of a place in town and said he would walk with us into town, which would take approximately 15 minutes. On route Geoffrey chatted to the policeman about crime levels and cricket. On arrival into town he took us into a small shopping mall and took us right to a bead jewellery shop – not quite what I was looking for, but very nice nonetheless. After telling us not to pay more than $4.00 for a taxi ride back to the port, we shook hands and he left. After making a small purchase we left and walked round the corner into Broad Street, which is the main shopping street in town After half an hour walking around we took a taxi back to the port and ship.
Another successful day.
Tomorrow is Nicola’s birthday and needless to say we will be thinking of her and we wish her a Very Happy Birthday, Love from Mum and Dad.
1 comment:
Fab pictures.
Post a Comment