One small island yet so much to see is an apt description for Barbados. On this page we provide information on many of the attractions that you can visit while in Barbados.

Trekking_to_Bathsheba

By Brian Ramsey

Bathsheba, the name evokes images of a mystical place and in Barbados it is a special place. Bathsheba on the east coast of Barbados has dramatic beauty with wide sand beaches on a rugged coast with striking rock formations. As beautiful as Bathsheba is, the journey to this quaint seaside village is equally enchanting.

Driving to Bathsheba from Bridgetown takes one across Barbados going from the south coast to the east coast. Going to Bathsheba can be described as a trek as the narrow roads, old style wooden arrow-shaped signposts and striking beauty of the countryside force you to reduce your speed and soak in the visual sights. It is a drive along narrow roads through small villages and towns, many of whom are set in the midst of sugarcane fields. In a sense this drive exposes you to the "true Barbados", away from the frenetic pace of city life and the blandishments of commercial tourism. It is a drive through villages where people stop to say good morning or wave to a passing stranger. It is a drive through areas where people sit outside village bars or superettes and exchange the latest news. To a lost stranger, people willingly give directions and may even offer to ride part of the way. A trip to this mystical place carries you past churches that by their very design speak of many years of ministering to a spiritual flock. If you stop and wander the grounds of these churches a sense of peace seems to immediately envelope you.

Barbados is often thought of as a flat island but the drive across makes you realize that there are significant hills which create striking contrasts. As you proceed the vegetation changes, in some parts assuming a tropical rainforest appearance. The most striking contrast however is the immediate entrance to Bathsheba. The road climbs a hill and at the base is Bathsheba clustered around a bay with striking rock formations. Depending however on the time of year or time of day, at the brink of the hill you are met with a fog reminiscent of European cities. This fog is created by droplets driven by the wind from the tops of the long Atlantic rollers.

These same rollers crossing the Atlantic from Africa to crash on the Barbados shore create ideal conditions for surfing. And so it is to Bathsheba that local and international surfers flock. While there are many locations in Barbados for surfing, Bathsheba takes pride of place with the famed "Soup Bowl". Named after the foamy surf, this is the site of many local and international surfing competitions. On almost every weekend, surfers can be seen practicing their maneuvers on the waves while spectators lounge on the beach.

Surfing is not the only activity that takes place at Bathsheba, indeed the invigorating salt air combined with the rock formations encourages you to explore the beach and the surrounding village. The constant breezes are ideal for kite flying while the trails off the beach lead you among the rocks and to cliff tops that provide dramatic views. Along the beach are grassy areas that are perfect for picnics and weekend camping and are fully used by locals. The wooden houses surrounding the beach seem to fit perfectly into and enhance the environment, encouraging you to wander through the village. Scattered throughout are restaurants and bars able to refresh a parched throat or provide a meal for a weary traveler. As you explore further you encounter Andromeda Gardens at one end of the village. Nestled on a cliff overlooking the east coast, Andromeda Botanic Gardens is run by the Barbados National Trust. It is spread over six acres of carefully landscaped grounds that are lavishly coloured with blooms, orchids, exotics and shrubs. At the other end of the village is the neighborhood known as Cattlewash. Here are found weekend vacation cottages sitting on a wide beach backed by dramatic cliffs and surrounded by vegetation that has been permanently shaped by the wind.

The waters at Bathsheba encourage you to enter and swim. There are shallow pools carved out of the inshore coral reef that are just a few feet from the shore. These pools are several feet deep and you can sit in them while the sea rolls in and swirls around you. Despite the free movement exhibited by the surfers, care should be exercised if swimming in Bathsheba. Swimming should only be done if in the company of someone who knows the area well as there are dangerous rip tides and strong undertows.

If you ever visit Barbados, take the trek to Bathsheba and invigorate your spirit with both the drive and the magic of the place. 

Graeme_Hall_–_The_Hidden_Bajan_Paradise

By Brian Ramsey

Every year thousands of persons flock to Barbados to enjoy the blue waters, beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Many of these visitors spend their time on the south coast which has the popular Accra Beach, Dover Beach and Sandy Beach. Along the south coast there is a multiplicity of tourism related activities. On this coast is also found the area known as St Lawrence Gap which due to its wide variety of restaurants, nightclubs, bars and pubs is alive during the day and even more alive at night. All of these attractions combine to make Barbados an outstanding holiday destination.

There is another group however that also flocks to Barbados every year and it consists of many migratory bird species. These birds gather at Graeme Hall in Worthing on the south coast of Barbados. The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary is situated in Worthing, on the south coast of Barbados opposite Sandy Beach. Many individuals traverse the south coast, sampling the delights of a Bajan holiday, yet never discover the hidden paradise that is the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.

The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary is home for up to 40 resident / seasonally resident bird species in addition to the migratory species that visit. This sanctuary is the location of the first known nesting site in the Americas for the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). Designed around a 10 acre mangrove lined lake, the sanctuary is perfect for viewing birds. There is a wooden boardwalk that weaves its way around portions of the lake and around various ponds. Along the boardwalk the mangrove has been trimmed at various locations to provide views of the lake. There is a replica of an old Barbadian shooting hut which, houses a Migratory Bird Exhibit that displays of migratory bird behaviour and physiology.

Within the sanctuary are a St Vincent Amazon Parrot exhibit and two large walk-through Aviaries. These Aviaries replicate a Gully habitat and a Marshland Habitat and allow you to closely observe the birds as you walk through. In the Gully Habitat Aviary can be seen a variety of birds that include crested bobwhites, channel-billed toucans, gray trumpeters, brown-throated parrots, eclectus parrots, sun parakeets, macaws and piping guans. The birds seen in the Marshland Aviary include flamingoes, whistling ducks, mandarin ducks, roseate spoonbills and scarlet ibis.

While Graeme Hall is a sanctuary for wildlife it is also a sanctuary for humans. Strategically positioned throughout the visitor section are benches where you can sit in solitude and observe or reflect on life. Along the boardwalk and trails are interpretive displays that provide information about the birds, plants and animals in the sanctuary. In visiting Graeme Hall you can walk through at your leisure or participate in a group tour conducted by a trained naturalist. A small fee is charged for entry to the sanctuary and this is payable at the Visitor Centre and Sanctuary Store, which has educational toys and kits, books, souvenirs, food and drinks, and many other items.

So the next time you are in Barbados, discover the hidden Bajan paradise that is the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.

To learn more about Barbados, visit our other Barbados Pages

Walking_History_in_Barbados

By Brian Ramsey

In the introduction to each episode of the Star Trek series, there is the phrase "To boldly go where no man has gone before" and indeed sometimes when you are trying to find a particular place it seems that is what you are doing. At other times you want to go where other people have gone before and experience the history of the place. In Barbados there is a particular place where it is very easy to view and experience the history of this island. You can literally walk through history and on a quiet afternoon be transported back in time. This location is known as the Garrison Historic Area and it surrounds the Garrison Savannah.

The Garrison Savannah is the center of much of the sporting and recreational activity in Barbados. The island’s horse racing track is located in the Savannah and horse racing has been taking place since the middle of the 1800’s. There is a rugby field, basketball court and jogging track, all of which are extensively used on afternoons. The Savannah however is a historic location for much more than sport. On November 30th 1966, in the Garrison Savannah, the ceremony was held for the lowering of the Union Jack (British flag), and the raising of the Barbados flag, thus signaling full independence for the country of Barbados. The historical significance of the Garrison Savannah goes even further back. In 1650 Charles Fort was erected in the area and then in 1705, St. Ann’s Fort was added. The arrival of British troops in 1780 led to the establishment of the Garrison. From 1796, the Garrison area became the headquarters of the British West India Regiment and the large grassy area in the center, which is now the Garrison Savannah, was the regiment’s parade grounds. The British West India Regiment was the first British Regiment of black soldiers, and provided 132 years of service both in the British West Indies and worldwide. Being the site of a military complex, numerous buildings were constructed from the 1660’s to the 1800’s. These buildings today give the Garrison area much of its historical and architectural interest.

On any walk around the Garrison area you cannot miss seeing the numerous cannons that are located in the area. These form part of the National Cannon Collection, which constitutes the largest cluster of 17th Century English cannons in the world. Within the Barbados National Cannon Collection is an Elizabethan cannon cast in 1600, the only one known to exist. The Collection also contains one of only two cannons in existence from 1652 with Oliver Cromwell's crest.

Some of the cannons can be seen in front of the Main Guard building facing the racetrack. This elegant Georgian building from 1802 with its handsome clock tower and wide verandah is now an information centre and houses exhibits about the West Indian Regiment.

As you continue around the Savannah there are numerous 17th- to 19th-century military buildings constructed from brick brought as ballast on ships from England. There are also several memorials. One of the memorials commemorates the death of 15 persons and the destruction of the barracks and hospital in a hurricane on 18 August 1831. Another memorial outside the Barbados Museum in the northeast corner is in honour of the men of the Royal York Rangers who fell in action against the French in Martinique, Les Saintes and Guadeloupe in the 1809-10 campaign.

The Barbados Museum is housed in a compound that was formerly a military prison, and centered around a large airy courtyard with trees and flowering shrubs. The museum houses a Natural History gallery, a History Gallery with sections devoted to Amerindian artifacts, Colonial Years, Emancipation, the period leading to Independence, two small but very interesting sections on Education and Religion, Agriculture, Road making, Electricity and Bajan Architecture. Each little cubicle tells a complete story with actual implements shown and Photos from the period. There is the Warmington Gallery which is a recreation of a house interior and where you stay from outside and look through the windows. The Africa gallery which has a bright fresh clean look is not what you would expect. This gallery shows some African kingdoms and shows many of the links between Africa and our Caribbean traditions and habits. The Children Gallery is highly fascinating and even adults will enjoy it. Some parts of this gallery take you down memory lane (depending on your age).

Completing the circle of historic buildings in the Garrison Historic district is St Ann’s Fort which is still used by the Barbados Defence Force. Although you cannot enter the compound you can still observe the old drill hall and other military buildings. The outline of the original stone fort with its cannons pointing outwards cab be seen both from the Garrison side and the nearby Drill Hall Beach. The crenellated signal tower with its flag pole on top that formed the high command of a chain of signal posts around the island is also visible. .

So when next you are in Barbados, visit the Garrison Historic District and be transported back in time.

Bustling and Historical Bridgetown

By Nagib Georges Araman

Barbados may be known for its gorgeous beaches, but before you head out to these sandy patches of paradise, take the time to explore the island nation's only true city -Bridgetown. This Caribbean city and holds the biggest population in the country, and offers curious visitors a look at Barbados' rich culture and history.

While the city may have established quite a number of modern structures like office complexes, shopping malls and banks, Bridgetown has still managed to preserve a number of its most precious historic sites and colonial buildings. The city maintains a very energetic atmosphere enhanced by its vibrant streets, regularly occupied by eager vendors of various goods and fresh produce. Here, you will get plenty of opportunities for duty -free shopping especially in areas like Broad Street. It is also very easy to find local crafts in the city's street markets.

Most of the important tourist sites in Bridgetown are within easy walking distance from the city center. And fortunately, the city buses serve most of these destinations. Take note that Bridgetown is one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean. While here, don't miss the chance to walk around its fascinating historical section, which is home to the city's most precious architectural landmarks, including the Parliament Buildings of Barbados. These buildings exude the exquisite neo-gothic design and were constructed in the late 19th century using coral limestone. One of the impressive features of the buildings is its stained glass windows, which depict the different British monarchs. Its west wing houses the government offices, the clock tower, the Parliament Museum and the National Gallery. And if you walk to the east wing, you will find the Senate and House of Assembly.

The Barbados Garrison is another significant historical landmark in Bridgetown. It fact this garrison is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is considered to be the largest of its kind during the 18th and 19th centuries. These days, the garrison houses the Barbados Defense Force, but it has other sections that are worth visiting. Some of these sections include the St. Ann's Fort, established in 1705; the Georgian style mansion called George Washington House; and the Barbados National Armoury, which maintains a massive collection of iron cannons, made during the 17th century. Another important building found in the garrison is the Barbados Museum, which can give you great insight into the island's history through its extensive exhibits and galleries. In the exterior portion of the Barbados Garrison lies an oval green space, which is used as a park and venue for sporting events, horse races and parades.

Make your way to the city's natural harbor called Carlisle Bay, which also plays hosts to regular water sports events. If you walk to the southern side of the bay, you will find the popular Pebbles Beach, which is frequently visited due to its soft white sand and perfectly calm water, suitable for swimming. If scuba diving is something you would like to do, arrange an excursion to the Carlisle Bay Marine Park, whose ocean floor is occupied by a couple of old shipwrecks.

If you are content just staying on the beach, comfortably sitting on a sun lounge and protected by an umbrella; then you should seek out the Boatyard Beach Club. This club is conveniently equipped with a restaurant and offers a range of fun water-based activities.

http://yourbesttraveler.com TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE TRAVEL

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nagib_Georges_Araman/2070485

Barbados_Jewish_Museum

Barbados is not a location that one generally associates with Jews but yet in Bridgetown there is the Nidhei Israel Synagogue and Nidhei Israel Museum located appropriately on Synagogue Lane, very near the main shopping streets of James Street and Swan Street. While one may not associate Jews with Barbados, the island has a Jewish history that goes back to 1654, when Sephardic Jews came as refugees from religious persecution in Dutch Brazil. It is the arrival of these refugees that really spurred the development of the sugarcane industry in Barbados as they brought with them their knowledge of the cultivation and production of sugarcane.

While some of the Jews settled in Speightstown, most settled in Bridgetown as merchants and constructed their synagogue in 1654. The cemetery that lies just outside and almost surrounds the synagogue with its raised graves is believed to be the oldest graveyard in the Western Hemisphere with graves dating back to 1660. Some of the grave stones are inscribed in Hebrew, English and Ladino, a blend of Spanish and Hebrew spoken in the Sephardic community. The synagogue was destroyed in a hurricane in 1831 and then rebuilt, however with outward migration of the Jewish community the building fell into disrepair and eventually was sold in 1929. After multiple owners the building again fell into disrepair and in 1983 it was seized by the Barbados Government. After two years of petitioning by the small local Jewish community, the Government turned the building over to the Barbados National Trust. 

In 1986, the renovation of the building began and eventually the building was reconsecrated as a synagogue and called the Nidhei Israel Synagogue which means Synagogue of the Scattered of Israel. In 2008, the Nidhei Israel Museum was opened on the same compound. This museum depicts the history of the Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews in Barbados.

Barbados_Wildlife_Reserve_and_Grenade Hall

By Brian Ramsey

Almost every Caribbean child knows the story of the tortoise and the hare, however many have never seen a tortoise and even less have seen a hare. Well at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve you can actually see the tortoise and the hare.

 This wildlife reserve is located along the route to the east coast of Barbados in the northern parish of St Peter. It is in a natural mahogany forest across the road from the Farley Hill National Park. Here the animals are in the open in a natural environment, allowing you the opportunity to stroll through the reserve and observe them in their natural habitat. There are cages for some animals, reptiles and birds but these are few with the majority being able to roam freely. The Reserve has over 100 mammals, more than 10 different species of reptiles, and over 470 birds. Among the birds are parrots, macaws, flamingoes, peacocks, brown pelicans and sparrows. Many of these birds are in a large walk-through aviary allowing you to wander among them. In another section of the property there are collections of budgerigars and love birds. Throughout the grounds, guinea fowl wander freely. There is also a salt-water aquarium built in to the snack bar, housing an assortment of tropical fish.

Among the animals and reptiles to be seen at the wildlife reserve are Green Monkey, Red Brocket Deer, Cuban Iguanas and Red-footed Tortoise. The green monkeys found in Barbados originally came from Senegal and the Gambia in West Africa approximately 350 years ago. These are a species of the vervet monkey and it is believed that they came as pets onboard the slave ships. About 75 generations have occurred since these monkeys arrived in Barbados and, as a result of environmental differences and evolution, the Barbados monkeys today have different characteristics than those in West Africa. There are now between five thousand and seven thousand monkeys in Barbados. The top side of the fur of the vervet monkeys varies from pale yellow through grey-green brown to dark brown, while the lower portion and the hair ring around the face is whitish yellow. The face, hands, and feet are hairless and black. The fur has specks of yellow and olive green, which in some lights, give the fur an overall green appearance ... hence, the name the "Green Monkey". The monkeys at the reserve live freely, wandering through the grounds and in the adjoining Grenade Hall Forest plus among nearby plantations. They are semi-arboreal and semi-terrestrial, spending most of the day on the ground feeding but also spending time in the trees playing, feeding and grooming, and then sleeping at night in the trees. A good time for seeing these monkeys is at 2pm daily when food is laid out in the reserve and the troop converges at the feeding trays. There are however a few monkeys kept in cages so that visitors can be assured of seeing them.

Brocket Deer are a group of deer species of the Mazama genus found in South America and the Yucatán Peninsula. They are small in size and dwell primarily in forests. They have small rounded bodies, ranging from 70 to 140 cm in length, and usually have a light or dark brown coloration. Weight ranges from 8 to 30 kg. The antlers are short and are shed very infrequently. The species seen at the Barbados Wild Life Reserve are the Red Brocket (M. americana) which is the largest species of Brocket Deer, weighing up to 30 kg. It has a reddish-brown coat.

The opening hours for the reserve are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily with the last admission at 4:00 p.m. A refreshment bar is open daily and a restaurant/snack bar is open Tuesday to Thursday. Your entrance fee to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve also gives you admission to the adjoining Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station which are within walking distance of the reserve.

Within the Grenade Hall Forest there is a pathway that winds down a slight incline and through the forest. The path allows visitors to explore the diversity of trees and plants and throughout there are signs that explain the origins and medicinal properties. As you wander along the green monkeys may be seen moving overhead on the branches. If at the conclusion of your walk you are in need of refreshment, there is a snack bar at the entrance to the forest and benches for your rest before you proceed to the signal station.

The Grenade Hall signal station was originally constructed in 1819 as one of a group of signal stations used for communication across the island. These towers were constructed in strategic locations around the island on high ground and that now provides amazing views making them the perfect vantage points for appreciating the natural beauty of the island. In addition to the view however the Grenade Hall signal station provides a brief history of the military units that were stationed in Barbados.

Barbados_Lighthouses

Barbados has four lighthouses, literally on the four corners of the island and they are an interesting addition to the places to visit in Barbados. Each of these lighthouses is fairly easy to get to and each provides a magnificent view.

Harrison Point Lighthouse has been in existence since 1925 and is located at Harrison Point the most north-westerly point of Barbados in the parish of St Lucy, about 8 km (5 mi) north of Speightstown. The lighthouse rises to a height of 193 feet (59m) and stands alone on the edge of a flat plain overlooking the blue Caribbean Sea. Looking inland you see the sugar cane fields and then in the distance the land rises in a line of low hills. The road as you get close to the lighthouse has been worn with age and in parts the scrub has grown tall on the sides of the road but the road is still navigable. Close to the Harrison Point lighthouse is a compound that has gone through several uses. It has been used as temporary housing for the prison inmates who burnt down the Glendairy prison, as a base for the Barbados Youth Service and as a Police training facility. The original use of this compound however was as a United States Naval Facility. Commissioned on 1 October 1957, with a complement of about 12 officers and about 88 enlisted personnel the Naval Facility (NAVFAC) Barbados was operated by the United States Navy for twenty-two years and was officially decommissioned on 31 March 1979. On 6 July 1962, NAVFAC Barbados made the first detection of a Soviet Nuclear submarine as it crossed over the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.

Needham's Point Lighthouse is located at the south end of Carlisle Bay, southwest of the capital, Bridgetown. Built in 1855, this lighthouse is 13 m (43 ft) in height with an octagonal masonry tower with a lantern and gallery. Needham's Point Lighthouse is probably the easiest lighthouse in Barbados to visit as it is on the grounds of the Hilton Hotel directly on the beach front. The hotel has restored the lighthouse and painted its exterior.

South Point Lighthouse was the first lighthouse to be constructed in Barbados. In 1851 this lighthouse was exhibited at Londons Great Exhibition, then taken apart and transported to Barbados where it was reassembled and installed in 1852. South Point Lighthouse rises to a height of 189 feet and is a landmark, with its red and white horizontal bands, that is easily spotted from many points along the south coast of the island. Located in the residential district of Atlantic Shores, just to the east of Miami Beach in Oistins.

The East Point Lighthouse is located at Ragged Point which is about 2 km (1.2 miles) northwest of East Point, the easternmost point of Barbados. Built in 1875 to a height of 213 feet (65 meters) it is situated on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic ocean. From the grounds around the East Point lighthouse there is a magnificent view of the Atlantic ocean and the cliffs of the east coast.

One of the nice aspects of Barbados lighthouses is that it is easy to combine a visit to the South Point and Ragged Point lighthouses, in fact you can visit all four in one day.

Welchman_Hall_Gully

Welchman Hall Gully is one of the interesting attractions in Barbados and provides an opportunity to take a walk through nature while learning about the flora and geology of Barbados. Welchman Hall Gully was once part of a plantation owned by a Welshman called General William Asygell Williams over 200 years ago. Hence the name Welchman Hall gully. It was General Williams who first developed the gully with exotic trees and an orchard. In 1962, the Barbados National Trust bought the gully as their first property purchase.

Welchman Hall Gully is located 885 feet (270 meters) above sea level and is 3/4 mile long, divided into 6 sections. The walkway through the gully is paved and shaded by the many trees that grow in the area. There is a small fee for entry into the gully and a guidebook can be purchased at the entrance that highlights over 50 plants and features in the gully. As you walk through the area you will observe that there are signs on many of the trees making them easy to identify and the guidebook has good descriptions of the plants and their uses. One section in the gully is called Nutmeg Walk and is the only nutmeg grove is Barbados with many of the trees believed to be over 100 years old. The Gully has specimens of the three species of palms that are native to Barbados plus other palms that were introduced to the island.

Welchman Hall Gully is believed to have originally been an underground cave and the roof of the cave collapsed creating the gully. It is thought to have once been part of the Harrison's Cave complex before the roof collapse. While strolling through the gully you can still see many interesting stalactites and stalagmites. Two troupes of Green Monkeys inhabit the area around the gully and at feeding time descend to a feeding station that has been created so that visitors can view them.

Welchman Hall Gully is located near the centre of Barbados, in the parish of St. Thomas and is a ten-minute drive along Highway 2 going north from Everton Weeks Roundabout located on the ABC Highway in Warrens. Once on Highway 2 it is fairly easy to find the Gully as you simply have to follow the signs along the road pointing to either Harrison's Cave or Welchman Hall Gully as the gully is close to Harrison's Cave. This route will bring you to the southern end of the gully.

There are three designated snorkeling areas in Barbados with two of them located on the west coast in the Folkstone Marine Park and the third on the south coast in the Carlisle Bay Marine Park.

The Folkstone Marine reserve was established in 1981 for the promotion of science. This reserve consist of a Scientific Zone, Northern Water sports Zone which facilitates water skiing, jet skiing, para-sailing etc, a Recreational Zone which facilitates snorkeling, fishing, swimming etc and a Southern Water sports Zone which like the Northern zone also facilitates water skiing, jet skiing, para-sailing. You will find that the inshore reef found in the Recreational Zone of the Park is ideal for snorkeling. Also of benefit is its close proximity to the shore. It is located about one-third of a mile offshore. This reef is home to schools of brightly colored fish and other marine life, including sea anemones, sea lilies, corals and sponges.

The second designated snorkeling area is also located in the recreational zone at the Folkstone Marine Reserve, a little way from the beach at Holetown. There is an artificial reef in this second area which was created from a barge that has been sunk in the reserve. This area attracts a wide variety of marine life such as chubs, snappers and squirrelfish.

The third designated snorkeling area in Barbados is located at the Carlisle Bay Marine Park on the south coast. In this reserve there are no natural reefs but you will find a number of shipwrecks, swarming with a plethora of beautiful tropical fish including Frog Fish and Sea Horses and other more common reef fish.

For the scuba diving enthusiast, apart from the reefs there are numerous sunken ships to explore. A popular reef dive site on the west coast of Barbados is Dottins Reef near Holetown. The site is characterized by huge coral reefs that attract bright and colorful fish that aren't particularly afraid of people. The Dottins Reef offers a dive of 40 to 60 feet. Another reef dive site on the west coast is Little Sandy Lane, located just off Sandy Lane. This reef is frequented by Barracuda and other smaller tropical fish. There's also a possibility of seeing lobsters on the reef but they have a tendency to camouflage themselves between the cracks. This reef offers a diving depth of 90ft.

Maycocks Bay on the northwest coast of Barbados features several coral reefs separated by large stretches of white sand; divers can see about 100 feet or more down these natural underwater halls. Also on the west coast is the 365 foot Greek freigher, Stravronikita, that was deliberately sunk in 1978 to form an artificial reef and this wreck is now home to numerous fish and corals. The Stavronikita lies in 120ft of water with the stern at 100ft and the bow at 70ft.

On the southwestern coast of Barbados is Carlisle Bay, which is a natural harbor that has been turned into a marine park. Carlisle Bay is great for wreck diving with four wrecks of particular interest being the Berwyn, Eilon, C-Trek and Fox. In 2002 the Bajan Queen was sunk to add a fifth wreck. At Carlisle Bay you can find relics from ships including cannonballs, cannons and anchors.

Bell Buoy on the south coast off Accra Beach, is a coral reef formed in the shape of a dome with brown coral tree forests, and is home to a large number of fish including angel fish, chromis, and parrot fish. This reef offers diving between 20 feet to 60 feet. When married with the natural bright sunlight, its shallow depth makes it an enviable place for photography.

Silver Bank on the south coast off Brighton Beach is located in 60 to 80 feet of water and offers an abundance of tropical fish, Sea fans and beautiful coral formations.

Cute is the word that describes them and they are found everywhere in Barbados; the chattel house. These small wooden houses are representative of a time when the Barbadian economy was dominated by agriculture and the land owners had all the economic power. The versatility of these homes however has allowed them to endure.

A chattel house is a small moveable wooden house that the working classes of Barbados would live in, reflective of today's "tiny houses" in the U.S. In the days of the large plantations workers did not own land and knew that in the event of any dispute with their employer they could be thrown off the land on which they resided. Thus they erected small wooden houses that could be moved from one location to another. They were built without nails to allow easy disassembly and placed on large stones or blocks.

The roofs were usually steep gable roofs to allow the rain water to quickly run off and also the steep angle deflected the wind rather than allowing the wind to get under the roof and lift it off.

These houses often started out as one rectangular building but over time additions would be made to the home as economic circumstances allowed. So today when one looks at a chattel house you sometimes see multiple roofs or sections of the house at slightly different heights or sections with a different pattern.

As to where the name came from, well the word "chattel" means moveable property and the house was the moveable property of the worker, hence chattel house.

Dover Beach is on the south coast of Barbados at the eastern end of St Lawrence Gap. The Gap as it is simply called is an entertainment hot spot that comes alive at night. There are Bars, restaurants, roadside food stalls, hotels and convenience stores. Lower down the Gap is the quieter side of St Lawrence Gap. There are still bars along this eastern side but they are interspersed among hotels, condominiums and other businesses and these bars tend to have smaller less noisy crowds. The quieter side begins at the football field opposite which is a public beach facility. At the beach there are water sports, beach chair rentals, toilets, showers, concessionaires selling drinks, snacks and food.

Barbados_Green_Monkeys

The most abundant form of wild life in Barbados is the Green Monkey. These monkeys originally came from Senegal and the Gambia in West Africa approximately 350 years ago. They are a species of the vervet monkey and it is believed that they came as pets onboard the slave ships and some escaped into the wild. About 75 generations have occurred since these monkeys arrived in Barbados and, as a result of environmental differences and evolution, the Barbados monkeys today have different characteristics than those in West Africa. There are now between five thousand and seven thousand Green Monkeys in Barbados.

The name Green Monkey comes from the physical appearance of the monkey. The top side of the fur of the vervet monkeys varies from pale yellow through grey-green brown to dark brown, while the lower portion and the hair ring around the face is whitish yellow. The face, hands, and feet are hairless and black. The fur has specks of yellow and olive green, which in some lights, give the fur an overall green appearance ... hence, the name the "Green Monkey".

The Green Monkey is semi-arboreal and semi-terrestrial, spending most of the day on the ground feeding but also spending time in the trees playing, feeding and grooming, and then sleeping at night in the trees. These monkeys live in family troupes with the parents and the young. The females are quite maternal, carrying their young on their bellies or chest, constantly covered by one protecting arm. They are somewhat shy and retreat if you get too close. At times they have arguments among themselves and then you can hear them crashing through the trees as they chase each other from branch to branch

These monkeys are indeed the most abundant form of wildlife in Barbados and can be seen wandering through the backyards of many homes, especially if there are fruit bearing trees in those yards. They are especially attracted to Mango, Almond and Banana trees. These monkeys are also seen along the coast near some hotels if the area has many fruit trees. On the south coast you can see them at the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary in the trees at the entrance. One of the best places for seeing these monkeys is the Barbados Nature Reserve. The monkeys at the Nature Reserve live freely, wandering through the grounds and in the adjoining Grenade Hall Forest plus among nearby plantations. A good time for seeing these monkeys is at 2 pm daily when food is laid out in the Nature Reserve and the troop converges at the feeding trays. There are however a few monkeys kept in cages so that visitors can be assured of seeing them. Another good location for seeing these monkeys is at Welchman Hall Gully during the morning and evening feeding times.

Barbados_Kite_Flying

Easter is kite flying time in Barbados, everywhere you look there are kites flying in the sky. While the manufactured kites in shapes of birds, dinosaurs and dragons are seen, the traditional Bajan kite still rules the skies. The traditional Bajan Kite is a hexagonal shaped kite that is known in other islands as a Mad Bull. These very colourful kites are sold everywhere; every street corner has a stand selling these kites. Kite packages come complete with tails and string, so you just purchase, look for an open area with a strong wind and fly.
 
 

All through the Easter school holidays children can be seen flying kites but Easter Monday is the high point when the skies above Barbados are filled with kites. There are kite flying competitions, with two of the best known being at the UWI Cave Hill campus and at the Garrison Savannah. Although these two are the best known, there are competitions everywhere from St Lucy down to Oistins. Every cricket field and open area is filled with people flying kites. Some of the competitions are organised by Sports and Cultural Clubs in the various areas. In some areas there is music and Barb-B-Q cooking on the side while grandmothers sit in the shade and watch the children. Even in areas where there are no competitions the skies are adorned with kites. Very often it is mothers and fathers showing their young ones how to master the art and at the same time reliving their youth.

So if you are in Barbados during Easter either make your own kite or stop by a stall and buy one then take to the air.

St_Nicholas_Abbey

One of the most striking features about St Nicholas Abbey is the area around the roadway and entrance to the plantation. A profusion of mahogany trees and cabbage palms surround the road enveloping you in coolness and shade and the chirping of numerous birds. Many of these trees would have been planted in the mid 1700's by Sir John Gay Alleyne, one of the previous owners. St Nicholas Abbey is a functioning sugar plantation that produces sugar and a unique light sipping rum. Visiting St Nicholas Abbey is however much more than simply seeing fields of sugar cane, it is being transported back in time and also learning the fascinating process of making rum.

The St Nicholas Abbey plantation came into being in the 1600's and initially it was actually two separate plantations owned by two business partners. Benjamin Berringer owned a plantation known as Berringer's Plantation and in 1658 he built the Jacobean mansion that exists today on the property. John Yeaman owned the adjoining property known as Greenland. It is said that Yeaman constantly lusted after Berringer's wife and in 1661 as a result of an argument with his wife, Berringer moved to the town of Speightstown. Within weeks of the move, Berringer was dead of suspected poisoning and Yeaman had married Berringer's wife Margaret. With that marriage the present property of 365 acres became one under the name Yeaman's Plantation. Eventually the property was inherited by Margaret's grand-daughter who refused to keep the property in the name of the man who she believed had murdered her grandfather so the name was changed to Nicholas Plantation.

The original house from 1658 still exist and visitors to St Nicholas Abbey are able to walk through the house and see the antiques that date from the 1800's including the Wedgewood tea sets, English Coalport China, Minton China, Chippendale staircase and furniture from the 1800's. Also in the house are souvenirs from the 1800s and portraits of several of the previous owners. Adjoining the Great House is a small museum with Amerindian artifacts and other historic documents linked to the plantation. In the courtyard between the Great House and the Museum are the original bathhouse and outdoor toilets plus a 400 year old Sandbox Tree.

As fascinating as the historic plantation house is, St Nicholas Abbey is a rum producing operation and for alcohol connoisseurs the rum production is the highlight of a visit to this historic property. The Abbey crushes its canes the old fashioned way using a steam mill. The original mill was installed in 1890 but the present mill was purchased in 1983 and then restored in 2006. The steam mill is used to crush sugar cane from December to May. After crushing the cane juice is converted into syrup and then fed into the Distillery. On the property in the distillery is a traditional pot still and rectifying column with its copper vessels that is used to convert the cane syrup into the light sipping rum. During a visit to St Nicholas Abbey you can also see the rum aging in bourbon barrels.

Barbados_Churches

As one drives around Barbados, you are struck by the proliferation of churches and the grandeur of some of the churches. Many of the larger buildings are Anglican churches and this is understandable as the Anglican Church was the first official religion in Barbados. In an 1871 survey it was reported that 90% of the population was Anglican, today this percentage has declined to 33% but the impressive Anglican churches that were constructed over the years have remained. However the Anglican Church is not the only denomination that has impressive churches in Barbados.

St Lucy Parish Church

The St Lucy Parish Church sits surrounded firstly by a huge car parking area and then by a cemetery that reaches up to the walls of the church with many trees shading the graves. Wandering through the grounds of the cemetery reveals that this church has been in existence for centuries.

St. Lucy is one of the six parishes created by Governor Sir William Tufton and the first Church was built of wood in 1627 but destroyed in a hurricane. The second Church was built in 1741 of sawn stone but was also destroyed in a hurricane in 1780.  The third Church was again destroyed by hurricane in 1831.  The present church which is the fourth built on this site was constructed in 1837 in the Georgian style that is seen throughout Barbados. The characteristic tower dominates the front of the church.

St James Parish Church

The St James Parish Church is adjacent to the Folkestone Marine Park. This marine park on the west coast of Barbados is the scene of many picnics on Holiday weekends when Barbadians gather to relax, eat and enjoy the company of each other. The park has numerous picnic tables scattered under the large trees that dot the grounds. The beach has the typical clear blue sheltered water found on the west coast of Barbados. That sheltered water is due to a reef which lies a short distance off shore and a visit to Folkestone can easily include a snorkeling swim as snorkel equipment is available for rental at the beach. Either before or after your swim you can easily visit the St James Parish Church as the church grounds border the park so you can simply walk onto the church grounds.

The St James Parish Church is believed to be the first church erected in Barbados. English settlers arrived in Barbados in 1627 at Holetown and in 1628 a wooden church was built at this site which is close to Holetown. A hurricane in August 1675 destroyed the wooden structure and so in the 1690’s a stone building was constructed. This building lasted for almost 200 years and then in 1874 reconstruction work was done which resulted in the present building.

One of the attractive features of this church is its stained glass windows. In one window the ascension of Christ into heaven before his disciples is displayed with the disciples clustered around below Christ while the kingdom of heaven opens above His head. Another window represents 'The Baptism of the Ethopian, by St. Philip' with the two figures surrounded by lush landscape in the form of the seaside, palm trees and vegetation. A third window is a more modern theme displaying a garden's colour: the many splendored hues of tropical blooms, open sky and various greens and browns of the foliage, branches and the earth intermingled with water.

There is a popular legend attached to St. James' Church, that a gate in the north wall surrounding the churchyard, referred to as 'The Devil's Gate' is opened about one hour before service. When the bell is rung the Devil leaves the church by this gate, and it is closed as the service is about to begin, so that the Devil is excluded from the area. This must have been derived from the old belief that church bells were rung to drive the devil out of the building.

St John Parish Church

The St John’s Parish Church is at a dramatic location being on the edge of a cliff with a fantastic view of the east coast of Barbados. The architecture differs from many of the other Anglican churches in Barbados in that its design is Gothic rather than Georgian. The first church building was a wooden structure that was destroyed by fire in 1676 and replaced with a stone structure. Unfortunately hurricanes in 1780 and 1831 destroyed successive buildings until the current church was constructed in 1836.

 The church building is open to the public from 9am to 5pm each day. Apart from the beauty of the overall structure some of the notable features of St John’s Parish Church are the reddish-brown pulpit that was hand carved from Ebony, Locust, Barbados Mahogany, Manchineel, Oak and Pine, that the floor of the church is paved with ancient memorial tablets, which were saved from earlier versions of the building, and a Madonna and Child sculpture by Richard Westmacott that stands to the left of the main entrance.

On the grounds of the church is a small outlet where booklets on the history of the church plus snacks can be purchased and there are benches where you can relax and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. The cemetery is filled with many old tombs that include a descendant of Constantine the Emperor and the late Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon David John Howard Thompson

St Mary’s

St Mary’s Church is located in Bridgetown the capital of Barbados, at the intersection of Fontabelle and Cumberland Street, near to the Cheapside Public Market. Built in the Georgian style common in Barbados, this is one of the oldest and finest churches in the island.

The church was built in 1825 on the site of the original St Michael’s Church. It was consecrated by Bishop William Hart Coleridge on July 27, 1827. Built entirely of brick, it was one of the few to survive the Great Hurricane of 1831. Outstanding features include the charming, jalousied south porch, the elaborate font, and the decorated, barrel-vaulted ceiling.

James Street Methodist Church

One church that breaks the pattern of the grand churches being Anglican is the Hanover Methodist Church on James Street in Bridgetown. The first Methodists in Barbados came in 1789 but the sugar planters thought that they were anti-slavery and persecuted the church. This persecution reached a high point in 1823 when the Methodist Chapel on James Street was demolished and burnt. Fortunately for us today, that chapel was rebuilt in 1848.

James Street is a busy shopping street in Bridgetown with small boutiques and many vendors sitting on the pavement with their wares on display. The area can be very hectic especially on a Saturday morning, however the James Street Methodist Church sits back from the pavement with an aura of calm in the midst of the shopping hubbub. The building is essentially a Georgian building with a Palladian port of three arches, pedimented front and rose window. While the exterior is attractive it is the interior that captivates the eye. While we can seek to describe with words we prefer to let each reader see the beauty with the photo below.

Interred at the James Street Methodist Church is the body of Sarah Ann Gill, Barbados first female national hero. Sarah Ann Gill was born in February 1795 to a black mother and a white father (Gill), and baptized with the name Ann. Because of her black mother and the racism prevalent in Barbados at the time she was not allowed to participate in the social and economic life of the society. Sarah married Alexander George Gill, like her, of mixed ancestry, and inherited property from him at his death when she was 28 years old. When the Methodist Church sent missionaries to Barbados early in the 19th century, Sarah embraced this faith and when white planters succeeded in ousting the missionaries from Barbados, she opened her home as a church and kept the faith going, against physical abuse — at one time shots were fired at her home. She donated the land on which the James Street Church, the first Methodist Church, was built in Barbados. For her exploits in standing firm against oppression in a society in which she was unlikely to find support firstly, as a non-white person, and, secondly, as a woman; she was named as a national heroine. The name Sarah was conferred on her by the Methodist Church in gratitude for her service and in recognition of the pivotal role she played, like Sarah of the Bible.

Providence Methodist Church

Providence Methodist Church located in the village of Providence in the parish of Christ Church, is another of the many examples of beautiful church architecture found throughout Barbados.

 St Phillip Church

The St Phillip Church is located just off Hwy 4B in Cottage Vale, in the parish of St Phillip and opens every day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first church was damaged by a hurricane in 1780 and rebuilt in 1786 but that building was destroyed in a hurricane in 1831. A new church was built in 1836 but damaged by fire in 1977. The building was restored in 1979 and stands today in the midst of a grove of Mahogany trees.

Codrington College

The sweeping view of the east coast of Barbados makes Codrington College one of the places to visit in Barbados, if only for the view as it offers one of the most spectacular views of the East Coast of Barbados. This is a theological college built in the 1700’s and in keeping with its mission it is a very tranquil setting that is soothing for the soul. The entrance to the College is very dramatic with the driveway being lined with majestic cabbage palms and facing the main building. As part of the grounds, there is an extensive lily pond and nature path that is very relaxing to stroll along.

Codrington College is the oldest Anglican theological college in the Western Hemisphere having been built in 1743 after Christopher Codrington had bequeathed his estate and considerable money at his death in 1710. According to the College's web site "Christopher Codrington III (1668-1710), the benefactor after whom Codrington College is named, was the son of a very prominent Barbadian, Christopher Codrington II, who was at one time Governor General of the Leeward Islands.  He spent most of his boyhood at Consetts, the site of the present College.  After joining his father in Antigua for a short while, Christopher Codrington III went to England where he took a degree at Oxford University.  He served in the Army for sometime before returning to the Leeward Islands to succeed his father as Governor General.  His policy of amelioration of the poor whites and slaves brought him into disfavor of the plantocracy.  Consequently, he gave up the position of Governor and returned to Barbados to live in retirement at Consetts in St. John.  In his will he had left to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel the estates at Society and Consetts.  One of the purposes of the bequest was that there should be maintained a number of professors who should be obliged to teach medicine, surgery and divinity".

The College was designed by Colonel Christian Lilly, a famous English architect, who began the design in 1713 and completed them two years later. The construction started immediately upon completion of the designs but was not completed until 1743 and in 1745 Codrington College opened as a grammar school with 17 pupils. In 1830 the college became a university level institution.

Barbados Cricket Museum

In Barbados, cricket is almost a religion, which is not surprising considering the number of world famous cricketers that were born and nurtured in Barbados. Given the importance that cricket has played and continues to play in the psyche of Barbados, the island has created a museum that is dedicated to cricket and is located at Herbert House, Fontabelle, St Michael, the home of the Cricket Legends of Barbados Inc. The museum is close to Barbados’ home of cricket, Kensington Oval and also close to the Sea Port, and offers information to cricket fans and visitors alike who are interested in the history and heritage of Barbados cricket.

The Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum is filled with nostalgic photos and priceless memorabilia of some of the greatest players in the history of cricket, with some of the memorabilia dating back to the early 1900s. As one enters the museum, they are greeted by pictures of the many legends of cricket, with eight of those members on the wall considered icons for their sterling and outstanding performances throughout the years. These Icons are Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Reverend Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, Seymour Nurse, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Joel Garner. Under each portrait is their statistics and a brief biography.

In the Heritage Room, there are exhibits dating back to 1895 and one will learn about the early masters of Barbados cricket. The Icons Room has collections from Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge, the game’s most notable opening pair. There is also a display dedicated to Sir Garfield Sobers, the game’s greatest all-rounder. There is a Press Gallery where old newspaper clippings commemorate the contribution of the media to the development and promotion of cricket. The Cellars depict different aspects and historical moments such as new Kensington Oval, old Kensington Oval and Sabina Park.

The museum is open from Monday to Friday at 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special opening hours usually apply when international matches are being played at the nearby Kensington Oval. In addition to the museum there is also a gift shop and The Pavilion Bar and Restaurant. The gift shop offers a range of West Indies apparel as well as Cricket Legends branded wear for men, women, children and babies. There are T-shirts, polo shirts, autographed miniature bats, autographed cricket balls, books, games, prints and more.

Oistins, the perfect place for Partying

“Strong or not too strong?” asked the barman, smiling wildly and clutching a large bottle of rum. I weighed up my options and decided to err on the side of caution. The night, after all, was young.

“Sorry, you’ve come to the wrong place,” he laughed, handing me a glass of rum punch that was significantly more rum than punch. I took a sip of the potent brew, winced slightly, then took another as my feet began to tap to the calypso beat.

Welcome to Oistins - Barbados’s wildest night out. Every Friday evening, this fishing village on the south shore bursts into life with locals and visitors arriving in search of finely-cooked fresh fish and strong rum. Music plays, people dance and the smells of sizzling swordfish steaks and barbecued blue marlin fill the balmy air.

Oistins is strictly a no-frills affair. Dozens of rustic outdoor stalls stand just a stone’s throw from the beach where waves gently lap against old wooden fishing boats.

But what Oistins lacks in finesse, it makes up for with sheer sensory overload. The mood was jovial, electric and infectious. Smiling people strolled around armed with bottles of Banks beers and glasses of tropical-coloured cocktails; the night was alive with the sounds of reggae and singing. Smoke spiralled into the dark and starless sky while flashes of flames sparked brightly from nearby grills stationed by dancing chefs.

Blackboard menus made for mouth-watering reading with everything from kingfish to mahi -mahi and plenty for non-seafood fans, making choosing where to eat an impossible task. Pausing briefly to browse some of the handicraft stands I eventually settled on Uncle George’s – a spot favoured by native foodies.

Crowds had gathered in great numbers outside the small concrete hut. The snaking queue vanished out of sight while the chef frantically replenished peachy-pink shrimps on the giant barbecue illuminated by bare light bulbs.

After queueing and for about £7, I was handed a hearty portion of tender marlin, giant chargrilled potato wedges with salad and spicy mayo all served in a polystyrene container. I did say it was no-frills.

I devoured my feast on one of the wooden picnic tables as the crowd outside Uncle George’s continued to swell, hungry punters drawn by the appealing aromas of fried flying fish with breadfruit mash, to be washed down with a murky-looking drink called mauby, made from tree bark.

But there’s more to Oistins than its weekly fish fry that lasts into the early hours. Named after a wealthy English settler named Austin, the small community played a pivotal role in the nation’s history.

It was here in the 17th century that a battle broke out between Royalists and Cromwell’s Roundheads that later resulted in the formation of the Barbadian Parliament.

Lexie’s, just next door to Uncle George’s, was in full swing as I savoured the last morsel of marlin. Another Oistins institution and one of 1,600 rum shops on the island, this simple drinking hole painted in forest green is the place to go to throw some shapes whether you want to foxtrot or body-pop.

During the week, Lexie’s is the stomping ground of fishermen often overheard putting the world to rights as ballroom aficionados waltz across the dancefloor to the sounds of the 1950s. Come the weekend, however, things get wild.

Standing outside under the leafy palm trees, I watched in awe as a breakdancer showed off his skills spinning, flipping and moonwalking to great adulation.

Barely pausing for air between somersaults and back flips, he was no doubt burning off a seafood dinner. Taking a leaf from his book - albeit a far less strenuous one - I set off for a walk.

At the far end of Oistins, tension was running high. A game of dominoes was nearing its climax. The players - hunched around a small wooden table - sat enthralled. Pieces were slammed down, disputes broke out, laughter flowed.

As the dominoes were shuffled ahead of the next round, one man turned to face me and offered me a beer.

“No thanks,” I said, “I’m on the rum.”

“Good man,” replied the merry chap beside him.

“That’s how we doing things here. Welcome to the island!”

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