Barbados Oct. 3-10, 2009

Temperatures rarely dip below 75 or rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The name "Barbados"

comes from the Portuguese and refers to the bearded fig trees that grow wild all over the island.

 

English settlers first arrived in 1627 and quickly started planting cotton and tobacco. These crops were

not productive, but the introduction of sugarcane changed the face of the island and set its course in

history. Imposing plantation houses were built and farms established to grow and process sugar and

molasses for the production of rum. Now, in the 21st century, rum is still produced, and a few old plantation

houses survive, but today Barbados is most famous for its numerous exclusive resort hotels.

 

Barbados was first occupied by the British in 1627 and remained a British colony until internal autonomy

was granted in 1961. The Island gained full independence in 1966.

 

Barbados is 14 miles wide at the widest point and 21 miles long.

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View of the Hilton during our approach to the airport

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Perfect view of the beach and pools from our room.

Temperature in the high 80s, but so is the humidity!

 

Video from Room

Video 1 from beach    Video 2 from beach    Video 3 from beach   

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View from our room of Fort Charles

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October is the rainiest month in Barbados, but although we could see rain in the distance,

we only had rain a few evenings/nights and only for a few minutes during the day.

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The sandy beach and waves were a nice change from the calm Hilton pools and hot tub.

Water temp was in the mid 80s. You couldn't ask for a better area to relax and enjoy the ocean.

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Ahh, HAPPY HOUR!

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Free breakfast buffet every morning from the Lighthouse Terrace restaurant

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This is Fort Charles, part of the Hilton grounds. "Fort Charles is the oldest of the forts on the island,

built as wooden Needham's Fort in 1650, only 23 years after the settlement, to protect the royalist

island against attack by Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth army. The restoration of the monarchy in

1660 was marked by a prompt change of name to Fort Charles, after the new king. It was redesigned

and more heavily fortified in 1705, but remained part of the Barbados militia until 1836. Behind the

hotel is the British military cemetery."

 

Video - Fort 1    Video - Fort 2    Video - Fort 3    Video - Fort 4   

 

Video - Fort 5    Video - Fort 6    Video - Fort 7       

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How ironic...old fort, old fart!

And those are actually old cannons in the sand. I couldn't figure out which I liked,

so you'll see, Fort Charles was a favorite spot of mine to take pictures.

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A day at Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, about two miles from the Hilton

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Since they drive on the wrong side of the road and the roads are not that great, we

rented a taxi for six hours and created our own tour of the island.

 

Tour of the Mount Gay Rum Factory

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Part of the tour was sniffing rum during various stages of aging

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Uh oh...rum tasting...this is how our wine experience started!

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Earthworks is where they make much of the quality pottery sold on the island

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The Animal Flower Cave, located under the cliffs at the Northern tip of Barbados.

Steps take you down about 40 feet to reach this cave that opens up to the ocean.

Video - Cave 1     Video - Cave 2     Video - Cave 3    

Although the cave area isn't that big, they have a guide to help you and tell you about the cave.

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Above the cave

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Miscellaneous shots around the island. Sugar cane and rum making are big in this small island

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This is Oistin, a fishing village where they have a big fish fry every Friday. These little

shacks serve as various restaurants along a strip next to the open fish market.