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Introduction
The dramatic differences between the east and west coast must not be missed. The east (Atlantic side) is less developed and ruggedly beautiful. The west coast is the Caribbean side, where there is more hotel development, but the coastline remains elegant and attractive. The sea is calm and clear and this is the coast where watersports come into their own. Barbados is actively promoting ecotourism. The Barbados National Trust has implemented programmes to support this venture. Various hiking, cycling and walking events are available and information can be obtained from the Barbados National Trust, Wildey House, Wildey, St Michael, Barbados (tel: 436 9033 or 426 2421; fax: 429 9055; e-mail: natrust@sunbeach.net; website: http://trust.funbarbados.com).
Bridgetown: The island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1536, but throughout its colonial history, which ended with the Declaration of Independence in 1966, Barbados was under British sovereignty. This is strongly reflected in the old capital of Bridgetown which has a decidedly English character; so much so that there is even a miniature of London’s Trafalgar Square, complete with a statue of Lord Nelson. The city is small and there are many excellent walking tours. Places worth a visit include the Fairchild Market, St Michael’s Cathedral (built in 1789), Belleville, Government House, the Barbados Museum, the Old Synagogue and the Garrison Savannah. Temple Yard has a Rastafarian street market.
St John: There is a breathtaking view of the east coast from St John’s Parish Church. The church’s cemetery contains the grave of Ferdinando Paleologus, a possible descendant of the Byzantine Emperors.
Codrington College: Situated near Consett Bay, and one of the oldest schools of theology in the Western hemisphere, built in 1745.
Morgan Lewis Mill: Also in the east, this is a splendid example of a Dutch windmill from the days of the sugar cane planters. It has been completely restored and is open to the public.
Newcastle Coral Stone Gates: Situated in St Joseph, these gates were erected by 20th Century Fox for the film Island in the Sun, and the area affords a commanding view of the magnificent east coast beaches.
The East Coast Road: One of the most exciting drives on the island, with the Atlantic crashing over treacherous reefs on to the rugged and beautiful coast.
Andromeda Gardens: The array of exotic plants grown along terraced gardens makes this the prettiest area of St Joseph.
Welchman Hall Gully: Owned by the National Trust, this botanic garden in St Thomas is home to many rare fruit and spice trees.
Holetown (St James): The monument in the town gives the date of the founding of Barbados’ first settlement by the English as being 1605, although this event in fact took place in 1627. There are still a few structures dating from that time. St James, the first church, still retains a 17th-century font, and a bell inscribed ‘God bless King William, 1696’.
Harrison’s Cave (St Thomas): This eerie, luminous cavern makes a spectacular excursion. Completely lit, one can see every part from a special train which takes the visitor on a mile-long ride underground. It is open every day 0900-1600.
Flower Forest: A 50-acre botanical garden in which can be found almost every plant that grows on Barbados. The grounds offer pleasant walks and spectacular views of Chalky Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Hillaby.
Bathsheba: Small pastel-coloured houses cling to the chalky cliffs that rise above the Atlantic.
Potteries: This village is famous for its ceramic artworks.
Gun Hill Signal Station: Notable both for its splendid view of St George’s Valley and for the lion carved out of a rock by a British soldier in the days when Gun Hill was an army look-out point.
St George’s Church: Eighteenth-century, and worth a visit for its wonderful altarpiece.
Platinum Coast: This beautiful stretch of coast is also known as Millionaires Row. There are fine beaches of white sand and clear, turquoise waters.
Speightstown: Typical West Indian village, with attractive wooden houses, shops and old churches.
Animal Flower Cave: A cavern carved out by the sea with coral rock tinted almost every imaginable colour.
Farley Hill: Once a fine plantation house, now in ruins, still covered in hibiscus and poinsettias.
St Nicholas Abbey: Another plantation house, graced with Persian arches and well-kept gardens.
The Atlantic Coast: Take the inland road through sugar-cane country with little churches and tiny towns with pretty houses. See the dramatic view from Crane Beach.
Sam Lord’s Castle: Once an old plantation house, but now a hotel, beautifully decorated with furniture made from Barbados mahogany.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve: Wildlife, some indigenous and some introduced to the island, roams free in a mahogany forest. Animals that visitors may expect to see during their visit include green monkeys, tortoises, deer, wallabies, pelicans and otters. There is also a screened aviary where peacocks, turkeys, toucans, macaws, lovebirds, parrots and an iguana may be viewed.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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