Day #6 - Barbados
HISTORY OF BARBADOS
The colonization of Barbados by the Arawak Indians from Venezuela is similar to what I have already written about. Click this link for more info:
There is a sea channel at the Northeastern part of Venezuela called “the mouth of the dragon” that leads to the Caribbean Islands we have visited on this cruise.
The gentle Arawaks were displaced by the more warlike Carib Indians who used poisoned arrows to paralyze their prey and opponents. The Portuguese came to Barbados en route to Brazil. It was at this time that the island was named Barbados (bearded-ones) by the Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos. It was named presumably from the appearance of the island’s fig trees, which have a beard-like appearance.
The first Europeans landed on the island in 1625, under the command of Captain John Powell who claimed the island on behalf of King James I. In 1627, Captain Powell established a settlement with 80 settlers and 120 slaves known as Jamestown (now Holetown.)
People with wealth were granted land holdings and soon the island was deforested to establish tobacco and cotton plantations. Later, sugar cane was added to the agriculture. Since these crops needed slave labor, indentured servants, with a labor term of 5-7 years were brought from Europe. With more labor needed, kidnapping was common, and convicted criminals were shipped to Barbados.
From 1644 to 1700, slave trade from Africa was established by the Dutch Merchants to fuel the growing sugar industry. The Barbadians dominated the Caribbean sugar industry in these early years. By 1720, sugar production in the Leeward Islands and Jamaica eclipsed sugar production from Barbados.
In 1816, there was a slave rebellion that culminated with abolishment of slavery in 1834. The freed slaves were required to serve a 4-year “apprenticeship” which meant they were required to work a 45-hour week in return for living in a small hut provided by the plantation owner. In 1838 at the end of the “apprenticeship”, 70,000 Barbadians of African descent took to the streets singing a Barbados folk song:
“Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin (Queen Victoria).
De Queen come from England to set we free
Now Lick an Lock-up Done Wid, Hurray fuh Jin-Jin “
The island gained full independence from Britain in 1966 but maintains ties to the British monarch.
GEOGRAPHY OF BARBADOS
The continental shelf island is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide at the widest point (166 square miles). It is composed of soft coral limestone that accounts for the gentle slopes and the white sand beaches. These limestone soils vary in fertility and are subject to erosion, washouts and landslides. There are few surface streams, however rainwater saturates the soils and forms underground channels such as the famous Coles Cave.
The population is about 279,000 and the largest city is Bridgetown where the cruise ships docks.
OUR DAY IN BARBADOS
The ship arrived at port at about 8 am and after breakfast, Earline and I were ready to go exploring. Ron & Nancy were still indisposed with a “do not disturb” card in their door.
When leaving the ship, you will encounter the usual line of taxis. However, the fares are regulated by the government, and it costs about $5 US to go from the cruise ship dock to the center of downtown. This distance is less than a mile, so we decided we needed some exercise and planned to walk it. It was an easy stroll and we stopped at a local food market to see what was offered. One thing readily apparent is the poor variety of produce and the small size of things like onions. We are spoiled living in California.
Of interest in the pharmacy section is an array of products that we don’t see often together in the USA. For example you can purchase Gentian Violet, Peppermint Oil and Menthol Crystals, another mint product in small bottles for cheap prices. I purchased the bottles shown below for $7.60 Barbados dollars = $ 3.80 US (2:1). I had never seen menthol crystals before but really haven’t gone looking for them either.
After walking down Princess Alice Highway into the downtown center, we were again hustled by people wanting to take us on tours. Instead, we walked away from the downtown center and encountered and interesting old church called St. Mary's. If you look on google maps, this is listed as St. Michael's for some reason.
We then set out to explore other areas of the city and found a street called Swan Street, that had only pedestrian traffic. It was on this street where Earline found a fabric store that sold beautiful cotton fabric for a fraction of the cost in the USA. She bought 6 yards of material for later use.
We then decided to walk towards the water and found Independence Square and the bridge for which Bridgetown is named. Taking a few pictures, we decided it was beer time and found Waterfront Cafe that overlooks a small harbor. The ambience was great, the beer was cold and inexpensive, and I would recommend this stopping point.
Google Map coordinates: Waterfront Cafe
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| Earline in Independence Square - Bridgetown, Barbados. The bridge is behind her. |
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| Independence Square Freedom Arch |
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| Earline found a dark beer at the Waterfront Cafe |
We then walked back along Wharf Road and walked towards the ship again. While on Hincks Street, we found a store that made beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand-dyed and hand-painted articles of clothing. It is known as Jenanya’s, and is at the junction of Hincks and the Princess Alice Hwy that takes you back to the ship. I bought a beautiful top for Earline for about $60 US cash. The owner could not process credit cards, as her daughter who knows about such things, was not there. She does have a Facebook page that you can order things from.
After returning to the ship, we got ready for dinner that was again another formal night. I did not want to wear my tuxedo, and I know Ron did not want to get dressed up, so I just wore a sport coat. Earline had to wear her new Jenyana top. I do not have a picture of her wearing it. The evening show was entitled “Jackpot”, but I really can’t remember if it was good or not. That must say something?
Here is a picture of Jenanya's handpainted fabric taken at a later date in Santa Cruz.
Here is a picture of Jenanya's handpainted fabric taken at a later date in Santa Cruz.
Tomorrow will be a sea-day as we sail back to San Juan, PR on our final cruise day.
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