Barbados

Barbados is located off the path beaten by the Caribbean Sea's hurricanes. Visit this enchanting island all year around. Accommodations are cheaper in official hurricane season but chances of hurricanes are very slim, an occasional tropical rain is the only reminder that the hurricane season is in full swing.

Barbados has a rich culture and incredible range of activities, such as sports events (cricket, polo, and golf) and a number of festivals, to keep you busy and entertained all year around.

Brief early history

Barbados was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples of the Americas, Amerindians, mainly Arawaks and Caribs. In the 1500's the Spanish and Portuguese chose to use the island as a stop-off point on their voyages Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos named the island Los Barbados ("bearded-ones") presumably, after the island's fig trees, which have a beard-like appearance.

In 1625 English Captain Henry Powell "discovered" the island by virtue of navigational error. He claimed Barbados in the name of the Crown. He returned in 1627, bringing with him 80 settlers and a number of slaves. The authorities in England were quick to recognize the value of the island and soon began shipping out large amounts of cannons, guns, ammunition and other equipment, resulting in Barbados now possessing the world's largest collection of English and European 17th century iron cannons. Barbados became the most prized colony of all the English possessions, Carlisle Bay was one of the busiest harbors in the world and the revenue from sugar was of paramount importance to the British economy.

	Bridgetown, Nelson statue. The bronze statue of Admiral Lord Nelson was erected in Barbados in 1813. It pre-dates the Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square in London by nearly 30 years. The square was named National Heroes Square in 1999.
	Bridgetown, Old Parliament Building behind the fountain. The Parliament Buildings of Barbados are located at the top of Broad Street.
	Bridgetown, downtown, Old Parliament Building on the back. In 2003, Bridgetown celebrated its 375th Anniversary, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the New World.
	Bridgetown, a street vendor. Barbados starchy staples are sweet potato, yam, breadfruit, eddo, green banana, cassava, potato as well as a variety of fresh vegetables.
	Bridgetown, people on the street.
	Bridgetown, start of Broad street. Broad street is a main shopping street in Bridgetown and an epicenter of its business activity.
	Bridgetown, Broad street.
	Bridgetown, duty free shops on Broad street. Barbados established itself as Tax Free Haven of the Eastern Caribbean.
	Bridgetown, delicious fast food restaurant Chefette on Broad street
	Bridgetown, smaller streets.
	Bridgetown, smaller streets.
	Northbound out of Bridgetown.
	Highway. One of key roundabouts of the island's highway system. Emancipation statue, also known as Bussa, by name of the leader of slave rebellion in 1816. Slavery was abolished in 1834, and apprenticeship (work without pay) was abolished in 1838. The Emancipation Statue was created by Bajan sculptor Karl Broodhagen in 1985. It symbolizes the breaking of the chains of slavery at Emancipation.
	Ocean Park Barbados marine aquarium. . Rain. The Aquarium is located in Christ Church parish. This is still a developing enterprise, which has a lot to offer. Displays include freshwater and saltwater fish, and a number of ponds and pools situated in a lush tropical garden.
	Garrison Historical Area, Garrison Savannah. To protect the island from the French threat, the British Army recruited black slaves who formed several Black Corps. By 1799 there were 12 such regiments, which were awarded the title of the West India Regiments. Conscripted slaves were freed and paid a regular wage. It happens when emancipation was some 50 years away. Nowadays the Garrison Savannah is recognized by the largest expanse of greenery seen on the south coast main road, by presence of horse racing track that circles its perimeter, and by unmistakable evidence of military history.
	Washington House Museum. George Washington, the future first President and a Founding Father of the United States, visited Barbados in 1751 as a 19-year old during his only ever trip outside America. He stayed in Bush Hill House, which is located within the Garrison Historical Area.
	Typical country road lined with sugarcane. Barbados' northern parish of St. Lucy boasts a rich 300-year history of rum production.
	Early times sugar mill. There are many ruins of old sugar mills around the island.
	Chattel house. "Chattel" means "movable property". These wooden houses were designed so that freed slaves and other workers, who did not own a patch of land, could easily move their houses between plantations, depending on where they got hired.
	Chattel house. The traditional houses are not anchored to the ground but rather stand on blocks or a groundsill. Also, they are made without nails, which allows for easy disassembling.
	St. John's church. This is classic gothic church situated on a cliff overlooking the east coast. It was built in 1836 to replace the previous church that had been destroyed by a hurricane in 1836.
	St. John's church. Ferdinando Paleologus, a descendant of Emperor Constantine the Great, whose family was driven from the throne of Constantinople by the Turks, was buried in the church's graveyard.
	St. John's church and cemetery. Ferdinando died in Barbados in 1678, after living on the island for over 20 years.
	St. John's church and cemetery.
	St. John's church and cemetery.
	St. John's church and cemetery.
	Bathsheba, East coast. Bathsheba is the main fishing village in the parish of Saint Joseph.
	Bathsheba, East coast. The large boulder that sits slightly offshore, known by some as Bathsheba Rock.
	Bathsheba, East coast.
	Bathsheba, East coast.
	Bathsheba, East coast.
	Bathsheba.
	Bathsheba.
	Bathsheba. Bathsheba beach is known as the Soup Bowl where local and international surfing competitions take place annually.
	The Lion at Gun Hill Signal Station. The Signal Station, built in 1818, is located in the parish of St. George. It is one of series of stations on the island that signal each other in arrival of the approaching ship. The statue of the lion was carved out of a single piece of rock in 1868 by an officer at the signal station.
	Barbados' rolling hills.
	Barbados' rolling hills.
	Barbados' rolling hills.
	Barbados' rolling hills.
	Black Belly goats.
	Barbados people.
	Barbados people.
	Barbados people.
	Barbados people.
	Barbados people.
	Barbados people.
	Barbados people.
	Barbados pottery, Monkey Pot. Monkey Pot is a jug-shaped utensil common throughout the Caribbean and used to keep water cool. Terracotta (not glazed) surface of the pot allows for a small seepage of water to the outside, the water evaporation cools the content.
	John Springer of Springer's pottery. John is one of Chalky Mount's most well known potters.
	Village of Chalky Mount is nested within the rugged hillsides that define the eastern landscape of Barbados.
	Village of Chalky Mount has been the home of the island's earthen-work industry, and today several families still continue this tradition.
	Fowl Bay beach, South East Coast. Barbados is surrounded by over 70 miles of palm-fringed beaches. The sand is either white or white with slight shade of pink because of its corals origin.
	Fowl Bay beach, South East Coast. Most beaches are publicly accessible. Calm safe beaches are located along West coast. Eastern waters are turbulent. South eastern waters can appear calm at first glance, but beneath the surface there are powerful and very dangerous undercurrents.
	Fowl Bay beach, South East Coast. This is very beautiful and isolated beach. Swimming is not recommended there.
	Barbados South East beach. Doomed mahogany trees.
	Barbados South East beach.
	Barbados North Point.
	Barbados North Point.
	Animal Flower Cave. The cave is located on the northmost cliffs of the island. It has several huge chambers filled with pools and beautiful rock formations. Sometimes waves bring sea anemones (animal flowers) that are retained in the cave's pools.
	Animal Flower Cave. There are several large openings with view on the wild and breathtakingly beautiful seascape.
	Animal Flower Cave. The road to the cave is very scenic: you will drive through picturesque villages, roll over the hills, and pass by jungle forest.
	Barbados North Point.