Route to Animal Flower Cave
I was picked up from my hotel in a van at about 8:30 a.m. to go on a William tour of Barbados. There are numerous tour companies offering tours of Barbados––you have your pick. My fellow tour members were three other people from my hotel––an older American married couple and a young nurse from Miami––and a young couple from another hotel, all together only six of us. Our driver/guide was named Dwayne. I chose the photographer’s seat in the van––front seat on the left of the driver, as Barbados driving is on the left side of the road. We drove from the southern part of Barbados, where my hotel was located, to the very tip of the northern part of the island, where Animal Flower Cave is located. Barbados is a small island, only 166 square miles (431 square kilometers). We first drove toward Bridgetown (the capital of Barbados), along the Caribbean coastline, and then inland. Some houses along the way.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
This man was not only traveling along the road in his wheelchair, he was also talking on a cell phone while doing this.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Many people walk along the roadside.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Colorful buildings on the way to Bridgetown.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Colorful chattel house. A chattel house is built over a foundation, not attached to it. As many people own their houses but not the land that their houses are on, they build chattel houses, which can be easily picked up and moved to another location on a truck. We saw many chattel houses.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Front view of the chattel house.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
St. James Church. Each of the 11 parishes have an Anglican church––this church is located in St. James parish. Sixty–seven percent of the Barbadians are Protestants, most of them Anglicans.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
These are sheep––black belly sheep––not goats.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Closer–up view of the sheep. Dwayne, our guide, told us how to tell sheep from goats: goats carry their tails up and sheep carry their tails down.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
A town along the way.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Street market. People were selling fruits and vegetables along the sidewalks not only here but also on all the islands that we visited.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Boat in drydock on the Caribbean.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Bajan house.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Fish stand––fish will be sold here on the roadside after it is caught.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Sunbather. We were passing entrances to many upscale resorts along this route.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Passing though a strip of houses.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
More houses.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Convenience store.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Breadfruit tree in front of a house. Everything grows easily in the coral soil of Barbados.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Route to Animal Flower Cave
On the open road with sugarcane field on the left. The sugarcane has not been harvested yet because of the amount of rain that Barbados has been having. It rained last night so the soil is too wet to use the sugarcane harvesters.
Route to Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
We have arrived at the entrance to Animal Flower Cave. Animal Flower Cave is a large sea cave.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Entrance to the cave. The sign says: All persons visiting the cave and surrounding areas do so at their own risk.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
I looked at the steps that would take us down to the cave and thought “no sweat”––there were rails on either side to hold on to. The older married couple on our tour decided not to go into the cave.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Inside the cave. I didn’t realize that the rocks here were going to be wet and very slippery. Now I knew what the sign meant about “at your own risk.” I was having another “what did I get myself into” moment. Actually, I was very surprised as to how slippery the rocks were as two of the women I had had dinner last night had taken this tour yesterday and only mentioned how great the views were in the cave and one of these women was 80 years old. Maybe the rocks were extra slippery today because it had rained last night. I did slip once but only got one of my shoes wet in one of the puddles.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Here is our guide leading our group. The rocks were not slippery in this area, but still had to be carefully negotiated.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Another view inside the cave.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
And another view.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
A view of the Atlantic Ocean––we were on the Atlantic side of Barbados.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
View walking out of the cave. I made it into the cave by myself but I told our guide he would have to hold my hand going out––he did. I really was afraid of slipping and falling down.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
On our way out, we found out why this is called Animal Flower Cave––because of the sea anemones found in its rock pools. Photo of one of the sea anemones.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
A view of the Atlantic Ocean from the top of the cliff––looks somewhat like part of the California coast.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Another photo taken from the top of the cliff showing a colorful bench to sit on if you want to take in the view.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Another view taken from the cliff.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Souvenir stands on top of the cliff.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Close–up of one of the stands.
Animal Flower Cave
Animal Flower Cave
Souvenirs for sale.
Animal Flower Cave
Route to Cherry Tree Hill
Back on the road––we now headed down the eastern side of Barbados. We didn’t stop at these roadside souvenir stands.
Route to Cherry Tree Hill
Route to Cherry Tree Hill
Sugarcane fields on both sides of the road.
Route to Cherry Tree Hill
Route to Cherry Tree Hill
Going through a mahogany forest. The mahogany trees are now a protected species.
Route to Cherry Tree Hill
Cherry Tree Hill
We have arrived at the Cherry Tree Hill viewpoint––we are 850 feet above sea level. We also stopped here for a liquid break––choice: soda, juice, Banks beer (the Bajan beer), or rum punch. I had the rum punch, though perhaps I shouldn’t have as I was nicely buzzed for most of the rest of the tour. I was really surprised that alcoholic drinks were to be part of our tour, but no one was complaining about it.
Cherry Tree Hill
Cherry Tree Hill
We also were given the chance to buy some souvenirs. I was only allowed to take this photo if I bought a souvenir from him––I did, a necklace. But I also bought a wood wall hanging from another souvenir booth here but the vendor was not very photogenic.
Cherry Tree Hill
Cattle Wash
I believe that this area on the way to Bathsheba is known as Cattle Wash.
Cattle Wash
Cattle Wash
This was probably a good guess as here are the cattle.
Cattle Wash
Cattle Wash
One of the many windmills built by the Dutch to grind the sugarcane. I believe that this is one of the few working ones and is used only in a ceremony when the first sugarcane is harvested each year.
Cattle Wash
Cattle Wash
I am guessing that this is a sheep, not a goat, as I caught its tail in another photo while it was getting up and its tail was up.
Cattle Wash
Bathsheba
Coming into Bathsheba.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba
Some of the giant coral rocks on the beach at Bathsheba. This is the eastern side of Barbados, the Atlantic side. There are few hotels here as it is dangerous to swim in the Atlantic––many rip tides and sharks. However, there is surfing on this side and also international surfing competition.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba
More of the gigantic coral rocks.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba
An old building on the beach.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba
We ate lunch at this Bajan restaurant, a buffet of Caribbean food: chicken, fish, macaroni, brown rice, and what I thought were the most delicious mashed potatoes I had even eaten––they were breadfruit. We also had cake for desert. The jeeps in the photo are from Island Safari, a major competitor of Williams tours.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba
A photo of Dwayne, our tour guide/driver. He picked his own pose.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba
A view of Bathsheba from a cliff. I thought Bathsheba looked very similar to the California coast, though with more vegetation.
Bathsheba
Bathsheba
Another photo of Dwayne. The bus signs all throughout Barbados say either “To City” or “Out of City,” the city meaning Bridgetown.
Bathsheba
On the Road Again
A windmill house.
On the Road Again
St. John’s Church
The Gothic–style Anglican Church in St. John’s Parish, built in 1836.
St. John’s Church
St. John’s Church
Inside the church.
St. John’s Church
St. John’s Church
View of the steeple and the arches.
St. John’s Church
St. John’s Church
Interesting trees in the churchyard cemetery at the back of the church.
St. John’s Church
Sunbury Plantation House
Our last stop was at the Sunbury Plantation in St. Philip Parish. This sugarcane plantation house is over 300 years old. It was originally the house of Matthew Chapman, an Irishman, who was one of the first settlers of the island of Barbados. It had various subsequent owners and one of them renamed it Sunbury Plantation. The house has been open to the public since 1984. A fire in 1995 destroyed many of the original furnishings, but through aquistions, other period furnishings were obtained.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
The front parlor.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
Two statues in the front parlor. In 1835, there were 244 slave apprentices working at Sunbury. Slavery was abolished in Barbados in 1834, but slaves were not given their freedom until 1836. Between 1834 and 1834, the slaves were known as slave apprentices.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
The sunroom.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
The study.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
Old Bible.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
The dining room.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
A bedroom.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
Doll collection.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
Period costume.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
A bathroom.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
The basement.
Sunbury Plantation House
Sunbury Plantation House
The grounds. Before we headed back to our hotels, it was time again for liquid refreshments––soda, juice, Banks beer, or rum punch. I had soda as I was getting a bit concerned about spending so much of my time in Barbados somewhat soused.
Sunbury Plantation House
Rockley Beach Park
I was dropped off at my hotel but didn’t immediately climb up those 63 steps to my room. I walked down the street to an Internet cafe that I had located and e–mailed by family that I had survived the Williams tour. I also caught this photo of the coconut sellers across the street at Rockley Beach Park.
Rockley Beach Park
Rockley Beach Park
There were about five of these souvenir stands in the park in front of the beach.
Rockley Beach Park
Rockley Beach Park
Colorful souvenirs for sale.
Rockley Beach Park
Rockley Beach Park
More souvenirs for sale.
Rockley Beach Park
Rockley Beach Park
Caribbean necklaces for sale.
Rockley Beach Park
Bajan Roots and Rhythms
I went back to the hotel and climbed those 63 steps and took a deserved nap before being picked up to go to a dinner and show called Bajan Roots and Rhythms.
Bajan Roots and Rhythms
Bajan Roots and Rhythms
I was anticipating being able to take many movie clips during this show, but I was told when I got there that no photography of any kind would be allowed. As I was alone, a table was found for me to be seated at. I had a British couple and a sister of the wife to sit with. It was an enjoyable evening––the show (complete with limbo dancers and fire eaters) was good and the company was good. There was plenty of food to pick from at the buffet: chicken, beef, flying fish either fried or poached, macronic, potatoes, brown rice, beans, cake, coffe, and free drinks: I drank one rum punch and my glass was immediately refilled. I didn’t drink the refill. I did try the flying fish––fried, and it was very tasty. This photo shows the entrance to the show at The Plantation.
Bajan Roots and Rhythms
Bajan Roots and Rhythms
This is the only other photo that I was allowed to take at The Plantation. I never thought that I would actually ever see a bright pink Mercedes, but here it is. The show lasted several hours and there was dancing afterward. Then back to my hotel and the 63 steps.
