Barbados and Granada 12/20.21/23
The original European discovery of the
island was by a Portuguese explorer named Pedro Campos who dropped in on his
way to Brazil in 1536. It’s believed that he found so many Bearded Fig Trees in
his explorations here that he decided to name his discovery “Los Barbados” or
“The Bearded One”. Bridgetown itself was originally a village called Indian
River Bridge, then St. Michael’s Town before it got it’s current moniker.
Locals today just call it “Town”. The British arrived in 1627 to create a
colony that would grow cotton and tobacco, the sugar industry was added in the
1640s. Supposedly the vibe in this UNESCO city is “a distinctly English
character with a laid-back West Indian feel”, you can decide for yourself if
that rings true or not. Trivia question next, what famous square did Bridgetown
and London used to have in common? Hint is that they both have a statue of a
certain famous naval officer on that square, although the one in Barbados was
raised first. Guesses?
Authored by Laurie Hardcastle Seil
If feels like we have actually reached a tropical island here in Grenada, where the interior rainforest hides a former volcanic caldera and we’ve left the desert isles behind. Today we visit the “Island of Spice” where nutmeg is so important that it’s part of the national flag. As we dock in the capital and main port of St. George’s, we’re near the hilly, horseshoe-shaped harbor called the Carenage. The Melville Street Cruise Terminal will open into the Esplanade Shopping Mall and downtown St. George’s. The TI at the terminal will have maps and guides as well a options from local sightseeing companies. Taxis are available as are car rentals, you may find that a charge for a temporary driving permit may be added to your rental rate. Water taxis can take you to the nearby Grand Anse Beach or Mount Rouge Beach. For a narrated ride from the terminal around the city you can take a journey on the Grenada Discovery Train, current cost should be around $15, and the tour lasts about 45 minutes.
Along with the jungle-covered mountains in the lush interior of Grenada there are 45 beaches to choose from if a beach day is in your future. Columbus actually sailed here in 1498 and named the island Concepcion, then a year later another group of explorers renamed in Mayo. When the French arrived, they changed it to “Le Grenade” then it became Grenada under the British, Interesting legend here, to me at least, in 1651 a group of indigenous Carib people who had “sold” the island to the French went to battle against them. Their last stand was in northern Grenada near what is now the village of Sauteurs. Knowing they were going to lose, around 40 Carib survivors decided to leap from a cliff to their deaths rather than be enslaved to the French. Unsurprisingly the name Sauteurs means “leapers” in French, and you can find a plaque there at Leaper’s Hill commemorating this sad event.
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