Barbados:

Discovering the Seven Different

Enchanting Wonders

There is no doubt that the Caribbean is one of the most favorite vacation destinations of the world. Among the many island nations in this side of the earth, Barbados stood out from the rest. While the world boasts of its seven wonders situated in different countries, here in Barbados, its own version of “the seven wonders” never fails to astound visitors both the local and the international.

Barbados has continued to attract tourists all year round. While some may visit the island for just plain leisure, others have found a good reason to invest both in the real estate and in the banking and finance sector. The people are as warm and friendly as the weather thus tourists keep coming back for more.

The food and drinks in Barbados are mixed with international flair making them truly one of a kind. The Bajan music, which is a fusion of its English influence, African roots and with a tinge of West Indies persuasion, drives both the locals and visitors sentimental and swaying to the beat with so much and laughter.

All these are not yet even included in the seven wonders of Barbados because truly there is more to Barbados than just the food, drinks, and music. Exploring this tiny island state transport the guests to a totally different world that they would never thought even exist. These sites of real wonder never cease to amaze the visitors making them believe that they are in another planet or in paradise.

Here are the remarkable seven reasons to visit in Barbados. These are must-see places that visitors should not miss. Take a look and see for yourself what others have discovered in their sojourn to this enchanting and exotic island.

The Harrison’s Cave

This natural wonder in Barbados is located near Welchman Hall Gully in St. Thomas parish, which is practically the geographic center of the island. Harrison cave was discovered and documented in 1795, but it seemed the cave was taken for granted during that time. After almost 200 years, Tony Mason, a Barbadian and Ole Sorensen, a Danish speliologist rediscovered the cave in 1976.

The cave was officially opened for public viewing in 1981. For the first time the locals and the visitors got the opportunity to witness the endearing beauty of this land formation down under. Definitely the unusual stalactite and stalagmite formations have continually made visitors in awe and amazement. Most of the entire cave is still active because the calcium rich droplets coming from the ceiling of the cave is adding to the mineral deposit and formation.

Things to do

Aside from the minerals formations that have accumulated for thousands of years, tourists will get the chance to enjoy the scenery below while boarding the special tram. As soon as the guests arrive at the entrance of the cave, they can take a break momentarily while preparing for the tour inside.

The Visitor Center, which was built and inspired from the cave, has a restaurant inside and souvenir shops. The tour will commence with a short audio-video presentation that provides tidbits of information about Barbados and how the cave came about, hence a true natural wonder.

When the short presentation is over, the guests will be boarding the special tram as they are ushered inside the cave. The first stop of the ride is the view of the free flowing water and “The Great Hall, which showcases the expanse of cavern measuring 100ft high and 150 in width. This site is shimmering with tens of hundreds of stalagmites and stalactites strewn all over the hall.

The next stop is popularly known as “The Village”, where the mineral formations are shaping like a little village with some of the stalactites and stalagmites have already formed columns after so many years.

The Rotunda Room is the third stop of the tour. Here the visitors can take another glimpse of an oasis that flows freely to the ground. The guests are advised to get off the tram to take a closer look of this spectacular view. Another oasis in the cave is the Explorer’s Pool. Another yet enchanting site that bedazzled tourists is the “Twin Falls” which is the source of the flowing streams inside.

The rate of the tour in Harrison’s Cave is US$7 (BDS$14) for children below 13 years old. For seniors and adults, the rate is US$16 (BDS$ 32). There are available group tour packages with special discounts. These group tours are through reservation only. The cave is open from 8:30AM to 4:00PM everyday. For booking arrangement contact (246) 438-6640 or 438-6641.

The Jacobean Mansions

When the British decided to settle in Barbados was the time King James I reigned over England and its territories. It was also during this time that the second phase of the Renaissance era flourished in European proportion. All the art forms were patterned after the renaissance motif. The Jacoeban architectural designs of the buildings during those times were in paying tribute to the king. Hence, some of the huge historical buildings in Barbados were drawing inspiration from the Jacobean design.

Fortunately, Barbados still owns the two of the only three remaining Jacobean Mansions among the countries located in the Western Hemisphere. These are the St. Nicholas Abbey and the Drax Hall.

St. Nicholas Abbey

This once old-home is nestled in the St. Peter parish and was erected sometime in 1660. Colonel John Berringer of England was the proud owner of this stately property, depicting the power and the wealth of the elite in Barbados. The mansion still keeps the distinct marks that are reminiscent of the Jacobean architecture. The Dutch inspired curved gables are still intact along with the four chimneys, finials made of pure coral stones, and staircase in a Chinese Chippendale fashion. The old china and other priceless antiques are still visible and in their excellent conditions. More importantly, one of the precious possessions is the old film depicting the life of the sugar plantation during that epoch, which is very rare a collection.

The Abbey has its own history to tell to the visitors. It was known that the owner of the house Col. Benjamin Berringer got a duel with his long time friend John Yeamans when the former knew that the latter was having an affair with the former’s wife. It old gentlemanly manner, Berringer got killed, and Yeamans married Mrs. Berringer. Many years after, the ownership of the house was awarded to the children of the late Col. Berringer via a court ruling. The house got its name from Berringer’s granddaughter’s name who married a Nicholas.

Drax Hall

It is the oldest of the three remaining Jacobean edifices in Western Hemisphere. It is located in the parish of St. George and was presumably built by Dax brothers, William and James. The designs that are prominent of a Jacobean architecture are still very vivid in the house like the Jacobean staircase, gable roofs, finials, and archway in wooden frame.

The Jacobean mansions were living witness to the wealth amassed by the operators and owners of the sugar plantation in Barbados. As the industry flourished and so were the Englishmen who afforded to build luxurious houses such as the Jacobean models.

Morgan Lewis Mill

A sugar mill is one of the most distinct reminders how the sugar plantation industry in the Caribbean prospered. Luckily for Barbados because it owns one of the two remaining sugar mills, the Morgan Lewis Mill, with the other one is in Antigua more particularly at the Betty’s Hope Estate. The Morgan Lewis Mill, which is located in St. Andrew parish, is now being taken care of by the Barbados National Trust

In the mill, the visitors will get the opportunity to view the equipment that were used during those times. It was reported that when the house was built, it used up thousands of eggs, from which the egg white were taken and mixed with coral. Likewise a visit to the mill will give nostalgic feelings to visitors as they discover the stories of the people that had transpired.

Bridgetown Jewish Synagogue

Many visitors might thought and believed that the sugar cane plantation industry began in Barbados when the English decided to settle in this tiny island. However, the real score is that some time in 1620s, 300 Jews from Brazil sought refuge in Barbados, flying away from the atrocities of the Dutch. As the Jew refugees finally settled in Barbados, they brought with them sugar cane, which eventually became the source national pride and fueling the economy of the country.

Not only did the Jews made Barbados famous through the flourishing sugar cane industry, they were also able to give Barbados, one of what is known as the seven wonders of the island. The Jewish Synagogue in Bridgetown, parish of St. Michael is the only existing in the Western Hemisphere, making true to its claim as a wonder in Barbados.

The Jewish synagogue was built sometime in 1831, but a strong hurricane wrecked havoc on the entire edifice with only rubbles remaining. Two years later the synagogue saw rebuilding but was abandoned almost a century later in 1929. In 1983, the synagogue has undergone restoration through the Barbados National Trust. The synagogue is now open for public viewing.

Cannon Galore

If visitors would go on treasure hunting in Barbados, they would definitely not have any difficulty finding one. One of the gems that they will unearth are the old cannons that were literally scattered in the entire island. Makes the visitors wonder if the Pirates of the Caribbean flick, a Johnny Depp starrer was ever inspired from the history of Barbados. Nevertheless some of the cannons were already excavated from the ruins of old buildings, sugar cane plantation, cellars, and literally almost anywhere.

The 400 and several other vintage cannons are truly Barbados national treasure owing to the times of the English settlement in the island. However some of the rare cannons did not have British origin because some were from Spain, The Netherlands, and Sweden. Some of these cannons are now being displayed at the Main Guard House in the country that provides a postcard picture perfect sight.

Not many knew that Barbados became sort of a military base of the British because of its strategic location that provided accessibility in protecting and keeping the British’s interest in the Western Caribbean. Thus ordnance like guns and cannons were all over the place. The collected cannons and guns are now part of the National Ordnance Collection that are displayed in the Main Guard House.

The Baobab Tree

This wonder is truly in its natural form. The Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) is the fitting reminder of the African roots of the people. The tree, as the history would tell that it came from Guinea, Africa in 1738. Most probably by one of the conscripted African slaves bought the seeds to the island.

The tree, though not recognized as the biggest in the world is truly the biggest in and the widest in Barbados. In fact it will take 15 or more adults with over extended arms joining together to circle the whole tree. The tree is also popularly known as “Monkey-bread tree”. The larger of the two Baobab tree can be found in Queen’s Park, Bridgetown, St. Michael Parish.

The Grapefruit Tree

The other natural wonder of Barbados is the grapefruit tree. This is the same fruit that the world now enjoys either as a fresh fruit, juice, or candy. The existence of grapefruit (citrus paradisi) was first recorded by Rev. Griffith Hughes and called it as the “forbidden fruit” of Barbados.

The grapefruit that has been cultivated in other parts of the world more specifically in the US must have come form Barbados. According to old Bajan legend, the fruit was the offspring of the two different fruits, the shaddock and the orange. The fruit got its name from grape because when the fruit grow they form into clusters that are similar with the grapes.

The grapefruit in Barbados was first grown in Welchman Hall Gully, and is now grown almost anywhere in the island. So when tourists see grapefruit on their way home they will already know that these fruits originated from Barbados.

Discover Barbados

Barbados, is truly an enchanting exotic island in the Caribbean, enticing pirates in the olden times and tourists in the present. Guests will not only be delighted with the captivating beaches in virtually all coasts of the island. Getting to know and discover the many wonders that it can offer to its guests is not reason to visit the island.