Exploring Bridgetown--Often hot and clogged with traffic,
the capital, Bridgetown, merits a morning's shopping jaunt, plus
a visit to some of its major sights.
Since some half a million visitors arrive
on Barbados by cruise ship each year, the government has opened
a $6 million cruise-ship terminal with 20 duty-free
shops, 13 local retail stores, and scads of vendors. Cruise
passengers can choose from a range of products, including the
arts and crafts of Barbados, jewelry, liquor, china, crystal,
electronics, perfume, and leather goods. The interior was
designed to re-create an island street scene; some storefronts
appear as traditional chattel houses in brilliant island colors,
complete with streetlights, tropical landscaping, benches, and
pushcarts.
Begin your tour at the waterfront,
called the Careenage (the French word for turning vessels
on their side for cleaning). This was a haven for clipper ships,
and even though today it doesn't have the color of yesteryear,
it's still worth exploring.
At Trafalgar Square, the long
tradition of British colonization is immortalized. The monument
here, honoring Lord Nelson, was executed by Sir Richard
Westmacott and erected in 1813. The great gray Victorian/Gothic
Public Buildings on the square look like those you might
expect to find in London. The east wing contains the meeting
halls of the Senate and the House of Assembly, with some
stained-glass windows representing the sovereigns of England.
Look for the "Great Protector" himself, Oliver Cromwell.
Behind the Financial Building, St.
Michael's Cathedral, east of Trafalgar Square, is the symbol
of the Church of England. This Anglican church was built in 1655
but was completely destroyed in a 1780 hurricane. Reconstructed
in 1789, it was again damaged by a hurricane in 1831. George
Washington supposedly worshipped here on his visit to Barbados.
The Synagogue, Synagogue Lane
(tel. 246/426-5792), is one of the oldest in the western
hemisphere and is surrounded by a burial ground of early Jewish
settlers. The present building dates from 1833. It was
constructed on the site of an even older synagogue, erected by
Jews from Brazil in 1654. It's now part of the National Trust of
Barbados--and a synagogue once again. It's open Monday to Friday
from 9am to 4pm; a donation is requested for admission.
First made popular in 1870, cricket
is the national pastime on Barbados. Matches can last from 1 to
5 days. If you'd like to see a local match, watch for
announcements in the newspapers or ask at the Tourist Board,
on Harbour Road (tel. 246/427-2623). From Bridgetown, you
can take a taxi to Garrison Savannah, just south of the
capital, a venue for frequent cricket matches and horse races.
The Barbados Gallery of Art, Bush
Hill (tel. 246/228-0149), in a restored old building in
the historic Garrison district, displays the very best Barbadian
and Caribbean visual art. The gallery also pays tribute to the
memory of the late actress Claudette Colbert, longtime resident
of Barbados. She is memorialized in a beautiful garden here, and
the gallery even owns one of her own paintings. Hours are
Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $5 for
adults Tuesday through Friday, $2 on Saturday; for those under
18, $2 Tuesday through Friday, free on Saturday.
The Barbados Museum, St. Ann's
Garrison, St. Michael (tel. 246/427-0201), is housed in a
former military prison. Extensive collections show the island's
development from prehistoric to modern times, as well as
fascinating glimpses into the natural environment and fine
examples of West Indian maps and decorative arts. The museum
sells a variety of quality publications, reproductions, and
handcrafts. Its cafe is a good place for a snack or light lunch.
Hours are Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Sunday from 2 to
6pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children.
Nearby, the russet-red St. Ann's
Fort, on the fringe of the savanna, garrisoned British
soldiers in 1694. The fort wasn't completed until 1703. The
Clock House survived the hurricane of 1831.
