Barbados
2010

Rick traveled to four Caribbean islands as team leader for a Rotary Group Study Exchange

Flag flying over Parliament - Bridgetown

Parliament

Bridgetown

Wharf in Bridgetown

Barbados Yacht Club

Yacht club beach

Boats at the club

My gracious hosts on Barbados - Vic and Ferida Fernandes - Ferida was Miss Barbados 1988

Coconut harvest

Colorful houses

Even the police cars are colorful

On "Safari"

One of my team (Heidi Ellis) with the vehicle

 
Come along with us - click image for the video

East coast view

Ginger lily

Haliconia

Nutmeg

Palms

Local potter

My Group Study Exchange team
Heidi Ellis, Lillah McBride, Shelly Kane, Monica Holzmer

Atlantic coast

Bathsheba beach (east coast)

Banana trees

Hibiscus

East coast

South coast beach

West Coast Barbados

Mount Gay is one of the most famous rums in the world - rum was invented on Barbados

Some (like Emily) prefer champagne...

Saint Peter

West coast resorts

Ferida and Rick on the Lady D

Saint Peter

Saint Peter

West coast resorts

George Washington Slept Here

In 1751, George Washington accompanied his brother Lawrence to this house in Bridgetown - Lawrence was suffering from tuberculosis.  While living in Barbados, George contracted and survived smallpox.  Barbados was the only country outside the continental United States ever visited by Washington.

Dining room

George Washington's bedroom

Polo on Barbados

Yes, the island nation of Barbados has a military - with a long and distinguished history,  The West Indies Regiment, now the Barbados Regiment, has participated in many of the United Kingdom's military campaigns, from Africa to service in World War II.  After independence, the regiment particpated (with the Jamaica Rifles) of the US-led invasion of Grenada in 1983.

Because of my background, the BDF Chief of Staff, Colonel Alvin Quintyne, graciously hosted me for two days at the BDF facilities and afforded me the honor of addressing his officers at the Officers Mess.

The Main Guard - formerly the entrance to the military garrison area, now headquarters of the Barbados Legion, a non-profit dedicated to serving BDF veterans

I was presented with the Barbados Legion tie - which I am wearing here

The West India Regiment Room at the BDF Officers Mess - a lot of history in this room.  Note Zouave uniforms of the regiment.

The original regimental colors - signed by Queen Elizabeth I

Headquarters of the BDF on Saint Ann's Fort

Main barracks of the Barbados Regiment on Saint Ann's Fort

Operations center of the BDF

Sea approach to Saint Ann's Fort

Guns at Saint Ann's Fort

Signal tower on Saint Ann's Fort.  This was one of a series of towers to pass warnings of approaching warships.

The National Armory cannon collection at Saint Ann's Fort - the best collection of 17th century guns in the world

Cannon seal of King George II (1727-1760)

Cutters of the Barbados Coast Guard