Itinerary
Cultures of the Caribbean:
Barbados and St. Lucia
Jan. 6-15, 2006
The following offers an overview of our itinerary. Dates and times might change for individual events, talks and excursions. We have aimed to balance group activities and excursions with regular free time in which participants can explore sites for themselves and enjoy the relaxation of the tropics.
Friday, Jan. 6
Depart U.S.A. / Arrive Bridegtown, Barbados (B, D)
Fly from Minneapolis to Barbados, arriving in Bridgetown -- the capital of Barbados -- in the evening. A half-hour drive from the airport will take us to our accommodations for the next five nights, the Island Inn Hotel. The Island Inn is housed in the former rum storage facility of the British military garrison in Barbados. Clustered around a central, cobbled courtyard, it is yards from one of the many fine beaches on the west coast of Barbados and a short distance from the other historic buildings and the open savannah that make up the imposing remains of the former British garrison. Group dinner at the hotel.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Barbados (B,D)
After breakfast Jonathan will provide an overview of the history and culture of Barbados. Optional walking tour led by Jonathan, including the parliament buildings, statue of Admiral Nelson, marina, docks and shops. Lunch on your own.
Afternoon: An excursion to Saint Nicholas Abbey and the Morgan Lewis sugar mill. Saint Nicholas Abbey is one of only three mid-17th century Jacobean-style houses in the Western Hemisphere. (The other two are Drax Hall, also in Barbados, and Bacon's Castle in Virginia.) The restored 18th century Morgan Lewis Mill is the largest and only complete sugar windmill surviving in the Caribbean.
Group dinner and evening free.
Sunday, Jan. 8
Barbados (B)
A day of independent activity -- settling in, walking the neighborhood, visiting the beach.
Monday, Jan. 9
Barbados (B, D)
Late morning: We shall hear a talk on contemporary Barbados from Trevor Marshall, teacher, cultural historian and lecturer. Lunch on your own.
Afternoon: An excursion to Bathsheba, on Barbados' wild, Atlantic-swept west coast; followed by a visit to the tranquil Andromeda Gardens, perhaps the most famous gardens in the West Indies.
Evening: Over a group dinner, Barbara will talk about the three F's (flora, fauna and food)in Barbados and Saint Lucia.
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Barbados (B, L)
Morning: Free.
Early afternoon: We shall travel to and take lunch at Sunbury Great House, an imposing 300-year-old plantation house furnished in style and set in picturesque surroundings. Mid-afternoon we shall visit the Gun Hill Signal Station, one of a chain of interconnected signal stations built by the British. It offers striking views over the eastern reaches of the island.
Dinner on your own and evening free.
Wednesday, Jan. 11
Barbados -- Saint Lucia (B, one other meal)
We fly from Barbados to Saint Lucia and transfer to the Coco Kreole hotel. A relatively new hotel finely designed and decorated in pastel Caribbean colors, the Coco Kreole is situated in Rodney Bay, a bustling location on the island's northwest coast and minutes from one of its finest beaches, Reduit Bay.
After arriving, we shall spend the balance of the day settling in and strolling the area. Evening: Jonathan will talk about Saint Lucia's past and present.
Group lunch or dinner, depending on today's flight schedule.
Thursday, Jan. 12
Saint Lucia (B, L)
Morning: We shall visit Saint Lucia's Folk Research Centre and hear a talk from its director about the island's rich cultural and linguistic heritage. We shall also visit the capital, Castries. Group lunch.
Afternoon: We shall travel the short distance from the Coco Kreole to Pigeon Point on the other side of Rodney Bay, climb up to the remains of the 18th century fortifications, view the French island of Martinique in the distance and ponder the fortunes of history.
Dinner on your own and evening free.
Friday, Jan. 13
Saint Lucia (B, L)
An all-day excursion down the west coast to Soufriere. We shall view some of the island's most spectacular scenery, including the famous Pitons. We shall visit a working plantation and have lunch en route.
Dinner on your own and evening free.
Saturday, Jan. 14
Saint Lucia (B, D)
Free time -- perhaps a walk in the rain forest, snorkeling or individual excursions. At a convenient point in the day, Jonathan will talk about West Indian literature.
Farewell group dinner at Tilly's restaurant, serving traditional Caribbean food.
Sunday, Jan. 15
Depart for U.S.A. (B)
Return to Minneapolis.
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