Bajan Backcountry by Eco Jeep – Barbados!Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Read this entire feature FREE with photos at http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/barbados/safari/safari.html
I love an island where you can smell pungent humidity in air, seeping into your pores like sunshine. I love a country where billowing clouds anchor in bay of sky like tallship windjammers. I love a country where sun varnishes calm sea into an antique hammered copper plate. I love a country where view is like Neapolitan ice cream, sand, and sea and sky a tri-color of blanc, indigo and rouge. I love a country where birds trill in bushes, out of sight, background music to a living soundtrack.
I love Barbados for these reasons.
Click For Bajan AdventuresThe best way to discover interior of Barbados is on an unique safari with Land Rovers of Island Safaris Adventures. Philip, my driver, picked me up at my South Coast hotel, and then we made rounds to assemble other eight passengers that rode in back of open, but canopied British jeep jitneys. It was a day of rum punches and bushwacking adventures.
After everyone was buckled up in their bucket seat, Philip clipped on headset microphone so everyone could clearly hear his narration of history and ecology of island.
We skirted most of heavy traffic going to work in capital of Bridgetown as we circumnavigated back route hinterlands to Scottish military outpost, Gun Hill, in St. George Parish, overlooking South Coast and Bridgetown. It was a magnificent view as we piled out of 4x4. Suddenly we were joined by 11 other blue or red striped safari jeeps, and we would play a routine of tag all along day's route. But first — some rum punch. Then Philip picked up a brown chack-chack in road, resembling a honeysuckle pod, used by island bands as a rattle.
Island Safari Barbados Sunset Crest Motors Sunset Crest St. James Tel: (246) 432-5337 Fax: (246) 422-1966 islesafari@funbarbados.com
They also have a safari operation in Antigua. The company offers many types of tours:
The Adventure Safari is about eight hours and leads you into eastern and northeastern part of island.
The Land and Sea Safari is about eight hours and it explores eastern countryside by 4x4, and then you sail on Tiami Catamaran on western or Caribbean side of island, where you can swim and snorkel with turtles.
The Jeep Safari and Kayak Tour visits Scotland District and then kayaks coves and caves on Atlantic coast, with encounters with tropical marine life.
The Discovery Safari is a half day safari along southeastern and eastern shores.
The Beach Discovery Safari is a 2½ hour beach safari along secluded eastern beaches. The company will also tailor any safari to your whims and wishes.
Most historic points of interest along safari adventure are administered by Barbados National Trust (426-2421). Gun Hill, built by Scottish Fusiliers, never fired its cannons, and in fact, island of Barbados was never considered a strategic point by Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, or even British navy, who commanded island for most of its modern history.