Last year I decided that I will miss Advent in Prague. and I'll go out into the heat. No frosts, no stress, just disappear for three whole weeks and not come back until Christmas Eve. I combined business with pleasure and set off for a language course in Barbados. How did I spend these three weeks?
The view from Gun Hill and the lion that was created out of boredom
Barbados took me straight from school to heaven today, even though those three English lessons were quite tiring. But as soon as I close my textbook, I immediately jump into a ZR taxi and head towards Bridgetown to catch another bus to one of the the best viewpoints on the entire island.
Besides being Gun Hill Signal Station strategic location, it is also a piece of fascinating history that you simply must see. I climbed a little below the hill and after a few meters one of the most famous landmarks of the island loomed over me – Gun Hill Lion.
The truth is, this giant lion has a rather funny origin. It was carved by soldiers from the British garrison in 1868. from a single piece of coral limestone simply because they were bored up here. The author was Captain Henry Wilkinson, and the lion still looks down on the valley like symbol of British rule, although these days he mostly just poses for tourists for photos.
Gun Hill Signal Station: Key to Barbados' Defense
Once you step foot into the station itself, you will understand why it was built here in 1818. Gun Hill was the most important of a network of six signal stations scattered throughout Barbados. In the days before the internet and telephones, this was the only way to quickly warn the island of danger.
Due to its location at 213 meters above sea level, the tower had direct supervision to other stations and to the port in Bridgetown. Soldiers used colorful flags, semaphores, and at night lanterns to convey messages about approaching enemy ships or impending uprisings. Today, the tower has been beautifully restored and inside you will find a small exhibition of period military items.
On the other hand, the biggest attraction remains the incredible 360-degree view. You can see almost the entire island from here, from the south to the rugged east coast. It's the perfect place for anyone who wants to understand Barbados a little more in depth while enjoying the best air on the island.
What awaits you at Gun Hill
Iconic lion statue carved from coral stone.
Historic signal tower with military museum.
Panoramic view of Bridgetown and the Caribbean Sea.
Beautifully maintained tropical gardens around the station.
From history straight to the waves of the Caribbean
Once I had had enough of the history and views, I drove back to the coast to at least spend an afternoon on the beach. Traveling around Barbados is great, but the feeling of washing off the dust of the journey in the azure sea is simply irreplaceable.
On these sunsets You get used to it really quickly. You sit in the sand, watch the sky play with all the colors, and you think to yourself that this island simply has a soul. After sunset, all you have to do is have a quick dinner and go to bed, because tomorrow I have another adventure.
All about Barbados in my e-book
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