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?
Afternoon on Miami Beach
Day 18 in Barbados was all about total relaxation at my favorite Miami Beach, which I have basically right under my house in Oistins. I wasn't in a hurry after school and just decided to "just" go today.„beach bum“", because this is what a decent vacation looks like.
Miami Beach, which locals call Enterprise Beach, is ideal place for relaxation. On one side you have a calm surface like in a pool and on the other a little bit of waves for fun. I just slapped myself in the sand there and didn't do anything at all the whole afternoon.
It's also a great place to people-watch, as the local community gathers here. Just lying there, not thinking about anything, not chasing anything, is sometimes the best experience, that a vacation can offer you.
Until a British Airways plane flies overhead and you realize that in a few days you'll be sitting in it, just in the opposite direction.
The birth of "Little England" in the heart of the Caribbean
Barbados has incredibly powerful story, which is quite different from other Caribbean islands. What is interesting is how it got its name.
As a result of Portuguese navigators finding here in the 16th century wild fig trees with hanging roots, they named the place "„Los Barbados“" – that is, Bearded.
While most of the surrounding islands have undergone bloody battles between the Spanish, French and British, Barbados remained remarkably loyal to one crown. In the year 1625 Captain John Powell landed here and two years later the first settlement was established in Holetown.
Moreover, it is fascinating that the British found the island essentially empty, even though it had been inhabited by native people. So they began to build something that is still nicknamed "„Little England“". They built churches, introduced cricket, and created a political system that is among the oldest in the world.
That's why Barbados has third oldest parliament throughout the British Commonwealth. It operates continuously since 1639. That's quite a feat when you consider that most modern states didn't even exist back then.
Key milestones that shaped the island:
Oldest parliament: The local legislature has been operating continuously since 1639.
Sugar revolution: From 1640 onwards, sugar cane began to be grown here, which made the island an economic giant.
Jewish footprint: Refugees from Brazil brought sugar processing technologies here and built one of the oldest synagogues in the world (1654).
Oistins Agreement: In 1652, a charter was signed right here in Oistins, guaranteeing the island religious freedom and its own taxes.
Sugarcane and the Dark Ages
In addition to tobacco cultivation, Barbados quickly shifted its focus to sugar cane. Unfortunately, this also brought with it massive import of slaves from Africa, who toiled in inhumane conditions on the plantations. It was thanks to sugar that Barbados became one of the the richest colonies in the world.
In the year 1834 slavery was abolished, which was a major turning point. But it took another hundred years for the island to fully stand on its own feet. The year 1966 then went down in history in golden letters, because Barbados gained independence.
Recently, in 2021, Barbados became republic and definitively broke away from the British Queen as head of state. Today it is a self-confident country that still holds on to its British traditions, such as a love of cricket and driving on the left.
All about Barbados in my e-book
Are you tempted by the Caribbean, but don't know where to start? In my e-book on the e-shop you will find a complete guide on how to enjoy Barbados to the fullest and without stress. It's worth it!
Order here