Splendid Barbados
By Daryl Serrano
Barbados is an island that had previously been neither here nor there on most vacationers' list of places to travel to. A longtime Barbados holidays destination for the British, or "Little England", continues to attract majority of European visitors and is slowly making its way to the shortlists of many American vacationers.
Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean, positioned hundred miles away from the rest of the chain. The base of the island is formed by coral stone rather than volcanic activity, and the land is relatively flat where the tallest point is only 1,100 feet above sea level. The land is fourteen miles wide and twenty-one miles long. The name Barbados came from the Portuguese's reference to the island, "Los Barbados," which means "the bearded ones."
Barbadians are interesting Caribbean people. The great attributes of a mixture of their ancestors have been wrapped up and put into one. This history includes Arawak Indians, British settlers, European indentured slaves, African slaves and East Indians. This unique blend of people now occupies this incredibly beautiful island.
Barbados Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary
Barbados Wildlife Reserve is not a typical monkey zoo. The frolicking, scampering, chattering Barbados green monkeys are not in cages and neither are you as you stroll through their forested domain. The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary is a 35 acre oasis opened in 2004. It holds beautifully landscaped visitor facilities where one can explore mangroves and sedge swamps on the island. A true community centre offering activities for everyone not to mention being one of the last wildlife habitats in Barbados. Within a short span of time, it became one of the island's premiere tourist attractions, as well as the center for wetland research and environmental education. Unfortunately, factors beyond the control of the Sanctuary negatively impacted the Sanctuary's investment, causing it to close most of its operations in December 2008.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Barbados Wildlife Reserve is not a typical monkey zoo. It is one of the most popular natural attractions on the island. Here, you can stroll freely watching the animals at close range and in their own natural environment. There are few cages and the animals can be observed as they eat, play and interact with the other animals.
The types of animals in the reserve are:
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The Barbados Green Monkeys are common and are especially popular in the afternoon feeding time.
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Birds differ from colourful parrots, flamingoes and peacocks to brown pelicans and sparrows.
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Reptile lovers will appreciate the collection of snakes, iguanas, turtles and tortoises.
- Non-native animals include the Brocket Deer, agouti, caiman (looks like an alligator) and armadillo.
Barbados Ocean Park
Ocean Park Barbados is a unique marine aquarium is a spectacular attraction that showcases the fascinating collection of freshwater and tropical marine life that is exciting, unique & educational.
This exceptional Marine Park & Aquarium is equipped with a play area "Shark Bites", restaurant & bar, "Something Fishy", souvenir shop "Splash Zone", the swim with the Stingrays "Ray Encounter", the Jungle Aviary and the Pirate Adventure Mini Golf. Children will love the entire park but will ultimately enjoy the Touch Pool where they can pick up and watch sea creatures.
Daryl Serrano is a professional Marketing Associate who writes on various travel related topics. For more information on Barbados holidays, she suggests you to visit http://www.caribbeanconnection.com
CaribbeanChoice Travel
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Views expressed in the article are those of the author and are not necessarily the opinions of CaribbeanChoice, its staff or members.
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