POSTCARDS

 What with the weather changing back to the cooler temperatures again, it had me reflecting on last late summers trip to Barbados and Martinque. A few more snaps from the trip. It's great how pictures can bring the memories back so quick like it was yesterday. Now we are in the midst of finalizing the next location.... but in the meantime,..

St Nicholas Abbey is located in Saint Peter, Barbados and today is a plantation house, museum and rum distillery...very good rum too I might add. Colonel Benjamin Berringer built the house in 1658, and this house is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions left in the Western Hemisphere. St Nicholas Abbey has no church connection and has always been a sugarcane and rum plantation house. Love the style of the place .

The Hotel Ville in Bridgetown.

A window grate in Bridgetown

The St Louis Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Martinique. It was built in the late 19th century in the Romanesque Revival style and serves as the cathedral of the Roman catholic Archdiocese of Fort -de-France. The construction of the original cathedral began in the mid-17th century, and it opened in 1657. Due to several fires, and earthquakes and or natural disasters, that have hit Fort-de-France over the years, the current structure dates only to 1895.

Ain't traveling grand? 

Any big travel plans coming up for any of you?

BIBLIOTHEQUE ScHOELCHER

About right now, doesn't that above picture look great? This was taken off the boat that took us to the island of Martinque back in the late summer/ early fall on our trip. I still have pictures from the trip that just got organized. We spent a good day on Martinque and in the heart of Fort-de-France. The one cool thing I enjoyed was the Scholecher Library. This wasn't your average collection of books.

I love a memorable architectural building and good history. A memorable place this was. With its colorful facade and eclectic mix of styles- Eiffel-inspired metalwork, Art Nouveau flourishes, and Egyptian- Byzantine elements- it never fails to draw the eye of passersby I would think. The place was built by Pierre-Henri Pieq in Paris in 1887, before it was shipped, yes, shipped piece by piece by boat from the French capital in 1893. One can visit with or without a guide. Step inside and look up to appreciate its grand dome before discovering over 10,000 books bequeathed by Victor Schoeleher, the French politician famed for his pivotal role in the abolition of slavery. The ornate ceiling, vivid stained-glass windows and row upon row of literary treasures create a unique atmosphere spanning past and present. Inside, it's an active library, where I found a couple books about the history of slavery in the Caribbean and it's eventual abolition.  Just minutes away from there at what was the former courthouse is a statue of Victor Schoelecher. I think the library is a standout in style and severs a great community service there.

MARTINIQUE

Warbucks is always so full of surprises. It wasn't till our fifth day, that he said we'd be going over to Martinique, for a three-day jaunt. It was probably the most non beach thing we did the whole trip. Don't be surprised if you haven't heard of the small island of Martinique or it's nearby sister island of Guadeloupe. Both are French islands more than the others, and most tourist that we encountered seemed to be mostly from Canada and Europe. It's yet another hidden gem a lot of people don't think of going too. Anymore, I enjoy going to lesser-known places that aren't packed full like major cities. This gem has a rich history and a place where nature is the star of the show, with a few landmarks to be seen. The capital city of Fort du France was completely charming with is colonial architecture, ornate iron balconies and beaches. Martinique was much like Barbados in that you can drive all over the island, being that it is only 22 miles wide and 50 miles long. We spent three full days in Martinque, and it was enough time to explore and see a few things. It was a four-hour ride by boat from Barbados, and the island of Martinique is ideal for daily road trips out and about and enjoy the different regions of the island and take in the amazing culture. And the nature! A few points of interests we enjoyed....

Balata Cathedral

This place was located on Mount Pelee, in the heart of the island of flowers, stands this monument particularly emblematic of the history of Martinique, and a point of interest not to be missed. This cathedral is a replica of the Sacred Heart Basilica in Paris, just five time smaller and between the Fort-of-France and the Garden of Balata. The architects adapted it to its environment. The cathedral is a tropical reinterpretation of the Parisian monument and its Romanesque- Byzantine architecture: the reinforced concrete. Not religious here, but very cool to see it.

The highlight for me though was the Jardin de Balata.

These gardens were begun in 1982 by horticulturist Jean-Philippe Thoze and opened to the public. It is set on a former farmland with many picturesque views of the Pitons du Carbet, some seas views and Mount Pelee. The gardens contain about 3,000 varieties of tropical plants from around the world, including 300 types of palm trees, and many good collections of anthuriums, begonias, bromeliads, cycads and heliconia.

Who knew I had to go the whole way to Martinique to get pictures of hummingbirds being still????

Fort St Louis, dates back to 1640, a hulking fortress and gave the capital city of Martinque its name of Fort du France. Certain parts of the fort can be toured but most of it is still an active base for the French National Navy. 

This!!!!!!!!! Yikes!

And again....the legendary beach and sea views are unappareled!!!!

Yep. I have made my mind up. A beach bum it is!!!!!!