November 14
I’m sorry about the title on the last blog. Because internet is so expensive on the
ship, I need to wait until I get AT&T back to try to figure out how to fix
it.
This photo is at the entrance to one of the elevators. When we arrived, it said Saturday, and
has been changed everyday, although it is hard to see how it can be
removed. We were riding up with a
woman and discussing it when she said, “Now I get it. I thought that there was an elevator named Sunday, one named
Monday. It was so you couldn’t get
lost.” Oh, dear!
We got up early on the island of Guadaloupe (pronounced
Guadeloupe as in French and not four syllables as in Spanish) and skipped breakfast as we had an
excursion this morning. We were
going in an air-conditioned bus to Carbet Falls and a Hindu Temple. Unfortunately, it was raining again
this morning and we had little protection.
Much of the island has seen sugar cane plantations and rum
distilleries. We passed quite a
number of both banana and sugar cane fields.
Throughout the islands, we have seen many breadfruit
trees. This fruit is much like a
potato and is a main staple of the islander’s diet.
This island has had an interesting history, as had
most Caribbean islands.
Archaeologists believe that this island was settled as long ago as 3000
BC. The peaceful Arawak Indians
from Venezuela settled many of these islands in the Antilles about 1100
AD. Later the Carib Indians, also
from South America, anniliated or pushed out the Arawak. Christopher Columbus landed here in
1493, leaving because he found no gold. During the Age
of Discovery, most of the islands were the scene of bloody battles between the
Dutch, English, Spanish and French for possession. The French took control and established a colony, mostly to
make money on cash crops. Because
they needed workers, Guadeloupe joined the slave trade, acquiring Africans to
use as slaves and sending the rum they made to France. When the slaves across the islands
revolted and left, France was desperate for workers on their prosperous
island. At the time France had
colonies in Southern India, and so imported many Indians, thus creating a Hindu
culture here, in addition to Native Americans, French, and Africans.
The road through the rainforest to Carbet Falls was
treacherous, very narrow, sometimes only stones for the road itself. There was room for one vehicle at a
time, so cars had to back down from our bus as it couldn’t back away so easily.
Our first view of Carbet Falls was in the rain and we were
just drenched. It truly is
beautiful. This is the middle
falls of three, and it is 330 feet high.
The rainforest trail, wet, and rocky, was very dangerous and
some couldn’t make it. It was
probably a moderately strenuous trail, but was not identified properly.
Look at the size of the plants!
Our guide was pointing out a gum tree. When you scratch the bark, its scent is
like incense, and is used in it.
Notice, she has on a rain parka, unlike any of our fellow hikers.
We finally reached the Carbet Falls and were delighted with
the view…and the fact that we actually made it there.
Returning to the dock, we were fascinated by all the
beautiful colors, gorgeous fabrics, different wares, and fragrant spices.
 |
| Spices, including nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla bean |
 |
| We saw cacao growing on the trees...the unwrapped rolls smelled like a strong chocolate |
Traditional Dress
Having said that, it probably is time to go to the Solarium
for awhile before getting ready for dinner.
No comments:
Post a Comment