Travel the World - Week 3

This is the third week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Barbados

Barbados, which is located in the eastern Caribbean sea, is an independent island nation within the British Commonwealth. Barbadians are crazy for afternoon tea, cricket (which is also their national sport), golfing and scuba diving. The country is a famous tourist destination, and it sees millions of visitors every year. 

The majority of visitors to Barbados opt for the west flank of the island, with its soft beaches, deluxe hotels and guaranteed sunsets. 

Barbados never closes or shuts down. The hotels and restaurants stay open all year around!

Barbados is quite hilly for such a small island with its highest point at 1,100 feet above sea level.

Barbados is just 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, making it a tiny 166.4 square miles in size with a population of 285,000 people. It is possible to drive around the whole circumference of the island in about 3 hours.

Harrison’s Cave is the ultimate island attraction and is a must-see for all tourists. This natural wonder is a massive underground cave stream system, covered with crystalized formations (stalagmites) hanging from the roof of the cave, and waterfalls you can see on a tram for a phenomenal underground experience. This is the perfect trip for a nature enthusiast.

Barbados is the only foreign nation that George Washington ever visited.

The Barbados National Surf Championship is held in the village of Bathsheba every November. Bathsheba is home to a small, churning bay known as the Soup Bowl. 

You’ll notice that many houses in Barbados are half-painted – this is done in order to pay a lower land tax bill. If only half-painted, the building is said to be under-construction and too incomplete to pay full tax.

Barbados has the world’s third-oldest parliament. It has been in operation since 1639.

There were 491 active sugar plantations and 506 windmills in Barbados in 1846.

Barbados is the only island in the Caribbean that has daily flights to Canada, England, and the United States of America.

It is considered good luck if a mongoose crosses your path in Barbados. In fact, you’re bound to see a Barbados mongoose scurry across your path sometime during your stay on the island. The Mongoose is a slender, furry creature with a brown/grey coat. It has a long body and short legs and is comparable to a Weasel or a Stoat. You’ll find them more so in country areas where there is more ‘bushy’ kinds of areas however they can be found all over the island. The Mongoose was introduced to Barbados from India as part of a plan to combat the increasing rat population, which was posing a large threat to the sugar cane industry (at the time, Barbados’ economic lifeline). However, this plan hit an unfortunate snag as the rat is a nocturnal animal and the mongoose scurries along by day!

Barbados taxis work without a meter. You have to ask the cab driver the fare before you get in.

All over Barbados, you will come across mischievous little monkeys. You will even see them in your villa gardens! They originally came from Senegal and Gambia and are green in color.

It is believed that the grapefruit was created in Barbados sometime in the 1700’s. It was exported to Florida in the 1800’s and then spread to the rest of the world. 

I've decided to let this Barbados fact be the inspiration for this week's card... Barbados has over 3000 hours of sunshine each year. The hottest month recorded was in April and the coolest in January. The wettest month is November, but even then, the sun is always just around the corner.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: CC Designs Sunshine stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Lemon Lime Twist CS and DP from the Authentique Micro Basics Paper Pad

Embellishments: Clear Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor