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Going underground


Clients wanting a break from the Barbados sunshine might want to check out the island’s newly-redeveloped cave attraction. Sara Macefield goes to Harrison’s Cave


or an island that boasts so much tropical colour, it’s surprising that one of Barbados’s most popular attractions is pitch black, damp and more than 150 feet below ground. But the three-mile long Harrison’s Cave is a perfect example of geology in action, with its captivating collection of milky limestone caverns full of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that have grown at an impercep- tible rate over the past 500,000 years. It became a tourist attraction in November 1981, but this year marked the completion of a five-year redevelopment programme. Visitors now take lifts to the gully floor to reach the cave entrance, passing through an informative presentation area with touch- screen displays and adjacent video screening room on the way.


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Then they board the electric land-train which, apart from occasional narration by the driver, creeps silently along the winding network of caves and tunnels on a 40- minute journey.


On the train I was conscious only of the sound of rushing water from bubbling underground streams and gurgling gullies, accompanied by a constant drip, drip of moisture all around. Every so often, large


46 03.09.2010


soggy splats of water landed on my head and arms, making me jump.


Gliding through the tunnels, I appreciated how the cleverly-positioned, differently- coloured lights helped to draw attention to this exceptional natural phenomenon. It also meant I was too busy admiring the views to think about the fact that we were deep underground.


Apart from the initial entrance on the train, when I was aware of dropping steeply into the depths, I didn’t find the experience at all claustrophobic.


The enormity of some of the caves, such as the Great Hall with its 50ft-high ceiling, meant there was no feeling of being hemmed in. At one point the lights were cut and we were instantly plunged into dense inky


blackness — a true darkness, the like of which I have never experienced before. I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face, and it left me hoping there wouldn’t be a power cut!


Sample price: Tours run from 8.45am to 3.45pm, seven days a week (apart from some public holidays) and cost about £20 for adults and £10 for under-12s. ■ harrisonscave.com


Above ground My 4x4 excursion


During my stay I also managed to visit the hills of the Scotland region and the beauty of Bathsheba with a bone-shaking 4x4 experience in a Toyota Land Cruiser. One of our first stops was Welchman Hall Gully, a cool, shady haven of tropical foliage that is home to green monkeys. Next was St John’s Parish Church, a dead-ringer for traditional English parish churches and strange to see in such a tropical location. A few days later I explored the charming Speightstown. It hosts the Arlington House Museum ($12.50 for adults) which gives an insight into Barbados’s history.


Sample price: Island Safari Barbados offers a full-day 4x4 safari for $85 for adults and $55 for children. Under-fives not permitted. ■ islandsafari.bb


The entrance to Harrison’s Cave points up, but leads 150ft below ground


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