Passion and Invention

Barbadians are extraordinary people; they are superb hosts, keen to please, unassuming, obliging, and witty. Barbados Innovations in Tourism result from its creativity and passion. This passion for innovation has produced a treasure trove of different and unique ways to explore and experience the island. Land, sea, underwater, underground, in the air, and up in the sky are the palette of their creativity.

Above the Ground and Into The Cosmos

Take the sky, for example, which is free and filled with wonder. On a clear Barbados night, you can see forever. Barbadian ingenuity has enhanced what you can see and how you can experience the wonders of the universe by the work and passion of the man who created a new way to understand the cosmos. He is cosmic pioneer Leo Branch.

Cosmic Pioneer Leo Branch

Renowned astronomer,  Leo Branch,  pioneered nighttime beach gazing at the stars. Small groups gather on the beach at night to explore the cosmos with his 10-inch portable telescope. He is filled with passion and has dedicated his life to helping people understand the cosmos. With fifty-four years of studying the stars, he is a walking encyclopedia with a profound knowledge of the universe. With humour and insight, he makes astronomy exciting and easy to understand.  In addition to his signature beach events, Leo offers private lectures to groups in their homes and in other venues.  Now in semi-retirement, he has been sought by major media including the BBC, and has entertained earthly stars with his knowledge of creation.

I looked through his telescope to my zodiac sign, Sagittarius, which he explained is the largest constellation in the Southern Hemisphere. Its many bright stars shining through the night are visible to the naked eye. The constellation was recorded in the 2nd century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy, he named it Sagittarius, latin for the Archer. In the Sagittarius constellation, Nunki marks the vane of Archer’s arrow. He said Nunki is an important star nine times bigger than the sun. Pronounced as NunKee I heard Nookie and mused that it was more carnal than cosmic, which prompted a few giggles. Later, he explained to Anny that her sign, the constellation of Aries, the ram, is most compatible with Sagittarius. All eyes landed on me, they were eager for a confirmation of a budding romance: “Ah!” I said rather cheekily. “She just likes Nookie.”

Leo Branch Astronomer – leobranchbarbados (at) gmail.com
Telephone: land line (246) 420 6384 ,
Mobile ,whatsapp app (246 ) 230 0572

Underground Innovations

Underground are the caves. Harrison cave tour is one of the most popular activities on the island. The tour includes an educational video explaining the geological history of Barbados. A submerged coral formation that was pushed out of the ocean by volcanic activity, it is unlike any other Caribbean island in many respects.

Again Bajan ingenuity created a unique cave train that takes visitors up to a hundred feet below the surface, in comfort and style. The buggy carriages look like modified golf carts. The winds along the twisting paths like a snake, a string of rubber-wheeled carts pulled by a custom-built, non-polluting engine.

Underwater Submarines

Under the ocean, there are shipwrecks, corals,  technicolor fish, turtles, firns, and sea plants. You can swim with the fish, in fact, swimming with the turtles is one of the most popular activities.

Specially built Catamaran sailing ships leave from the wharf in Bridgetown and sail to favorite picnic spots where guests dine onboard, as well as swim, snorkel, and relax.

You can snorkel or scuba dive right off the beaches in Barbados, many of the underwater features are within easy reach of the shore. Also, inshore reefs are within wading distance and are favorite spots for beach walks and interpretive tours. Local fishers cast their nets from the shore and fish with line and sinker from the rocks.

You can jump aboard the Atlantis submarine if you don’t want to get wet. This is a real submarine built in Canada as a recreational vehicle. The Barbados Atlantis operation has several vacation submarines which are piloted and managed by accredited  Bajans.

Surfing the Wind and Waves

Bajans excel at surfing on the water, and the island has been called the “Surf Capital of the Caribbean”. The book Rogues in Paradise has an entire chapter about the wild sport of windsurfing and kitesurfing with wind hunters in the waves. In Rogues in Paradise, the true story of Barbados’ extraordinary-ordinary people, outrageous characters, rogues, heroes, places, and history, you will meet world-renowned windsurfer Brian Talma and some of his inspired guests who join him in hunting the perfect wind to jump the perfect wave.

See  this and more about surfing with the Wind Hunters on the Barbados Blog Wind Hunters

Summary Video of Surfing with the Wind Hunters

Related Links

Leo Branch Astronomer – leobranchbarbados (at) gmail.com
Telephone: land line (246) 420 6384 ,
Mobile ,whatsapp app (246 ) 230 0572

The Story Behind Rogues in Paradise
Caribbean Travel Literature
Barbados Harry Bayley Observatory
Rogue and Wind Hunters
Rogues in Paradise Chapter Videos