The Caves and Monkeys of Barbados
The allure of Barbados has always been the stretch of soft white sand on the west coast that serves as a welcome mat for the warm aquamarine waters of the Caribbean Sea. Yet, it’s the ecological wonders in the northern and eastern section of the island that make Barbados an intriguing island destination. At Harrison’s Cave, you hop on a tram that slowly ambles into the dark corridor of limestone coral. The 100-foot high Great Hall is teeming with stalagmites and stalactites, the color of a creamsicle. Even more impressive is the crystal-like formations found in the Rotunda above pools of rushing water. Next stop is the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, home to green monkeys that were first brought to the island as pets of slave traders in the mid-17th century. The monkeys tend to be shy, so you have to be still. There are also flamingos and pelicans drinking from the shallow ponds, toucans that blurt “hello” from inside an aviary, and peacocks who squawk at the slow moving red-footed tortoise. You finish with a swim on one of those blissful beaches.
Spring is a great time of year to visit the Emerald Isle. The bluebells and daffodils are out, the summer crowds have yet to arrive and transatlantic airfares are low. 
We spotted a patch of sun this morning as folks were strolling around my neighborhood, camera in tow, to take photographs of the many massive uprooted trees. Tall pines and maples had fallen on power lines, cars, and in the street. Thankfully, I didn’t see any trees atop homes, but power is still out on several streets. One neighbor told me she’s been living here for 40 years and this is the worst storm she’s ever seen. Though I’d love to talk travel with you this week and think about escaping away from this mess, it would be best if I remain firmly rooted like the oak trees in my backyard that remarkably weathered the 65 mile per hour gusts. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone still suffering from Sandy, especially all my friends on the New England coast, New York, and New Jersey. I’ll be back next week with a fresh batch of blogs.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing the work of travel writer Reid Bramblett since we were both contributing editors at Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine some 15 years ago. He’s the foremost expert on Italy, where he spent his adolescence and then proceeded to pen ten guidebooks (including Frommer’s and DK titles) and far too many articles to count. He has since launched