San Salvador part 2 (n27.03.38 w74.32.5)
Amazing Grace
John and Julie
Sat 23 Apr 2011 20:10
Cliff Fernandez and his bus,
On the island is a largish university which was built in an old military camp. But first Cliff had to call home to get something
This bay is the site of the islands annual regatta and is very good for boats like ours.
The frenchies needed to pick up shells!!
This is a senior school which was also a military establishment previously.
Apparently when there was slavery they tried to grow cotton but it wasn't successfull and there are still wild plants come up after all this time!
I noticed small rose like flowers on the cotton plant and apparently these are the flowers that burst into cotton eventually. I never knew how that happened!!
There are quite a few houses left derelict by previous hurricane damage, but Cliff told us he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and they help the impoverished and pull together when theres damage done by storms with cook outs etc to raise money. However they are not allowed a bank account for these charity works as it must all go out to the needy immediately - so whatever money is raised on the day is given away on the day . sounds like a good idea to me - instant help - much better!!
Cliff took us to a working lighthouse, built in the British way and still working with a Kerosene lamp. However there is just one keeper now and not 2, although both houses still remain. The estate originally belonged to a Mr & Mrs Dixon, who are buried close to the lighthouse. However they cant name the tombs as it doesnt say which one is which!!
There are old signs that show it was once a colonial estate - look at the gate posts in the picture
We passed a huge expanse of water that looked a dark muddy yellow. Cliff explained the water was clear but the bottom was yellow and had been analysed as sand blown in from the Sahara. We had noticed yellow clouds just the day before.
We climbed after that and came to a Pirate look out post which showed the island from both sides. When they saw a ship coming they would entice it in and raid it. Sounds like the tax man!!
That was the end of our tour as we had already done the Columbus monument and the Olympic monument ourselves. The islanders are not very industrious with just 1300 people. They rely heavily on Club Med for employment. They have 6 churches of various denominations on the island though and mostly everyone is a churchgoer. This church however is past it now.