Kingstown

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Fri 26 Jun 2009 22:30
Kingstown, St Vincent
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
For a day out we decided to take the hour long ferry ride over to Kingstown. 35 EC about £8.50 return. We did a swing round opposite the cruise ship dockramp lowered and parked next to the other ferries.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kingstown 1947
 
 
 
 
 
 
The view we saw when we arrived
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
Kingstown in the 1890's and a quite modern street now.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption;
Mother Church of the Diocese of Kingstown
in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The unassuming little title of this amazing church built in 1823, damaged in 1875; repaired and enlarged in 1877, 1891, two wings added in 1930. Inside the startling exterior is a labyrinth of school, church and presbytery. Fountains, archways, courtyards are also to be found where brick, stone and tile combine quite well. The Cathedral was quite a surprise. From the 31st of January 1971 the church has served as a Co-Cathedral under Most. Rev. Bishop Anthony Dickson, Barbados. St. Vincent was split from Barbados on the 23rd of October 1989 and was established as an independent Diocese.

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Inside the church was surprisingly fresh and modern. The lovely passage.
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
The flowers were well tended, the courtyard really lovely, the bell tower from inside the courtyard.
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Every time we see a cana lily we think of Bear's dad. Other pretties.
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
Opposite is the Anglican Church. Inside, again quite a surprise and the amazing red angel.
 

St.George’s Cathedral was dedicated in 1820, financed in part from the sale of lands taken from the Caribs. The nave, the lower stages of the tower and the galleried interior are of the Georgian period. The two Victorians transepts were added between 1880 and 1887. Ironically, under the chandelier is a large stone slab memorializing Major Leith, who allegedly duped and killed Carib Paramount Chief Chatoyer in 1795. This Anglican Cathedral has the only stained glass window in the world that portrays an angel dressed in red. The window was originally commissioned by Queen Victoria to be put in St. Paul's Cathedral in London, but was rejected because the angel was dressed in red robes. The window went to various churches around the world and ended up here in this church that seats about 300.

 
 
 
    
 
 
 
Across the road was the Methodist Church. When Bear saw the windows he commented do they keep the parishioners in, or the two lots over the road out. The very nice stained glass windows. 

In 1790 the Methodist missionaries purchased an old Roman Catholic Church and the congregation of many freed slaves helped to build the Methodist Church that stands here today. The church was dedicated in 1841. The belfry, a more recent addition, was erected in 1907.

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Berger Paints strike again. Taken from St. Georges we saw this "Pink thing" Opposite in blue. Rounding the graveyard we saw the pink thing in its glory ???
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Down the road we stopped to admire the dental surgery. We hoped this was a spare chair in the corner of the comfortable and lavish waiting room.
 
 
 
   
 
 

Fort Duvernette - first two photos - Alongside Young Island, this fort, built in 1800 is situated 195 feet above the sea and was originally intended to defend the anchorage at Calliaqua Bay. Transportation to the fort can be arranged with the ferry at the dock on Villa Beach. Fort Charlotte is on Berkshire Hill, just west of town, over 600 feet above the bay. Named after King George III’s wife, the fortification was constructed in 1806. In its heyday, it supported 600 troops and 34 guns. Some of the old barracks now house a museum with the colourful history of the Black Caribs depicted on its walls.

 
 
 
 
 
The lively market where we bought Bear a tuna for his tea for 75p.
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
The National Insurance building is very smart. We saw a wide range of houses perched up steep hills including this ramshackle dwelling.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I must here tell of my chafe. We had walked from the ferry to the centre of town, taxi to the Botanicals Gardens, walked about a mile around them, by the end of that the tops of my legs were starting to feel like two cheese graters rubbing together. We walked the mile back into town and by the time I had reached the Catholic Cathedral, I rolled my dress up to check for blood. We have seen many, many women walking along in "Long Johns" - sticking out below skirts and dresses, I had assumed it was a fashion - penny dropped - I needed a pair urgently. Off we trotted to KFC for some happy food and as many refills of drinks as we wanted for us to get our strength up. Then straight to one of the many Chinese Emporiums for a dig around in the drawers. A young lady helped me dig and couldn't stop laughing because no sooner the till draw had snapped shut, I was at the back of the shop applying my new purchase - all of £3.25. She thought it was hysterical that in England Long Johns are worn for warmth, she only knows them as chafe lowerers. Well here I am sitting in the ferry port modeling them awaiting our ride home. Oh the miracle, could have gone miles more. So pleased was I, I sat in the terminal and thoroughly got in to the cricket showing on a scruffy TV strapped high on the wall. Parkistan verses the West Indies, much quicker play than I have ever seen before, dare I say I quite enjoyed it and understood a bit of it.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Timed it just right, the rain began to fall on the city as we pulled away. Some "parsey pads" on the promontory at the end of the bay.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The airport runway - centre
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
Pulling away on the 16:00. Skipper settled in the sunshine. A sister ferry coming the other way
 
 
 
 
 
 
The other ferry company. We had seen them this morning, along with dolphins, same format, very loud music, carnival atmosphere and everyone on board dancing. Customs trotting along behind.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
We swung into Admiralty Bay and there was Beez Neez welcoming us. Parking at the quayside.
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL AN INTERESTING TOWN - BUSTLING, BUSY WITH A PURPOSE