| The word Caribbean evokes images of hot | | | | Garrison, a former British Military Prison. |
| tropic lands, colourful cultures, buried | | | | There a set of comprehensive displays trace |
| treasure and fabulous beaches - in short, the | | | | the island's development from prehistoric |
| perfect vacation destination. One was to see | | | | times to the present day. Displays include |
| into the heart of a country is by exploring | | | | natural history including the local coral |
| museums, those treasure houses of a country's | | | | structure, Amerindian culture, Barbadian |
| past. Here we'll look into the Caribbean | | | | history, and African and European decorative |
| world through unique museums in the Bahamas, | | | | arts. Especially notable are the collections |
| Barbados and Jamaica. | | | | of West Indian maps. |
| | | | |
| First, we'll visit the Bahamas, an | | | | Finally we look at the seductive islands of |
| archipelago of 700 islands and cays. In 1783 | | | | Jamaica. And what more fitting museum in the |
| the Bahamas became a British colony, a status | | | | home of reggae than a shrine to its founder |
| it was to maintain until 1973 when it gained | | | | and high priest, Bob Marley? Located in the |
| independence. | | | | singer's former home in the capital Kingston, |
| | | | the Bob Marley Museum is the city's most |
| One of the major themes of the Caribbean is | | | | popular site for visitors. |
| of course pirates and the Bahamas was one of | | | | |
| their lairs. This area was once the stomping | | | | The museum is housed in a simple clapboard |
| ground of such buccaneers as Captains Morgan | | | | building was not only Bob Marley's house but |
| and Kidd who grew rich from the spoils of | | | | also his recording studio until his death in |
| looting ships. If you want a glimpse into | | | | 1981. And it was the headquarters of Tuff |
| this murky world you can visit the Pirates of | | | | Gong, the record label founded by Marley and |
| Nassau museum which recreates the golden age | | | | his band The Wailers in 1970. The museum also |
| of piracy (1690-1720). | | | | features an 80-seat theatre. |
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| At the Pirates of Nassau museum you can | | | | Reggae fans can feast their eyes on Marley |
| stroll through the body of a pirate ship | | | | memorabilia such as his star-shaped guitar by |
| eavesdropping on the buccaneers as they plot | | | | the bed in his bedroom. You can also see the |
| their next attack. The museum is staffed with | | | | bullet holes that tore through the rear wall |
| pirate impersonators and features its own pub | | | | during an assassination attempt in 1976 in |
| called the Malborough Arms. It's especially | | | | which Marley was wounded. |
| great for kids. | | | | |
| | | | So when you take your Caribbean vacation, |
| Next is Barbados, an island that's part of | | | | don't neglect the museums. Not only do they |
| the Lesser Antilles located northeast of | | | | bring alive the history of a place, they're |
| Venezuela. With its tropical climate, pink | | | | your conduit into the heart of a country, |
| and white sand beaches, sugarcane plantations | | | | culture and people. Before travelling to |
| and vibrant West Indian culture, Barbados is | | | | Jamaica, make sure that the hotel |
| a deservedly popular tourist destination. | | | | reservations are in place. Hotels in Barbados |
| | | | and hotels in Bahamas can easily be booked in |
| To get to know Barbados, head for the | | | | advance through the Internet, and then you |
| Barbados Museum, located at St Ann's | | | | will be able to enjoy Jamaica at the best. |