Barbados - The Rum Nation Trivia Quiz

Answer: Grantley Adams International Airport

The airport is located in Christ Church which is at the southern end of the island. Formerly known as Seawell Airport, the name was changed in 1976 after the first Premier of Barbados, Sir Grantley Herbert Adam. The airport is the ninth busiest in the Caribbean with just over 2,000,000 visitors each year walking through its gates. For anyone interested in aviation history, the airport has a Concorde museum which houses a retired Concorde on display.

Answer: Admiral Lord Nelson

Horatio Nelson was famous for his exploits most notably during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. As a reminder of his actions, you can find his statue in London as well as Portsmouth in England, Dublin in Ireland, Montreal in Canada, and Bridgetown in Barbados. Nelson visited Barbados in the same year as the great battle. He became a local hero after defeating the French who wanted to take over rule of the islands of the Caribbean.

Answer: Bajan

A person born on Barbados is called a Barbadian and anything which relates to the characteristics of the island and its people is called Bajan. This includes the pidgin dialect. English is the national language but the Bajan dialect is more informal, often with the "th" missing from the spoken word. "What is wrong with you?" would translate into "Wuh wrong wid you?"

Answer: Crane Beach

Barbados has 97 km of beaches. The coastline on the south and east of the island is sandy with clear blue azure waters. Visit the Jolly Roger ship and pretend you are a pirate for the day or explore undersea on the Atlantis submarine, looking for marine life and hidden treasure! The force of the Atlantic along the west coast is ideal for surfers. Alternatively, visit the north coast and take in the rugged cliffs and quiet coves. Crane Beach is a sandy beach safe for swimming which is why it is a popular destination.

It was not named after a bird as the title suggests, but after the crane at the top of the cliffs which would haul goods up from passing ships.

Answer: Kensington Oval

The West Indies cricket team, or Windies as they are fondly known, is comprised of players from many Caribbean islands including Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. They play at different locations which include the Kensington Oval stadium on Barbados. The stadium was host to the 2007 Cricket World Cup final where Australia beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs. Established in 1882, the Kensington Oval has seen many improvements over the years and it currently has a capacity for 28,000 spectators.

Answer: Signal Stations

Signal stations were built in prominent places around Barbados which have an expansive view of the land and sea. They were used to warn the islanders, especially plantation owners, of fires and rebellious slave uprisings, as well as ships passing by. Piracy was at its height during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The majority of stations were built at the beginning of the 19th century, using flag, light or fire to transmit messages to other stations. The last signal station was closed in 1887, but they remain a popular destination for locals and visitors to climb up and view the stunning scenery.

Answer: Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison

Bridgetown is in the parish of St Michael and nearby is the old St Ann's Garrison. The garrison dates back to 1704 and features British colonial buildings, the National Cannon Collection, an historic horse racing circuit called Garrison Savannah, and a beautifully restored guard room and clock tower. The old garrison saw the Union Flag of Great Britain being lowered for the last time in 1966 when Barbados became independent.

Answer: Welchman Hall Gully

Enter into a world of peace and solitude when you visit Welchman Hall Gully in the parish of St Thomas. You can take a gentle stroll through this forest wonderland which is about three quarters of a mile long. See exotic trees and blooms, a nutmeg walk, and not forgetting the stalagmites and stalactites left behind when the caves collapsed to form the gully. Try and spot the native green monkeys as they roam freely, clinging from the canopy of vines and trees, monkeying around as only monkeys can do.

Answer: Crop Over

Crop Over is a month long festival held each year between July and August to signal the end of the sugar cane harvest. The more serious folk can look at exhibitions of culture and history behind the sugar cane harvest, but for most it represents a kaleidoscope of colourful art, music, dance and party. The King of Calypso is crowned at "Pic-o-de-Crop". Watch artists and bands from the Caribbean perform at the "Cohobblopot", a large outdoor stage show. Finish the festivities with the "Grand Kadooment", a carnival parade normally held on the first Monday of August.

Answer: Mount Gay

Mount Gay rum has been made in Barbados since 1703. The modern distillery can be found in the parish of St Lucy at the north of the island, but if you want to sample some of the different varieties before you buy then check out the Mount Gay visitor centre in the parish of St Michael. You will be shown the whole process from when molasses is obtained from sugar cane, right through fermentation and distilling, until you get the chance to taste the finished product at the end.

A snifter of rum with the subtle flavours of banana, vanilla, almond and warm spice on a faraway tropical island can be very addictive, so be warned. Hic!