I went to see Harrison's Cave in Barbados

toni2oni (43)in #travel • 7 years ago (edited)

I went to see Harrisons Cave in Barbados earlier this week and it was phenomenal.
There was great anticipation because, although I've always known about it and have travelled to Barbados on numerous occasions, this was my first time. Also, because I had studied the concept of how stalagmites and stalactites are created, I was intrigued to have the experience of seeing it in real life.

Stalagmites are a type of rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the floor from ceiling drippings. The corresponding formation hanging down from the ceiling of a cave is a stalactite. - Wikipedia

Some of the formations are named, I guess for reference, like The Village - a group of stalagmites that look like village people going about their daily business and The Altar - where one stalagmite looks likes he's on one knee proposing to another.

The Village	The Altar

My pics don't quite do it justice.

One area looks like Queen Elsa's castle (Frozen)..or at least parts of it... because it was a wall covered in white that had water flowing over it. It gave a similar look to a tiny ice kingdom.

What fascinates me is that the cave appears to be alive; living and breathing and having the embodiment of a person.

Creative - Some of the formations look like drapery; folding on itself the same way curtains fold to create ripples, also a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Breathing - new formations are occurring very quickly. I was a little disturbed to know that they cut through the cave in order to make it into a tourist attraction, but the cave itself seems to be springing back to life or just adjusting to what's happening in life, creating new formations along the paths that were cut back in the 70's. Geologists* agree that the formations are occurring pretty rapidly compared to other caves in the world.

Defensive - there was an area that was made up of mud and silt and 4 inches of water that acted as quick sand - we were told to beware!

Protective - providing shelter from the sun and rain.

Providing - the cave provided fresh clean water, naturally purified in some areas. They believe that it takes over a year for the water from rainfall above to trickle down inside the cave, purifying itself in the process and settling in pools.

Sweating - some of this water, instead of settling in pools just dripped from the ceiling giving me the impression that the cave is sweating.... this felt kind of gross at times.

Nonetheless it didn't take away from the entire experience of this living thing that created and transformed and adjusted itself to its environment. It is something to see for yourself and experience if you have any kind of appreciation for nature.

Put this one on your bucket list.