Inky Marina!

Our second stop on St Kitts was one of my favorite types of places- a National Park! We had arrived at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.  The fortress was designed by the British, but in reality, it was enslaved folks of African descent who built and kept it running.   The area around the hill is beautiful, with green foliage and white clouds covering the hills. Still, sadness about the situation of the enslaved peoples who were forced to build the fortress definitely affected my visit to Brimstone Hill.


To get to the main fortress, our mini bus took us up a narrow road up through the rainforest. Even so, we were not at the top of Brimstone Hill! The last bit must be done on foot, so our families stopped to get cold drinks at a little stand and power up for the hike. We enjoyed our drinks in the shade by some flowers. Do you see the little flowers just over my shoulders? I wish I knew their names.


Luckily for me and Brooke, we used the sugar rush from our drinks to run up the hill! The fortress has a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea. Of course, that is on purpose! The fortress was used as a defense, so that the peoples on St Kitts could see any potential enemies approaching. Brimstone Hill Fortress and nearby Fort Charles spent time going between French and British hands in their territorial conflicts over the area. However, while St Kitts ultimately ended up independent, it is still part of the British Commonwealth. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II was the one who dedicated Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in 1985.


I love that Brooke is a great buddy for visiting National Parks! It was very hot the day we were at Brimstone Hill.  Both of us had to put on a lot of sunblock! We smelled like coconut cookies.  As we explored the fortress, we both marveled at the amazing construction done by people of African descent.  Brimstone Hill Fortress is so tough that it was sometimes called "The Gibraltar of the Caribbean!"  The wars between the British and French over the Caribbean ended in the 1800s. After that, the fort was abandoned for around 100 years.


Today, the flat of St Kitts & Nevis flies over Brimstone Hill.  I am so glad that the peoples of St Kitts and Nevis won their independence! Brimstone Hill National Park was formally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Whee!


One of the coolest places at Brimstone Hill is this bell! Brooke was brave and climbed up to pose by it.  Do you see the beautiful sea behind her? We were truly on a wonderful adventure. 


Before we finished exploring the Fortress proper, Brooke and I found this little spot! Isn't it just the right size for us? We could have stood sentry all day, if it hadn't been so hot! Can you imagine wearing a full uniform and standing guard all day at the Fortress? What a difficult job!


Soon enough, it was time to head off to our final stop on St Kitts. Brooke and I climbed on this cannon while we waited for the rest of the group to gather at our mini bus.  We were both grateful for the opportunity to visit such a historic place where we could reflect on the past.

Have you ever been to a fort? What was it like?