When Europeans arrived on the island of Hispaniola, now home to
Haiti and the Dominican Republic, they were met by the Taino people, a seafaring group found in the Caribbean islands. Contact with the Europeans spelled the beginning of the end for the native people as smallpox epidemics in the early 1500s killed 90% of the Taino who had no Cap-Haitien is in the northern part of Haiti near Labadee where the Royal Caribbean makes a port call. Sadly, the cruise passengers do not get to see one of the world’s most incredible forts and other interesting places nearby. They are not allowed to leave the site leased by the Royal Caribbean.
About 17 miles from Cap-Haitien and five miles uphill – really uphill on a twisty-turny road – is the largest fortress in the Americas. The Citadel is located on a high mountain and intentionally extremely difficult to get to because it was to serve as a place of last resort should they be attacked. Some hike to the top but we went by car and then the last part in a four-wheeler. The Citadel was built at the behest of Henri Christophe who was a key leader of the slave rebellion that led to the world’s first independent black-led republic in the world having successfully ousted the French. Fearful that the French would try to recapture the island the massive fort was constructed by 20,000 workers between 1805 and 1820. After our visit our guide, Maurice, took us to his place that is a cultural center in the making. His wife had prepared an incredible lunch from ingredients made from ingredients grown on his property.
On the way to the Citadel was one of the most unexpected sites in
Haiti – the ruins of Sans Souci Palace that brings to mind the palaces of France. Sans Souci was the royal residence of King Henry I. Yes, there was once a king of Haiti but he is better known as Henri Christophe. Construction began in 1810 and it only took two years to build the massive complex complete with gardens, fountains and pools. It was Christophe's plan to show foreigners, particularly Europeans and Americans, the power and capability of the black race. A major earthquake in 1842 destroyed a major part of the Versailles-like palace and it was never rebuilt.
When Europeans arrived on the island of Hispaniola, now home to
Haiti and the Dominican Republic, they were met by the Taino
people, a seafaring group found in the Caribbean islands. Contact with the
Europeans spelled the beginning of the end for the native people as smallpox
epidemics in the early 1500s killed 90% of the Taino who had no natural immunity. Diseases and other causes led to their virtual extinction by the beginning of the 1600s. Near Ste. Suzanne there are petroglyphs accredited to the Taino people. On the way we stopped at a house to see some Taino artifacts a man has collected. We continue on to where a moderately-difficult path led to a stream where the petroglyphs were carved on the rocks many a long year ago. Amazingly hundreds and hundreds of years of water washing over the have not completely eroded them.
One night we stayed at Habitation Jouissant, a luxury boutique hotel on the hillside with panoramic views of the sea and the city that once was a private residence. The window in our room had a perfect view of the full moon and then the sun rising in the morning. We spent a couple nights at Cormier Beach Resort, a long-established, family-owned resort situated on a sandy beach with five-acres of beautiful flowers and trees. All of our accommodations in Haiti had free internet and included breakfast which we really appreciated.
On the way to the Citadel was one of the most unexpected sites in
When Europeans arrived on the island of Hispaniola, now home to
