After a lot of research, I selected Trinidad and Tobago as my first Caribbean
Island vacation spot because of its variety of animal life and underwater
scenery. As a New Zealander it's not the easiest place to get
to because, although they're members of the British Commonwealth just like
New Zealand, they require a visa for anyone with a Down Under passport.
On the other hand, because I lived so near New York city it was a bit easier,
because that's where the consulate is, and there's a daily flight from
JFK airport to Trinidad.
It's an accident of history and geography that Tobago
is united as a country with Trinidad, its Big Sister to the South.
The two were separate for over a hundred and twenty-five years after the
British gained control of Tobago, but in 1884 its economy collapsed and
in 1889 it was joined with Trinidad. Still, people of the two
islands seem happy to share their fate together, with Tobago benefiting
from the oil wealth of Trinidad, and the inhabitants of Trinidad getting
a relaxing vacation spot in return.
The people of Trinidad and Tobago are mostly relaxed, friendly and laid-back,
so it's no surprise that their big contributions to world culture are in
such hedonistic pastimes as "steel pan" music and the biggest Carnival
celebrations in the Caribbean. Equally as entertaining are
some of the funny signs you'll see
as you travel around the islands, including a surprising number of unintentionally
amusing road signs. |
