Adventures in the Caribbean

The Beauty of Caribbean Island Life

Ah-how enchanting are the islands in the Caribbean. From the white, sandy beaches of Tobago, to the blue mountains of Jamaica, there is much to be admired in the Caribbean. Some of the major islands include: Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Grand Cayman, Cuba, Curacao, The Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadalupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Trinidad, Tobago, and the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix). Come let us explore these islands together: in short, let the adventure begin.

People:

Basically, the islands are a multicultural melting pot influenced by a wide variety of dominant countries. With Antigua, the Virgin Islands, Grenada, and Grand Cayman, all influenced by the British; Guadalupe and St. Maarten influenced by the French; Puerto Rico and Cuba by Spain; and Jamaica by Africa; it is easy to see why the islanders are so interesting. Besides Great Britain, France, Spain and Africa, other dominant cultures exist including Venezuelan, Pakistanian, Portuguese and Dutch.

Some of the earliest settlers were known as Ciboneys, Arawaks or Tainos, and the Caribs. The Arawaks introduced the barbequeing techniques. Their early grills were created by putting green sticks together. Taino people possessed African features characterized by dark skin and black hair. Although, some Taino wore gold, they did not perceive its significance and traded it for beads and other Spanish trinkets. The Tainos did not wear much clothing, but the few articles they did wear were made from palm leaves, flowers and short cotton skirts.

As a result of the islanders' mixed ethnicity, they speak a wide variety of languages. While English, spoken with a noticeable accent, is the most prominent, Spanish, French and Creole are also used.

The islanders or natives, as they are often called, are a friendly, laid-back people. They are not in a rush to do anything or get anywhere; their whole atmosphere is relaxed and stress-free.

Landscape and Climate:

While Trinidad and Tobago are known for their beautiful beaches and green mountains, these islands also boast waterfalls, small streams and rivers. Additionally, they feature country roads, oil fields, hiking paths and tropical rainforests. Beautiful beaches can also be found in Jamaica, Guadalupe, Antigua, Grenada, and Puerto Rico. Antigua and Guadalupe's beaches are so diverse everyone can enjoy them. Volcanic mountains, coral reefs, bubbling springs, and palm trees are also prominent island features.

Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten offer great hotels and shopping amenities. In addition, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten also offer "posh" resorts and gambling casinos.

Climate on the islands is usually very mild to hot throughout the year, making them great year-round tourists destinations.

Sports and Other Recreation:

Major sports activities enjoyed by the islanders include water sports such as, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat racing, jet skiing, sailing, and kayaking. The islands also teem with spectacular golf, bird and turtle-watching, cycling and hiking. Taino people introduced the islanders to hunting and fishing.

Music and Dance:

While the Caribbean boasts a variety of sports, music and dance are the most prominent forms of recreation, "permeating every aspect of Caribbean life". Among the musical styles that exists are reggae (which originated in Jamaica), calypso, soca, hip-hop, pan music, salsa and fungi. Some of these styles have been influenced by the 'call and response' of early African slave songs, as well as the African drum beat. Calypso which is popular in Latin-tinged Cuba and Puerto Rico, is especially rhythmic and beat-driven. Soca is a form of calypso focusing more on audience response than individual lyrics.

Carnival time is a favorite pastime featuring steel bands playing fungi music. The first steel bands were created in Trinidad, where band members carried pans around their necks. Fungi uses a blend of scratch guitars, bass and African drums, bamboo flutes and washboards. A time of fun and festivity, Carnivals are also characterized by very creative and sometimes outlandish costumes. Other musical instruments used include triangles, squash gourds, tambourines, ukeleles, banjos and more recently, saxophones.

Caribbean dances consist of lower-carriage movement, stepping and much hip swaying, all infused with the Caribbean beat. Because music and dance play such an important role in island life, many hotels offer lessons.

Several well-known musicians were born in Jamaica including Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Shabba Ranks, and Shaggy, to name a few.

Flavor and Fine Dining:

Island dishes are seasoned with a unique blend of herbs and spices. Individual preference determines whether the dishes are mild or hot. The natives love to party, thus entertaining is natural for them. A typical party consist of a family style banquet featuring tasty food and pulsating music.

Sugarcane was introduced to the natives by Columbus when he arrived in 1493. Some time later, they discovered that rum, a favorite island drink, could be made from the fermented juice of the cane. Additionally, the Spaniards introduced other foods such as eggplant, coconuts, chick-peas, onions and garlic. Portugal, Great Britain and France brought mangoes, lime, oranges, rice and coffee; Mexico brought papaya, avocado and cocoa; and West Africa brought okra, plantains, callaloo, pigeon and breadfruit.

Seafood, jerk chicken, rum punch and rum cakes, as well as soda are all unique to the islands. While these dishes are all the rage, many islands also offer fast food and pizza, for those who desire more traditional 'American' fare. One of the interesting facts about the Caribbean experience is, you can sample island food one night, and dine on American food the next. No matter what your tastes, you're sure to find something to please your palette.

Conclusion:

Scenic beaches boasting azure blue waters, idyllic weather, friendly natives, exciting sports, pulsating music, rhythmic dancing, posh hotels, duty-free shopping, great gaming and exotic dishes all contribute to the beauty of the Caribbean island way of life. With all these amenities, it's easy to see why so many tourists choose the islands for their destination spot. Because the islands have something for everyone, they are great for romantic getaways. Now that you've had your taste of paradise, perhaps you'll join the millions of other tourists who've discovered the rich treasure only an island experience can provide. Come on---a lifetime of pleasure awaits you.