Caribbean
The Caribbean is a festive place with remarkable contrasts - Warm and tropical weather with friendly sunshine and pristine beaches (Dec - June) Then on certain seasons (July - November) the area is periodically racked by monster storms called hurricanes that generate high winds and giant storm waves.
Mostly friendly local people often are highly dependent on maintaining a thriving tourist industry. Here is the blending of many cultures - Dutch, French, English, Portugese, Spanish, Native American, West African and Indian (from India). The numerous cultures are a result of the fierce competition among nations during the colonial era and the influence of rich and powerful agriculture and mining interests. Many nations in the Caribbean have fragile economies that are destroyed periodically by hurricanes - yet they seem to be resilient because of the beautiful beaches, relaxing feeling of the environment and the easy going rhythms of its friendly peoples.
The best experiences are in the water sports - sailing, diving, swimming, kite sailing behind power boats. The rum of this area is famous as are the beautiful ladies with golden suntans and string bikinis, and the pleasant sounds of the steel drum calypso rhythms.
The most populated islands are not necessarily the best tourist bargain but it depends on what turns you on. For those that can travel to Cuba it is a land of great bargain and beauty for your money with excellent medical system, good security, and excellent entertainment at numerous beaches, resorts and clubs. Other larger islands of note are Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Some like Haiti have a very poor economy in general but with spectacular jewels of resorts casinos, and places to hide away with spectacular service at low cost. Security can be a problem with thieves and drug criminals - yet it is largely a matter of "street smarts" knowing where to go and where not to go and when it is safest. After all - what do you expect in a land where pirates and their culture fluorished wantanly alongside aristocratic colonists and plantation owners. Rely on the services of reputable franchaised tour operations and you will generally never have a problem. Throughout the Caribbean English and Spanish will get you through most situations. Make plans for contingencies of weather and temporary loss of transportation and communication. Unplug your E-Mail! Otherwise kick back, get drunk on rum drinks without recriminations and have a ball in one of the most relaxing and fun regions of the world.
Major island groups are from South to North: Netherland Antilles (Aruba- Curacao - and Bonaire), The Lesser Antilles (Trinidad - Tobago - Grenada- St Vincent - Barbados - Dominica), many smaller islands of the West Indies plus the other larger islands previlously mentioned. Best connections from cruise ships and airlines are from major regional ports such as Miami, Caracas, Mexico City (air only) , and Cartagena.
Jamaica has a British heritage.
The Caribbean is a very interesting place for wicked fun or just relaxation. Predominant religions are Roman Catholic, VooDoo (pagan devil worship), and Dutch Protestant or Angelican (British). Going from one island to the next transforms you from one world to another - just like the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland.
Getting There & Away - There are flights from the USA to the larger islands, but most destinations involve a transit flight to San Juan in Puerto Rico. Trinidad's BWIA airline has a fairly extensive schedule between Miami and the larger non-French islands. Air France has a weekly flight from Miami to Guadeloupe and Martinique. London and Paris are the main European gateways, with flights from London to Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad; and Paris to Martinique, Guadeloupe and St Martin. KLM has flights from Amsterdam to St Martin.
Cruise ships and 'banana boat' cargo ships regularly sail through the Caribbean. The ports most visited by cruise ship are St Martin (500,000 passenger arrivals annually), Barbados and Martinique (each with 400,000 passengers). Package tours range from the conventional to those specifically designed for special-interest groups such as birdwatchers, divers, surfers and those who prefer to leave their clothes at home.
Getting Around - the main inter-island air carrier is LIAT, connecting 25 destinations within the region with up to 150 flights per day. Several smaller airlines cover specific areas; they include Winair (Anguilla to St Kitts), Airlines of Carriacou (the Grenadine islands), Air Guadeloupe and Air Martinique. LIAT in particular has an array of discounts and passes.
Most islands have inexpensive bus services, but bear in mind that a 'bus' can sometimes be an overcrowded mini-van or a pick-up truck with wooden benches. Confusingly, the islands that were formerly British have left-hand drive road rules, while the French and Dutch islands drive on the right.
Ferries link many islands, for example St Martin and Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and Bequia, Grenada and Carriacou, and Guadeloupe and its surrounding circle of islands. Catamarans link St Martin and St Barts, and Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique. Windward Lines' cargo boats link St Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent, Trinidad and Venezuela. Those lucky enough to have access to a yacht will have the best time navigating their way around the Eastern Caribbean, with calm sailing waters and major yachting bases at St Martin, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Lucia , St Vincent and Grenada.
Events - The pre-Lenten celebration of Carnival is a major festival throughout the Eastern Caribbean, although the British-influenced islands celebrate Carnival at other times during the year in order to spread the share of visitors. Calypso singers and steel bands, street dancing, parades and costume competitions all feature in Carnival. St Patrick's Day is celebrated in Irish-influenced Montserrat, while Bastille Day is fêted in Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Barts and French St Martin. The week-long Holetown Festival celebrates the arrival of the first English settlers to Barbados. Other regional festivities include yacht races and regattas, fish festivals, music festivals, cycling races and surfing championships.
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