Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

Fall 2016

Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine

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DREAMSCAPES FALL 2016 46 T &T, as the islands are known locally, are the southernmost islands in the Caribbean, with Trinidad a mere 11 kilometres from the eastern coast of Venezuela. Larger and more commercial of the two islands, Trinidad was named for the Holy Trinity by Christopher Columbus in 1498. When he found only Arawak and Carib Indians instead of precious metals there, he enslaved the Amerindians and shipped them off to work on other Caribbean settlements. Spain established Trinidad's first European community in the 16 th century, followed by French sugar cane planters with their African slaves, and the British who colonized the island in 1802. Once Britain abolished slavery, plantation owners imported thou- sands of indentured labourers from India, China and the Middle East. Tobago was named after the tobacco grown there by its original Carib Indian population. It was not until the 17 th century that Europeans discovered its strategic har- bour and fertile soil, which led to battles among the British, French, Dutch and even Latvians, vying for control of the island and its sugar, cotton and indigo plantations. By 1814 Tobago was ceded to Britain and in 1889 annexed to Trinidad. The islands achieved independence in 1962 and became a republic in 1976. It is the republic's vivid history and mul- ticultural past that created today's diverse and captivating attractions on these stun- ning islands. TRINIDAD DELIGHTS Following our arrival in Port of Spain, Trinidad's capital, we drove along the North Coast Road to Maracas Beach, one of the island's most popular. We soon found an added bonus to the island's white sand and turquoise water allure: bake and shark. This fish delicacy served on fried bread is freshly prepared in half a dozen nearby food stands, eaten hot off the grill after being dressed from a huge communal table of condiments including hot pepper sauces, mustards, may- onnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic and coleslaw. It turned out to be our very favourite lunch. On the island's western peninsula are the remains of old Fort George where we had a A TRUE Caribbean Duo THE TWIN ISLANDS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO OFFER A CORNUCOPIA OF SOFT ADVENTURES AND MAGNIFICENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WATER SPORTS AND BEACH TIME TO BOOT. BY JULIE REKAI RICKERD

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