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The two Caribbean Islands lie just
seven miles off the coast of Venezuela
and are part of South America. Together
they comprise the third richest coun-
try in GDP in the Americas, thanks to
abundant sources of oil and natural
gas. I missed that part of the islands’
fame, concentrating instead on eve-
ryday island fun. As Warren Solomon,
the republic’s Minister of Tourism, joked
during the conference’s opening cer-
emony, “I think the real energy comes
from our people. We enjoy everything to
the last drop.”

Cultural Influences

Trinidad and Tobago claim to have the
most holiday celebrations in the Carib-
bean, thanks to the many nationalities
among the 1.3 million residents. The
islands went through Spanish, Dutch,
French and British rule before gaining
independence in 1962. Indentured work-
ers were imported from East India in the
mid-1800s, and more than 35 percent
of the islanders are of Indian descent.
Another 30-something percent are of
African descent, and the rest is a mix of
European, Asian and Lebanese influ-
ences.

Top: The Hindu god Hanuman rises 85
feet high. Bottom; Trips to the mountains
include stops for candy and fruit.

156 WDT MAGAZINE SPRING 2017