Recommend April 2011 - (Page 54)

Party TIME By day, the islands of the Caribbean can be some of the most serene and relaxing destinations in the world. But don’t let all that peacefulness fool you. Islands like Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago are home to some of the world’s biggest, bawdiest and most colorful celebrations, proving that this region is about far more than its perfect beaches. Barbados You probably know Barbados for its upscale luxury and golf resorts. But you might not realize that this is home to CROP OVER, the second-largest party in the Caribbean, offering just as much local ﬂavor as excitement and entertainment. Named to commemorate the celebrations that took place after Barbados’ harvesting season ended during the height of its sugar cane production, today the celebrations showcase plenty of local culture. + THE GRAND KADOOMENT is Barbados’ name for the main event of Crop Over, a raucous parade that winds through the streets of its capital, BRIDGETOWN. It’s easy to compare the Grand Kadooment to Trinidad’s Carnival Tuesday parade—its colorful costumes, pumping soca music and wild dancing are all similar. But there’s also plenty of Bajan ﬂavor here, especially in the food available from stands along the parade route; you won’t ﬁnd comparable macaroni pie anywhere else but here. + COHOBBLOPOT is a competition pitting the best in Calypso against each other in a battle of music and performance. There’s a strong link between music and politics here, so expect more than just music. Each performer also puts on a short skit relating to the news of the day, during his or her time on stage. The energy during these performances is palpable, and locals truly love their calypso stars, participating in the process by cheering or booing their political statements. + Coinciding with Crop Over celebrations, the BRIDGETOWN market brings together artisans of all sorts. Shoppers here have their pick of souvenirs, from works of art by local artists, to handcrafted clothing, accessories, woven thatch and more. HOTEL HIGHS: SANDY LANE and THE CRANE in the west (if you don’t mind the commute to and from Bridgetown’s celebrations); ALMOND CASUARINA BEACH RESORT or the BARBADOS HILTON for better local access to Crop Over festivities. FAST FACTS: GETTING THERE: From the U.S., direct and nonstop service to BGI ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport and return ticket BEST TIME TO GO: Crop Over celebrations peak in August ofﬁcially kick off on J’OUVERT MORNING. Lining up in the wee hours of the morning, revelers choose a team— anything from red paint to silver mud—then spend the hours ‘til sunup attacking each other in their chosen substance, all while drinking, dancing, and parading through the streets. By the time J’Ouvert is over, most revelers are as dirty as they’ve ever been, drenched in paint and mud. (Some hotels even refuse to allow J’Ouvert participants inside their doors until they’ve showered off outside.) + PANORAMA, an annual competition of steel drum bands, coincides with Carnival celebrations each year. You’ve never heard steel drums like this, played by band members often numbering over 100 at a time, creating a truly orchestral sound. + But the main event, of course, is CARNIVAL TUESDAY, when revelers take to the streets for massive parades all across the capital of PORT OF SPAIN, starting at 8 a.m. The event is nearly as much fun to watch as it is to participate in, due to the spectacle of its throngs of glittery, feathered costumes, wild dancing and music. + If you’re hoping to make Carnival a family affair, the rowdy adult Carnival parade might be a bit much. Happily, there’s a kids’ version of Carnival, held the Friday before Ash Wednesday each year. Onlookers will be surprised by the kids’ costumes, prepared with just as much attention to detail as the grownup versions, as well as by their dancing—some of these miniature revelers have serious moves. + Need a break from the revelry? Hop a plane or ferry to Tobago, Trinidad’s serene sister island, and unwind with nature-based activities like birdwatching (the island is home to over 200 species of birds), diving, or simply soaking up the sun on its undeveloped beaches. But it’s not all peace and quiet here—TOBAGO CARNIVAL takes place in September. It’s a more relaxed version of the festival you’ll ﬁnd in Trinidad, but still contains all the basics: strong soca music, ﬂashy costumes and plenty of drinking and dancing. HOTEL HIGHS: Port of Spain’s HILTON TRINIDAD AND CONFERENCE CENTRE, HYATT REGENCY TRINIDAD, and COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT TRINIDAD are perfectly placed for revelers. In Tobago, LE GRAND COURLAN SPA RESORT offers relaxation and all-inclusive pricing. Trinidad & Tobago FAST FACTS: GETTING THERE: From the U.S., nonstop service to POS and TAB ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport BEST TIME TO GO: Carnival celebrations peak in late-February If there’s one thing that Trinidad does well, it’s Carnival. The island’s massive celebrations rank among the largest Carnival celebrations in the world, with tons of bright color, sparkling glitter, pounding music and excitement. + Preparations for CARNIVAL last for months, but the celebrations C28 and early-March ● recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Hurtigruten's Trollfjord
Savoring Adventure on Small Ship Cruises
Turkey Beyond Istanbul
Stepping Out in Eastern Europe: Go Escorted
2011 Guide to The Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda
Heading Down Under
India's New Gems
Show-Stoppers on Stage—and on the Plate
Two Sides of a Hawaiian Vacation
Little Palm Island & Ocean Key Resort, Florida
Key West Fun Pass
RIU Panama
Tea Time for Swingers

Recommend April 2011