Skip to main content

Trinidad goes all out for Caribbean-style carnival and Mardi Gras

The Canadian Press: "PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Mardi Gras in the U.S. means New Orleans. In South America, it's Brazil and, in Europe, it's Venice.

But in the Caribbean, Trinidad is the place to be for carnival, with a celebration of culture, calypso and cuisine, complete with parades, elaborate costumes, bands and masquerade balls.

Carnival events begin in the days leading up to Mardi Gras, which falls on Feb. 24 this year. Festivities include Kiddies Carnival, where children and teenagers dress up and dance; the Panorama steel pan competition; a themed Masquerade Band of the Year contest with elaborate costumes and dancing; and Kings and Queens Costume Competition, where costumes of dragons, butterflies or insects can weigh up to 90 kilograms and are usually attached to wheels for mobility, with special effects like fog, light shows and fireworks to impress the judges."

Popular posts from this blog

Forbes   I recently spent a week in  Turks and Caicos , my first time out of the country since the pandemic hit. Like many Caribbean countries, Turks and Caicos rely  almost entirely on tourism  to power their economy, so they’re desperate for travelers to return. I’m happy to report that these beautiful beaches felt like an escape from the despair of this global pandemic, and here’s how they are keeping travelers safe.
Read more

Caribbean holiday deals

http://www.kansascity.com/737/story/748634.html "Fly freeSandals Resorts has a Fly Free Promotion, with air credits of $350 to $550 a person for travelers who book a minimum three-night stay at one of the all-inclusive Caribbean properties. Also, stay for at least six nights and receive a room discount of up to 35 percent and one free night, or book a top-category suite for at least seven nights and get two free nights and a discount of up to 30 percent. Air credit amount varies by island: $350 for Jamaica and the Bahamas, $450 for St. Lucia and $550 for Antigua. Prices vary by resort. For example, a six-night vacation at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios in Jamaica starts at $1,575 per couple after $350 air rebate, free night and 35 percent discount. Travelers must book by Sept. 2 and travel by Dec. 20, 2009 (some holiday blackout dates apply). 800-726-3257 or http://www.sandals.com/ ."
Read more

Caribbean Star marks final flight, transfers assets to LIAT

Advocate : "THE seven-year-old Caribbean Star operated its final flight yesterday, marking a takeover by competitor LIAT, in a buyout that Chairman, Jean Holder, describes as 'one of the most significant business deals in the history of the Caribbean' . Late last month, the two carriers finalised and executed an agreement that facilitated the transfer of Caribbean Star's assets to LIAT. That asset purchase agreement did not include the remaining five aircrafts leased by Caribbean Star, which are expected to be transferred to LIAT in a separate transaction expected to coincide with today's closure of the carrier, owned by Antigua-based Texan billionaire, Sir Allen Stanford."
Read more