14th annual My Morrela Kenisha Findlay CaribbeanEssay Contest in cooperation with the Tourism Organization Ashley Amador

“Imagine that you are a travel journalist and have been assigned to write a story about your country for Condé Nast Traveler. Remember that our motto is Truth in Travel, and we like to go beneath the surface to show people more than just the usual tourist spots.”

ood day travel enthusiast. Today our travels abroad bring us to the beautiful Cayman Islands. The Cayman GIslands? Where is that, you may be asking. The Cayman Islands consist of three small islands—Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman locat- ed in the northwest Caribbean. Grand Cayman is just one hour by plane from Miami, 180 miles northwest of and 150 miles south of . The country enjoys very pleasant weather all year round, with temperatures rarely dipping below 70 degrees F or rising above 90 degrees F. The coolest season is from to April. Caymanians are renowned for their friendliness and are devout, church-going people. They are proud of their multiracial and multicultural origins. Approximately one in four are European, mainly descended from British settlers, a further quarter are of African descent, and the rest claim mixed ancestry. The official language is English; Spanish is also spoken. Most Caymanians made their living from turtling and seafaring. Today the country is a thriving international finance center, home to the ’s leading banks and financial service providers. The mainstay of the economy, banking dates back to the passing of the first banking and trust laws in 1966. The local currency is the Cayman Island’s CCI$0. However the US dol- lar is also widely used and trades at a rate of CI $ 0.80 to US $1.00. Tourism is also a vital , thanks in large measure to the islands excellent weather, wide choice of accom- modations, glorious beaches, fine restaurants, coral reefs and crystal clear seas—home to some of the world’s best diving sports. For the thousands of tourists who arrive on the island by air or by luxury cruise ships, duty-free shopping is another attraction. Festivals have long been a key feature of Cayman life. Locals and visitors can let their hair down at the Batabano , the island’s major springtime festival. The biggest public celebration is the Pirates Week Festival held throughout the island every October. Its main event takes place in George Town Harbour and involves an “invasion” of authentic-looking swashbucklers and pirates. Just to name a few places of interest that you would not want to miss seeing: The Turtle Farm, Hell, Pedro St. James Castle, Stingray City, Rum Point, The Mastic Trail, The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, The National Museum and of course, the famous Seven Mile Beach. So what do you say? Take a few days come on down to the jewel of the Caribbean—Cayman, and enjoy the true Caymanian lifestyle. See you there! This is Ashley Amador reporting for CNT from The Cayman Islands. Back to you in the studio.

“Locals and visitors can let their hair down at the Batabano Carnival, the island’s major springtime festival.” Anguilla 14th annual My Morrela Kenisha Findlay CaribbeanEssay Contest in cooperation with the Caribbean Tourism Organization Jawole Mandisa Joseph

“Imagine that you are a travel journalist and have been assigned to write a story about your country for Condé Nast Traveler. Remember that our motto is Truth in Travel, and we like to go beneath the surface to show people more than just the usual tourist spots.”

y country, Dominica, with its capital , is one of the most beautiful islands in the world! It is located between the two French islands of and in the Caribbean. Seventy- one thousand people inhabit this island. Our official language is English but we also have the treasure Mof two dialects, or Kweyol and Kokoy. Our indigenous people, the Carib Indians, live in the Carib Territory and are led by their own chief. Because of their integration with the black race, a new breed of coloured Caribs is emerging. It was the Carib Indians who named Dominica “Waitukubul,” meaning “Tall is her body.”

Dominica is known for the longevity of its people and its pride of its youth. Approximately three years ago, we boasted of having the oldest human being in the world. She was called Mrs. Elizabeth “Pampo” Israel. Today we have over twenty-five and many who are approaching their hundredth birthday on our small island. We also have the youngest Prime Minister in the world, in the person of Honourable .

Our environment is very friendly and beautiful. The has declared our awesome Trois Pitons Mountains a World Heritage Site. Of the two boiling lakes in the world, Dominica is graced with the biggest one. Visitors marvel at its beauty, the sound it makes, and the temperature of its water. On a trip to our Boiling Lake one gets to see some of our hot, sulfur springs bub- bling with sulfur and sound. Only in Dominica can one find the plant named Sabinea carinalis, locally called “Bwa Kwaib,” our National flower and our National bird, the Sisserou Parrot. We are unique with our spe- cial species of flora and fauna and the variety in our shrubs. Much of our natural vegetation can be viewed by taking a ride on our new Arial Tram located in the depth of our forests. Hikers delight in hiking on our island where they enjoy the beauty of our lush vegetation among other attractions and can do so safely.

Divers know that Dominica is among the ten best diving destinations in the world and it has ranked higher by many who are captivated by our underwater bubbles, variety of fish corals, plants and other treasures.

I present my island, Dominica, as the most friendly, peaceful, and beautiful destination for all tourists, espe- cially those who are fascinated by nature.

“Hikers delight in hiking on our island where they enjoy the beauty of our lush vegetation among other attractions and can do so safely.” Anguilla Dominican 14th annual My Morrela Kenisha Findlay CaribbeanEssay Contest in cooperation with the Caribbean Tourism Organization Virginia Núñez Mir

“Imagine that you are a travel journalist and have been assigned to write a story about your country for Condé Nast Traveler. Remember that our motto is Truth in Travel, and we like to go beneath the surface to show people more than just the usual tourist spots.”

f you’re planning to travel, should be the first on your list of possible countries.

“ButI why?” you may ask. Here are some reasons to tell you why to come here.

Our beautiful landscapes and beaches are the best way to relax and have fun.

Our great variety of birds singing makes you have the perfect morning.

Our delicious foods, which you will never get bored of, would make you strong enough to continue exploring our tropical lands.

Here, we like to be with family, and it may be funny, but every time light goes family forgets about everything and has a good time.

In this country, there are a lot of places to go, and wherever you are, there is a big, warm sun behind.

Our founding fathers are Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sanchez, Ramon Marias Mella. Our national bird is the cigua palmera and our tree is the caoba. We have and respect our anthem, flag, and coat of arms. Pedro Mir is our national poet and Guillo Perez is our national painter.

Our president is Leonel Fernandez. Here there are different landforms, valleys, mountains, plains, farms, cities, rivers, and beaches. Everywhere you are you would have fun.

In this country we are all different so however you are we will accept you.

Here our favorite hobby is baseball.

As you see, this is a good country to live in and visit.

“Our great variety of birds singing makes you have the perfect morning. ”