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14th annual My Morrela Kenisha Findlay CaribbeanEssay Contest in cooperation with the Organization Joshua Tuson

“Imagine that 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.”

he Boeing 747 jet banked gradually towards the international airport of Point Salines and I gazed with Twonder at the green turquoise and blue of the coastline of my homeland, Grenada. Setting out on my assignment to find the lesser known Grenada, I started in St. Georges, the capital. Built around a volcanic crater, the city is colourful with a bustling harbour. Over a steep hill, the Market is full of atmosphere and the scent of . Tables overflow with mangoes, coconut, bread fruit, passion fruit, bananas, limes and vegetables, also cinnamon and cloves, calabashes and Rasta hats. At the nearby bus station, I was soon jammed between two enormous ladies on my way to Grenville. The south of Grenada is home to sailing, the tourist hotels, beautiful homes and private estates. We continue eastward past small secret coves such as La Sagesse Bay, Requin and Great Bacolet before reaching Grenville. The former capital of Grenada, Grenville is remarkably unspoiled. There is also an aromatic processing plant and the fish market is fascinating when the small speed boats race in with their catch. There is also basket weaving in nearby Marquis. In Grenville I rented an off-road motorbike to continue my offbeat journey, and roaring up the winding road through misty rainforest and through Grand Etang national park was a blast. Northwards, up the coastal road towards Gauyave, one passes delicious small, protected coves and tiny com- munities where cold drinks and spicy snacks are always waiting. Gouyware is a laid back old fishing village that also has a nutmeg factory. The beautiful concord waterfalls are nearby, so take a cool swim! In the North, watch turtles lay their eggs at Sautecurs, and be sure to visit Levera. This National Park is the most beautiful but least visited. The 300- year-old Belmont Estate and museum are nearby and the Grenada chocolate factory is a must! Here a com- bination of traditional methods and modern eco-technology result in -class chocolate. Yummy! Back in St. Georges I took the futuristic osprey shuttle to . The island being so small, a mountain bike is a good way to go there. In Windward, Carriacou, traditional wooden boats are still built right on the beach. The island has its own music – parang, fiddle, drum and Enel, a fantastic virtuoso steel pannist – look for him at the Lambi Queen in Tyrell Bay. Carriacou is a scuba diver’s paradise and has some of the best sites in the Caribbean. I took time out to dive the “sisters,” maybe the best of the lot. Petite is a diminutive cove, 15 minutes water taxi ride from Windward. Go there and the view from the top will blow your mind. Then, take a long rum punch and listen to “P.M.” Stories! Get back to the inter- national airport in a little yellow aeroplane from Lauriston’s, a tiny airfield with several flights each day. “Yo, man, you got de nice flavour some , but next time gi’ youself mo’ time to lime!”

“Northwards, up the coastal road towards Gauyave, one passes delicious small, protected coves and tiny communities where cold drinks and spicy snacks are always waiting. ” Anguilla 14th annual My Morrela Kenisha Findlay CaribbeanEssay Contest in cooperation with the Caribbean Tourism Organization Sidonia

“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.”

welcome you to Guyana. It is with great pleasure that I show you around and tell you facts about my country, Guyana, the land of Many Waters. The Capital city is Georgetown. The official language is English, spoken with Ia Caribbean Creole flavor. The President of the Republic of Guyana is His Excellency Mr. Bharrot Jagdeo. Guyana is located on the continent of South America between fifty-nine degrees West longitude and five degrees North latitude. It borders to the West, to the East and to the South. Guyana’s is hot, but pleasant, for most of the year. There are six ethnic groups who are Amerindians, Europeans, Africans, East Indians, Chinese, and Portuguese.

Guyana exports gold, diamonds, bauxite, sugar, and rice. Mining is done in Guyana. This country has two of the most important minerals, which are gold and diamonds.

There are ten Administrative Regions, four Natural Regions, three main Rivers and three counties.

Some places of interest found in Guyana are Umana Yana, which in the Wai-Wai language means meeting place. The Red House, famous for its bright red wallaba shingles, and now the home of the Cheddi Jagon Research Centre, Stabroek Market, one of Georgetown’s famous landmarks, National Museum, a museum which contains geological artifacts and stuffed animals and birds, and St. Georges Cathedral, the world’s tallest wooden structure. In the com- pound of Parliament Building is found the statue of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, who was the Father of Trade Unionism in Guyana. There are also the Botanical Gardens, in which there is a zoological park.

Take a trip to the interior of Guyana and you will be surprised at the outrageous mountains and amazing water- falls. Nothing is as wonderful as the Kaieteur Falls, the longest single drop fall in the world, with a sheer drop of seven hundred and forty-one feet, and the Pakaraima Mountains, the largest mountain range in Guyana.

Guyanese celebrate a wide variety of special occasions such as New Year’s Day, Republic Day, Labour Day, Independence Day and Caricom Day, which are National Holidays. There are also Phagwah, Diwali, Eid- Ui-Azho and Youman Nabi. Regattas and Rodeos are celebrated during the Easter and holidays. During the day you can buy any of Guyana’s daily newspapers such as Stabroek News, Guyana Chronicle, and Kaieteur News.

Guyana’s International Airport, Cheddi Jagon, is at Timehri, forty kilometers south of Georgetown. There are various hotels and resorts in which you can stay. I hope you will enjoy your stay and will revisit my beautiful country, Guyana. I will be looking forward to seeing you here again. Guyana is yours to discover and explore!

“Take a trip to the interior of Guyana and you will be surprised at the outrageous mountains and amazing waterfalls.” Anguilla 14th annual My Morrela Kenisha Findlay CaribbeanEssay Contest in cooperation with the Caribbean Tourism Organization Christina Melodie Beauboeuf

“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.”

ear Friends from Overseas, DI take the mission upon myself today to present to you a land of wonders bathed in the : Haiti. It is a magnificent island divided into two republics: the Republic of Haiti to the west and the to the east. As for its size, the island of Haiti is the second of the Greater . Of Haitian roots, I am going to share with you the beauty of its picturesque sites. Haiti, mountainous land, gleams in beauty through the greenery of its landscape. Port au Prince, the capital, lies at the back of a large bay whose port is accessible to all the large liners. Our country, despite its small size, is world famous for its paintings, its artisanal works, its music, the warm reception given its visitors, and its culture. The lat- ter is filled with a special creativity. Colors mix in harmonious manner on roof- tops, in objects, on taps-taps. Our official languages are French and Creole. Port au Prince is a city bursting with life. Everything is art in this sumptuous country despite the weak purchas- ing power of the population. activities are a huge celebration for us and we parade in richly decorated carriages. In older residential neighborhoods, gin- gerbread houses are tucked into quiet streets. Numerous art galleries highlight our painters, artisans, and sculptors. Moving north from the capital, we stop in the country’s second city, which is Cap-Haitien, formerly known as Cap-Francais and “the Paris of ”: A city which has retained its colonial cachet with antique homes, the Cap is the grand work achieved by our King Henry Christopher. The latter built: the Laferrière Citadel, the most important historic monument of the Caribbean, perched at the summit of a solitary peak that dominates the environs of Cap-Haitien; also, Milot where the Palace Sans- Souci went up, and which displays marvelous architectural ruins. To the northeast of this magnificent city the beautiful boot-shaped Fort Liberté opens before our eyes, one of the most beautiful bays in the country. Not far away, the isle of La Tortue marks the premier pirate location. Moving toward the Southeast on the “road of friendship” you arrive at a large city named Jacmel which is becoming an ever greater artistic center. All over, one can find artists’ ateliers of the greatest creativity: painted wood, papier mâché, etc. The most famous and colorful carnival is that of Jacmel, attracting visitors from all over the country and abroad. The most impressive and creative carnival parade takes place on Baranquilla, the central avenue of town. It’s a staggering carnival that has preserved its nineteenth century originality: with masks of famous people, stilts, etc. At mountain elevations, a site not to be missed is the Furcy and Kenscoff plateau which offers agreeable temperatures and unparalleled panoramas. As for our beaches, they are not artificial as in some countries. One can find them along the coasts of Arcadins, Labadie, Cormier and above all Port Salut. In their enchant- ing locations, one can delight in taking a sun bath while lying under a coconut palm and savoring freshly caught seafood and coconut water. From our low lands we get exotic fruit: succulent mangos in their golden skin, appetizing pineapples, apricots and among others, juicy and fragrant oranges. I hope that in the near future you will have the opportunity to come and experience this charming land of Haiti, which despite domestic difficulties, remains an engaging Pearl of the Antilles. Cordially, Christina M. Beauboeuf “Haiti, mountainous land, gleams in beauty through the greenery of its landscape.”