Trinidad and Tobago

After a lot of research, I selected Trinidad and Tobago as my first Caribbean Island vacation spot because of its variety of animal life and underwater scenery.   As a New Zealander it's not the easiest place to get to because, although they're members of the British Commonwealth just like New Zealand, they require a visa for anyone with a Down Under passport.   On the other hand, because I lived so near New York city it was a bit easier, because that's where the consulate is, and there's a daily flight from JFK airport to Trinidad.

It's an accident of history and geography that Tobago is united as a country with Trinidad, its Big Sister to the South.   The two were separate for over a hundred and twenty-five years after the British gained control of Tobago, but in 1884 its economy collapsed and in 1889 it was joined with Trinidad.   Still, people of the two islands seem happy to share their fate together, with Tobago benefiting from the oil wealth of Trinidad, and the inhabitants of Trinidad getting a relaxing vacation spot in return.

The people of Trinidad and Tobago are mostly relaxed, friendly and laid-back, so it's no surprise that their big contributions to world culture are in such hedonistic pastimes as "steel pan" music and the biggest Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean.   Equally as entertaining are some of the funny signs you'll see as you travel around the islands, including a surprising number of unintentionally amusing road signs.