Introduction - Romantic Escapes in the Caribbean: Lovetripper Guide - page 14

the chance to take part in local celebrations of life. Carnival is
the biggest bash in the islands and is held in January in Trini-
dad, April in St. Thomas, and February in St. Martin.
When it comes to Carnival, no island's festivities can beat Trini-
dad's pulsating party, perhaps second only to Rio de Janeiro's
celebration. Held the Monday and Tuesday prior to Ash
Wednesday, this pre-Lenten party is preceded by weeks of par-
ties, balls, competitions, and calypso shows. J'Ouvert, Carnival
Monday, starts at two in the morning as Trinidad- ians take to
the streets in costume. Grab your mate and practice Carnival
dances: chipping (a slow shuffle down the street), jumping up
(you can picture that one), and wining (a pelvic dance that
would put Elvis to shame). Soca music pulsates from giant
trucks while people playing steel pans deliver traditional ca-
lypso sounds. The two of you can jump in and shuffle along as
the whole parade gyrates down the street.
Caribbean Cuisine
For most couples, dining is an important part of their trip. It's a
chance to further delve into a culture, to learn more about the
bounty of the land and the sea.
A richly diverse region, the Caribbean is filled with a full menu
of offerings that reflect the many cultures that settled this area.
From East Indian rotis served throughout Trinidad and To-
bago, to Dutch keshi yena served on Aruba, Curaçao, and St.
Maarten, the islands are a cornucopia of cultures and cuisines.
One thing island cuisines have in common is attention to flavor.
Dishes are rich with tastes and are often spicy. Some dishes
trace their origin back to when the Arawak Indians first barbe-
cued meats. Later, distinctive seasonings were developed by Af-
ricans, who came to the islands as slaves.