The citizens of the Leeward Islands are largely descended from the African slaves introduced in the 18th and early 19th centuries to work in the sugar cane plantations, and most islands have more than 90% of their population derived from this ethnic group. The remainder are descended from the original European plantation owners and the indentured servants who came in large numbers from India, as well as from China, Ireland and Scotland. St Martin adds to the mix with its descendants of Dutch and French colonists.
English is the predominant language, plus French and Dutch of course on St Martin. Both English-based and French-based Creole are also spoken. The East Caribbean dollar is the prevailing currency. St Martin is odd man out again, circulating the Netherlands Antilles guilder in the Dutch area and the Euro in the French region. The US dollar is widely accepted throughout the islands.
Cricket is widely played and followed in the former British territories. Music, as in the rest of the Caribbean, is a big part of life, and calypso, soca, steelpan, reggae, salsa and jazz all have their adherents. Major celebrations include the St Kitts Christmas and New Year carnival and annual music festival, and Anguilla’s Emancipation Day and Culturama festival on August 1st.
Caribbean cruises as well as land-based tourism is an important part of the economy for all of the islands. Many of them also rely on their status as a tax haven to promote offshore financial services as a source of government revenue.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.