Part 1:
Ordinary travelers fall for the hype written in tour brochures, travel guides and so on. But as life goes, they sometimes get disappointed. The reality of Caribbean travel and life paints a different picture.
For example, travel brochures may include phrases like these: “sandy beaches”, “life on the beach”, “instant parties”, “nonstop parties”, and so on.
Now, don’t get me wrong. If that’s what you want fine. You can find sandy beaches. You can also find people almost living on the beach. You’ll likely find the same people — if you travel far enough, — sitting under makeshift cover along the busy roadways. Then there are the people whose lives are one huge party — one brawl after another. You may even find international travelers. Or should we call them tax-averse travelers. These shrewd travelers stay some time in one country before moving on. They do so to avoid paying income taxes in their home country.
Like everybody else, Caribbean people also have fears. Their fears absorb their lives just like mixing red paint with dark yellow paint. You get a shade that is pleasing to your taste or one that’s not. Likewise, Caribbean people’s actions bring them success or failure.
In contrast to the typical traveler, independent travelers want to understand Caribbean travel and life. They look beyond media bias. They carefully weigh information from travel brochures to travel guides … tour operators to tourist boards… cruise operators to five-star hotels. Sometimes they even bypass the major car rental agencies.
Independent travelers look for information both off-line and online. They talk to natives of the Caribbean island they want to vacation on. Taking care to note interesting places and people. The more brave ones hook-up with local people — renting rooms in private homes.
To be continued …
