Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/101952
ICI •pg_35-42__BMT_pg3-58 12/21/12 4:13 AM Page 40 FINDING FUN AND ADVENTURE Puerto Rico Convention Center Puerto Rico. It's listed by the website African Diaspora Tourism as a must-see attraction. Another notable Black heritage attraction on the island is the Museum of Our African Roots in Old San Juan. On Curacao, the Museum Kura Hulanda in Willemstad showcases historical and art exhibits from Africa and the Caribbean. In the USVI, visitors can tour the Cruzan Rum Distillery on St. Croix, which has been making rum since the 1600s. St. Croix also is home to the Fort Christian Pub, the only microbrewery in the Virgin Islands. The Haagenson House museum on St. Thomas and Whim Museum on St. Croix display works of local artisans, from mahogany pieces to linens. The Annaberg Plantation ruins in St. John's National Park are one of USVI's most notable sightseeing attractions. Bridgetown, Barbados and its military posts have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its historical and cultural attractions are abundant. Housed in a former 19th century military prison, the Barbados Museum holds a collection of rare historical maps. Tyrol Cot Heritage Village features a historic Palladian-style home and a modern village displaying local crafts. The Nidhe Israel Museum sits next to the oldest continually operating synagogue in the Western hemisphere, built in the 17th century. Other museums open for tour include the Barbados National Heroes Gallery and Museum of Parliament; the Sunbury Plantation House, known for its collections of mahogany antiques, old prints and horse-drawn carriages; the George Washington House, where the first U.S. president stayed during his only visit outside Colonial America; St. Nicholas Abbey, which has a working run distillery onsite; the Springvale Eco-Heritage Museum; and the Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Museum. Sampling the culinary Caribbean is a cultural exploration all its own. Jamaica serves up its national dish of ackee and salt fish, along with other favorites like rice and peas and jerk chicken. For a taste of the local Bajan cuisine of Barbados, try the national dish, flying fish and cou-cou, the latter being an okra and cornmeal concoction. Eateries in U.S. Virgin Islands offer many local specialties among a multicultural array of dining choices. There's kallaloo, a spicy stew made from okra, greens, meat and seafood; pates, a fried meat pastry; and soursop ice cream, made from a native exotic fruit. Then there's this unexpected USVI culinary attraction: The Texas Society's annual Chili CookOff, held each September on St. Thomas. 40 BM&T ••• September/October 2012••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com The natural beauty of Caribbean destinations is, of course, one of their biggest draws. Another is the wealth of outdoor activities available in these picturesque environments, from swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing in the Caribbean Sea to golfing, horseback riding, hiking, zip lining and simply sightseeing. Dittie Guise at the Montego Bay Convention Centre notes that meeting attendees can easily make an excursion to one of Jamaica's top tourist attractions, Dolphin's Cove in Ocho Rios. Besides swimming with DITTEI GUISE the dolphins, visitors to the attraction enjoy snorkeling and viewing exotic birds and other animals on the Jungle Trail. Visitors to Barbados might enjoy exploring Harrison's Cave, a threemile long cavern known for its stunning rock formations, or hiking the nature trails at Welchman Hall Gully and Flower Forest or the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. For some nighttime adventure, they might head for the restaurants and bars along Baxter's Road in Bridgetown. Cruises and all-inclusive resorts make it easy to plan a Caribbean trip with a small family or a larger reunion group. Most major cruise lines and resorts offer some version of a kids' club, with outdoor adventures, parties and other activities just for them. Renting a villa is another option for families and other group travelers looking for a home away from home. For U.S. travelers, a Caribbean getaway is conveniently accessible, as many major airports stateside offer direct flights to some of the largest island cities. Remember, you'll need a passport unless you're traveling to the USVI or Puerto Rico. Above all, pack your spirit of adventure, your curiosity and your appetite for delicious food, dynamic cultures and dazzling natural scenery.