The reason for my visit to Trinidad was the Commonwealth Business Forum. The 2009 Commonwealth Business Forum was held as part of the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad & Tobago and attracted over 1,000 business and government leaders from over 50 countries.
The Forum promotes practices and policies for the enhancement of global trade and investment. It provides new opportunities for business networking and partnerships, drawing on the Commonwealth’s comparative advantage in areas such as services, information and communications technology, banking and financial services, manufacturing, agriculture and natural resources.
The event was held on a cruise ship docked in the harbour of Port of Spain. During the day delegates had an opportunity to sit in on various sessions and in the evening there were cocktails and gala dinners. The cocktails, held on the pool deck of the ship, were livened up by traditional Trinidad steel pan bands.
At Christmas time the Trinis become a little Spanish. The island was a Spanish colony for a long time, but other than Spanish place and surnames the Latin influence is little felt nowadays. At the end of the year, however, it surfaces in the traditional Christmas songs sung in Spanish.
Trinidad has a diverse cultural history that includes Spanish, French, Indian, African and British influences. As Christmas time approaches the Spanish influence is felt, particularly in the village of Lopinot. Originally settled by a French count, Lopinot is now home to descendants of Venezuelan cocoa farmers.
Every year there is a cultural festival in the village, when people can enjoy the parang music as well as delicacies such as pastelle.
A stay in Trinidad is not complete without a visit to Maracas Bay. Less than 20 miles from the hustle and bustle of Port of Spain, Maracas is tropical serenity and an ideal place to connect to that inner laziness. Maracas is also home to one of T&T's delicacies: Bake 'n Shark. A succulent filet of shark, deep fried in batter and served on a hamburger bun with a host of extras such as lettuce, hot peppers and a range of sauces. One cannot come to Trinidad and not have it!!
After five years (far too long!!) I am back in Trinidad. Not for a holiday, alas, but to be present at the Commonwealth Business Forum that is held in Port of Spain as part of the annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2009.
To take advantage of our visit, we have planned several meetings with old friends and new business contacts. Nevertheless, after a long day we can relax and enjoy the tropical sunset and a delicious cocktail.
Our family was delighted today by the arrival of the newest addition: a brother for Luca and cousin for Boaz and Noemi named Matthies Christiaan Arend.
The reason for my visit to Trinidad was the Commonwealth Business Forum. The 2009 Commonwealth Business Forum was held as part of the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad & Tobago and attracted over 1,000 business and government leaders from over 50 countries.
