Travel the World - Week 30

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This is the 30th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Trinidad and Tobago

While many people talk about Trinidad and Tobago as if they are the same island, they are actually the same country (The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) but two separate islands with distinct differences. Tobago is more of the resort destination, with white sand beaches, water sports, expansive golf courses and a general old world Caribbean feel. Additionally, the culture and demographic is rooted in African traditions, especially in terms of cuisine and festivals. On the other hand, Trinidad is a huge business travel destination, especially as it is home a booming oil and natural gas industry. It has more of a city feel, with more outdoor offerings available as you get out of Port of Spain. In terms of demographics, about 43% of the population is of East Indian decent, with European, Asian, African making up the other influences.

Tobago has a Swimming Pool in the Middle of the Ocean – The Nylon Pool is a natural crystal clear swimming pool with a sandy bottom in the middle of the sea created by an offshore sandbar and a still lagoon. 

During the Carnival season (January to early March), there are over 100 Carnival Fetes (parties) which take place from early night into the wee hours of the morning.

The Scarlet Ibis is the national bird of Trinidad, and the island is the easiest place in the world to see them.

The Main Ridge Forest Reserve, found in Tobago, is the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere.

Goat racing is one of the Tobago's most popular but unusual sports where jockeys run alongside goats, guiding them with a nine-foot leash and whip. 

Trinidad is home to the world's largest natural deposit of asphalt in an astonishing 99 acres known as The Pitch Lake.

Trinidadians permit themselves to be late for just about anything.  But here is the funny part: you must never to be late for an appointment.  Otherwise, you would be confronted by an irritated Trinbagonian business man who has tried his best to keep up with foreign punctuality. 

The Limbo Dance Contest originated in Trinidad and Tobago. The contest involves a horizontal bar, called the limbo, placed atop two vertical bars, and the dancer must face the bar and go under it without touching the bar or knocking it over. Each time someone is eliminated, the bar is set to a lower position, making the task even more challenging. In this way, the bar is lowered each time a contestant gets eliminated until only the winner is left.

Janelle Penny Commissiong won the Miss Universe title in 1977, becoming the first black woman to do so. She was born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1953 and migrated to the US when she was 13. A decade later she returned to her homeland where she later won the Miss Trinidad and Tobago title and then represented her country in the Miss Universe contest.

Trinidad is the birthplace of the steel pan. Steel Pan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is the only acoustic musical instrument to be invented in the 20th  Century.

Trinidad is home to the world’s largest Hanuman Murti statue outside of India, standing at 85 feet tall located in the village of Carapichaima.

Meal times in Trinidad and Tobago has a primary purpose of socialization and not eating.  Yes, you will be fed well.  But meals can go on for hours and you are expected to join and be part of each and every conversation.

When you finish eating, place your fork and knife together on the plate whether at a restaurant or at a private home.  And if in a restaurant, do not call a waiter/waitress by name. If you need the server, just make eye contact and they will come.

It is against the law to use foul language (cursing) in Trinidad and Tobago.

I decided to let this Trinidad and Tobago fact be the inspiration for this week's card... The Trinidad Moruga “Scorpion” Pepper has officially been ranked as the world’s hottest pepper by the Guinness Book of Records. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Hero Arts It's Fiesta Time stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Tempting Turquoise CS and AMuse Studio Polka Dot DP

Embellishments: Michael's Enamel Dots