After the the proclamation of abolition of slavery (1865) in the USA, the human traffic from Africa was dwindling and the slaves became expensive for the plantation owners in the island. The next best opportunity is to use the poor agricultural laborers from India which was then under the British rule.
As we have seen time and again, the previous generation's toils paid off. The descendants of the laborer with their sheer hard work and education have reached the pinnacle. The Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is of Indian origin. The temples, cuisine, music all reminded me of India. The famous shore temple at Waterloo is a must to see and so also the tallest Hanuman statue in the beautiful Dattatreya temple.
We also visited the house of V. S. Naipaul the Nobel Laureate from Trinidad. I am not a great fan of Naipaul but it was fun to take pictures near the Lion House. Everyone seems to know about his book "A house for Mr. Biswas" ! Las Cuevas and Maracas are the must to visit beaches. Caribbean spiced curry, cocoa plantation, tender coconuts, and the ethnic mix make this island a must to visit again list!
The hospitality of the islanders in Trinidad & Tobago was great. I have to write more on this. With New Year's count down has began in hours, I am praying for a peaceful 2015.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!
PEACE ON EARTH
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