My Island Adventures

Over the course of several years (1999-2001, 2016), I made more than ten trips to the Caribbean (West Indies). I went to Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, the British Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic. I went to the Dominican Republic four times, three times to judge the national sheep and goat show (in Santo Domingo). I also went to Jamaica more than once, with the most recent visit being in 2016, to do some consulting. I would love to go back to any of these islands (or other Caribbean countries, for that matter). Who wouldn't?

Most of my travels were associated with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), whose mission was to promote US livestock genetics to other countries. I served as their technical expert for small ruminants and would do educational seminars, as part of their trade missions. My trips to the Caribbean were especially enjoyable because of my travel companions from MDA: Marilyn B., Errol S. (RIP), and Henry (Bud) V. (RIP).

I'm not a hot weather or beach person, so I never imagined I would like the Caribbean so much, but I did. The beaches are nothing like Ocean City and the islands are absolutely beautiful. The cultures are rich and the people are friendly. Food's great, too. If I'm going to drink alcohol, I'd rather it be rum than vodka or beer. And music, I love Caribbean music, especially Trinidad with its steel pan drums.

Dominican Republic

My first visit to the Caribbean was in 1998, to the Dominican Republic: the "DR." I went three more times for judging. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It occupies 5/8s of the island. Economically, it has made great strides since my visits. The Dominican Republic is now the most visited island in the Caribbean. The capital is Santa Domingo. Of course, the Dominican Republic has become a bastion for Major League baseball talent. Juan Soto is my favorite, since he played for both the Hagerstown Suns and Washington Nationals. 

Future Major Leaguers?

On one of my visits, I went to the zoo.

Currency in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso.

Sheep and goat judging in the DR
I judged the national sheep and goat show in Santo Domingo for three years. I hated to stop, but I told them they needed to get different opinions. At the time, the DR was the second largest importer of sheep and goats from the United States. The show was similar, yet different from the US. It wasn't as competitive. I doubt that was true of the cattle shows. Cattle are always #1 (they shouldn't be!).

There were separate divisions for native and imported animals. The sheep were all hair sheep: Dorper, Katahdin, Barbados Blackbelly, and Pelibüey (and crosses). The goats were meat and dairy: Boer, Nubian, and Alpine (and crosses). There were classes for males and females of different ages. No group or market classes. Nothing for youth. While some people showed their own animals, some owners (the wealthier ones) had handlers do the showing. 

I met the President of the Dominican Republic when he walked through the barn housing the animals. I also visited the Embassy during one of the trips. I forget which trip it was, but I went to the zoo and saw these baby lions.

Jamaica

Jamaica is one of my favorite places. There's just something about the place: the food, music, culture, language, etc. Several of my best friends (and colleagues) are Jamaican. I have been to the island several times, with my most recent visit being in 2016, when I was hired as a consultant. 

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, after Cuba and Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti). It gained its independence in 1962, but maintained its connection to the crown. In recent years, there have been efforts to disassociate with the UK. Prince William (and Kate) had an uncomfortable visit in 2022, with the Jamaicans making demands for reparations.  

My host Kevin

Yes, there are goats everywhere!

Reach Falls

Jamaican currency is the Jamaican Dollar.

British Virgin Islands

July 2000 - The British Virgin Islands are a territory of Great Britain. They consist of four main islands and about 50 other smaller islands, 16 of them uninhabited.  At the time of my visit, BVI was relatively unspoiled, a true island paradise. I recall driving along and the road ended; they were still making the road ahead of us. I visited three of the islands, so obviously we traveled by boat a lot. Sometimes, the waves were darn choppy. Good think I didn't get sea sick. I took one boat trip on my own to teach marketing to some fisherman on another island. The sea was especially live that evening.

Tough job

The baths in Virgin Gorda

Old copper mine

Net fishing

We swam at this isolated beach.

They were making roads as we drove.

Trinidad and Tobago

October 1999 -- Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost island in the Caribbean. It is only 6.8 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Its capital is Port of Spain. Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence in 1962 and became a republic in 1976. Trinidad's economy was stronger than other Caribbean nations, relying less on tourism and more on industry (energy-based).  The nicest sheep farms we visited were in Trinidad. Trinidad was very ethnically diverse. I recall there being a large Indian population and a Muslim minority. The Indians were brought to the island to harvest the sugar cane.

The tiny island of Tobago quickly became my favorite island. It was much less spoiled than its larger parent island. After so many years since, I'm sure that it has been thoroughly developed by outside interests. I recall the flight from Trinidad to Tobago. We had to wait for some chickens to be loaded onto the plane. At the tiny airport, luggage was pushed through an opening in the building. Tobago is so small (25 mi x 6.2 mi) that we were able to drive around its entirety. 

Rainforest

Little Tobago

Plantation (Tobago)

Errol, a native Trinidadian

Hey, I look pretty good.

Currency is a Trinidad and Tobago Dollar.

Land of Flying Fish

February 2000 -- Barbados is the most eastern island in the Caribbean. Its capitol and largest city is Bridgetown. It gained its independence in 1966, and in 2021 cut ties with the late Queen of England. To me, it seemed more affluent than the other islands I visited. It was a popular stop for cruise ships, so prices tended to be on the high side. 

The lamb served in the restaurants was local Barbados Blackbelly lamb; it was yummy. In fact, only one breed of sheep is raised in Barbados: The Barbados Blackbelly. We had want to (re) import them to the US, but they weren't interested (at the time). They wanted to protect their "national treasure."

No pictures, but I must mention the flying fish. The fish literally "fly" out of the water. Barbados is known for them. It is often called the "Land of Flying Fish." They were delicious.

Colleagues: Marilyn and Errol

Bathsheba

Delicious Barbados Blackbelly lamb

The currency is Barbados is a Barbadian Dollar.