Cayman’s Olympians: In Their Own Words

Brett and Shaune Fraser, Ronald Forbes, and Cydonie Mothersill prepare to represent the Cayman Islands in the 2012 London Olympic Games throughout July and August.

Shaune Fraser
Sport: Swimming
Age: 24
Hometown: George Town, Grand Cayman
Olympic events: 100- and 200-Metre Freestyle
Training grounds: Gainesville, Florida

Lucky for Shaune Fraser, he’s always got his brother, Brett, close by, egging him on. During the 2008 Olympics, the two were side by side serving as flag bearers during the opening ceremonies. They also both received athletic scholarships to attend the University of Florida. In other words, they spend a lot of quality time together.

Why are you so passionate about your sport?
I just love to race and compete; it keeps the sport fun, which [for me] is the most important aspect to anything that you do in life.

What do you do in your free time?
Swimming is a very time-consuming sport, but when I am not swimming I like to hang out with my friends and family, and relax as much as possible.

What do you miss most now that you’re not at home in Grand Cayman?
I miss my family, as most of my family still lives in the Cayman Islands. But I also miss the beaches; there are no other beaches around the world that can compare to ours.

What’s the toughest workout you do to train for the Olympic Games?
Not only do we have swimming practise, but we also run in stadiums and on dry land, and lift weights. The combination of all these workouts is probably the toughest thing about the sport.

What about the Olympics are you most looking forward to?
I am excited to compete and meet all the other athletes from around the world. It is also nice to catch up with friends from other countries that you don’t see very often.

Brett Fraser
Sport: Swimming
Age: 23
Hometown: George Town, Grand Cayman
Olympic event: 200-Metre Freestyle
Training grounds: Gainesville, Florida

Every athlete has a different way of prepping for competition. For Brett Fraser, it’s an ice-cold tank of water. He jumps in for about eight minutes to help flush out lactic acid. Beyond that, he also wears compression attire to help circulate blood flow and uses suction cups to break up really tight muscle fibres. “It looks like a giant squid got a hold of you,” he says.

Why are you passionate about your sport?
I love the extreme dedication and work ethic that goes into any sport, and being surrounded by like-minded people with such great goals is where my inspiration comes from.

Do you have any game-day rituals? 
A good night’s sleep always helps. I listen to a lot of music and try to remain relaxed. I tell myself that I’ve done all the work and that the fun part is next.

What’s the toughest workout you do to train for the Olympics?
I wouldn’t say that there is necessarily one, but about a year prior to the event is when training starts to pick up [in intensity]. All aspects of my regimen start to gain great intensity in the final months leading up to the games.

What about the Olympics worries you/excites you most?
I try to be as completely prepared as possible, but there is always a side of nervousness that accompanies me to every competition. I’d like to say I am more excited than worried, though. The silent intensity that surrounds the Olympic atmosphere is most exciting to me; everyone wants to reach that pinnacle point in their career.

Tell us a few quirky things about yourself.
I sing underwater during practise sometimes. And I prefer to use both a fork and knife during every meal.

Name the number one thing you love about the Cayman Islands.
The food! Nothing really comes quite close. The beaches are also the best.

What are you most looking forward to doing and seeing in London?
The London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the museums, and the dining and nightlife (after competing).

Ronald Forbes
Sport: Track and Field
Age: 27
Hometown: North Side, Grand Cayman
Olympic event: 110-Metre High Hurdles
Training grounds: Miami, Florida

Ronald Forbes’ sterling list of credentials continues growing with no end in sight. He competes on the Florida International University Track and Field team in Miami, and has won title after title. The 2012 games will be his second, as the 27-year-old competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “What excites me the most is that the opportunities to elevate my career seem to be endless,” he says. “I know that many people never get to that level to compete in the Olympics, so I feel very fortunate and blessed.”

Why are you so passionate about track and field?
This sport forces you to be competitive and aggressive throughout all facets of your life — especially the hurdles. To me, they represent life. In order to keep moving forward, you simply have to conquer some obstacles.

Do you have any game-day rituals? 
I say a quick prayer just before I leave to go to the track. And on the track I always glance at the clover tattoo on my right arm in memory of my brother, Reuben, knowing my efforts aren’t just for me alone. The night before I run, I gather every article of clothing I’m going to wear the next day (even my spikes) and say a very long prayer with them in my hands. I’ve done this all through my college. I always try to [play] a new song that has some form of inspirational meaning behind it just as I’m about to start warming up. I listen to rap/hip-hop: Lil’ Boosie, Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z, 50 Cent.

How about any uncommon methods?
I check my heart rate and weight often to make sure I’m properly hydrated and well rested. I take ice baths often just to make sure my body recovers properly and performs at its best.

What do you usually eat?

I eat a blend of vegetables, including chives, broccoli, spinach, sprouts, carrots, green beans, watercress and thyme, all blended together in a food processor. I’m a big steak fan, too, [cooked] medium well.

Aside from training, what are your favourite hobbies?
I like to watch movies, hang out with friends and watch drag racing live in my free time. I’m not a big club fan or party animal.

What do you miss most now that you’re not at home in Grand Cayman?

My friends and family. It’s hard sometimes being away from them for long periods of time. I often go back home and have to play catch up on current events.

Name three things people may not know about you.
1. I am a complete car nerd. There isn’t anything else in the world that can put a smile on my face like a loud roaring engine and a car conversation.

2. Though I seem very quiet and constantly wear an angry face, I’m the complete opposite once you get to know me.

3. I often like to imitate other people’s voices.

Cydonie Mothersill 
Sport: Track and Field
Age: 34
Hometown: George Town, Grand Cayman
Olympic event: 200 Metres
Training grounds: Miami, Florida

Ahead of the Olympics, one thing on Cydonie Mothersill’s mind is the weather. Will it be hot, rainy, warm or windy in London come game time? “At the end of the day, though, the weather will affect all athletes, so my focus on that is minimal,” she says. “What excites me will be the crowd in the stadium, that I am living my dream, and the possibility of once again being in the finals where anything can happen.”

What workouts do you dread?
My toughest workouts are always the distance runs with short recovery. In other words, the 500 or 400 repeats are always tough no matter how many times I do them.

Name three things people may not know about you.
1. Even though I am in the public eye, I am a very private person.

2. I am family oriented; I am involved in every aspect of my family’s lives, especially my three brothers.

3. I participated in my first Olympic games in 1996.

Do you have any game-day rituals? 
My iPod is a must, and I always pray before warming up. I don’t wear anything that I would consider heavy.

What would your friends say about you?
I have a dry sense of humour. I thrive under pressure, especially when doing regular stuff. I am a last-minute person, but always get the job done. And that pressure excites me.

Cayman’s Super Hot Olympic Pin 

At the London Olympics this summer, Caymanian athletes and coaches will be doing something in stadiums, locker rooms, cafeterias and buses that has little to do with competition. They will be trading their country’s pins with other participants from around the world as a sign of friendship and wearing them on their clothing or badges.

The Cayman Islands Olympic pins are a hot commodity as they stand out for their creativity and bright colours, says Cayman Olympic Committee President Donald McLean. “For the London games, the Cayman Islands’ pin is a sea turtle,” says McLean. “We chose the sea turtle because they are an integral part of Cayman’s maritime history. When these islands were first discovered by Columbus, they were called Las Tortugas, meaning ‘the turtles,’ because there were so many [turtles] in those days.”

Driving the demand for Cayman’s pins is that only four to six athletes from a population of some 50,000 qualify for the summer games, compared to countries like the U.S. or China that send hundreds of athletes. With such a limited number of athletes and coaches at each of the games, it drives up the collectibility factor of Cayman’s pins. Often, Caymanians are offered four or more pins in exchange for one Cayman pin.

Designed by graphic artist Jaime Doak, the sea turtle pins have been produced in the five colours of the Olympic rings, symbolising the five participating continents. In previous games, Cayman’s pins have featured the stingray and the blue iguana, a rare, endangered species that only exists in the Cayman Islands.

Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC)

Established in 1973, the CIOC was formed in order to serve and sponsor the amazingly talented athletes of the Cayman Islands. Together with the Cayman Islands Olympic Fundraising Committee (CIOFC), these two committees raise funds to cover our Olympic hopefuls’ financial needs. If you’d like more information on how to help our Islands’ fine athletes reach their Olympic goals, visit caymanolympic.org.ky.

Soaking up the Notting Hill carnival atmosphere

THOUSANDS soaked up the carnival atmosphere at The Forest recreation ground over the weekend, This Is Nottingham reports.

The Nottingham Caribbean Carnival was back, bringing with it music, dancing, spectacular costumes and mouthwatering Caribbean cuisine.

Yesterday, the Big Parade – made up of hundreds of performers in elaborate costumes – travelled from Castle Gate, in the city centre, to The Forest.

Dressed as everything from sunflowers to pharaohs, with many in feathered headdresses, people of all ages then made their way on to the stage at the park to perform choreographed routines.

Olivia Francis, 14, of Bulwell, took part in the parade.

She was one of around 20 performers who were part of the section organised by the Tuntum Housing Association, with the theme of Queen Cleopatra.

“This is my fourth time doing it,” said Olivia, who was dressed as an Egyptian. “I like it because it is different and it’s fun. My favourite thing about the carnival is the atmosphere – everything is really great.”

It was eight-year-old Chantae Smith’s first time in the parade. From Bulwell, and dressed as an Egyptian, she said: “It was a bit scary but it was lots of fun. We had to learn some dance moves and my favourite bit was when we started to dance.”

As well as the parade, there was music from community radio station Kemet FM and live performances by artists including Barry Biggs, the Abelwell Foundation and Frankie Paul – with acts performing everything from gospel to reggae and drum and bass.

 

There were fairground rides, bouncy castles, and stalls selling Caribbean food and whistles and flags to help people get in the party spirit.

The carnival is organised by Tuntum Housing Association, The Arts Council of England, Nottingham City Council and main sponsor the Decade of Better Health, and has been running since 1999.

Samuel Nelson, director of the Real Deal Comedy Jam, had a stall promoting the group’s upcoming performance at Jongleurs in Nottingham, on August 23.

Mr Nelson, 34, said: “I’ve been to the carnival a few times and I think it is a great thing for the community.

“There’s a really cosmopolitan feel to it and everybody is always really up for it.”

Among those enjoying the carnival was Sarah Ealing, 34, of Mapperley with her sons Tom, four, and Josh, two.

She said: “It was a lovely day so we thought we’d come out and experience it.

“The boys love all the rides and have been dancing along to the music, and I thought the parade was incredible.

“The costumes were amazing and it is all so colourful.

“I think it’s great that we have something like this in Nottingham.”

Source: thisisnottingham.co.uk

 

Cayman Romance

With turquoise blue waters, powdery beaches and stunning sunsets, the Cayman Islands call out to lovers in all languages and cultures. Whether you are honeymooning, celebrating an anniversary or escaping reality together, the islands offer a tropical setting for your romance. Here are a few ideas to heat up your very own Cayman love affair.

Sunset Walk
Walking barefoot along the beach at sunset while holding your lover’s hand never fails to awaken the romantic heart. As the sun draws closer to the horizon, spreading deep yellows and reds across the sky, let the sand curl between your toes. Together, you can watch carefully for the famous green flash.

Bring along a bottle of wine or Champagne to celebrate the experience. Then find a cosy spot in the sand, close your eyes and listen to the ocean. Give in to your playful side by drawing a heart in the sand and asking a passerby to take a photo of the two of you sitting next to the sandy image. Get inspired by the island and recite romantic vows to each other, then seal it with a kiss.

Although Seven Mile Beach is rarely crowded, couples desiring more seclusion can stroll towards the north end of the beach. For a romantic surprise, arrange to have a candlelit table on the beach, away from the crowds. Up the romantic ante by having a musician with a violin, a harp or guitar waiting to serenade the event, says Ashley Vodarek of Celebrations, which provides concierge services for customised romantic experiences.

Seaside Massage 
Indulge in a relaxing couples massage by the sea. Whether in the early morning, sunset or by moonlight, most hotels, spas and even local event coordinators can make arrangements for professional masseuses to work their magic near the sea or in a private cabana for this unforgettable and luxurious moment.

Picnic at Botanic Park
Enjoy a romantic picnic in the lush tropical gardens of the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. While the Botanic Park is famous for its rare blue iguanas, it also features a large floral garden filled with colourful flowers, as well as numerous wooded areas with native trees. With open, grassy spaces and secluded benches, it’s a gorgeous location to sit back and enjoy a bite; just be mindful not to share your treats with the blue iguanas too!

Sunset Sail to Remember
Feel the wind and taste the salty air aboard a romantic sunset sail and dinner cruise on Red Sail’s magnificent 65-foot catamaran. As the crew hoist the expansive sails and they billow with the sea breeze, the catamaran picks up speed, leaving your worries far behind. The catamaran also features a thick trampoline net that couples can sit on and sense the sea rushing below them. The skipper anchors the boat when the three-course dinner is ready to be served. Don’t forget to look toward the sky to see hundreds of stars illuminating the night.

Horseback by Moonlight
Novice and experienced horseback riders alike will be captivated by a moonlight stroll along a deserted stretch of beach. By horseback, the moonlight’s reflections appear to dance along the sea, making the white, powdery sand glow in the dark. As horses carry riders along the water‘s edge, the sea breeze flows through their hair with the enchanting sound of hoofs moving along the sand and waves rolling onto shore. As clouds drift along in the sky, moonlight fills the night with a sense of mystery and romance. Since there are so few full or near-full moonlight nights, Chelsea Rivers, from Spirit of the West, which offers romantic horseback rides, suggests making reservations as early as possible.

Sushi for Two 
Put a little wasabi into your romance with a sushi course for two at Bamboo, a renowned Japanese restaurant in the heart of Seven Mile Beach. In this two-hour lesson, sushi sous chef Wonhee Park will teach the techniques needed to prepare Japanese rice, as well as cutting fish for sashimi and nigiri. While enjoying sake, you will also learn the fine art of making traditional rolls. After the course, couples can enjoy their sushi dishes. For a wow factor, order a Japanese-inspired martini made from sake, passion fruit and yuzu juice.

Light up the Night
On moonless nights and in a certain out-of-the-way cove far from touristy hot spots, the water is lit up with nature‘s own glitter, known as bioluminescence, a naturally occurring sparkle created by marine plants and creatures.

Couples can put a magical twist on the romantic getaway with a kayak tour of a bioluminescent bay. As part of a small group, couples start off by pushing out their kayak from Rum Point Beach and heading to the nearby cove. Along the way, watch for starfish, lobsters and stingrays. The kayaks are simple to use and the sea is so calm and clear that even people who have never paddled a canoe or other watercraft will find it easy to manoeuvre.

Once in Bio Bay, the water reflects a multitude of light flecks. Dip a hand in the water and scoop out a handful of these tiny marine fireflies. “You get a sense that this is Tinker Bell’s fairy dust, so it‘s like rediscovering the magic and wonder of being a child again, just like the Peter Pan story,” says Tom Watling of Cayman Kayaks.

Sunset Helicopter Ride
Take a sunset tour with your sweetheart celebrity-style with Cayman Islands Helicopters. The views of tropical paradise from up high will have you feeling giddy. The pilot will drop you off at Ristorante Pappagallo for a traditional Italian meal. Afterwards, a limousine will pick you up for a cosy ride back to your hotel.

Kiss a Dolphin
For a quirky romantic moment, head out to Dolphin Cove or Dolphin Discovery in West Bay for a swim with the dolphins. The lovable 300-pound, 6-foot animals overwhelm swimmers with their affectionate and fun nature. Look out for dolphins pairing up for a playful kiss. Zoe Spooner at Dolphin Cove says visitors get so inspired by all the marine smooching that couples should be ready to recruit a friend or staff member to take a photo or video of them kissing each other alongside the loving dolphins.

Renew Your Vows
Whether you’ve been married for a few decades or have recently tied the knot, Cayman offers a range of venues to say “I do” all over again. The picturesque dock overlooking the Caribbean at The Reef Resort in the eastern part of the island offers a gorgeous setting. Writing your own special vows will add a sense of wonder and magic to the occasion. Then celebrate your vow renewal with dinner under the stars.

For scuba divers, a fun option is having the vow renewal ceremony under water. Accessorise scuba gear with a short white veil for the bride and top hat attached to the groom’s head. Have witnesses bring down signs displaying “I love you” and “I love you too” to use during the ceremony. Don’t forget to hire an underwater photographer or videographer to record the moment. Vow renewal ceremonies can be arranged by many dive operations or through Celebrations.

Cayman Brac
On the nearby island of Cayman Brac, a cliff juts out of the sea rising 150-feet to a limestone shelf known as The Bluff. This locale offers numerous trails and hidden caves as a mysterious backdrop for romance, but it’s the panoramic view of the sea that draws couples like magnets.

On nights when the moon is out, bring a blanket and a bottle of wine and head for the lighthouse on the island. The moon’s reflection on the sea is breathtaking. For a rugged twist on romance, bring a flashlight to one of the well-known caves featuring stalagmites and stalactites. Arrange for a hotel employee or taxi driver to hide a treasure in the cave for your sweetheart to find.

Little Cayman
While Little Cayman is sparsely populated, lovers will still find the deserted Owen Island irresistible for a romantic liaison. Pack a picnic and head across the bay by kayak or small catamaran. The island features secluded beaches with the lush tropical vegetation as a perfect backdrop.

Snorkelling around the island will reveal stunning corals and tropical fish. For a gorgeous sunset, paddle to the western side of Owen Island. For early morning romance, share an unforgettable sunrise together at Point of Sand, a secluded beach on the eastern side of the island. To enhance the romance, bring a picnic brunch with Champagne prepared by one of the resort chefs, says Kimberly Dangerfield from Little Cayman Beach Resort.

From sunrise to moonlight, Cayman’s three islands offer couples a chance to spice up their love life with activities sure to rekindle any romance. No matter how long you‘ve been with your sweetheart, indulge your love affair with the magic of the Cayman Islands.

Source: caymanairwaysmagazine.com

Cayman Islands Travel Guide

The Cayman Islands may be a banking center, but business travelers stay for diving and the sun.

 With long white-sand beaches as bleached out as powdered sugar, bright green palm trees and pale blue water, the Cayman Islands look just like the screen-saver image you’ve been hoping to jump into. Fortunately, they also have great luxury hotels, fabulous celeb-chef restaurants and some of the region’s best scuba dives, as well as the area’s newest.

Best of all, with plenty of nonstop flights from the U.S., you can get there quickly and maximize your time on the shore. So, if you’re planning to come for business—as many people do in this center of offshore banking, which is second only to Switzerland—there’s no reason not to stay for pleasure. With the sand and surf waiting outside your conference room window, by the time your work is finished you’ll be ready to play, or at least spend the rest of the day sunning and sipping umbrella-topped drinks.

Where to Stay

Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman: Often called one of the best resorts in the Caribbean, this gorgeous property on Seven Mile Beach (the island’s longest strand) racks up the accolades for good reason. Room decor is colonial-inspired, with carved four-poster beds and heavy drapes, but the Silver Rain spa (run by Swiss dynamo La Prairie) is as sleek and modern as can be. Unlike many resort spas, there’s nothing clinical or cold about this space, including gorgeous chandeliers you’ll wish you could take home, plush white rugs, and a cool gray and silver color scheme. Get a decadent massage—or a La Prairie facial, or a body scrub using local sea salt—in one of the mosaic-tiled treatment rooms. Then, head back out to the beach, where the resort sets up floating furniture in the surf.

Cotton Tree: The island’s first boutique hotel is made up of four candy-colored two-bedroom cottages that are stylish and spacious. While the rooms are comfortable, even chic, what’s most surprising is the way that this thoughtful hotel takes care of some of the details that drive business travelers nuts elsewhere. There’s no nickel-and-diming here, for example, as both airport transfers and Wi-Fi are included. The guestrooms have kitchens, and you can hire a personal chef to make you whatever it is you like to eat when you get tired of the resort restaurants.

Compass Point: Made up of 28 one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos, this relaxed new dive resort is a great choice for those who want to bring the friends or family down to strap on some tanks. Located on Grand Cayman’s quieter East End, the unfussy rooms have balconies and kitchens, and there are shared barbecue pits on the deck, so you won’t be forced to live on overpriced room service, at least for this part of your trip. This is a great choice for active travelers looking for rugged, independent exploration rather than cocktails in a cabana: You can borrow the resort’s kayaks and bicycles, and dive boats go out twice a day.

Where to Eat

Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink: This celebrated Miami restaurant opened a Cayman Islands outpost last June, and it serves as local a menu as the Florida branch. Seafood is a focus of many of the best dishes here. Start with a small plate of locally caught snapper, served ceviche-style and topped with locally grown mango, or the locally caught blackfin tuna, which is presented as a crudo with preserved Meyer lemon and local fennel. Follow that with a pan-roasted local snapper topped with plantains that are (you guessed it) grown locally. Whatever you do, save room for dessert: When the options are a lemon pot de crème served with house-made cannoli and sticky toffee pudding with house-made mango ice cream, you’ll be glad you can fall back on the age-old holiday rule of trying them all.

Blue at the Ritz-Carlton: It’s a gift to find a chef of Eric Ripert’s caliber in the Caribbean, and while he follows in the footsteps of Nobu Matsuhisa and Bobby Flay, who opened outposts in the Bahamas first, it’s still a wonderful treat to dine on food of this quality after a day at the shore. Wash the sand out of your hair, dress up (if only a little) and prepare to be wowed. You won’t forget where you are, even if you don’t dine on the terrace: The menu is a celebration of responsibly fished local seafood, from a trio of conch to hamachi sashimi, wahoo tartar and gently poached halibut.

Osetra Bay: Arguably the most sophisticated spot on this otherwise casual Caribbean island, Osetra Bay is designed to look like a series of increasingly fabulous urban lounges. The caviar theme extends to the cocktail menu: Settle into the Gold or Silver Lounge, and order caviar served up with either Champagne or the house specialty, Gold Cuvée, a white wine laced with 22-karat gold flakes. Stay for dinner, and you can continue the theme of extravagance with foie gras and butter-poached lobster. If you decide to charter a yacht while you’re in town, the restaurant has a dock that you can sail right up to.

Calypso Grill: Looking for something more, um, local? Calypso Grill, located next door to Osetra Bay, is the place to be for simple grilled fish, crab cakes, rum punch and sticky toffee pudding, all served dockside. The alfresco restaurant is casual and come-as-you-are—but you’ll still need to make reservations way in advance if you want to dine here over the holidays.

What to Do

Seven Fathoms Rum Tour: No product is as associated with the Caribbean—or as ideal as a souvenir—as locally made rum. Many islands have their own brands, and on the Cayman Islands, the local choice is Seven Fathoms, the first rum-maker to age its product underwater in oak barrels. You can order punch made with the hometown favorite at bars all over the island, or visit the distillery for a walk through the process of rum-making and maturation, followed by a tasting.

Snorkeling Stingray City: This 12-foot dive is the most popular spot for undersea fish–viewing, which is a big statement for an island with a dive site for every day of the year. Even if you don’t dive, you should make the pilgrimage, since there’s a sandbar just three feet below the surface that will help you snorkel around the rays. The Ritz-Carlton’s best advice: Go on a Saturday during high season (when there are few cruise ships in port) or any afternoon, because by 4 p.m. the ship passengers will be on their way back to the dock and you could have this often crowded spot to yourself.

Diving Kittiwake: Last January, the shipwrecked submarine rescue ship Kittiwake was sunk in a private marine park on the northern end of Seven Mile Beach as a 251-foot-long steel home for sea life. It quickly became habitation for a 100-pound goliath grouper, massive barracuda, and schools of horse-eye jacks and Caribbean reef fish, as well as divers seeking to get a look at the area’s newest reef. Those who don’t dive can snorkel over the top of the ship, across the main decks and past the smokestack, whose funnel provides a bird’s-eye view into what was once the engine room.

Source: executivetravelmagazine.com

New Book: The Portuguese Immigrant in Curaçao

Charles P. do Rego’s book The Portuguese Immigrant in Curaçao: Immigration, Participation, and Integration in the 20th Century will be presented on Sunday, August 5, 2012, between 6:00 and 8:00pm at a festive Portuguese cultural evening, organized by NAAM in Willemstad, Curaçao. The presentation is open to the general public.

Description: The rapid industrialization of Curaçao, based on oil refining, resulted in an urgent need for labor which the small community could not provide sufficiently. The Portuguese, mostly from Madeira, were among the immigrant laborers who came by the thousands from the 1920s until the 1950s. A small group managed to stay either at the refinery or in the agricultural and grocery sector while others came to join them. This core of permanent Portuguese citizens evolved since the 1960s into a group with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in the supermarket sector, but also in some other market segments.

Today, the Portuguese no longer belong to a distinct migrant group, but are an integral part of the Curaçao society. The second and subsequent generations have been assimilated in the Curaçao society and culture.

Charles P. do Rego has analyzed the process of immigration, participation and integration within the framework of both the sending and the receiving countries. The book presents, also through the eyes of the immigrant, an excellent insight on the outcome of the struggle to preserve their own culture and to adapt and thrive in a new society.

Source: http://repeatingislands.com/