The Secret Caribbean

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Travel Documentary hosted by Trevor McDonald and published by ITV in 2009 - English narration

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The Secret Caribbean with Trevor McDonald Synopsis The newsreader and journalist, Sir Trevor McDonald embarks upon a stunning and epic journey across the Caribbean. From the Bahamas in the North to his birthplace Trinidad in the south, uncovering the sun-kissed islands along the way.

In this three part series, Sir Trevor visits The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad on an unforgettable expedition as he experiences the huge contrasts in cultures and lifestyles these islands have to offer.

[edit] Necker Cuba Trinidad

In the first episode, Trevor visits the biggest island, Cuba, and learns about life under a communist regime. Life is like a time warp in the Castro-led country and nearly everything is 50 years old - including the cars.

Food is rationed, a TV can cost more than a house and everyone is paid equally from doctors to taxi drivers.

On a shopping trip with local journalist Juan, Sir Trevor discovers that his monthly shop comes to $2 thanks to getting items at a subsidised rate, but as consumerism is discouraged by the government they place taxes on items we take for granted, like toasters.

Trevor notes: "The entire city is enveloped by a sense of faded elegance. Buildings once grand and magnificent show signs of weary neglect."

In stark contrast, Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island couldn't be more different. The Virgin boss takes Sir Trevor on a tour of the place he purchased in the 70s. He bought the beautiful but unihabitated island and turned it into a luxury paradise, where the super rich shell out £30,000 a night to enjoy the surroundings.

Finally, Trevor returns to his native home of Trinidad and arrives at of the country's annual highlights - a two-day long carnival.

He gets to meet the dancers and the man who hand crafts the steel drums which are sold all over the world. And he even gets dolled up in one of the elaborate costume - now that's got to be worth a look!

Feeling nostalgic Trevor says: "Watching the festival this year brought back for me a flood of warm memories. For two days Trinidadians put all their problems behind them and lose themselves with abandon in a riot of noise and colour."

[edit] Jamaica Musha Cay Barbados

In the second part of his journey, Sir Trevor discovers three parts of the Caribbean which all have one thing in common – they are all defined by money.

He visits Barbados, a luxury haven for the rich and famous, and the home of one man who is so wealthy he owns much of the island.

He travels to poverty-stricken Jamaica, a country blighted by violence and drugs, and meets the British girls who have been jailed for drug-smuggling and the local women trying to turn their lives around through music.

And his first stop in the second programme is the Bahamas – the wealthiest outpost of the Caribbean where many of the 700 islands have been bought by rich foreigners.

World famous magician David Copperfield owns Musha Cay, the most expensive resort in the Bahamas, where he charges guests $350,000 for a week’s stay.

Trevor is whisked across the crystal clear blue sea in a James Bond-style speed boat to meet David for a guided tour of the 11 islands which make up the resort. He also takes him to his very own sand bank – two miles of nothing but pure white sand in the middle of the ocean.

[edit] Antigua Montserrat Grenada

In this final episode Trevor visits Harbor Island in the Bahamas, Grenada and Montserrat.
Montserrat was once an island paradise where many of the biggest stars in the world came to record hits at George Martin's famous Air Studios.

Then a dormant volcano erupted into life and devastated the island. The volcano continues to erupt and threaten those who still live there.

Trevor meets the legendary Beatles producer as they return to the studio where Dire Straits recorded the hit album Brother's in Arms and talk to those who still call this island home.

In Grenada a rare encounter with endangered Giant Turtles as they lay eggs on a remote beach. The eggs look like table tennis balls and as many as 120 can be laid in just a few minutes. Also on this most lively and colourful of Caribbean islands Trevor visits the smallest chocolate factory in the world and sample the award winning chocolate made there.

And in Harbor Island, where 11 billionaires have homes - we meet India Hicks, granddaughter to Lord Mountbatten who vividly talks about the price of paradise when the hurricanes come calling.