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Show TheSalt LakeTribune RAVEL WM WHERE ARE YOU? H-2 slay SUNDAY DECEMBER 3,2000 @ CURRENCY CHART, H-3 or Florida Keys Flip Over Dolphins To Boost Tourism BY JIM KIMBALL SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE KEY LARGO,Fla. — Chicago and New York City haa cows. Cincinnatihadits KANDY,Sri Lanka — One of my methods for surviving the drab gray winters of Eastern. Utah was tovisit the small public library in Vernal.I recall checking out the Big Pig Gig. New Orleanshas fish, Toronto showcases moose and Miamiis putting flamingoes on parade. Nowthe Florida Keys has joined the remarkable autobiographical account by Mark Twain of his journey around the world, Following the Equator. The description of his visit to Ceylon formed the lasting image ofa tropical paradise for me. He conjured up impressions ofthis island that remained in my mind for years — the gentle and kindly island people, richly plumed birds, lavishly ornamented elephants, pristine beaches, deep jungles and verdant mountains. Twain was thefirst American writer of ranksof regions featuring whimsical animal art in public places with “Dolphins on Parade,”an exhibition oflife-size deco- ° rated dolphinsondisplay at various businesses from Key Largo.to Key West through March. Local artists and even a live dolphin “painter” havecreated 80 unique dolphins, ranging from tropically themed, beach-going dolphin to a wacky “Tourist Dolphin,” complete with a beer belly and any note to describe the beauty and enchantmentof this teardrop-shaped island tackyclothing. ‘There’s also a “He-She” dolphin in drag attire, with purse. A dolphin laden with glittering metal necklaces can be found reflecting the sunsetat the Hilton Key West, and a Jimmy Buffett-inspired dolphin can also be seen at his Key West Margaritaville store. just south ofthe Indian subcontinent. When he disembarked in the capital, Colombo,on Jan.13, 1896, he described the following scene: “Dear meit is beautiful! And most sumptuously tropical, as to character offoliage and opulence of it. . . oriental charm and mystery andtropical deliciousness. . . . There was that swoon in the air which one associates with the — The Associated Press QO tropics, and that smother of heat, heady with odors of unknown flowers, and that Bahamas Cashing In sudden invasion of purple gloomfissured NASSAU; Bahamas — Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham says ca- with lightning, then the tumult of crashing thunder and the downpour — and pres- sinos have earned the Caribbean islands ently all sunny and smilingagain; all these things were there; the conditions were complete, nothing waslacking.. . .” tens ofmillions a year in taxes and fees without causing any social problems. Ingraham says the casinosbring in an estimated $31 million a year in taxes and fees, employ 2,100 Bahamians,and attract This was written exactly 100 years after the British had taken possession ofCeylon from the Dutch. The latter had stolen it from the Portuguese in 1658. Each European naval powerhad enjoyed colonial supremacy over ‘this small island for approximately 150 years, beginning in 1505. The Brits finally lowered the Union Jack in 1948, and in 1972 a post-independence government, eager to:shred thelast vestiges of British colonialism, gave the island a new moreaffluentclients to theislands. “Despite the dire predictions of moral decay andcriminal influence of casino gambling, casinosin the Bahamas have not been linked to crime,”Ingraham said in a statement. He originally madethe speechin St. Lucia, where-the governmentlegalized name, Sri Ten years later the Tamil Black Tigers gambling this year despite some concerns from religious and community groups launched a separatist movement in the northeastregionofthe island. This war for an independent Tamil homelandhas raged thatit could lead to crime and gambling addictions. The Bahamashashad casino gambling since the 1960s, but it is only open to tour- for the past 18 years. The hope for a Top: Buddha carved outofstonein central Sri Lanka. Above: Rockfortress at ‘Sigiriya. Few destinations can match the crystal-white beaches,antiquities and glorious landscapesof Sri Lanka. ists. —The Associated Press GREATrates available for NewYear’s and Spring Break! {rom $699 pith, 7 nts from $920 ppldt Tos: © 3nts at the Club Oasis Akumal (Aindusive) irom $664 pdb, . 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Vaid for departures 373 - 4/6401 + Indudes: Room tax and transfers CABO SAN LUCAS PACKAGES PACKAGES Packages inde roundarp afore from SLC. * 3s atthe Calinda Cabo San Lucas (3)fram $395 ppt, os from $575 pdt . 3s he Wane Rah) for 75pm $1257 pt MAZATLAN PACKAGES * its atthe Caravelle Beach Chub (4°) thorn $349 ppb, 7 nis fram $449 ppt Other properties available: * 3 nts af the Flesta inn Los Cabos (Al 7 hts Other properties avaliable * ints at the San Cartos Plaza trom $417 pps 40h from $472 ppidbl, nts from $634 pdt + Round trip aitare trom SUC. 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