It is a known fact that Trinidad and Tobago is a gem situated in a Caribbean paradise. However, rarely do locals see their home country the same way as tourists do, which is why this article written by a Trinbagonian--who, having left her country of birth, decided to pack her bags and revisit the magical paradise that is her childhood home--is a delightful read.
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Okay… It’s been over a week since I posted anything, primarily because I was so busy preparing to travel again and also because I unfortunately had a bout of writer’s block. I really did not know what to write about last week. Inspiration really evaded me AND IT SUCKED BIG TIME. But having packed my bags again and travelled to the country of my birth, my long lost friend seemed to have followed me here. So as an ode to my roots, I wanted to let you guys know why Trinidad & Tobago is such a lush and luminous place to visit. Here are the top 4 reasons:
TRINIDAD CARNIVAL
Termed the greatest show on earth, Trinidad Carnival is officially an annual non-stop party that lasts for 2 days: Carnival Monday & Carnival Tuesday in the months of February/March, but Carnival Tuesday is the day everyone waits for. Thousands of masqueraders parade across the streets of the capital, Port of Spain, in full costume, dancing in a frenzy to our native music called soca (pronounced so-kah). However, pre-Carnival celebrations begin as far back as Christmas. From Boxing Day till Carnival Sunday, there are ceaseless parties, cultural shows & carnival musical competitions. The Carnival season is an explosion of colour, creativity, music and celebrations; it’s a time to forget your troubles, shake off the stress and have a good time. Everyone is invited!
FOOD
From upscale expensive restaurants to small intimate family-run cafes, you will be spoilt for choice where Trinbagonian food is concerned. One can never go hungry in this gorgeous Caribbean island. Our African ancestors brought with them stews and one-pot meals that we call Creole Food such as pelau, macaroni pie, and beef soup made with succulent chunks of meat. Our East Indian ancestors also brought with them curry. Absolutely any kind of meat can be curried and curried foods are a big part of our food culture! But, thanks to the East Indians, the 2 delicacies that separate us from all other Caribbean islands are roti and doubles. Our rotis come in many different varieties and doubles is the unofficial national breakfast comprising of yellow lentil patties filled with spicy channa or chickpeas. Delish! Another must-have is bake-and-shark ( deep fried pieces of shark served between 2 slices of fried bake or dough & served with a wide variety of condiments) – this is a necessity after a trip to the popular Maracas Beach. But there are soo many other types of foods to try.
ADVENTURE
For the adventure seekers out there, we aren’t only about sandy beaches and blue seas, the options for adventure are paramount! For example, from relaxing walks through the Western Hemisphere’s oldest rainforest reserve to a challenging 6 hour trek though abandoned cocoa estates to a mountain lake, anything is possible for hikers in Tobago. The twin islands also have great bird watching sites. From the Caroni Swamp in Trinidad, protected home to the nation’s national bird, the Scarlet Ibis, to a small island called Little Tobago which is the protected habitat for all types of sea birds. Snorkelling & scuba diving are also great options for exploring and discovering Tobago’s remarkable coral gardens and coral reefs.
Tobago’s coastal waters are comprised of approximately 300 different species of coral including staghorn, fire coral and elkhorn. There are also a broad range of reefs, rock pillars and gardens filled with sea creatures. Popular marine areas in Tobago such as the Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool and Speyside Reefs offer these amazing experiences. Mountain biking, turtle watching, kayaking and goat racing are also other types of fun activities adventure seekers can try.
THE BEACH
Although Trinidad is unlikely to come up among “top 10 Caribbean beaches” listings, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t many countless beaches and activities to fill in a day or weekend in Trinidad. The most popular beaches are on the North Coast; for example, Maracas Beach is the most popular beach in the north, with great food on offer and a range of facilities and amenities, and Blanchisseuse (pronounced Blanch-she-shares) is a popular weekend getaway with several hiking trails to the nearby waterfall, into the rainforest, and along the as-yet unpaved north coast. The Marianne River that flows into the bay is also great for kayaking. But dotted along the country’s coasts are other gorgeous beaches such as Grande Rivière, located in the northeast which is perfect for a weekend getaway, particularly if you like the outdoors. Between March and August, it is the second largest leatherback turtle nesting ground in the world and is good for river bathing, kayaking and hikes into the forest. Mayaro in the south east has a glorious stretch of beach – the longest in the island – and is perfect for long walks, Vessigny Beach in the south isn’t the prettiest, but most weekends, it becomes a venue for beach parties and excursions. And lastly, Columbus & Cedros Bays in the southwest are stunning in good weather. These pristine bays and quiet fishing villages have wonderful views of the south-western coast, and on clear days, of neighbouring Venezuela.
What’s not to love?!
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