Trinidad & Tobago

 

People, History and their Culture of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad
Trinidad is a Caribbean paradise that marches to a different beat. Its own beat that is! It’s the beat that fuels the world famous Carnival and gave birth to the musical forms of Calypso, Steel band & Soca. Trinidad is also an energetic mix of peoples from Africa, India, China and Europe. The island architecture also reflects the rich diversity of the people with European Parliamentary Buildings, stately homes graced with gingerbread trimmings, West-Indies cottages, Hindu Temples and Mosques.
The capital city of Port-of-Spain is a modern business center and cosmopolitan city. Sightseeing should include the harbor area of the King’s Wharf & Woodford Square the home to Parliament, (called the Red House)The Town Hall and the Anglican Cathedral. At the northern foothills of the city is the world renown and beautiful 200 acre Queen’s Park Savannah. The park contains cricket fields, racetrack, soccer fields, greenbelts, gardens and many trees. 19th-century architecture mansions are found here in the shape of Scottish Castles, Venetian Palaces and German Renaissance Great Houses. The Park is also home to the Botanical Gardens and the Emperor Valley Zoo.
Trinidad is a paradise for Caribbean Birdwatchers. Being located just 7 miles of the coast of South American (and the country of Venezuela) the flora and fauna of the island is distinctly South American and different than the rest of the Caribbean Island chain. In fact there are hundreds of birds, plants and flowers that are unique to Trinidad. Caribbean Bird Watchers visit the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, located in a mangrove swamp, about 1 and 1/2 hours from Port-of- Spain. The Sanctuary is home to the scarlet ibis, the national bird of Trinidad. The best viewing time is at sundown when hundreds of birds return home from neighboring Venezuela.
The northern coast of Trinidad is one of the best kept secrets of the Caribbean. Mountains seem to roll straight out of the sea and up nearly 3,000 feet to cloud kissed tops. The scenery between the coast and the highlands is incredible. There are quaint and charming fishing villages strung along the waters edge such as Blanchisseuse, Matelot, Toco and the stunning beauty of Maracas Bay. Hiking trails are found throughout the heavy green forests of the North Range with incredible vistas, pristine waterfalls and landscaped rivers. Hikers and bird watchers alike can enjoy these Caribbean forests filled with exotic birds and wildlife and can choose Caribbean hotels at the world famous Asa Wright Nature Center Lodge (located 1,000 feet up in an old plantation) or the Mount St. Benedict Guesthouse which was set up by a monastery. Surfing the big swells can be found off Galera Point near Toco and many of the northern beaches are great for turtle-watching, kayaking, beachcombing, tanning and windsurfing.

Tobago
This was an island once populated by peaceful Arawak Indians who gave way to the more fierce Carib invaders. Tobago is where the name Tobacco comes from as the European explorers discovered the indigenous natives smoking the leaves. Europeans discovered Tobago on Columbus’s third voyage in 1498. The islands were battled over by many European powers and the last Carib war chief and first national hero of Trinidad & Tobago fell in 1699.
The island changed flags many times, was a haven for pirates and permanently fell to Britain in 1814. Slavery brought the Africans to the island. The island was incorporated with Trinidad in 1888 and the two islands became an independent nation in 1962. Today the vast majority of the islanders are of African descent and the people are friendly and outgoing. Caribbean Vacationers will enjoy this mountainous, naturally beautiful island with its long sandy beaches, picturesque coves and clear water reefs. But the smiles of the local people was what made the island so beautiful and unforgettable to me!
Tobago is a Caribbean gem, a treasure for those seeking the romantic visions they have of a Caribbean with palm-lined beaches, rain forest cloaked mountains, living reefs, sunset vistas and friendly island people.