April 27, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: LeRoy Clarke home; things to do

LeRoy Clarke home  

Popular contemporary native Trinidadian artist LeRoy Clarke focuses on African art, and his paintings are usually very large.  As like calaloo--a popular island stew--is how he describes the mix of races in Trinidad.  Clarke is also a poet and, at age 78, has strong opinions, and so is loved by many and not so loved by others.  He lives in a small gated community in De Legacy House of El Tucuche, which was built to his specifications and where he graciously welcomed my group of journalists into his private space.   The soft-spoken artist says he uses his “sweet man voice around women,” and claims that he was the favorite of nine children. 

exterior of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad
exterior of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad


front room of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad
front room of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad


front room of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad
front room of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad


dining room of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad
dining room of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad


painting porch of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad
painting porch of LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad


artist LeRoy Clarke at his bedroom desk in LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad
artist LeRoy Clarke at his bedroom desk in LeRoy Clarke home
in Port of Spain, Trinidad


artist LeRoy Clarke in his library at LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad
artist LeRoy Clarke in his library at LeRoy Clarke home in Port of Spain, Trinidad



images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meye

April 25, 2017

NYC: Metropolitan Museum of Art; things to do

Metropolitan Museum of Art  

1000 5th Ave./82nd St., (212) 535-7710.  Sun-Thur 10-5:30, F-Sat 10-9, closed M.  suggested donation:  $25, 65+ $17, students $12, under 12 free. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is the largest museum in the U.S.  The Met, as it is referred to by New Yorkers, has a permanent collection of more than 2 million precious items from around the world and through the ages and holds an amazing number of complete original rooms, some of which even retain their original creaky floors.  The museum poses a daunting challenge to view, and you probably won’t know which way to look first.  Because you really can’t see it all in one day, it is best to pick a few favorite periods or genres from its wealth of beauty and plan to leave some things for next time.  But if it is your first visit or perhaps you suspect it will be you only visit, consider catching just the highlights--which will still take most of a day to accomplish.  Here is a mix of paintings, temples, and a few of the entire intact rooms the museum is famous for, plus a great suggestion on where to have lunch--all doable in one day.  Should you visit in December, be sure to add the first-floor Medieval Sculpture Hall (gallery 305) to your itinerary.  A gigantic Christmas tree is decorated then with angels from the museum’s collection, and atmospheric music resounds. 

interactive map of the galleries

see the best of the Metropolitan Museum in a single visit 


American Wing Sculpture Gallery at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
American Wing Sculpture Gallery at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
 

exterior of Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
exterior of Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC


Arms and Armor Gallery at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
Arms and Armor Gallery at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC






kids in Egyptian tomb at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
kids in Egyptian tomb at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC


period bedroom at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
period bedroom at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC




Temple of Dendur at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
Temple of Dendur at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC


The Astor Court at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
The Astor Court at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC


Versailles Panorama at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
Versailles Panorama at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC


Petrie Court Cafe at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
Petrie Court Cafe at Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC




More NYC attractions.

More NYC restaurants. 
 

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 21, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Queen's Park Savannah; things to do

Queen's Park Savannah  

1 mi. N of Woodford Square, between downtown and Northern Range hills. 

Occupying approximately 260 acres, the Queen's Park Savannah is Port of Spain’s largest green space.  The oldest park in the West Indies, it was turned it into a city park in 1817 and is encircled by the world’s largest roundabout.

Queen's Park Savannah as seen from Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Queen's Park Savannah as seen from Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad


          Southeastern End

National Academy for the Performing Arts  

This new building opened in 2009 for the Summit of the Americas.  It houses a 1,200-seat main auditorium as well as additional stages, practice halls, and teaching rooms in the University of Trinidad & Tobago section.

The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago


Memorial Square  

Opposite the National Museum. 

Anglican parish Church of All Saints  

This church dates to 1845.

          Northeastern End

The “Magnificent Seven”  

This row of seven extravagant mansions that date back to around 1900 displays a range of colonial architectural fantasy.  Currently the houses are in a state of disrepair, and most are being refurbished.  None are open for tours.

          ●Queen’s Royal College  

This boys’ school was attended by Dr. Eric Williams and the Trinidadian Nobel prizewinner V.S. Naipaul.  It is surrounded by an ornate cast-iron fence.

Queen's Royal College in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Queen's Royal College in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad

          ●Hayes Court  

This well-kept, updated home features lovely stonework and glass detail and is now the Anglican bishop’s residence.

          ●Mille Fleurs/Prada House  

Built in 1904 in the style of a typical town house of the period, this early French Renaissance-style mansion is currently the law association headquarters.  It is noted for its wrought iron fretwork.

Mille Fleurs/Prada House in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Mille Fleurs/Prada House in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad

          ●Ambard's House/Roomor  

Designed by a French architect, this private residence was constructed in 1904 as a family residence.  Most of the materials were imported--marble from Italy, tiles from France, cast iron elements from Scotland.  After several owners, it was sold in 1940 to Timothy Roodal and is today occupied by Roodal's granddaughter.  The name Roomor is a combination of two family names, Roodal and Morgan.  Constructed almost entirely of wood, it requires constant maintenance.

          ●Archbishop’s Palace  

This Indian-style structure was built by an Irish architect.

Archbishop's Palace in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Archbishop's Palace in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad

          ●White Hall  

When renovation is completed, this Moorish Mediterranean-style building will house the Prime Minister’s office.

White Hall in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad
White Hall in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad

          ●Stollmeyer’s Castle/Killarney  

A replica of Balmoral Castle in Scotland, this was built to the specifications of a woman who abandoned it because it was too big.  Currently it serves as the Prime Minister’s office.

Stollmeyer's Castle/Killarney in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Stollmeyer's Castle/Killarney in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad


          Northwest Corner

Wildflower Park


Emperor Valley Zoo


Royal Botanical Gardens  

Open daily 6am–6pm.  Free.  Governor Ralph Woodford and botanist David Lockhart, who is buried in a small cemetery here, established these gardens in 1820, making it one of the oldest gardens and oldest collections of exotic plants and trees in the western hemisphere.  More than 200 species grow in the Orchid Display House.  The 25 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds are a favorite among locals for post-zoo picnics.

Royal Botanical Gardens in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Royal Botanical Gardens in Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad


          Northern Flank

President’s House  

Located adjacent to the botanical gardens, this mansion is fronted by its own manicured gardens.

roundabout   

This circle provides access to the suburbs of St. Ann’s and Cascade (go left) and the Lady Young Road, which snakes over the foothills to join the highway heading east out of the city.
 

          Eastern Side

More renovation and construction are taking place. 




 
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyer
Magnificent 7 images courtesy of Trinidad & Tobago Tourism

April 19, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: HAKKA; restaurant review

HAKKA  

4 Taylor St., Woodbrook, (868) 33 HAKKA. 

With a trendy vibe that carries even into the restrooms, HAKKA is a place to see and be seen.  The delicious fusion of Hakka Chinese recipes and Indian spices results in some delicious dishes.  Good bets on the extensive menu include Konjee crispy chicken, spicy Hong Kong Pork, and prawn pakora.  Making dinner outdoors on a pleasant patio in front even more wonderful, we were serenaded by an army of crickets that sounded like bells.  

interior of HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad
interior of HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad


drink menu (in Trinidad dollars) at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad
drink menu (in Trinidad dollars) at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad


cheery server at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad
cheery server at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad


delish dish at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad
delish dish at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad


delish dish at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad
delish dish at HAKKA in Port of Spain, Trinidad


 

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 14, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Coloz; restaurant review

Coloz  

1 Woodbrook Pl., Port of Spain. 

In cheery, colorfully painted Coloz restaurant--its name translates as “colors” in English--we enjoyed a delicious buffet of local foods, including bahgi (spinach with plantains) and kingfish with tamarind sauce.  I also enjoyed the licorice-flavored mauby tonic drink, which is made from bark, spices, anise seed, and sugar.

interior of Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad
interior of Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad


lunch buffet at Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad
lunch buffet at Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad


mauby tonic drink at Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad
mauby tonic drink at Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad


art at Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad
art at Coloz restaurant in Port of Spain, Trinidad


 ●IMAX theater  

Adjacent, This is the only IMAX theater in the English-speaking Caribbean.

IMAX theater in Port of Spain, Trinidad
IMAX theater in Port of Spain, Trinidad





images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 12, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Fort George; things to do

Fort George  

In Port of Spain.

Built in 1804 and reached via a windy, narrow road, Fort George never saw military action and so became a signal house.  Now it is famous for a magnificent view--it overlooks the city of St. James and the Gulf of Paria, and on a clear day you can see Venezuela.  

signal house at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
signal house at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad


sign at signal house at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
sign at signal house at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad


view from Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
view from Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad


view from Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
view from Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad


cannon at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
cannon at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad


Venezuela in the background in selfie at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Venezuela in the background in selfie at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad


casava tree at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad
casava tree at Fort George in Port of Spain, Trinidad




 
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 7, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Emperor Valley Zoo; things to do

(Note:  This is a modified version of the original post, which disappeared mysteriously, never to be seen again, while I was updating it.  That post had 1,527 views and 7 comments.)

Emperor Valley Zoo  

Daily 9:30am-6pm.  TT30/US$5, under age 13 TT15.  

Named for the giant iridescent blue butterfly that once populated this valley, the small 7-acre Emperor Valley Zoo has been here since 1952 and is the largest in the Caribbean.  It is currently being expanded and upgrading exhibits as it aims for accreditation.  Assistant curator Richard Wallace says the aim is “to be a small San Diego Zoo.”

It has an extensive collection of local animals (crab-eating raccoons, boa constrictors) and birds (the Trinidad motmot) plus flamingoes from the San Diego Zoo.  Two large South American River Turtles are the oldest in Trinidad and have been here since the zoo opened.  I saw two Trinidad white-fronted capuchin monkeys busy grooming each other, and two bright pink scarlet ibis perched way back in an enclosure.  A circular path takes you past most exhibits.  Two 3-year-old giraffes from Texas are the first in the Caribbean.  A contest named them Melman (children’s choice, from “Madagascar” movie) and Mandela (adult’s choice, to honor Nelson, who had just died).  The zoo has five white Bengal tigers, two of which were born at the zoo and are the first to be born in Trinidad and the Caribbean.

If you visit, be sure to apply insect repellent.  My souvenir was a bite, probably from a sand fly, and it left me with big red welts for several days--probably an allergic reaction.  Note that the local natural treatment is to rub a lime on bites.

giraffe at Emperor Valley Zoo in Trinidad
giraffe at Emperor Valley Zoo in Trinidad


flamingos at Emperor Valley Zoo in Trinidad
flamingos at Emperor Valley Zoo in Trinidad




images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

April 5, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago; things to do

The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago  

117 Frederick St., Port of Spain, (868) 623-5941.  Tu-Sat 10am-6pm.  Free. 

Though the exterior of its 1887 Dutch-gabled German-Renaissance-style building is modest, this museum holds interesting collections.  The first floor of The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago features special exhibitions and natural history exhibits (you can see the magnificent blue Emperor butterfly here).  Upstairs, the national art collection displays work by leading local artists, including paintings by Trinidad’s first major artist, Michel-Jean Cazabon (1813-88).

exterior of The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad
exterior of The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago
in Port of Spain, Trinidad


special exhibit at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad
special exhibit at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago
in Port of Spain, Trinidad


cocoa industry display at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad
cocoa industry display at The National Museum & Art Gallery
of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad


Emperor Butterfly display at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Emperor Butterfly display at The National Museum & Art Gallery
of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad


art gallery at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad
art gallery at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago
in Port of Spain, Trinidad


art gallery display at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad
art gallery display at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago
in Port of Spain, Trinidad


art piece in gallery at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad
art piece in gallery at The National Museum & Art Gallery of Trinidad & Tobago
in Port of Spain, Trinidad




images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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