May 12, 2017

Trinidad: Visit Paramin village; things to do

PARAMIN VILLAGE  

On Maracas North Coast.  This rural village is located on one of the highest points of the western area of the Northern Range--it peaks at 2,800 feet--and includes part of the Maraval area known for its expensive homes and golf course.  It is a sprawling, steep, and mountainous village whose residents have traditionally been farmers, producing herbs such as chives, thyme, and parsley, as well as vegetables such as tomatoes and yams.  Tomatoes are grown on almost vertical plots.  To maneuver the route, most locals and visitors ride in jeeps, which turns out to be a lot of fun, especially with a stop on the way down at the Kool Breeze Bar.  

view of Paramin Village over vertical tomato fields in Trinidad
view of Paramin Village over vertical tomato fields in Trinidad


jeep tour drivers in Paramin Village in Trinidad
jeep tour drivers in Paramin Village in Trinidad



 

exterior of Kool Breeze bar in Paramin Village in Trinidad
exterior of Kool Breeze bar in Paramin Village in Trinidad


interior of Kool Breeze bar in Paramin Village in Trinidad
interior of Kool Breeze bar in Paramin Village in Trinidad


view from Kool Breeze bar in Paramin Village in Trinidad
view from Kool Breeze bar in Paramin Village in Trinidad



images and video ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

May 9, 2017

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre; hotel review

Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre  

Lady Young Rd., Port of Spain, (868) 624-3211.  418 rooms.  Pool; fitness center with 2 saunas, treatment rooms; 2 tennis courts. 

Guests drive up to the top of a hill to enter the lobby of the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre hotel known as the “Upside Down Hilton,” whose rooms cascade down a small hill.  Built on the site of the former colonial French Governor’s residence, this hotel is set amid 25 acres of tropical landscape.  All guest rooms feature a private furnished balcony overlooking the bucolic surroundings.   

view from guest room balcony at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad
view from guest room balcony at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad


Facilities include one of the city's largest swimming pools--it is shaped like Trinidad--and a kids’ pool--shaped like Tobago--plus a terrace lined with lounge chairs shaded by umbrellas and trees.

pool area at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad
pool area at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad


The Terrace Garden 

restaurant features three-story-high ceilings and glass walls looking out to the green pool landscaping.  It is a delightful place for breakfast, when the buffet includes made-to-order omelettes as well as some local items--I became very fond of both the spinach-like calaloo made with dasheen leaves and the pumpkin choka fillings for fried bake breads--and an array of more familiar items. 

Terrace Garden restaurant at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad
Terrace Garden restaurant at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad


LUCE Sushi Bar 

is an independent restaurant known for its excellent sushi and cocktails.

LUCE Sushi Bar at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad
LUCE Sushi Bar at the Hilton Trinidad in Trinidad


Technically the hotel is located walking distance from Queen’s Park Savannah and the botanical gardens.  However, I took the “path” down from the hotel--it was actually a very steep, paved, decidedly unbucolic narrow service road used by hotel employees.  It passed noisy hotel machines, and when I reached the bottom there was no cross walk.  After watching locals, I literally ran across a confusing road beside a traffic circle and then had to do the same yet again to get over to the Savannah park.  It was then a looong walk to the gardens, and then I needed to cross the busy thoroughfare yet again--in a downpour that drenched me even with an umbrella.  Later, I wound up walking through a flooded grassy road edge to retrace my path back to the hotel.  My sneakers took two days to dry.  My advice--take a cab!




images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

May 4, 2017

Maracas Beach, Trinidad: Bake and Shark lunch; restaurant review

Maracas Beach  

On north side of the island; 1-hr. drive from Port of Spain.  Unlike many of the northern beaches of Trinidad, Maracas Beach is protected by a deep bay.  It is one of the most well-known and beautiful beaches in Trinidad.  It is also famous for the dozen huts located across the highway from the beach that serve Bake and Shark, a native Trinidadian dish that consists of deep-fried shark stuffed in a "bake," or bun.  It is basically a fish burger served with condiments galore--pepper sauce, garlic sauce, coriander/cilantro sauce, tamarind, veggies.  The bread/bake is cooked in very hot oil so it is not greasy. 
 

Maracas Beach in Trinidad
Maracas Beach in Trinidad

  
Richard's Bake & Shark sign at Maracas Beach in Trinidad
Richard's Bake & Shark sign at Maracas Beach in Trinidad

 
preparing Bake & Shark at Richard's at Maracas Beach in Trinidad
preparing Bake & Shark at Richard's at Maracas Beach in Trinidad


adding condiments to Bake & Shark at Richard's at Maracas Beach in Trinidad
adding condiments to Bake & Shark at Richard's at Maracas Beach in Trinidad




images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

May 1, 2017

Trinidad: Birdwatching in Trinidad at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary; things to do

BIRDWATCHING IN TRINIDAD

Trinidad’s lush landscape provide the perfect conditions for the more than 450 species of birds that call the island home.  Key birding spots on island include:

Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary  

Off the Solomon Hochoy Hwy., 8 miles south of Port of Spain.  US$10 for 2 1/2-hr. cruise.  This 12,000-acre, mangrove-filled wetland is the top nesting site for the Trinidad national bird--the Scarlet Ibis (pronounced eye-bus).  Best viewing is in morning and evening.  Approximately 15,000 of these big red birds gather here at dusk each evening to roost in trees.  Among the more than 100 additional tropical birds seen here are snowy egrets, blue herons, green kingfishers, and bicolored conebills.  You might also see caimans amid the mangrove roots and boa constrictors entwined on branches.

boa constrictor in tree at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad
boa constrictor in tree at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad


Scarlet Ibis roosting in trees at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad
Scarlet Ibis roosting in trees at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad


single Scarlet Ibis heading to roosting trees at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad
single Scarlet Ibis heading to roosting trees at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary
in Trinidad


flock of Scarlet Ibis heading to roosting trees at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad
flock of Scarlet Ibis heading to roosting trees at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad


Boat tours are available on site, though some tour companies arrange in advance.
38 Bamboo Grove Sett, No. 1, Uriah Butler Highway, Valsaya P.O., (868) 645-1305.  Depart at 4pm, return by 6:30pm.  In business for 60 years, this tour concession uses wood boats equipped with life vests.

Nanan's Bird Sanctuary Tours boats at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad
Nanan's Bird Sanctuary Tours boats at Caroni Swamp & Bird Sanctuary in Trinidad



 
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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