Trinidad is steadily becoming more popular, as its Carnival season is becoming world renown. Trinidad is the southern most Caribbean island, located right off the coast of Venezuela. It was once part of the South American mainland. The island measures thirty seven miles wide by fifty miles long.
Trinidad like many Caribbean islands boasts a multi-cultural heritage. You can enjoy the heritage of Africans, East Indians, Europeans (Spanish and British), Portuguese, Chinese and even Syrians. But the dominant music, cuisine and entertainment are a mixture of African and East Indian culture. Because of this, a trip to Trinidad is like visiting several continents at once.
Beaches
Maracas Beach is the most popular beach in the North. The beach is about has the infamous Caribbean off white sand. Waves are ideal for surfing. East of Maracas Bay is Tricot Bay with fine grayish brown sand. Like Maracas it offers good sea and sun bathing with waves reaching quite high. It is also popular for overnight camping. East of Tricot is another popular beach at Las Cuevas (Cave) Bay. And true to its name there are many caves on this beach.
Trinidad offers plenty in terms of ecotourism. Asa Wright Nature Center offers pathways through rain-forest. It also offers a long, comfortable porch, where patrons sip tea and watch hummingbirds, tanagers and manakins.
The Point-a-Pierre Wild Fowl Trust nurtures numerous species for return to the wild. The Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest gardens in the Caribbean. The gardens consist of approximately seven hundred trees of which thirteen percent are indigenous to Trinidad
The Orchid Display House showcases some of Trinidad's native orchids and some tropical hybrids. The orchid family is one of the largest plant families. Trinidad has almost two hundred species.
Carnival in February is not the only time Trinidad lights up with festivals. Actually, she hosts festivals all year long.
MARCH
March celebrates Spiritual Baptist Shouter Liberation Day (30th) and Phage, a Hindu spring festival. At this event patrons spray pink or purple vegetable dye (abeer) on other participants. Singing and dancing competitions round out the festivities. The Muslim festival of Hosay takes place over a three-night period. Turtle-nesting season begins in March.
APRIL
This is the month of kite flying, hot cross buns on Good Friday (9th), horse-racing events on Easter Monday (12th), and Easter bonnet parades on the weekend. The La Divina Pastora festival unites the Catholic and Hindu communities. The borough of Point Fortin gives us the Borough Festival, featuring steel pan and J’Ouvert competitions.
MAY
The Indian community celebrates Indian Arrival Day on the 30th. The crossing of the kala pani, or dark water, is commemorated with music and dance ceremonies. There are quite a few sporting activities, including cricket and the Carifta games. The WeBeat Festival is a nine-day event, beginning on the last Friday of the month.
JUNE
June is the time of the Sugar and Energy Festival, celebrating the end of the sugar crop and promoting Trinidad’s gas and petrochemical industries. Hindu patrons visit the Marianne River to participate in the Ganga Dashara festival, the local version of the world’s oldest river festival. • If none of these excite you, try horse-racing at the Santa Rosa Racetrack. There are two holidays, Corpus Christi (10th), a key feast in the Catholic calendar, and Labor Day (19th), with massive processions and stirring oratory.
AUGUST
Emancipation Day (1st) commemorates the end of slavery in 1834 and serves as an opportunity for many Trinidadians to celebrate their African heritage. The 31st is Independence Day, marking the anniversary of the end of British colonialism in 1962. A parade of the armed forces starts the morning and a fireworks show concludes the evening. The Santa Rosa Festival is a commemoration of the patron saint of the Native American community. The Carib Great Race, in which power boats aim to be the first to make the crossing from Trinidad to Tobago, is a major attraction.
SEPTEMBER
Though not a festival, if you enjoy horse-racing then you will enjoy the Royal Oak Derby, the Santa Rosa Oaks, and the Caribbean Champion Stakes.
OCTOBER
The World Steel band Festival. This competition puts out a challenge to the world, to see who can create the sweetest pan music.
NOVEMBER
The holiday season commences with Divali, the Hindu festival of lights. This is a great time to experience the local version of traditional Indian cuisine. Villages across the island produce theatrical re-enactments of the Ramayana, called Ramleela. • At the end of the month the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated with elaborate feasts.
DECEMBER
One must experience Christmas in Trinidad. Traditional cuisine includes ponche de crema (eggnog with rum), ginger beer, black cake soaked in rum, turkey, ham, and pastelles. This is a month of endless parties and music leading up to the big day on the 25th.
So remember this, even though Trinidad is at the bottom of the Caribbean, she is worth putting at the top of your vacation list.
