Prelude: An Art Exhibition by Kerry Collins

This exhibition featuring paintings by artist Kerry Collins opened yesterday

at 3 Herbert Street in St. Clair, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Artwork will be on display until 20 May, 2010.

Opening hours:

Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm

Sat 9am-1pm

Caribbean beaches among the world's best – including Trinidad's Grande Rivière

Admittedly, Trinidad isn't generally considered a beach lover's paradise. Sister island Tobago can usually compete heartily in that category, while Trinidad is usually content to get attention for culture, business and – like Tobago – as a premiere eco-tourism destination. Trinidadians, of course, have their favourite beach haunts, and no tourist can be said to have really visited Trinidad unless they've been to Maracas beach and had a bake and shark. But accolades in a top 50 beaches of the world list? No, can't say we in Trinidad really expect that.

But I was in for a surprise.

I'm on a British Airways (BA) plane back to Port of Spain, Trinidad from London Gatwick (incidentally, I really do hope that Caribbean Airlines begins servicing a London route again or finds a strong codeshare partner now that the BA codeshare agreement has expired). They've switched off the in-flight video entertainment (where I finally saw Blind Side, 2012, and It's Complicated), and since we at MEP produce an inflight magazine too (Caribbean Beat is for Caribbean Airlines), I pick up BA's High Life. The cover is beautiful: it's South Malé Atoll in the Maldives, and the cover story is "The 50 Best Beaches in the World – As Voted By Our Experts".

I'm curious to see how the Caribbean's beaches ranked, and to see how Tobago fared among its better-known fellow islands. In the Caribbean section of the list, only six islands are featured. Tobago is not there. Nor is Jamaica. Or Barbados. And I am stunned.

The islands and beaches featured are:

• Antigua: Carlisle Bay and Pigeon Point Beach
• St. Lucia: Cotton Bay
• St. Kitts: Turtle Beach
• British Virgin Islands: Virgin Gorda
• Grenada: Carriacou
• Trinidad: Grande Rivière

I am doubly stunned seeing Trinidad come up – specifically, Plage De Grande Rivière on Trinidad's northeast coast. The author, Mourad Mazouz, explains:

Plage de Grande Rivière is a very quiet beach and one of the most stunning places I've been. A river forms a delta and natural water pools on the beach flowing from the mountains behind. Wild horses and tortoises reside here.

But what he doesn't say is that each year, the rare, endangered and mammoth leatherback turtles make their way thousands of miles across the Atlantic, returning to the shores on which they were born, to lay and nest. Their hatchlings, weeks later, make a mad dash to the ocean. If they live to maturity, they too will return. It is a magical ritual, and Grande Rivière is the second largest leatherback turtle nesting ground in the world, and is one of Trinidad and Tobago's greatest eco attractions.

So good on ya, BA, for recognising this hidden eco treasure in Trinidad. But don't tell too many people. We don't want to spoil a good thing!

Photos: Leatherback turtle hatchlings at Grande Rivière by Jason Hagley (top); 
the river meets the sea at Grande Rivière Cafe.Moka (bottom)
Published in Discover Trinidad & Tobago. Not for re-use or reproduction with permission from the author.

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TrinidadTunes charts, 25 April #musicmonday

Here are the top downloads from last week!

Revisiting Lopinot

Lopinot must be one of the top ten most popular locations in Trinidad that children go on field trips. However, after that childhood experience most people have not revisited.

Where is it?

The Lopinot historical site is in the Lopinot Valley, a beautifully green area that looked like a lush green mirage during this boiling hot dry season that we are having. Driving along the Eastern Main Road, we turned onto Lopinot road, which was quiet, narrow and winding. After a while, we consulted the map in the Discover T&T book to make sure we were on the right track. The map reassured us that we were and so we relaxed, taking in the beautiful scenery of the village that we were driving through. Along the road at different intervals were a series of wooden crosses marking the Stations of the Cross. Finally, we saw the sign for the Lopinot Historical Site and we pulled into a very small car park.

Lopinot Historical Site

This site was once a cocoa estate called La Reconnaissance and was owned by a Frenchman named Count Charles Joseph of Lopinot. Here on this sweeping estate is a main house, where the count lived from 1806 to 1819, a cocoa house, a jailhouse, a clay oven and the tombs of the Count and his wife.

The main house

Remnants of the cocoa house

A clay oven

Fenced in tombs of Lopinot

There was no guide on site that day. However, through the use of a brochure, information signs and a friendly groundsman, we found our way through the premises pretty well. There were picture keys next to the places of interest that related to information in the brochure.

The main house was under renovation (which was a bit disappointing) so the items on exhibit were relocated to the jailhouse as a temporary museum/visitor centre.

There are other interesting features on the premises such as: a direction post pointing out Diego Martin, Blanchisseuse, Siparia and Toco and the distance to each, a wooden display portraying men from the village playing parang, which the village is known for, and a small glass section of the existing wall through which you can see the original material the main house is made of.

Picnic blanket please

After exploring the buildings we took some time to walk around the grounds. With the large expanse of land you can choose where to throw down a blanket and get comfortable with a book and some food or utilise one of the many thatched roof huts or benches.


 

We wondered why we hadn’t thought about bringing a blanket or a yummy sandwich ourselves, as it would have been wonderful to sit beneath one of the shady trees, enjoying the cool breeze. The grounds were well kept with bright colorful flowers, and the lawn well manicured (even if slightly browned by the lack of rain during this dry season). A river runs around part of the property and due to the season the water was a trickle. With the vastness of the estate, children have many places to run and play and there is a playground for their enjoyment.

Even if you are already familiar with the history of Lopinot, it is such a beautiful place that it can be enjoyed over and over again. With large shady trees, chirping birds, creaking bamboo, and all the relaxation these can bring, you have a reason to pack up your picnic basket, jump in your car and head in that direction no matter what age you are.

Fast Facts

• A guide is on site Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–6pm
• Bathrooms available
• No restaurant but there is a parlour and bar nearby

Aisha and Ariann are ready to reacquaint themselves with and in some cases ‘meet’ Trinidad and Tobago. Follow as these two travel to different places and interact with a multitude of faces while ‘Discovering T&T’

Festival Chaguaramas celebrates Trinidad's history, food, and natural environment

Trinidad's two-day Festival Chaguaramas is promising a special treat on the 1st and 2nd of May. Organisers are inviting the public to historic Chaguaramas – a national heritage park – for food, entertainment, outdoor nature adventures, sporting events, and more. Here's what you can look forward to:

Saturday 1 May:
Outdoor eco adventures and sporting events are the highlight of the first day, and climaxes with the musical event, Potpourie Musicale at 6pm, featuring popular rapso band 3canal; pannist Ray Holman; chutney star Dupatee; calypso great Leroy Calliste (the Black Stalin); and Latin Jazz saxophonist César López. Here's the run-down:

• Mountain Bike Racing from 7am
• Farmers’ Market (also from 7am)
• Pre-booked eco adventures
• Kayaking (all day)
• Dragon Boat Racing, 9:30am–12pm
• Adventure Race, kicking off at 1pm
• Potpourri Musicale, 6pm–10pm at the Kayak Centre (click here for ticket information)

Sunday 2 May
The day begins with the Historical Commemorative 5K Walk at 7am, which remembers the march led by Eric Williams (the islands' first prime minister) that ended Chaguaramas' occupation by the United States naval authorities for nearly a quarter century. The day will also celebrate history, the outdoors and the culinary arts at the Festival Village (see map below) at Williams Bay. Here's the schedule of events for Sunday:

• CDA 5K Historical Commemorative Walk, beginning at 7am from Samaan Park (click here to register online)
• A military display at 2pm
• Pre-booked eco adventures
• Kayaking (all day)
• Sailing outreach activities
• Activities for families and children
• A DJ and live entertainment
• Fish Fuh So: booths with local cuisine

 

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Tyrico Bay #traveltuesday

Even though Tyrico Bay in Trinidad is a minute’s drive from Maracas Bay, it is not nearly as popular. While this beach is much more intimate and does not have built in facilities (there are only a few portable toilets and no food stalls), it is long and wide and the water looked so inviting the day we visited. No wonder there were so many people there even though it was a weekday. 

With Maracas Bay so close by you can easily elect someone in your group to drive there quickly and bring back food (bake and shark, anyone?), and enjoy a less crowded beach.

TrinidadTunes charts for week of 18 April #musicmonday

Art on the Promenade

Fifteen paintings are currently being exhibited on block two of the Brian Lara Promenade. This exhibition entitled “Trinidad and Tobago” features 15 pieces of artwork from children of the Dunross Preparatory School, Sacred Hearts Girls Roman Catholic School, and Maple Leaf International School. The youngest artist in this exhibit is five. 

This art gallery is part of the Brian Lara Promenade renovation programme and will feature several exhibits over the next few months. They are currently looking for other young artists to exhibit work and interested persons should contact the Promenade Management Association at 627-7166.

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Chow, a Trinbagonian Delight

Chow is an undeniable part of our country's culinary culture. Whether it is mango, pineapple, sour cherries, cucumber or any other fruit, if it can be cut up and seasoned with the necessary ingredients it can be made into chow.

Eden’s Sweet and Sour Hot Spot has been selling chow and other goodies for over eight years at the popular lookout on the North Coast Road in Trinidad. According to them a good chow is seasoned with salt, black pepper, garlic and chadon beni which, they stress, is the most important ingredient. Pepper is optional and you can use half ripe or even green fruit. There are many people who are self-proclaimed expert chow makers and they may include other ingredients in their chow making but I think they will all agree that chadon beni is a must!

We left Eden’s with four types of chow so we could have an informal survey of which one was the best, back at the MEP/Discover T&T office. Our survey showed a landslide victor after our colleagues tried the mango, pineapple, sour cherry and pommecythere (from the French pommes-de-terre) chow. Mango, the most common fruit to be made in to chow, was the clear winner. They said it had the best texture and the right balance between sweet, spicy and sour.

Everyone has a favourite type of chow and luckily you can enjoy chow year round as a quick snack or even decide to serve it as a treat at your next party.

Fast Facts

• Sour cherry and mango chow - $5 per bag
• Pommecythere chow - $3 each
• Pineapple chow - $9 for 3 slices
• Eden’s Sweet and Sour Hot Spot is open six days a week, Wednesday to Monday

Aisha and Ariann are ready to reacquaint themselves with and in some cases ‘meet’ Trinidad and Tobago. Follow as these two travel to different places and interact with a multitude of faces while ‘Discovering T&T’.

Earl Lovelace's Jestina's Calypso on stage

On Saturday 17 April, Griot Productions will present the gala opening of Earl Lovelace's Jestina's Calypso. This is the first of the company’s three productions for this year. According to Griot Productions:

"Jestina's Calypso promises to be serious, funny, sad and tragic. The characters are real people that we can find in our lives here in Trinidad and even within ourselves. Jestina's situation is one that promises to resonate with each and every one of us, however different we may be."

The show runs for two nights, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th April, at the Gordon Street Auditorium at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. The cast includes Louanna Martin, Isoke Edwards-Najeeullah, Tracey Lucas, Mandisa Granderson, Nikolai Salcedo, Marvin Dowridge and Darien Gibson. The production is directed by Elisha Bartels.

Tickets are now on sale and cost $150 for Saturday (gala night) and $100 for Sunday night.

For more information:

• Go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112613962089127&ref=mf
• Telephone numbers- 762 0181, 322 7643, 780 4127
• Email- griotproductionstnt@gmail.com

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Trinidad's Emperor Valley Zoo

Even though it is currently being renovated, people are still flocking to the Emperor Valley Zoo off Trinidad's Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain. On the day we visited, there were droves of people: school children on field trips, grandmothers with their grandchildren, and even a few couples on dates. 

The Zoo is located in Port of Spain, on the eastern side of the Queen’s Park Savannah. Named after the emperor butterfly that is found in abundance in this area, this zoo was opened to the public in 1952 and houses mostly local animals found in Trinidad and Tobago and the neighbouring South American continent, with a few exotic species as well.

I am always hesitant to go to a zoo, since I always feel that animals should be kept on reserves if not in their natural habitat. That being said, I liked the way that this zoo used the natural landscape, working around the trees and hills to create the enclosures and pathways. A friendly zoo worker informed us that with each enclosure they try to mimic the animals’ natural habitat.

The zoo is a smoke-free zone (like most of T&T, after the recent passage of tobacco legislation) and has many amenities for a day out with the family including a picnic area, bathrooms and a café selling everything from ice cream to toys. An excellent feature was the display of cards giving detailed information about each animal on every enclosure.

 

We were happy to see the renovation under way: it is being completed in stages.

Fast Facts:

• Open everyday except Christmas Day, Carnival Monday and Tuesday
• Hours: 9:30am to 6:00pm
• $15 for adults, $7 for children (ages 3 to 12); children under the age of 3 are free

Agouti

Rhinoceros Iguana, Mona Iguana

Ocelot

Capybara

White-throated Toucan, Red-billed Toucan

Pre School children exploring the zoo

African Cichlid and Atlantic Tarpon, Silver King

Variegated Spider Monkey, Brown Spider Monkey

Aisha and Ariann are ready to reacquaint themselves with and in some cases ‘meet’ Trinidad and Tobago. Follow as these two travel to different places and interact with a multitude of faces while Discovering T&T.