Thursday, January 22, 2009
Port of Spain, Trinidad
90s, humid, a little rain, sun
We awoke early (with room service) to prepare for our private tour of Trinidad arranged by Vickie from Vancouver—a new CC friend. Debarking was easy and our group of 16 met Gunda Busch-Harewood of http://www.islandexperiencestrinidad.com/ right outside the port entrance off the ship. After our airconditioned bus’ undercarriage was searched by the port police (as was every bus), we headed out on our tour.
Trinidad, the southernmost island in the West Indies, is about 37 miles wide by 50 miles long with a population of approximately 1.3 million including neighboring Tobago. It is just 7 miles from Venezuela. The temperature is about 90 F year round. Right now the island is preparing for Mardi Gras. Gunda said that Trinidad hosts about 75 Mardi Gras celebrations, the most of any Caribbean island. When we saw a Kentucky Fried Chicken she said that it had the most food sales of any other KFC in the world and is open 24/7. Apparently the Trinidad people love KFC!
She said that Trinidad/Tobago’s economy is centered on its natural gas deposits. Trinidad is only now becoming more of a tourist island and the industry is “not yet pushed.” Natural gas, oil, and electricity are cheap, but gasoline is $.50/liter (expensive). The terrain is mountainous and we negotiated many hairpin turns with steep, steep drop offs on the side.
Our first stop was the lovely Royal Botanical Gardens (70 acres-formerly a sugar plantation), a sort of a large arboretum. Of note was the Brazil nut tree. Brazil nuts are my favorite and now I know that there is a pod about the size and hardness of a large coconut and inside are the “seeds” which are really the nut. We saw a tree with a flower that looked like Napoleon’s hat and another where the flower looked like a Chinaman’s hat. Gunda said Trinidad has the highest density of birds/square mile of any area in the world and that there are 600 species of butterflies. The scarlet ibis is part of their national emblem. Next trip to Trinidad I would want to visit the Asa Wright Nature Center, a 200 acre wildlife sanctuary.
Our next stop was a VW/Peugeot/Nissan dealer for a bathroom spot—the tour bus driver used to work there. Clean, convenient!
Trinidad considers itself the source of island music. It is known for calypso music and most other Caribbean islands play music that originated in Trinidad. Gunda also said that the steel pan musical instrument was invented here, the only musical instrument created in the 20th century.
We stopped at Maracas Bay for an hour on the beach. Despite being a shallow area, one of our CC friend’s 2-piece swimsuit came entirely off in an intense surf wave. Fortunately she quickly recovered the suit! A few little beach hut restaurants offered shark sandwiches and a drink for $5. The sandwiches smelled very good, but I don’t eat much seafood. Just as we were leaving the beach, there was a little downpour—it is the dry season but Gunda said this year they have had lots of rain. We saw evidence of mudslides as we returned to the port.
Our final stop was a small shop (http://www.legacycarnival.com/) that made and sold Mardi Gras attire. The colors were astounding—feathers of reds, greens, blues, gold, yellows, peacock feathers, like the photo in this post. Women were sewing the intricately detailed headdresses. I was so lucky to try one on and Tim snapped a photo. The shop’s items are sold all over the world and the headpiece I tried on was priced about $300.
Before we returned to the port, Gunda told us that President Obama is very popular in Trinidad and that half the population watched the inauguration on Tuesday.
There was a small market outside the port building. Since tourists are only now beginning to come on cruise ships, the market was modest. The dear people were very friendly and not at all demanding. I purchased some hand made items because they were so well done (a tote bag and small drawstring bags with embroidered designs).
We returned to the ship about 3 p.m. I am stuck on the Trident Grill’s cheeseburger and fries. The Lido buffet has a variety of food, with soups, salad fixings, sandwiches, cheeses, sliced fruits, beef, chicken, and pork prepared in many ways, and desserts (fruit tarts, brownies, cookies, cakes), but admittedly I prefer simpler fare. Tim seems to like the burgers best, too—they are fresh and juicy, and the fries are hot. Hotdogs and brats are available.
After lunch I read on our balcony—and wrote. As I type I can view the sea and feel a slight breeze. There are many on board activities, like trivia games, cards, chess, ping pong, golf, scrapbooking, basketball, shuffleboard, ballroom dancing classes, etc, but for now I am just relaxing.
For dinner we joined our CC friends at 8 p.m. There is always a fish, chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian entrée choice. I ordered the coq au vin, but ended up not eating it—all dark meat, just did not seem tasty. Brian K, the California firefighter, told us his interview for tomorrow’s morning TV show went very well-he wore a grass skirt and two coconuts. His humorous personality has given us much amusement at dinner. We will not miss the show! His wife Nancy is very sweet and has inspired me to walk in the Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure” competition next Thursday.
Another couple-Sue and Jim- (from Nova Scotia) at our nightly dinner table booked this cruise two days before it started-now that is spontaneity! Donna (a manager at Target) and Lawrence are from Janesville, Wisconsin. Lawrence speaks with no “filter,” as described by others. Lawrence definitely keeps us entertained. Brian and Leona are from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Leona and I think we were in Kohl’s in Erie at the same time early early on Black Friday. I have invited her to visit us next year!
After dinner we all decided to go to the Movie UTS, The Mummy, Tomb of Dragon Emperor, more of an action movie. At one point there was rain, so we just moved under the covered area nearby and watched the rest of the movie. There was sufficient action in the movie to keep most everyone awake. It seems quite unbelievable that we can enjoy such entertainment under the stars in temperate weather. The seas were a little rough, a gentle rocking. We retired after the movie around 1 p.m. That gentle rocking is very soothing and conducive to a restful sleep!
Culinary Delight of the Day: breakfast croissant, apple strudel
TK’s takes: Tim has commented that the water pressure in the shower is the best we have ever experienced in any cruise—even at home! He also likes the fresh water in the pools. There is much more light in our room than there was on the Carnival Fantasy last November.
A note for our granddaughters B and B: All children go to school here. Whether public or private, the education is high quality, according to our tour guide.
Port of Spain, Trinidad
90s, humid, a little rain, sun
We awoke early (with room service) to prepare for our private tour of Trinidad arranged by Vickie from Vancouver—a new CC friend. Debarking was easy and our group of 16 met Gunda Busch-Harewood of http://www.islandexperiencestrinidad.com/ right outside the port entrance off the ship. After our airconditioned bus’ undercarriage was searched by the port police (as was every bus), we headed out on our tour.
Trinidad, the southernmost island in the West Indies, is about 37 miles wide by 50 miles long with a population of approximately 1.3 million including neighboring Tobago. It is just 7 miles from Venezuela. The temperature is about 90 F year round. Right now the island is preparing for Mardi Gras. Gunda said that Trinidad hosts about 75 Mardi Gras celebrations, the most of any Caribbean island. When we saw a Kentucky Fried Chicken she said that it had the most food sales of any other KFC in the world and is open 24/7. Apparently the Trinidad people love KFC!
She said that Trinidad/Tobago’s economy is centered on its natural gas deposits. Trinidad is only now becoming more of a tourist island and the industry is “not yet pushed.” Natural gas, oil, and electricity are cheap, but gasoline is $.50/liter (expensive). The terrain is mountainous and we negotiated many hairpin turns with steep, steep drop offs on the side.
Our first stop was the lovely Royal Botanical Gardens (70 acres-formerly a sugar plantation), a sort of a large arboretum. Of note was the Brazil nut tree. Brazil nuts are my favorite and now I know that there is a pod about the size and hardness of a large coconut and inside are the “seeds” which are really the nut. We saw a tree with a flower that looked like Napoleon’s hat and another where the flower looked like a Chinaman’s hat. Gunda said Trinidad has the highest density of birds/square mile of any area in the world and that there are 600 species of butterflies. The scarlet ibis is part of their national emblem. Next trip to Trinidad I would want to visit the Asa Wright Nature Center, a 200 acre wildlife sanctuary.
Our next stop was a VW/Peugeot/Nissan dealer for a bathroom spot—the tour bus driver used to work there. Clean, convenient!
Trinidad considers itself the source of island music. It is known for calypso music and most other Caribbean islands play music that originated in Trinidad. Gunda also said that the steel pan musical instrument was invented here, the only musical instrument created in the 20th century.
We stopped at Maracas Bay for an hour on the beach. Despite being a shallow area, one of our CC friend’s 2-piece swimsuit came entirely off in an intense surf wave. Fortunately she quickly recovered the suit! A few little beach hut restaurants offered shark sandwiches and a drink for $5. The sandwiches smelled very good, but I don’t eat much seafood. Just as we were leaving the beach, there was a little downpour—it is the dry season but Gunda said this year they have had lots of rain. We saw evidence of mudslides as we returned to the port.
Our final stop was a small shop (http://www.legacycarnival.com/) that made and sold Mardi Gras attire. The colors were astounding—feathers of reds, greens, blues, gold, yellows, peacock feathers, like the photo in this post. Women were sewing the intricately detailed headdresses. I was so lucky to try one on and Tim snapped a photo. The shop’s items are sold all over the world and the headpiece I tried on was priced about $300.
Before we returned to the port, Gunda told us that President Obama is very popular in Trinidad and that half the population watched the inauguration on Tuesday.
There was a small market outside the port building. Since tourists are only now beginning to come on cruise ships, the market was modest. The dear people were very friendly and not at all demanding. I purchased some hand made items because they were so well done (a tote bag and small drawstring bags with embroidered designs).
We returned to the ship about 3 p.m. I am stuck on the Trident Grill’s cheeseburger and fries. The Lido buffet has a variety of food, with soups, salad fixings, sandwiches, cheeses, sliced fruits, beef, chicken, and pork prepared in many ways, and desserts (fruit tarts, brownies, cookies, cakes), but admittedly I prefer simpler fare. Tim seems to like the burgers best, too—they are fresh and juicy, and the fries are hot. Hotdogs and brats are available.
After lunch I read on our balcony—and wrote. As I type I can view the sea and feel a slight breeze. There are many on board activities, like trivia games, cards, chess, ping pong, golf, scrapbooking, basketball, shuffleboard, ballroom dancing classes, etc, but for now I am just relaxing.
For dinner we joined our CC friends at 8 p.m. There is always a fish, chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian entrée choice. I ordered the coq au vin, but ended up not eating it—all dark meat, just did not seem tasty. Brian K, the California firefighter, told us his interview for tomorrow’s morning TV show went very well-he wore a grass skirt and two coconuts. His humorous personality has given us much amusement at dinner. We will not miss the show! His wife Nancy is very sweet and has inspired me to walk in the Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure” competition next Thursday.
Another couple-Sue and Jim- (from Nova Scotia) at our nightly dinner table booked this cruise two days before it started-now that is spontaneity! Donna (a manager at Target) and Lawrence are from Janesville, Wisconsin. Lawrence speaks with no “filter,” as described by others. Lawrence definitely keeps us entertained. Brian and Leona are from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Leona and I think we were in Kohl’s in Erie at the same time early early on Black Friday. I have invited her to visit us next year!
After dinner we all decided to go to the Movie UTS, The Mummy, Tomb of Dragon Emperor, more of an action movie. At one point there was rain, so we just moved under the covered area nearby and watched the rest of the movie. There was sufficient action in the movie to keep most everyone awake. It seems quite unbelievable that we can enjoy such entertainment under the stars in temperate weather. The seas were a little rough, a gentle rocking. We retired after the movie around 1 p.m. That gentle rocking is very soothing and conducive to a restful sleep!
Culinary Delight of the Day: breakfast croissant, apple strudel
TK’s takes: Tim has commented that the water pressure in the shower is the best we have ever experienced in any cruise—even at home! He also likes the fresh water in the pools. There is much more light in our room than there was on the Carnival Fantasy last November.
A note for our granddaughters B and B: All children go to school here. Whether public or private, the education is high quality, according to our tour guide.
I can't tell you enough, how I am enjoying this.
ReplyDeleteI am also really wanting to give Princess a go next year. It sounds awesome.
Thanks for posting the link to the mardi gras costume place we visited I didn't have it and is nice to revisit even if on line.
ReplyDelete