Trinidad and Tobago
I read so many negative reviews about Trinidad and Tobago as well as its capital Port of Spain that Marc and I took a shore excursion when we docked here. Even the US Travel advisory sternly warns US travelers to the island nation to be extremely cautious up to this day. We figured it was the safest way to see a bit of the country without being a victim of crime. Well, the day long excursion we took was so comprehensive we ended up seeing many parts of the island without any delay or loss of time. We enjoyed it a lot.
I need to say though that many of the reviews I read turned out to be not accurate. I was really expecting mayhem and chaos but what we saw was the opposite. So much so that after the shore excursion, Marc and I ventured and explored the city center on our own and had a truly fantastic experience. We did not feel threatened at any moment. Of course we did use caution but even then no one came up to us to beg for money or sell us anything. No one hassled us. Nothing untoward happened to us whatsoever. Maybe it was because we only walked around the busy retail and financial districts during the day. Perhaps we just got lucky. At any rate, I loved Port of Spain and Trinidad was amazing.
Trini dancers on stilts welcoming us upon our arrival in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago's capital city.
Of all our arrivals in various ports in the Caribbean, Trinidad had the most organized and well planned reception for all of us. As soon as we disembarked, we saw some men and women dressed in costumes and dancing on stilts. When we stepped into the cruise terminal, there were people in official yellow polo shirts handing out maps of the city and country.
Taken inside the cruise terminal in front of a costume on display used during the country's popular annual carnival
The National Museum of Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago's bustling capital city. Per my understanding, this museum has since relocated to a new and bigger location.
In front of the National Museum of Trinidad and Tobago in the capital city of Port of Spain
The brand spanking new National Academy for the Performing Arts which England's Queen Elizabeth inaugurated just a month prior to our visit to Port of Spain last December 2009
In front of the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain
A side view of the very modern and slick National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain
The War Memorial in Port of Spain
The Magnificent Seven Mansions surrounding Savannah Park
1 Strollmeyer's Castle
A closer view of Strollmeyer's Castle
2 Knowsley Building
3 The Archbishop's House
A side view of the Archbishop's House
4 The Anglican Bishop's Residence
5 The Boissier House, the last of the Victorian Creole "gingerbread" architecture once characteristic of Port of Spain
6 White Hall, Residence of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Other mansions around Savannah Park
The prestigious Queen's Royal College in Port of Spain
The Queen's Royal College in Port of Spain viewed from another angle
At the very pretty Trinidad and Tobago Gardens
Views of the gardens
We have this in the Philippines. To be honest, I have no idea if this is a fruit or not. They call it Five Fingers in Trinidad.
At the Trinidad and Tobago Gardens with an egrette in the background. I tell you, egrettes are everywhere in the Caribbean.
There were graves inside the gardens too.
The gardens happened to be right next to the official residence of the President of Trinidad and Tobago.
At the Trinidad and Tobago Gardens with a partial view of the residence of the Trinidad and Tobago President
One of the many guards at the President's residence
We also went to one of the highest points of the island to view the city of Port of Spain down below
From this vantage point we could see the cruise ship terminal, Chogm Village, and the Twin Towers Building in the Financial District
On the way to Maracas Beach, we stopped by this roadside stall and had a taste of the chocolate bean.
Do you know this is where chocolate comes from?
Overlooking Maracas Beach
Maracas Beach
As the water got rougher, more and more people stopped swimming.
By this time all swimmers in the beach were told to leave the water.
I wore my swimming trunks under my shorts and was ready to take a quick dip as soon as we arrived. I actually did but left the water very quickly. The current was so strong I got scared. Actually, half an hour later, all swimmers were asked to leave the waters and a red flag was hoisted warning all people of the dangers of swimming at that time. Otherwise, Maracas Beach is very highly rated and a favorite beach by many.
One of the treats to be had at Maracas Beach is the Bake and Shark. Yes folks, it's a sandwich made of shark meat. Marc ordered one and loved it. He said it tasted just like the regular filet o fish we get from McDonald's or Burger King.
This stall had long lines of people waiting to get a bite of the famous Bake and Shark
Back in downtown, the Twin Towers of Port of Spain
The coat of arms of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago
Next to one of the Twin Towers buildings in Port of Spain with a view of the coat of arms of the government in the background
A view of Trinity Cathedral from Woodford Square
A closer view of the tower of Trinity Cathedral
A fountain in Woodford Square
This fountain was given as a gift by Gregor Turnbull Esquire of Glasgow to the City of Port of Spain in 1866.
The informative plaque on the fountain in Woodford Square
A gazebo in Woodford Square
This was a nice place from where to people watch in Woodford Square. There were many people here at the time of our visit.
Located on one side of Woodford Square was the Parliament Building or the Red House under renovation.
In front of the Parliament Building or Red House
The Main Public Library in Port of Spain
This building's arches reminded me the moorish buildings in Southern Spain. It turns out this was the city's Police's Criminal and Investigation Department.
The Hall of Justice in downtown Port of Spain
A closer view of the Hall of Justice building in downtown Port of Spain
The City Hall Building in Port of Spain
Parish House of Greyfriars Church
Greyfriars Church
Scenes from the Brian Lara Promenade which runs the width of Port of Spain's city center. This promenade from the port area leads to the many important buildings of the city.
Taken right in downtown Port of Spain, This is the area where the stores, malls, banks, government buildings, souvenir shops, restaurants, and parks are located. Contrary to many reviews about the city and the country, the downtown area was not scary and dangerous at all. I suppose the Savannah Park can be or this promenade area might be dangerous at night, but, in all honesty, Marc and I didn't feel threatened at all when we walked around this area. There were many locals and tourists around during the day.
A nativity scene on Brain Lara Promenade
The Treasury or Central Bank Building
The locals' shopping area
The Brain Lara Promenade across Chogm Village and the cruise ship terminal
A view of the Twin Towers, the Brian Lara Promenade, and the office buildings taken from Chogm Village, where the Hyatt Hotel and other government buildings are at.
The Christmas tree inside the Hyatt Hotel at Chogm Village
The huge chandelier in the lobby
I was still decorating my condo at the time of our latest visit to the Caribbean and I was interested in the ways some places have been furnished and decorated.
A partial view of one of the drum chandeliers decorated with capiz shells at the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Port of Spain
The cruise ship terminal is just behind the Hyatt Hotel in Port of Spain. The area is likewise called the Chogm Village replete with newly constructed government and private office buildings.
The Marina adjacent to Chogm Village
Back to the ship after a wonderful day long sightseeing in Trinidad and Tobago.
A partial view of Port of Spain and the Chogm Village and the Hyatt Hotel
Taken as the Grand Princess was sailing away
Next stop, Curacao.