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| Best of Trinidad and Tobago |  |
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THE BEST (AND BIGGEST) PARTY: CARNIVAL In the few days preceding Ash Wednesday, Trinidad explodes in an excess of music and colour as cavorting bodies pour into the streets during Carnival. Rejoicing in the country's colonial cultures—predominantly African, Indian, French, Spanish and English—this dazzling celebration is an expression of unity and the human spirit. During the week leading up to the official Carnival, events such as the Panorama steelpan competition, jamborees and fetes prime the people for the two-day climax to come, when the streets pulse with dance, music and masquerade. Festivities flourish across the island, although the main event happens in and around Port-of-Spain. Body-painted demons from the underbelly of folklore crawl out to kick off the festival at pre-dawn J'Ouvert parties on Monday. Carnival attendees can then expect to get little or no sleep over the next two days as they revel in the rhythms of steelpan, calypso and soca music and unabashedly give in to the energy of one of the world's greatest parties. THE BEST STRETCH OF SAND: ENGLISHMAN'S BAY Whether recovering from Carnival debauchery or not, visitors to T&T invariably seek the therapeutic sun, sand and sea at the country's many picture perfect beaches. From the sparkling white sands on the Caribbean coast to the dark volcanic shorelines on the Atlantic side, Trinidad and Tobago boasts a variety of beaches on which to unwind. Laying claim to only five percent of the population, Tobago is the quieter choice. In fact, on some days it's very likely one will find a private paradise all to oneself. If serene sand, breezy palm trees, crystal clear water and privacy is what the heart craves, Englishman's Bay off Northside Road, east of Castara Bay, is the country's best beach. This pristine half-mile crescent of sand is fringed by palm trees and rain forest and there's a real chance that one will only have to share it with the parrots. The sheltered bay is perfect for snorkelling and there's plenty to admire on the healthy coral reef, which is teeming with tropical fish. As all unspoiled paradises should be, Englishman's Bay is without visitor facilities, so pack a picnic lunch and be sure to treat this precious environment with respect.
Trinidad and Tobago is an apex of eco-tourism. For such a tiny island, Tobago alone has more than 6,000 species of plants and animals and is one of the world's richest bird sanctuaries. Trinidad too flaunts some impressive natural marvels, the most wondrous of which is the arrival of nesting leatherback turtles. Hundreds of these giant sea creatures heave themselves up Trinidad's northern Atlantic coast beaches from March to September to lay approximately 80 eggs each in one sitting before dragging themselves back to the ocean. It's a sight to behold and scores of nature enthusiasts flock to the shores in the middle of the night to witness the fascinating event. Trinidad's prime turtle-watching spots are Grand Riviere and Matura Beach. Largely thanks to conservation efforts against poaching, Grand Riviere welcomes the most turtles and there are many accommodation options nearby for turtle-watchers. Permits are required for night-time visits to the beach during the nesting season and these can be obtained from the on-site visitor center. Matura Beach is another popular choice with visitors due to the tours run by the local environmental protection group, Nature Seekers. Again, permits are needed and can be obtained from Forestry Division offices. It is not advised to venture to beaches alone at night as they are often isolated. THE BEST BET: GOAT RACING Introduced to Tobago in 1925 as an alternative to horse racing, goat racing soon took hold as the island's most popular sport. Every year on Easter Tuesday, Buccoo—a small village west of Scarborough—buzzes with excitement and anticipation as a couple of thousand people arrive for the Buccoo Goat Race Festival. It is not a sport taken lightly in Tobago. Prized goats are specially bred and trained for glory and their “jockeys” must be in prime physical condition too; holding on to the end of a long leash, jockeys must sprint to keep up with their goats as they bolt for the finish line. While a serious sport, there are plenty of hilarious moments as wayward goats break free and their desperate guides give chase. The electric atmosphere of this event is rife with cheers, shouts and bleating, and the prowess of top man and beast is rewarded with a substantial sum of money, a bottle of rum and the coveted trophy. THE BEST SPEND: CHARLOTTE STREET & CENTRAL MARKET As the more developed of the two islands, Trinidad offers shopping opportunities almost everywhere, from modern, multi-level malls to rickety fresh-fruit stands. Frederick Street in downtown Port-of-Spain offers a convenient conglomeration of mall-style shopping and street vending but for a truly exhilarating experience, head east a couple of blocks to Charlotte Street. Here, one will find a cornucopia of products at bargain prices in variety stores and stalls lining the sidewalks. Local specialties such as miniature steelpans, salted fish, rum, crafts and seasonings are presented alongside great deals on small appliances, textiles and jewellery. This is where the locals shop and it’s a crowded, noisy and worthwhile experience.
THE BEST FEED: STREET CUISINE Dancing in the streets, sun-baking on perfect beaches, exploring the wilderness, cheering for goats and perusing markets can really work up an appetite. Often, the best way to get a real taste of a place is to sample what’s served on the street. Travellers are usually justly cautious of street cuisine; dodgy hygiene and lack of refrigeration at food carts around the world has caused infinite tummy upsets among the adventurous. But street cuisine also offers some of the most delicious grassroots flavours and those who consume with reasonable caution will be rewarded. Trinidad and Tobago’s food culture stems from Creole, East Indian and Chinese influences and everything from corn soup to curry, and oysters to coconut jelly can be ordered from street vendors throughout the country. Port-of-Spain’s western St. James district offers an impressive variety and vendors here serve the peckish late into the night. Subject to regular hygiene checks, this is perhaps the best street cuisine option for sensitive stomachs. If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com Best Of articles: • The Best of Miami • The Best of Quebec City PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
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