Experience Trinidad More Than Just Carnival And Calypso

By Walter Greene

A recent trip to the island of Trinidad revealed that it is truly the island of Carnival and party, but beyond that, Trinidad, like it’s sister island of Tobago offer vacationers a lot more than the ‘wuckin-up’ and party vibe that the island is known for. Both islands boast a multi-ethnic people, diverse culture and a unique cuisine. As a result of the rich heritage of the people of Trinidad and Tobago celebrate a variety of festivals, religious and cultural, year round. Fantastic shopping, heritage sites, and breathtaking attractions all contribute to the unforgettable experience that is this twin island paradise.

FLORA AND FAUNA
With over 60 species of butterflies, 70 species of reptiles, 100 species of mammals, 433 different species of birds and 2,300 different species of flowering shrubs and plants Trinidad is rich and abundant in its offering for the eco-adventure lovers. A sail through the Caroni swamps brings visitors to one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular bird sanctuaries. The home of Trinidad’s national bird ‘The Scarlet Ibis’, this area is a photographer’s dream. It’s high point is to witness the gathering of thousands of these elegant red birds as they settle in masses in the lush green trees at sunset.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS OF PORT-OF-SPAIN
A great way to explore the economic, political, religious and historical past of the city is on foot. Walk and learn about some of the historic buildings in downtown Port-of-Spain from the Brian Lara Promenade to Woolford Square. The Magnificent Seven refere to the seven great houses situated around the towns main square known as Queens Park Savannah: Queens Royal College, The Archbishop’s Residence, Stoll-meyer’s Castle, White House (The Prime Minister’s Office), Hayes Court, Millefleur and Rumor Great Houses. Other historic buildings of note include: The Red House, Old Fire Station Tower, Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Union Building, The Treasury Building, Greyfriar’s Church, Hall of Justice and The Old Public Library.

MARKETS
If you have a taste for garden fresh produce, herbs, spices, fish and meat, you can visit any market in Trinidad. The largest of these is Port-of-Spain’s Central Market. But smaller towns and villages, Sangre Garden in particular, have lively markets where the goods are cheap and fresh from the farm.

CHAGUANAS
This is Trinidad’s center of the main shopping district with a reputation for bargain prices on building materials, household items and especially for its exquisite variety of East Indian fare, including stores which sell items for Hindu religious ceremonies or their “puja”, ingredients for traditional Indian dishes and decorative items.

CLOTHING
If you can afford couture fashions there is a handful of top-notch high-class designers who cater to well heeled customers. Designers like Meling, Claudia Pegus and Peter Elias design for the island’s elite and socialites. For everyday clothing, the main shopping areas in capital city, downtown Port-of-Spain are Frederick Street, Henry and Charlotte Streets. In fact, Charlotte Street is dunned the ‘Bargin Capital of the Caribbean.’

QUEEN STREET
Though clothing and fashion accessories are quite cheap, Queen Street is noted for its well stocked fabric stores. Shoppers can find a variety of fabrics from around the world in these colorful shops to create the perfect bridal gown, the Dashiki, school uniforms, lkat bedspreads, Christmas curtains or that stunning silk dinner dress.

TRINICITY MALL
This one of the largest malls in the Southern Caribbean. It’s size is approximately 500,000 square feet and has over 200 stores, restaurants and even a large movie complex where you can see a movie for as little as US$2.00. Just 10 minutes from the Piarco International Airport and 30 minutes from Port-of-Spain, this mall is also in the vicinity of the modern Holiday Inn Express hotel which, as quiet as it’s kept is one of the nicest and quietest hotels in that area. Guests are offered a free shuttle every half-hour to Trinicity Mall.

25 MALLS
Other more popular shopping malls number 25 throughout both islands. They offer a more exciting variety of shopping, more so than any other English speaking Caribbean island. These massive centers include: City of Grand Bazaar, Ellerslide Plaza, Movie Towne Mall, Gulf City Mall, Centre City Mall, Centre Point Mall, Valpark Shopping Plaza, Long Circular Mall, Mid Centre Mall, Starlight Shopping Plaza, Shoppers of Maraval, The Falls at Westmall and the most recently completed in Tobago, Gulf City at The Lowlands Mall.

 

Beaches Resorts Salutes Single Moms And Dads With Single Parent Fun Months

Single Parent Fun (SPF) Months Take Place Now through May, 2008 and August 17 – October 31, 2008 at All Four Resort Locations In Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. Beaches Resorts is rolling out its sixth annual Single Parent Fun (SPF) months to reward “super-moms” and “super-dads” everywhere with a much-deserved vacation with the kids as well as some downtime for themselves.

Available for travel between May 1 – May 31, 2008 and August 17 – October 31, 2008, the SPF program waives the single supplement fee (of up to $190 per night) for single parents at all four resort locations in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. Additionally, guests can enjoy tailored activities and events such as Single Parent Welcome Receptions, Social Cocktail Receptions, Kid’s Movie Nights and more. Single parents will be thrilled to spend cherished one-on-one time with their children during the day but still particate in adult conversation at night.

Better yet, the second set of travel dates fall on Beaches Resorts’ highly-anticipated WonderFALL Celebration, a new annual season of events and activities designed expressly for parents with young children.

Taking place during the months of September and October at all four resort locations, highlights of the upcoming Won- derFALL season include: exclusive savings of up to 45 percent off regular rack rates; a special welcome gift pack; new exclusive Sesame Street Stage Shows; parenting seminars hosted by Sesame Workshop; the arrival of new sensation, Abby Cadabby; nighttime dive-in movies; poolside dance parties; a live show with Gordon and Elmo (limited three-week run in September); and specially-themed arts and crafts activities!

 

10 Reasons To Visit St. Maarten

10. Friendly and Safe. No reason to be trapped in the resort – this island is to be enjoyed and explored. Rental car is a must to experience St. Maarten/St. Martin and its friendly people.

9. European/Caribbean Culture with American Comforts - Foreign enough to be exotic, but English is the most common language and the US-Dollar the usual currency.

8. Best Port for Yachts - Most marinas, boat yards and supply stores – all duty free prices, often cheaper than in the States. Start your cruise or charter here!

7. Great Investment Opportunities - The island is open for business with an investor friendly legislation. Real estate is booming, time to buy your dream vacation home, before prices go through the roof.

6. Most Cosmopolitan Island on Earth - Only 37 square miles, but 2 nations and over 80 nationalities. Showing the world that we all can get along.

5. Instant Island Addiction - Most visitors come back every year, many own a piece of paradise in one of St. Maarten’s world class vacation ownership resorts.

4. Best Caribbean Shopping – Duty free bargains everywhere; look for jewelry, perfumes, liquors, tobacco products and much more.

3. Best Nightlife – Clubs for every taste, 12 casinos. Nonstop action for the party crowd. Drinking age 18.

2. Best Dining – Known as the Caribbean gourmet island, St. Maarten/St. Martin might be a culinary world leader with its restaurant selection.

1. Great Beaches – From an active beach scene to remote stretches of sand, the island has it all; year around sunshine.