The Caroni Swamp

      After the two hour drive back from Asa Wrights Nature Reserve we stopped for some sustinence.
  Then armed with a bag of ‘Doubles’ (to eat later) we arrived at the Caroni Swamp and took our places aboard a large flat bottomed boat with a large outboard.  We motored slowly through the swamp stopping to view birds and animals.
The Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) which may grow up to about 8 feet (2.4 m) in length shares its habitat in the Caroni Swamp on Trinidad's West coast with the mighty Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus).

Caiman, are to be found throughout both Trinidad and Tobago in slow moving fresh or brackish water. They are shy creatures and pose no real threat to humans unless intentionally provoked or approached while nesting. It is generally considered that the few records of both the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) as well as the Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago were, for the most part, waifs from mainland South America. The Caiman is so well camouflaged see if you can spot it on Picasa...
  Just on 17.30 we arrived in the main pool for the influx of many Scarlet Ibis (The National Bird of Trinidad). It was spectacular!

With them arrived White Egrets and Little Blue Herons. To top it all a Rainbow appeared.
  On the drive home of course we stopped for home made ice creams, they really taste good after a hot day out!

Asa Wright’s Nature Center.

      Tuesday morning and not too early we set off on a 2 hour trip to the high mountains to the North of the Island of Trinidad.  We were lucky that the roads were passable.  Quite often if there has been heavy rain this is not the case!  Needless to say Jesse ensured that we didn’t arrive hungry.  He took us for lunch at a carry out on the way.  The food was freshly prepared and VERY tasty.
  On arrival we checked in and were shown to our room. A quick peek out onto the feeding station and we were ready to stretch our legs. After dressing in hiking gear and boots we set of on the ‘Discovery Trail’. We saw Tiger Lizards and Bracket fungi and heard many birds, this wet our appetite for later on.  Back at the center we had tea and pastries while ’Twitching’. I’m sorry to say that the camera does not do justice to the colours and types of bird, no matter I saw most of them.  Those too far away for the lens are still good memories.
  After dressing for dinner we joined the group for cocktails on the veranda. A delicious rum punch.  This was followed by soup and a Caribbean chicken dish with accompanying vegetables and sponge pudding.  Coffee followed and was special in that it was grown and produced on site!  Just as we were settling in for a pleasant evening our Guide Barry came by and told us to prepare for an evening walk to the pool.
  Armed with torches we searched the trees and verges for all manner of wildlife. We even saw the tiny tree frogs which make all the noise at night! I included the Spider which Barry had found earlier and placed on the Veranda, but we saw another sitting in the handrail by the roadside! I’m so pleased that Barry pointed it out before I used the rail!! Other insects included Harvestman, Daddy Longlegs and tadpoles.
  Up early next morning (05.45 for 06.00) and the feeding had begun already! Such a mass of colour! And all the time Barry was keeping a running commentary of names.  Occasionally darting to the telescope to focus on a more distant Toucan or Violaceous Euphonia -Trogan .

I just loved the Purple Honey Creeper  Cyanerpes caeruleus longirostris   Trinidadian Subspecies has a longer bill than mainland form
We were kept busy refocusing our binoculars on each new arrival.
  After a huge breakfast we were taken on an Orientation walk.  This was a history of the center, it’s wildlife, flora &  fauna and it’s birds.  We had a rainstorm on the walk back which continued until lunch and after.  Jesse arrived with our transport so we tore ourselves away from this idyllic site for our next adventure.

October Continued...

Food Glorious Food!
  The other two events were food related! The first was a cooking competition at Peakes and the whole yard was invited.  There were four teams who had to cook a dish for 20 people and to win impress the judges.  The office staff cooked to die for Indian/Caribbean type food and gained first prize. 

The lift out crew did a superb BBQ with kebabs and fish in batter with salad, another team did duck curry with rice  and the only boat team (a professional chef I think) did a beef and carrot stew.
The party went on ’til late…..
  Lastly a small group went to the T & T International Food Festival, which was held at the Stadium.  It was organised by the Ministry of Tourism to promote food and culture.  There were representatives from various tourist boards  France, Mexico, Italy, India, in fact anyone with a vested interest.  Many tents had local foods & drinks to try.  There were two venues to watch professional chefs cook and then sample the dish.Here is Dexter and his keynote dish.

Rather like Ready Steady Cook on TV but imagine each chef describing his home background and love of food too.  If we went again we would have bought a ‘Gourmet Food Ticket’ but once again we left before they started serving.  We did see the very long queues beginning to form as we left.  There were also Steelpan groups and sugar cane stick drummers parading amongst the masses of visitors.  A central stage had more music and traditional dancing to entertain you while you were eating.  We tried many different foods from cheesecake to chocolate liqueur and from spicy dressing to plantain fritters.  There are so many nice and healthy foods here it’s no wonder the people are so happy!  On our way out we passed a group of 6 students welcoming the late arrivals, singing the praises of their country. 

So that was two nights we didn’t have to cook at home –a bonus!
  I’ll just finish on the weeks work update, the batteries are still en route, the Yanmar engine is ‘in progress’ and the Saloon is now finished! Pictures when we are ship shape again I promise!

Divali October 2011

   
Another week has passed and we have made four cultural trips.
Let me set the scene, it is the Hindu Festival of Divali-Light– and for two weeks preparations have been ongoing for the longest night which coincides with the new moon.  First we went to an entertainment evening at which there were Indian clothes ,food, and music.  Accompanying this was some information for visitors on the Hindu Religion how it is the OLDEST in the world and how Hindus should live their lives.  There isn’t one ’GOD’ but quite a few deities which are called on for special occasions (when you are poor, getting married, need some good luck, and so on).  Basically the theme is to live a good life and be nice to those around you and the environment.  So Divali is a celebration of light and it invites the deities into the home to bring prosperity or whatever.
  Our driver Lincoln, helped us to integrate and showed us where the dancing and singing were to take place.  Once in our seats we had a great view of the stage.  The dances were spectacular.  The ancient songs were given a new lease of life by being sung by the current pop stars in town.  To top it all the President of Trinidad & Tobago was welcomed, with his security detail and entourage to give a greeting and pep talk to the audience.  All over the site were people in costume who were performing folk plays and others making music with steel drums.  The current state of emergency meant that we had to leave quite early but it went on ‘til late.  More people were just arriving as we left.

The next event was on the night of Divali and Jesse took us to his local temple and arranged for his ‘priest’ to tell us about the festivities.  We were entertained by the loudest drum players ever.  We were then served with a traditional Divali meal on a banana leaf and it was delicious.  We then walked the streets to view the lights.  The photos in Picasa show little bowls filled with cooking oil and string to make a wick, these lead to the front door to guide the spirits in. The family sit at the gate and offer anyone passing little biscuits, sweets, maybe a drink or a small dish of their food.  We were told to accept anything offered as it would cause offence if we refused.  We were invited into one house for a drink and a bite to eat. The family told us that if it were not for the curfew there would have been firecrackers and fireworks too.  In short it is rather like Christmas lights and firework night rolled into one!