My First Visit to Trinidad & Tobago (Carnival Edition)

This blog is dedicated to those wishing for an escape from the daily hustle, relax and dream of their perfect vacation. Monday through Friday, I sit behind a computer for 8 hours each day wishing I could be lounging on a beach with my feet kicked up, drinking a mango daiquiri and enjoying what God created on this earth. I love to travel; it’s a passion of mine to the point that it might be seen as an obsession. Some people window shop at the malls but I go on to websites like expedia, cheaptickets, sell off vacations and sandals just to see what might spark my interest for my next possible vacation. Do you remember playing the game M.A.S.H when you were young? You had to pick 4 boys that you wanted to marry and 4 vacations spots where you would spend your honeymoon. Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Hawaii and Africa were my picks. I've been planning vacations since I was a young girl. I think that my passion for travel comes from my mother. She always traveled at least 4 times a year visiting destinations like New York City, Miami and Trinidad and Tobago. The funny thing she never took my sisters or I with her, except Disney World. My mother migrated to Toronto from the island of Trinidad and was soon followed by her sister and brothers as well as my grandmother. Aside from traveling to Trinidad every year right after Christmas, she also enjoyed organizing trips with her friends; organized bus trips to New York City and day shopping trips to Buffalo and Pennsylvania. She enjoyed seeing the joy in her friends' faces when they could leave their daily hustle and escape whether for a weekend or just one day.

Now that I am older, I can finally pay for my own vacations and of course my first stop is always Trinidad and Tobago especially for the Carnival season. I first bought my ticket with Caribbean Airlines formally BWIA in 2002 and was excited to finally get to see where my mother came from 25+ years ago. My bags were packed and off I went. The plane was a little old but I remember entering the plane to hear calypso and steel pan playing; my excitement began to build. During the five and half hour flight, I mingled with the people near me; some people brought out fried chicken, Rum Punch and Black Cake (fruit cake) as they laughed, reminisced and discussed their fete schedule, which mas band they were playing with, their picks for road march and of course the beach. As we landed everyone was clapping and the atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation.

As I walked out of the airport the heat hit my face and I felt refreshed to finally be home; ready to be reunited with family members, ready to experience Carnival, ready to hit the beach, eat, drink and live it up like a Trinidadian.

As we drove towards the house I would be staying at, I noticed people standing at the side of the road waving at a van. I asked my cousin why these people were standing on the street where they could get run over? My cousin laughed and replied “Gal they trying to catch a maxi” - which is a taxi/cab. Before we got to the house we stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Let me tell you, the chicken at KFC in Trinidad was a completely different experience from KFC in Toronto. The size, the spice, the moisture and even the skin taste so good. I've been hooked since that first taste. Other fast food favorites in Trinidad are Grillers, D’Ranch in TrinCity Mall and any spots that offer the garlic/ranch sauce that you can put on your chicken and fries.

Throughout my vacation I met new family members, chilled at the beach, checked a few fetes, watch the kiddies’ carnival parade and of course, the main event on Carnival Tuesday. The costumes were bright, shiny, sexy and some were very artistic. I didn’t go to Tobago on that first trip but it was definitely on my list for the next visit. I finally realized why my mom was always returning to Trinidad and I vowed that on my next visit I would be bringing my friends with me.

In 2003 I traveled back to Trinidad and Tobago and this time I brought my friend Jessica along with me. We had a blast. Feteing every night and J'ouvert with Yellow Devils. Unfortunately, we didn’t play mas, but vowed that we would definitely be on the road in a costume for our next visit.

We returned the following year and had a time on the road with “Island People”; the road experience was good but we felt the band needed some improvement. The following year we played mas with Tribe and what a big difference. People had always told us “you have to play with Tribe, it’s the band to play mas in”. We were lucky to even get a costume because the band quickly sold out. I remember the day we registered, we were online 3 minutes prior to registration and I typed so fast to get a costume actually any costume, we didn’t care what color, or the design, we just wanted in. The two day road experience was FANTASTIC. The costumes were sexy, the men looked 'fwyne' (my own word) and the ladies were beautiful. Everyone in the band was on point.

After all the drinking, wining, singing, and stomping on the road with Tribe we jumped on the ferry to Tobago. The ferry ride was about 3 hours and we stayed at the Hilton Hotel for 2 days. There was a shuttle bus to take us to Pigeon Point Beach or other beaches in Tobago. As we arrived at Pigeon Point, we were blown away. The beach was gorgeous; clear blue water and beautiful white sand. We hopped on some skidoos, which was Fun…fun…fun. We also went on the glass bottom boat to Buccoo Reef. Our tour guide on the boat also took us to the Nylon Pool which is a shallow white sandy area just behind the Buccoo Reef, they say this pool has the ability to rejuvenate people. My mom always told me “when you travel, make sure you take a dip in the ocean to wash away all negative energy and let the waves cleanse your body”.

Tobago is quiet and peaceful island; it’s a great spot to relax after a week of excitement and lack of sleep.

Spending 2 weeks in Trinidad and Tobago is well worth your hard earned money. It can be expensive if you want to experience everything; however you can budget your trip as well. Jessica and I always seem to recruit new people to experience Trinidad Carnival once they see our pictures.

My ticket for Trinidad Carnival 2010 is already purchased but after 8 years strong, this will be my last visit while I take a break and venture out to other destinations. I will be video blogging, posting pictures of my 2010 Trinidad Carnival journey so that you can share in my memories. Feel free to leave comments of your best moments for those who have experience Trinidad Carnival or your favorite food spots, fetes, Mas Band, spas, clothing shops...etc and I will try my best to check them out.