Way to Trinidad & Tobago
Two weeks for Trinidad & Tobago – it‘s almost nothing, but our plans to visit all South American countries and really high prices in these islands helped to make this decision. However, we succeed to see almost all Tobago island, giant leatherback turtles, Coroni national park, pitch lake in Trinidad ant many other things we like‘d very much.
Ferry from Venezuela, Guiria port: it was bloody expensive (800 bolivares for round trip) and it’s much more worth to pay US dollars, because of good change rate. There’s only one ferry per week from Guiria to Trinidad (on Wednesdays), so there is no other choices. We got information, that it’s possible to reach Trinidad flying by plane from island Margarita, but we didn’t try this option.
First days in Port of Spain: the capital of Trinidad & Tobago has a bad reputation. High crime rates, murderings, many pickpockets... It doesn‘t mean, that you have to avoid this city, but just be carefull, don‘t go in the streets late at night or in some dangerous districts. In the daytime Port of Spain is a live city with streets, full of rushing business people and venders. There´s also a number of nice churches, governmental and historical buildings, big malls, banks, restaurants and many other things that will keep you here for few days.
Coroni bird sanctuary: this is one of tourist top destinations in Trinidad. Coroni is big swamp near Port of Spain, that you can reach very easily with “maxi-taxis” (small regular buses). You have to buy a tour before, cause it’s only organized tours allowed here. Coroni swamp is famous because of the symbol of Trinidad – scarlet ibies. These red birds look amazing, when crowds of them are returning to the same island before sunset. Guide will take you with boat quite near this island in the middle of swamp, so the only thing you have to ask for God, is the good weather for taking pictures.
Strange feeling in the Pitch lake: just pretend that you are walking on the lake. Think, it’s not possible? Go to the Pitch lake in southern part of Trinidad – one of the strangest lakes in the world. Actually, it’s even not a lake and looks more like big area with blacktop on its surface. The pitch is coming from the deep and you can feel, that this place is really alive – gas bubbles, small channels of black water and some dangerous places, full of liquid pitch. That’s why it’s better to go on Pitch lake with local guide (don’t pay more than 50 TT dollars).
Giant leatherback turtles: the best thing you can get in Trinidad. Eastern part of this island has many beaches where giant turtles are nesting. The guided tour will cost about 85 US dollars (look for company, owned by Gunda from Germany - she´s really nice), but you will get more than you can expect. It should be possible to go there with local transport and buy permission to visit turtles in local agencies, but it takes time. We saw three turtles in different phases of nesting. They are amazing: first you see, how the big stone is coming out of Atlantic ocean. This is a giant turtle woman (size of shell is about 1,5 meter). She’s choosing the place for nesting, than digging hole in sand and starts to put small white eggs into this hole. This is the only one period of nesting, when it’s possible to take pictures, because turtle is in trance and don’t react to the flash lights. All nesting process takes around one hour and it’s really unbelievable.
Liming in Tobago: ferry from Trinidad to Tobago goes few times per day (50 TT dollars). It’s very comfortable trip, but be prepared for see sickness. Ferry comes to the biggest Tobago city Scarborough. If you have some things to do (banks, ATM’s, internet), better do it here, because other towns in Tobago usually don’t have such kind of things. Tobago is famous for “liming” – having good time and fun. You’ll feel it from the first steps in this island. This island has number of beautiful beaches. Organized groups usually go to southern part of the island, and independent travelers want to visit northern part. We went to town Castara, where spent some five days. It was really like vacations during vacations.
Living in Tobago: food is generally expensive here, so it makes sence to take an apartment with kitchen and make food at home. Tobago is a small island, therefore you can very easy see almost everything in one day, if you rent a car. Here you can also find many places for diving and snorkeling, so take your time and money.
