So it looks like I'm going to Trinidad for work for a few months starting in April. There won't be much downtime, but I still like to know what I'm in for, and what I really need to check out while I'm there. I know there are a couple of Trinidadians that post on the board, maybe they can help. Anyone else?
My mother is Trinidadian and just went down this past Christmas. It is a poor nation, but it is actually one of the richest nations in the Caribbean. Expect to see highly advanced areas near the city and further out in the country you will see sugar cane fields, etc. Port of Spain, the capital city, is the city that you will be flying into. It will be hot....so be prepared. It is a different kind of heat down there....it almost sits on your chest. Bring some OFF mosquito spray or be prepared to buy some. The mosquitoes down there are something serious. They tore me a knew one ( I still have the marks on my skin from where they bit me and I'm Aaron Brooks complexion lol) The local cuisine is pretty good (most of it) but it will probably be one of the hottest things you ever ate. So keep that in mind or you might end up playing the price when its time for the food to exit (if you catch my drift) Carnival time is around the corner and if you experience that........lol that is ALOT of fun. Music, dancing, and ladies galore. I've heard it's second only to Brazil's carnival. But I haven't been to one in many years. If you have any other questions, post them and I will try and answer.
Wait damn, I just saw in your original post that you are going down in April. Yea....no carnival ladies for you! But....yes it will be HOT. So be prepared.
I went to Trinidad a few years ago to do data collection for the big HCU banking scandal. Only there for a few days, but I had a great time -- we were in Port of Spain. I don't know where you're staying, but if you're staying in a hotel in Port of Spain, stay at the Hyatt. My coworker and I started out in the Crowne Plaza, and it was a pretty poor experience -- after the first day, we checked into the Hyatt, and it was the best hotel I've ever stayed in. The people I met were always nice, and I did a bit of walking around in the town square the last evening I was there. I also took a day and went down to Maracas beach, which was nice -- I hear that the beaches in Tobago are a lot better, and I'd try really hard to pop over to Tobago for a weekend. We went on a bad week (it was Tobago heritage week or something like that -- all the boats were sold out), but everyone said that Tobago is the place to go. Food is good -- I enjoyed Roti, but what I really loved were Doubles. I've been hoping to find a place that makes them here in Houston, or learn to make them myself. Crazy good!
Im dating a Trinidadian. Its pretty dangerous there. Be careful. They have great food though. Doubles, Bake and Shark (Catfish), and all sorts of curries. Tobago's beaches are nicer than the big island. If you have time try to experience carnival.
The Carribean Curry Spot. 518 in Pearland makes them and all local trinidadian foods. You might want to try it.
Trinidad is a really cool mix of Indian and Caribbean culture. That spills over into everything from speech, food, customs, holidays, etc... You'll have a good time. I used to know someone from there and I still really want to visit one day.
Just went down to POS a month ago. I know several Trinidadian's and they all say themselves it is very dangereous. I didn't feel threatened when I was there but always use common sense. The Hyatt is by far the nicest hotel ...except that it isn't in a nice spot. The Marriott was a perfectly fine hotel and it's located in a very safe area with all sorts of places within walking distance including a movie theater, shopping, restaurants. For beach, it's all about Tobago.
Well I'm probably one of the few if not the only Trini on the board so I'll give you some insight. As Krosfyah mentioned, it could be dangerous down here. We do have crime situation and if you don't use common sense you could find yourself in trouble. This is not to say that you can't walk the streets and so on but you definitely would have to stay out of the "hot spots", mainly around eastern Port of Spain (POS) i.e. Laventille, Morvant etc. If you are coming because you're into oil and gas, then more than likely you would be based to the south of the island, where is relatively safe. Again, just use your better judgement and you shouldn't have a problem. The other little issue is the traffic. If I'm not mistaken Houston is notorious for traffic but I don't think we're that far behind either. Especially in and around POS. And while we're on traffic don't be surprised if you see some crazy driving, not necessarily dangerous just real inconsiderate. As the saying goes "if you could drive in here you could drive anywhere". One of the best things about Trinidad though is the cuisine. The food is really tasty and there is a lot of variety. If you like things on the spicy side, I don't think there's a better place to be. What you call hot sauce we call pepper and you can bet it's some of the hottest you could find. I would tread lightly especially on the indian foods. But take your pick: roti, doubles, bake and shark, bake and salt fish, callaloo, crab and dumplings, it's all good. Too bad you're not coming in the Carnival season. It's going on right now actually. If it's one thing we Trini's know how to do is party. And of course this is when all the ladies come out in all their glory. But even outside of Carnival there's a fair share of night life if you're into that. There are also a lot of places to "lime" (hang out) if you prefer a slower pace. Outside of that, you have your out doorsy stuff, like the Pitch Lake, Gasparee Caves and a whole host of others. Unfortunately, they are not well advertised. If you looking for sea and sand, then you should definitely make your way to Tobago (2.5 hrs by boat, 15 mins by plane). There has the nicer beaches and there's the Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool. Trinidad's best is Maracas where you could get the best bake and shark. Getting kind of long so I'll stop now. Hope this helps.
