Drinking fresh coconut water, eating tropical fruits in season, enjoying cool breezes and views of swaying coconut tree leaves. The many treasures of spending time on an island. Here is me drinking fresh coconut water and enjoying the pure country life.
Some Trinidad highlights!
Lady Chancellor Hill. The is a hike with views of Port-of-Spain which is the capital of Trinidad. It is not far from Queen’s Park Savannah: a carnival hotspot. I would not say that it is a super difficult hike. It is about two miles. The views are breath-taking and that is my favorite part about it.
Views
Bamboo Cathedral. It is located in Chagaraumas, Trinidad not far from Macqueripe Beach. Hardest hike of my life. It is literally an upward hill that does not end or at least it felt that way. There were 27 markers with 27 being the last marker.
There were some very encouraging messages on the way to the top (being sarcastic)
Whoever did this should be in jail haha
Absolute mockery lol
While me and my mother were scoffing for air and had to pause, we saw an older man coming down and we asked, “how much longer,” in which he replied 27, while I believe we were at marker 15 or 16. He definitely made us look out of shape as he chuckled but stated that we made it past the hardest part. I do not know if I fully believe that to be a true statement.
Anyways, after some more trekking, we finally made it to the end. You will see an older abandoned building from when this location was a U.S. base. Going up those steps was scarier than it looked. Inside was just broken glass and junk.
Though this hike was difficult, I felt so good at the end of it. Relating this back to life, the harder your path is, the more fulfilling and rewarding the fruit will be.
After this hike, we cooled off at Macqueripe Beach.
I know this may not seem like the typical island highlight, but I will say the movies. In Trinidad, the most popular place to catch a movie is called Movie Towne, but it literally looks like a movie town. It is clean and the food is great. Me, my brother, and uncle went to see Superman, and before the movie began, we were already chowing down.
Wings and Fries
Lastly, Las Cuevas Beach. This is a beach in North Trinidad so it is a good drive from the South. It is in the hills so the views are spectacular. There is the Maracas Lookout on the way to the beach that we always stop at to get goodies and stretch our legs.
Las Cuevas Beach
And when we come to Las Cuevas, we can’t NOT get bake and shake. We went by Uncle Sam’s Bake and Shark and it did not disappoint.
Overall a refreshing time. Looking forward to next time.
I have been traveling to Trinidad since childhood for summer vacation. I am blessed to have a great amount of family that still lives on the island, though many relatives have moved abroad, mostly to the U.S. With that being said, my stays in Trinidad along with the beach days and tropical adventures, also consist of many many visits to the houses of relatives including aunts, uncles, grandparents, great aunts and uncles etc.
As I have gotten older into adulthood, those visits have become shorter and shorter for various reasons, the biggest reason being death. I remember visiting at least 7-10 homes when I was younger to our various relatives’ homes, and just recently, we only visited one house of our great(older) relatives. And of course there are some relatives that we do not always get to see during every visit, just to clarify.
This causes a feeling of sadness and nostalgia for how life used to be but a level of maturity in accepting the cycle of life.
There was a seat my grandfather used to sit in located in the kitchen of my grandma’s house that is just now an empty space. I remember I used to grab his arm and he would squeeze my hand and I would just mess with him. I have many videos of him dancing and laughing in that space and other spaces around the house, and there is just this emptiness and sadness without him there.
My paternal grandmother’s house still has her presence and legacy, but without her, it is just not the same. I think of all of the memories of visiting her, eating plums from her plum tree, and enjoying a well-prepared meal of rice, stewed chicken, red beans and callaloo. I had an uncle who used to live there who also passed away, and his presence is still felt, though not there, but missed greatly.
Another painful yet necessary part of life is seeing relatives age and having to adjust to a different dynamic. The conversations become shorter and our interactions a little less lively. They can no longer accompany you on some of your adventures as their bodies do not have the strength anymore. They may have to go to bed a little earlier. They may have even forgotten you.
My family and I went to Italy for about 2 weeks in the beginning of July. We stayed in an airbnb in Trastevere, Rome, for the whole trip.
While we were in Rome for the majority of our stay, we took day trips to Venice and Florence as well. This post will focus on ROME as there is so much to talk about.
Words to describe Rome: romantic, historical, spontaneous, magical, and ancient.
There are many cobblestone streets and sidewalks which give you an ancient feel. The buildings are very old-looking as well, but architecturally impressive. I felt like I was in a movie.
Throughout the city, there is running fresh and cool water from fountains or fire hydrants that is free to the public to drink, which is top tier.
I can’t speak for all of Rome, because Rome is so big, but I would say the morning/daytime in Trastevere seemed very slow. The work schedule in Italy is different than in America. I noticed a lot of businesses were closed even though it was around 10-11am, and streets weren’t fully crowded yet. It is also said that workers in Italy get to take nap breaks and then return to work.
I can overall say, there is a calm, slow vibe.
Trastevere may be slow in the daytime but the night-time is very lively, similar to NYC. Our airbnb was surrounded by hundreds of restaurants. We could just walk out and find a spot within minutes. There was also an outdoor movie area, park for kids, gelaterias, boutiques, and much more. There were plenty of people roaming the streets and dining out at different spots.
One thing about Rome: you gon’ be WALKING a lot. Our steps definitely averaged to 10,000 or more per day, but I guess that’s a good thing, so you could work off that gelato and pasta, which brings me to the topic of FOOD.
I can honestly say not a single restaurant disappointed ya girl. The food tastes more fresh than in the U.S. and the pasta is out of this world, like if you think you ever had the best pasta outside of Italy, you are highly mistaken. The gelato is rich and creamy: better than any ice cream I’ve ever had. The service was great, and the waiters/waitresses were very friendly and accommodating. The prices were very affordable. Enjoy these pictures/ videos of some of the dishes I enjoyed. I’ll include restaurant names for some, if I remembered to write it down.
A popular drink is called Aperol Spritz: made of aperol, soda water, and prosecco. It was so delicious.
What sites did I see in Rome?
Day 2: We took a walking tour around Rome with a tour guide who gave us a brief history of each area. We only went inside one church but the majority of this tour was outside. Sites include:the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi fountain, Roman Forum, Colosseum, a church, and a few other sites I did not keep the names of. I definitely recommend going on tours with a guide so that you get history, meet other people from around the world, and you most likely will not get lost.
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain; go early to avoid crowds
Day 3: We went on the Colosseum and Roman Forum tour: this is an absolute MUST. It is so historical and is considered ancient Rome.
Gladiator games took place in the Colosseum with thousands of people.
The Roman Forum is home to many government buildings and is where law courts and public meetings were held. It was also a marketplace.
If you look at those buildings, you will be astonished. I could not help but think that many people in the bible days were where I was standing.
Roman Forum
I recommend taking a tour instead of going on your own. With all of the crowds and chaos, it is easy to get lost and frustrated but with a guide, you will be accommodated well and get rich history.
Day 5: Spanish Steps and 3 floor Zara.
Spanish steps are 135 steps that lead to a beautiful view and French Church of Santa Trinita de Montei. It is Europe’s widest and longest staircase dedicated to the holy trinity. The three tiers represent: the father, the son, and the holy spirit.
Zara: will be honest. It was very impressive and the prices were affordable. Their clothes just seemed a bit more tight fitting than the USA. An XL was tight for me when in the USA, I usually go for M.
3 floor Zara
Going up the Spanish Steps
Day 6: Jewish Ghetto, Marcellus Theater, and Chiesa Di Santa Maria
Around Marcellus TheaterJewish GhettoMarcellus TheaterChiesa Di Santa MariaChiesa Di Santa MariaJESUS❤️
The Jewish ghetto is where Jews were separated from the country. During Nazi Occupation during the Second World War, many of them were deported. It was built in 1555.
The Marcellus Theater is where many performances took place (acting, singing, dancing) with as many as 11,000-12,000 spectators. It is called the Jewish Coliseum.
Chiesa Di Santa Maria is a beautiful church filled with paintings and architecture.
Day 7: Tour at the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
You definitely NEED to take a tour for this. Our tour guide took us around the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel, giving us history and descriptions of the art.
The Vatican museum is where you will see sculptures, art, paintings and architecture of the building. The Sistine Chapel is where you will see the ceiling painted by Michelangelo. I don’t have any pictures from the Sistine Chapel because it is prohibited. You also have to cover your shoulders in the Sistine Chapel.
Ceiling Painting in The VaticanPainting where Jesus follows you in The VaticanCeiling in The Vatican Sculptures in The VaticanSculptures in The VaticanOff guard of me in The Vatican
St. Peter’s Basilica is a beautiful church where the Pope resides and is located at St. Peter’s Square. St. Peter’s Square is where it is believed Peter was crucified upside down. It is also believed that Paul was killed in this area.
St. Peter’s Basilica Where it is believed Peter was crucified upside down
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica
Lastly, one night me and sister decided to have a sister’s night. We went by a little bar and ordered a campari(red drink) and limoncello(yellow drink) spritz! Then we found a pasta spot. It was such a nice time filled with laughter and good conversation!
That is it for Rome! Stay tuned for my Florence and Venice post next!
Advice:
Plan ahead and book tours in advance. Tours are better than going on your own as you get history and a guide who will help you around.
Bring a portable fan as it gets very hot and wear sunscreen.
Bring a water bottle and use the fountains to get water.
Bring light clothes.
Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking on cobblestones and long distances.
Bring tissues in case there is no toilet paper in bathrooms.
Google maps can be tricky so if you could map your steps ahead of time, that may ease some of the tension.
You can order a taxi on an app called Free Now. It was affordable(much cheaper than Uber) and we used it quite a few times to get around Rome.
I had the great pleasure of going to Trinidad this summer for two weeks. It has been five years since I was last there, so this trip was very special.
Before I could even start walking, I was covered in Trinidad sand(many photos to show). I have been going to Trinidad since childhood. The beauty of that is I have a second home and an unbreakable bond.
Upon exiting the airport, I smelled the fresh island air, and it felt so good. Memories and sentiments started to flood my soul. “SHE’S BACK”, I whispered to myself.
With all of that being said, my vacations in Trinidad are not the typical resort, beach, and sand vacation. Because I have family on the island, I stay with family, particularly by my grandma’s house in the countryside. You know what that means? Waking up to roosters, longer drives, nice breezes, more space, and one thing about the countryside is there are more vendors and family businesses. If you wanted some McDonalds or Subway, it would be a good drive(not that I recommend that HAHA).
What I love about staying with family is I get to experience real life in Trinidad. I get to experience driving around different areas, going to local markets/vendors, taking public transportation, eating authentic cuisine( everything tastes better in Trinidad, no lie), going to the mall or movies, different beaches and overall just doing more than what I would usually do on any other island. It literally feels more like I am living there as opposed to a vacation, which is very cool.
I admire the pureness of the countryside. Residents do not seem to care about appearance and their way of life is very simple. I could not help but notice how different island life is, compared to life in the United States. It is just very slow, unbothered, and chill, which is why it makes for a great escape from the bustling life of the USA.
Keeping it real though, whenever going on an island, like Trinidad, you have to make some adjustments!
Let’s talk about THE MOSQUITOES. Ya girl got RAVISHED. The thing about Trinidad is it is hot all year, and therefore, houses such as the one I stayed in, may have small holes as a design, meaning any bug or creature can come in. Doors and windows also remain open for fresh breezes. So, it is not uncommon to see a lizard running on top of the ceiling, a swarm of ants somewhere, or being devoured by mosquitoes inside. It felt like my legs were on FIRE. Like 100 mosquitoes attacking me at once. The insects in the Caribbean are just on another level, if you know, you know.
Driving in the countryside requires a bit more effort and patience, because some of the roads are not in the best condition (potholes, bumps, narrowness) and there are many twists and turns. Where we stayed was a good distance from the beach and other sites, so the rides could be bumpy, swirly, and long, depending on the area.
It gets dark around 7 so the day may feel shorter and some businesses close early, so there is that to consider. You do not have the luxury to just jump on the road and try to make a late-night run, depending on the area. You have to be mindful of traffic, because you may not have an alternate way to get to a specific destination. You have to be mindful of crime, especially if you are in an unfamiliar area. The police are not as reliable as in the U.S.A, so you have to follow your instincts.
Bottom line, there is just more to consider. I REALLY noticed that during this trip. I have to make another post about this topic, because there is just so much to say.
MY NUMBER ONE highlight of my trip was spending time with family!!! My maternal grandmother is the only grand-parent who can still travel and use technology, so thankfully I still get to see her in both countries. However my maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother are in their 90’s and cannot travel anymore. I loved the quality time I was able to spend with all of them. My grandfather still dances, is a neat freak and is always cleaning the yard, and still has his goofy personality. My paternal grandmother is still sharing stories and on her feet. Man, what a blessing that is, to still have them.
GRANDPAAAAPATERNAL GRANDMA ❤
I also enjoyed time with my aunts, uncles, and immediate family by going to the beach, restaurants, relative’s homes, day trips to Port-of-Spain and Paramin, and just being in the motherland!!
There is just something special about being in the place that birthed many of my ancestors and plays a role in my identity. I always feel so warm in T&T!!!!
My favorite activities were the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Paramin Tour, U-Pick farm restaurant, Macqueripe Beach, and Port-of-Spain.
The Caroni Bird Sanctuary is a swamp ride through the Caroni River. The highlight of the tour is seeing the Scarlet Ibis birds, very bright red and beautiful birds. The first hour of the ride, we were surrounded by trees, and the tour guide would stop to point out snakes, crabs, other creatures, and history. My favorite part of the tour was seeing the birds. The birds are the most visible in the most open and spacious part of the river. We passed flamingos, and the boat motor was turned off at this part. One word to describe this: tranquil. Breathing in the tangy marshy air, seeing the birds fly graciously over the trees, and feeling overwhelmed by the sound of the river, was indescribably peaceful.
U-Pick Farm Restaurant is near Macqueripe beach. We originally wanted to have breakfast under the bamboo trees, but an event was taking place there. Instead, we had breakfast inside of the building. The ingredients are fresh, so do not expect a super sweet smoothie, haha, but I love that the food and drinks are healthier. I had the chicken and waffles with a berry refreshing smoothie: the waffles were AMAZING and the chicken was 7/10. I enjoyed my smoothie and loved that it was in a cute mason jar. I definitely recommend it.
Macqueripe Beach is in northern Trinidad. It is one of my favorite beaches because the water is clear and refreshing. It is also very scenic. This is a beach where you have to be careful, because there is a drop. It used to be a submarine base.
PARAMIN TOUR!!!!
I had never been to Paramin before this trip. Paramin is a mountainous village located in Northern Trinidad. It is part of Maraval. Two words to describe it: MOUNTAINOUS YET MARVELOUS. A tour guide drove us around the area. No lie, it felt like I was on a roller coaster: there were ups, downs, and swirls. I was really praying on this ride (LOL), because of how narrow the roads are and the fact that it is on a mountain, you have to be very careful and strategic, or else you can get into a serious accident.
The tour guide drove us around while explaining the history of the area, teaching us some of the french-creole that is spoken in the area, and folklore. We stopped by a high point where you could see Port-of-Spain, a church, a wine lady(HER WINE WAS BOMB), a house where ladies were selling goodies (fudge, tambran balls, sugar cake, nut cake, kurma, and more, just pure heaven), a cave, an area with pomerac trees and sour cherries, and the best part, the highest point! The views were breathtaking. This tour was very insightful, fun, and beautiful. I 10/10 recommend!!! Our tour guide was Carlos and he was the best!!!
See what I was talking bout????Peep Port-of-Spain in the back Highest point: Paramin lookoutgrandma ❤Would you live on a hill like this?
Paramin lookout
Isn’t this so beautiful? I SEE YOU GOD
Port-of-Spain
This is the capital of Trinidad, maybe most known for carnival! This is where everyone parades around in their costumes to loud soca music. My aunt took me and my brother around the city. We saw historical landmarks, carnival hotspots, went by Queen’s Park Savannah, souvenir shops, chinatown, and the cathedral basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It was very nice, definitely a totally different vibe from the countryside. The buildings were very old-fashioned, and there were more American franchises(subway, dairy queen, etc). The views are hilly and beautiful. My aunt would point out where she used to hang out and where my dad used to work, when they were still living in Trinidad. It was very sentimental and delightful. Took the water ferry back home!
cathedral of Immaculate Conceptionpassion fruit snow cone gave me life
That is it for Trinidad’ 22. Always a good time!!!!!! Till next time!!!!
Dominique 