NTITT’s “Hikers Digest”
I want to take the opportunity to wish you fellow hikers a Happy New Year. Hope that the season passed peacefully and filled with love. And now as we venture into another New Year, here’s also hoping that all dreams and aspirations would be fulfilled.
Review of Last Week.
Despite the yuletide season, my period was indeed very busy as every day after Christmas my schedule was very hectic as visitors to our shores took the opportunity to take advantage to enjoy what was on offer on this island and I also took the opportunity to showcase our goods.
Monday 26th December 2011.
Mid morning, I went to Asa Wright Nature Centre and took up (4) clients from the U.S.A. and we departed for Blanchisseuse where after parking at Laguna Mar Restaurant we hiked to Marianne Waterfalls which was as usual very beautiful and natural. My clients enjoyed every minute of this wonderful gem in the forest before proceeding on our water trek downstream. The flow of the Marianne River was really strong and the water was crystal clear which made the overall trek unforgettable. My hikers relished every minute of this trek as they swam through the pools along the way up to the very end. They all exclaimed that they’ve never experienced such a hike like this and it was really well appreciated.
Tuesday 27th December 2011.
Took things a bit easy as I had to prepare for expeditions for another client I had to pick up from the airport later that day. Got some much needed administrative work done for the upcoming year as far as planning was concerned. Later that afternoon, went to the airport and picked up my clients originally from India but living in the United States and they took the opportunity in visiting the West Indies for the very first time. Dropped them off at the Hyatt and that was my day.
Wednesday 28th December 2011.
Picked up my clients from the Hyatt and we proceeded to Blanchisseuse where we were hiking to Paria Bay and Waterfalls and return by hiking. They enjoyed the vistas, especially from the North Coast Road where I revealed to them about the wonderful history of Trinidad. The hike to Paria was a wonderful one as they lapped up the natural beauty all along the way. The beach and the waterfalls were really beautiful as lots of photographs were taken and my (2) clients were genuinely taken aback at the wonderful views of nature. The hike back to the car passed without any hitches as they were quite fit and the walk back was again very well appreciated. At the “Bake and Shark” sandwich stall, although my clients are vegetarians, the cheese and bake sandwich filled with condiments went down really well with them as they exclaimed that the fried bake was very new to them and it tasted very nice together with the condiments.
Thursday 29th December 2011.
The morning period passed quietly as I washed my vehicle and got things ready in time for the early afternoon pick up. My (4) clients in Stephanie, Meg, Cindy and Mark were staying this time in St. James and from there, we made our way to Waterloo where we toured the “Floating Temple” where they were also treated to (2) cremations next to the Floating Temple which was something totally new to them and with the help of a friendly gentleman of East Indian descent who took his time to explain to them about the rituals of the cremation. The tour of the Temple was well appreciated and from there, we initially made our way to the Museum, but unfortunately it was closed, but I took the opportunity in treating my clients to taste some of the Indian delights of “Aloo pies, pholoories, and other pies which went down really well before proceeding to the “Yoga Centre” which was also a blast to them as they admired the 85 foot Hanuman Murti and the inside tour of the beautifully structured temple. From the temple, I proceeded into Chaguanas where I showed them the “Lion House”, the home of V.S. Naipaul, our very own Noble Peace Prize Winner, and I explained the overall history of the house to them before we proceeded to our final destination to the much anticipated “Caroni Bird Sanctuary” which was indeed a “WOW”, even to me as I have never seen so many birds roosting on the island although it has been many times I’ve visited the sanctuary. It was really a spectacle indeed.
Friday 30th December 2011.
Again, I had the morning period to myself where again, I cleaned my vehicle and got other things done before I went to Hyatt to pick up my client Hetal and Rhout and we were joined by a Canadian family of (3) who drove at the hotel and together, we drove to Guaico Tamana to visit the “Bat Cave”. The trail was all muddy and I repeatedly warned my clients of the trek back downhill where it would be twice as bad and they were well prepared, at least mentally. The experience at the mouth of the cave was as usual, very well received as thousands of bats flew out much to the amazement of the folks witnessing it. The trek back downhill was really challenging as one by one fell down as the trail was very slippery although sticks were cut for extra support. Nevertheless, the overall experience was very well received by all who attended. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped off in St. James where I introduced them to the roadside “Roti Stall” where before their eyes, the rotis were made much to their amusement and I carried them back to the hotel to enjoy their meal.
Saturday 31st December 2011.
Picked up Hetal and Rhout early morning from the Hyatt and we proceeded immediately to San Fernando Hill where the ambience here was as usual infectious and was well received by Hetal and hubby. La Brea Pitch Lake was our next stop and they were given a guided tour to the lake by my most trusted friend and colleague “Ameena” while I took a much needed break at the office. From the Pitch Lake, we stopped off at the South Oropouche junction where again, they were introduced to the taste of Indian cuisine from the vendor. Doubles, pholoories, saheenas, bygannies were tasted together with the banana and cola champagne soft drinks and the overall meal went down really well with my clients. From San Fernando, we went to Waterloo where we visited the “Floating Temple” and the “Yoga Centre”. Now although the Central Tour was not on the cards, my clients being Indians from India, it was only most appropriate to automatically include such a tour and that tour really went down well and was also well appreciated as they were really taken pleasantly by surprise at the difference of the Hindu culture here in Trinidad as compared to that of India. From Waterloo, we stopped off at the Supermarket where last minute shopping was done before dropping them off at the Hyatt.
After the drop off, I immediately went to Diego Martin to pick up my Irish clients “George and Dora” and dropped them off at the airport as they were flying back off to Ireland. Wonderful folks they are and they promise to return.
Later that evening, I went back to the Hyatt and picked up Hetal and Rhout and dropped them off at the airport as they as well were flying back to the United States and upon dropping them off, they expressed their delight in visiting Trinidad and maybe consider returning again someday.
Activities this upcoming week.
This week is actually the start of the New Year and right from the first day, I am having my now proposed New Year’s Hike to “Rio Seco Waterfall” where I have a group of Germans attached to the Embassy and friends from Croatia carded to visit this wonderful waterfall, together with a couple of locals. I have a hike to Paria Bay and Waterfall this coming Saturday with a private group from Seattle. I also have an upcoming hike to Marianne Waterfalls and River Exploration on Sunday 08th January 2012. Otherwise, during this week, things are a bit easy as expected as the festive season is now over and people are heading back to work.
GENERAL INFORMATION.
Once again fellow hikers, this year promises to be a year of great things and events coming up. This year I will be hosting a lot of sea cruises as my fellow Tour Operator “Martin”, apart from having his present vessel “Island Prince” which accommodates comfortably (75) persons will be soon launching another vessel “Island Princess”, a larger vessel that can accommodate (150) persons with all facilities to make you comfortable. Stay tuned for the launching of the “Face book Page” to give you all the necessary information.
Apart from hikes, I will also be hosting a number of historical tours of Port of Spain, San Fernando, Central, North-Eastern, Northern Range and other tours to be notified soon to come.
Come one….come all and get to know your country.
Emile Serrette (NTITT)