NTITT’s “Hikers Digest”
We are already in the third week in the New Year and as the saying goes, “Time waits on no one whatsoever”; and before you know it, the year will come to an end once again, so it is important that you keep abreast with what’s happening in your daily life. We here at NTITT are certainly doing that and because there are so many things to do and implement for your enjoyment, I am working feverishly in order to give as much as I possibly can. Now hikers/trekkers, here in this week’s publication is account of what took place on the second week of hikes and tours.
Monday 09th January 2012.
This day was another well deserved rest for me as the previous week was another hectic one and unlike the Monday before where I literally rested for the entire day, I was a bit more energized and got quite a bit of house work done that was so badly needed.
Tuesday 10th January 2012.
This day I prepared for my tour to Central and Port of Spain historical tours with (2) clients from the UK. I picked them up from Coblenz Inn and we headed to Waterloo where we visited the Temple in the Sea and the Statue of the Hanuman Murti that was deeply appreciated by my clients. We made a last stop off at Chaguanas where I showed them the Lion House, home of our own famous writer, Mr. V.S.Naipaul together with its rich history. We then made our way to Port of Spain where we headed to the summit of Fort George where again rich history was told. We then proceeded through Woodbrook and around the Queens Park Savannah where more history was revealed. After the tour, we went back to Coblenz Inn where I waited to transport them to the airport as they were flying back to the UK.
Wednesday 04th January 2012.
Today was my privilege where I was contracted by Gail Mohammed from (GETS) to carry out a tour to Central and Southern Trinidad to the dignitaries from the Commonwealth that was hosted by the “Parliament of T&T). I had in my bus our own Speaker of the House “Mr. Wade Mark” and his guests’ speakers from England, Canada, Isle of Man, Mauritius, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, and their secretaries and other delegates. We departed from Hyatt Hotel and the entire journey went along very smoothly all the way many thanks to really effective police escort all the way. We passed through Port of Spain, around the Queens Park Savannah, through the East Dry River, then made our way to Central Trinidad where we stopped off at the Temple in the Sea, the Yoga Centre with the Statue of the Hanuman Murti, and then n to Southern Trinidad where we dined on top of San Fernando Hill before making our way to the Water Taxi where the top level of the taxi was reserved for our dignitaries where together with other Tour Guides in Michelle, Derek and Wendell, we gave great account of the coastal areas of Trinidad to our guests. In the end, all went excellently and for that, we were invited to the farewell get together at Trinidad Hilton Hotel for our guests later that evening which I must conclude that excellently organized as a number of local dignitaries were also there to enjoy the gala event. All and all, the exposure augured excellently for me as I took the opportunity in speaking person to person with a number of prominent persons.
Thursday 12th January 2012.
After all the events that took place the day before, it was work as usual for me as I had to make my way to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel to pick up (2) clients from the U.S. and transport them to the Asa Wright Nature Centre. This woman actually took part in a “Birding” contest in the States and won the grand prize to Trinidad where she and her daughter were staying at the Nature Centre, touring the Caroni Bird Sanctuary and a couple of days in Tobago where they were staying at the Blue Waters Inn….quite a deserving gift indeed. The couple expressed delight in being in Trinidad for it was their very first time ever that they’ve ever flown out of the U.S. Because of this, I gave them a time indeed in showing off my island to them en route to the Nature Centre. They reached safely and after showing them the way at the Centre, I took my departure.
Friday 13th January 2012.
I went back at Asa Wright Nature Centre at 2:00pm and picked up my clients and we took a slow and casual drive to Caroni where we were meeting the boat that would’ve taken us to the Sanctuary. My clients were all very excited at what was to be expected. We joined up with another large group who were also staying at Asa Wright Centre who were really serious birders with their serious equipment and extravagant Macro Zoom Lens to the extent where I had to quietly put away my tiny Point and Shoot Camera (LOL). The trip in the sanctuary was an enjoyable one for my clients, but not to the other birders who were expecting more birds, but that was not the case. When we eventually reached to the main point of attraction, aaaah, the thousands of Ibises all flew in to their roost and the sounds of the cameras clicking away and expressions of delight of the literal transformation of the mangroves from green to red made up for the earlier disappointment indeed. It was certainly a great day for my clients.
Saturday 14th January 2012.
I was unable to pick up my clients from Asa Wright Nature Centre as my company NTITT had its hike to Double Rivers Waterfall in the Madamas Valley. A lovely turn out of hikers came out and what was pleasing was that every hiker turned out early and so, we had an early departure to the Northern Range. The drive to our starting point was a muddy drive, but all in good humor by all and when the hike started, the walk was certainly an enjoyable one indeed. The walk was about 45 minutes to the waterfall and when we eventually reached, the waterfall was certainly a beautiful sight to behold. My hikers all had a good time in the pool which was not deep at all; although the water was cold, they all ignored the coldness and lapped up the refreshing water. The walk back out was great and when we almost reached to our vehicles, a sharp shower came down that was also well received.
Sunday 15th January 2012.
Today is setting up to be a busy day for me as I again prepared to scout my little secret river course that I plan to release on the second Saturday in February month. I joined forces with my old colleagues from Trinbago Backpackers and together we did a great scout of the entire river course which is certainly a beauty. In the afternoon period, I went to the Caroni Bird Sanctuary where together with Lester; we went out to the swamp on a boat to scout an area in the swamp where we planned to kayak with a group of visitors from a cruise ship checking into Port of Spain on the following day. A bit of cleaning up was done in preparation and in the end; the stage was set for the inauguration of the kayak expedition from the Visitor’s Centre.
Activities this upcoming week.
NTITT is always opened to new ideas with the ultimate agenda being to bring about enjoyment for all hikers, trekkers, and those interested in historical tours. As stated above, the inauguration of the kayaking expedition on the Caroni Swamp is happening on Monday 16th January 2012. NTITT’s hike this coming Saturday 21st January 2012 to “Lower North Oropouche River” weather permitting; otherwise the alternative river in the event of heavy rain would be “Turure Water-Steps”. On Sunday 22nd January 2012, NTITT is also looking to have a beautiful nature walk up the “Fond Pois Doux Road” to the summit of Paramin “Mt. Vigie” where the views here are just astounding. Special price for this walk is just $50 per trekker as this walk is purely a road walk through a very quiet agricultural village of Paragran en route to Paramin. Log on to www.naturetrektnt.com under “Events” to get more details and register for either or both events.
GENERAL INFORMATION.
Once again fellow hikers, keep the following dates in mind:
Saturday 11th February 2012: First time ever “River Trek” along the Matura River by any hiking club/company.
Saturday 03rd March 2012: NTITT’s first bus tour to Cedros Village and hike to Icacos Point. Stay tuned.
Saturday 10th March 2012: NTITT’s first camp out on the summit of El Tucuche Mountain under the full moon that promises to be quite a spectacle. Limited persons allowed on this expedition as the summit can only accommodate a certain amount. Stay tuned for more details.
Friday 06th April 2012: All-inclusive beach lime at a totally secluded beach to be advertised soon.
Sunday 08th April 2012: Boat cruise Down D Islands on board the “Island Princess”, a 150 seater vessel.
Come one….come all and get to know your country.
Emile Serrette (NTITT)