NTITT’s “Hikers Digest”
The year 2012 is already proving to be one of the more promising years for my young career as already my calendar is filling up as far as hiking and tours are concerned. I am really pleased to inform you that there are a number of satisfied clients out there who are arranging repeated services from me regarding especially historical tours that is so badly needed here and is not being effectively executed and advertised whatsoever by the various Tour Operators who continue to only advertise for the foreign market and totally ignore the local market….how sad indeed. I will and continue to reach out to my fellow country folk and deliver as much as I possibly can.
Anyway folks, on to my activities during the past week which I must thank God was not as hectic as the previous week and I took the opportunity in getting much needed rest in time for this week where it is back in the ball park again.
Monday 09th January 2012.
Today was a great day for a cruise ship docked into Port of Spain and I had a special assignment with Nanan & Sons at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary where I led a group of (38) German visitors on a kayaking trip all over the sanctuary. I must admit that every kayaker including myself really stood up to the task as Winston Nanan really dragged us all over the swamp. Everybody was certainly in very good spirits as they visibly lapped up the atmosphere and they expressed total satisfaction at their outing. After the expedition that was a resounding success, I hung out with the organizers and relaxed a bit before heading home.
Tuesday 10th to Friday 20th January 2012.
The balance of the week was totally quiet for me as I had no tours or hikes. I took the opportunity in getting a lot of administrative work done, as well as doing a lot of reading just to ensure that my historical knowledge is still as sharp as can be for in the next months to come, I will be offering a number of historical tours all over Trinidad and a special historical tour in Tobago in time to come, so you know that I have to be on top of the game. I am quite pleased at where I am at present and will always strive to deliver more than whatever is expected of me.
Saturday 21st January 2012.
At long last, my hike to Lower North Oropouche River came off. The last (2) occasions I planned this hike was washed out by rain and the river was all murky and really discouraging. Although the weather forecast for the week-end was not a good one as far as sunshine was concerned, I still took the gamble and what a good one it was. My team of hikers together with some expats from India joined me at Trincity in great time and by 7:08am; we were all on our way to Valencia. The river trek was great as the waters were crystal clear throughout until we eventually reached to the gorge where we remained for the balance of our stay. Everybody chilled out and savored the atmosphere while every one of the expats simply had a ball in the water, swimming all over the gorge. There was a bit of a heavy drizzle, but that subsided eventually and the balance of the stay at North Oropouche River was absolutely great.
Sunday 15th January 2012.
The weather report lived up to its prediction. From the night before, the rains just kept pouring down and I lay in bed seriously contemplating whether to go on the walk the following day. I was awakened at 4:00am by the loud sounds of rain pounding on my roof and there I made my decision not to do the walk up the Fond Pois Doux Road to Paramin for I know Trinis only too well. I made a couple of calls to my clients who agreed that they would not attend the walk. I was really happy as I slumped back under the sheets where I received a call from another client from Point Fortin who was in P.O.S. wanting to do the walk, but I was unable to facilitate her and her friends, more so as I never expected them to attend this walk and no prior arrangements were made by them to attend this hike. Later that evening, I was informed that the ladies actually did the walk alone and they even went to Paragran Bay which is a tough hike indeed. I have to admit that I was impressed at what they did.
Activities this upcoming week.
Totally unlike last week where I had the entire week to myself, only Monday is my free day as every other day will be tours and hikes. The tours are “private” and the hike on Saturday is also “private”, but on Sunday is my public hike which I shall mention shortly.
· Tuesday is my kayaking session with another set of visitors from the Cruise Ship docking in P.O.S.
· Wednesday is a historical walk around the Queens Park Savannah.
· Thursday is general tours to Southern and Central Trinidad.
· Friday is a tour in the Northern Range and hike to Marianne Waterfall and weather permitting, the river trek to 3 Pools.
· Saturday is a private hike to Matura Basins a.k.a. Mermaid Pools.
· Sunday is my public hike to Habio a.k.a. Rincon Waterfall in the North Coast.
GENERAL INFORMATION.
Yes folks, now in future whenever you log onto my website www.naturetrektnt.com, in the “Events” section, whenever you click on to any of the events, you will now get an idea as to the places we will be visiting with a lovely picture posted on each event. I am currently striving to get more pictures onto each place we will be visiting giving you a great idea as to what is expected wherever we go. I am now getting acquainted with the new software given to me hereby affording me that opportunity, so please keep checking out the site for things will only improve as time goes along.
Come one….come all and get to know your country.
Emile Serrette (NTITT)