NTITT’s “Hikers Digest”

Hello hikers/trekkers. As you all can see, time is just passing by easily and quietly like nobody’s business and again as stated earlier on, before you know it, just now half of the year will pass before you even realize what is happening. We are now approaching Carnival 2012 and although lots of carnival activities are all around us; NTITT is still focusing its attention in its objectives in giving both locals and visitors to our shores an experience of course from an adventure/eco point of view, well away from the carnival festivities; and as you read along, you will see how busy NTITT has been this coming week of activities.

 Monday 13^th February 2012.

Today was a very busy day for NTITT as once again, a cruise ship was docking in Port of Spain and I had to be at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary at a specified time where I had full contingent of (40) German tourists coming to do 3 hours of kayaking in the Sanctuary. Beautiful weather stood out and the swamp was at its usual best as we had a falling tide hereby making kayaking easy from the word go. The buses arrived and after the usual speech by Mr. Nanan to our guests, off we went into the swamp where the kayakers were treated to the usual beauty and vistas of what the swamp had to offer. All had a good time as usual as the mangroves and other features of the swamp were all an experience for the visitors who expressed such as they eventually arrived at the starting point. I immediately changed into my dry clothes and took my departure as I had to head to St. James to pick up my English clients, for I had to take them on a “Central Tour” including a tour at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. After they boarded my vehicle, off we went to Central Trinidad where the very first stop was at the usual doubles vendor where they were treated to the usual doubles, alloo pies and a cold Solo soft drink. After a hearty lunch, it was off to Waterloo where we visited the Floating Temple and the Temple with the 85 foot statue of the Hanuman Murti that was well appreciated by my (3) folks. From the Temple, we immediately made off to the Bird Sanctuary where we just made it on time and we immediately boarded the boat where Mr. Winston Nanan was also on board and a detailed tour was given where Mr. Nanan was at his best as he explained the swamp and its birds and other habitat in great detail. The Scarlet Ibis came out in their usual large numbers and the folks on board were really given a treat of the mangrove being transformed from the usual green into deep red as the Ibises that evening came out in their large numbers. The sunset was also special as the entire atmosphere was transformed majestically to compliment the birds on the mangrove. The journey back to shore was a safe one and I eventually dropped my clients back at their place in St. James.

Tuesday 14^th February 2012.

I headed back into St. James to pick up my (3) English clients and we made our way to Blanchisseuse and up the Arima/Blanchisseuse Road at Pop’s residence where we were taking the short way to the Marianne Waterfalls. Pops and his daughter Judy were there and after a short chat, we eventually made our was down a short track that lead to the Marianne River and from there it was river trekking a short distance that eventually lead us to the waterfall. The weather was as usual great hereby making the river trek quite beautiful and my clients savored the atmosphere. The waterfall was full and nice as my folks just chilled on the rock as chatted away about Trinidad as a whole. After an hour at the falls, we then took our departure and trekked slowly back to the parked vehicle and departed. When we reached to Maracas Bay, the usual stop over for the Bake and Shark sandwich was the order of the day and they all had a grand time eating the sandwich with a beer. Dropped them back at their residence safe and sound and made my way back home to prepare for my big day tomorrow.

Wednesday 15^th February 2012.

Today was my big hike with a gentleman from Scotland who called me a couple of weeks before and specially arranged for me to organize a tough hike for him and that I did. I picked up the gentleman at where he was staying in Maraval and bought him to my residence and there we waited for my driver “Willie” who picked us up and we made our way to the start of the Caurita Ridge. After a moment admiring the views at the ridge, at exactly 8:06am, we officially started the hike to the summit of El Tucuche Mountain (3,072 feet). The overall walk was quite a pleasant one as we both chatted away about Trinidad and Scotland and their respective territories. After just over 4 hours, we eventually reached the summit where the sun was out in all its glory. We munched on our sandwiches and snacks and drank heartily before making our way back downhill, this time through the “Hobal Trace” trail where on this trail is shorter than the one we took, but much steeper and so, we had to carefully negotiate our way, especially on the “Devil’s Staircase” that was even steeper. All and all, we both reached to Hobal Trace in one piece and  there we proceeded up another steep hill that eventually leads to the trail to the summit of “Loango Hill” (the acid test)…..though a short hike to the top but very steep all the way up. A great trail it was indeed, but this time, the weather changed somewhat and a constant slight drizzle was upon us, but we kept on moving slowly uphill with the occasional stops here and there until at last, we were on the top of the hill. The walk downhill was as usual, very steep and longer as on the other end, we were finishing at sea level. The trail throughout was a great one as the trail was still clear. When we eventually reached to the bottom of Loango Hill, it was exactly 4:16pm.... (8 hours 12 minutes) of hiking and my client loved what was offered which made me very satisfied. Walking along the Grand Fond Road to the beach was a pleasant one and we changed into dry clothes and then had the usual Bake and Shark Sandwich at Richards that went down absolutely great. Willie met us at the beach and we dropped off my client back at his residence safe and sound and then back to San Juan where I took things easy for the balance of the evening.

Thursday 16^th February 2012.

Once again, I picked up my (3) clients from England in the early afternoon and we made our way to Guaico Tamana where I took them to witness the “Evening Bat Experience” at the cave half way up the Mount Tamana Hill. The drive was a pleasant one as I took them through the real countryside of Coryal, Carmichael, and Four Roads Tamana before driving through bush until we reached at our stop off where we eventually took our short walk along a donkey trail that eventually veered off to the left that we had to take to head on upwards to the point where the view of the exit of the cave was seen. We reached a bit early and so, for thereon, I chatted to them a bit about the different species of bats we have in Trinidad and of course, a lot of questions were asked and after general talk, the evening wore on and when dusk was setting in, the signs of bats could’ve been heard and there, we were witnesses of the usual sighting of the multitudes of bats making their way out of the cave which was received with great reaction from the English folks who just kept clicking away at their cameras and loud exclamations of what they were witnessing. All and all, the evening passed great and the trek back downhill was as usual very slippery due to the early morning showers and after careful treading step by step downhill, we eventually reached back to the vehicle safe and sound and we reached back to St. James safe and sound and from there I wished my clients a hearty thanks for using my services and even considering me and also wished them a happy carnival.

Friday 17^th February 2012.

I got up very early as today was my trip to Jamaica. I departed from home early to meet with my dear friend who was also travelling with me and as a matter of fact, it was through her that this trip was made possible as we were staying over at her sister’s place in Jamaica. We arrived at the airport on time and all went well with the flight with a short stopover in Barbados. We eventually arrived in Jamaica in great weather and knowing me, I stood there observing all over, listening to the beautiful Jamaican slangs from the folks all around me until Nathalie eventually reached to pick us up and we made our way at her residence on the hills of Kingston which I must admit was beautiful; the vistas from her house into Kingston was just amazing. After settling at her house for a couple of hours, we readied ourselves for our (2) night stay over in the famous “Blue Mountain”. We went over at Nathalie’s work place where we were introduced to both Ellis and Junior, our guys in charge of the expedition and from there, our ride came and we were once again introduced to the driver, a Rastafarian named “Rassa”. The vehicle was a small Suzuki 4 wheeler and after packing our stuff in the vehicle, we eventually made our way to the grocery and then onto the road leading to the Blue Mountains. I was amazed at the road conditions as we drove higher and higher into the mountains where the road condition got from bad to worst and yes, a 4 wheeler was certainly a must and I also admired how Rassa managed the drive through the terrible rough roads with absolute ease. We eventually reached to the point before “Jacobs Ladder” in the middle of the night where we unpacked our bags from the vehicle in total darkness and boy oh boy…you talk about the place now being cooooold. We had to immediately put on long sleeve tops as we eventually made our way up the steadily uphill of Jacobs Ladder with a few stops here and there until we reached to the known “Bird’s Eye View” where the beautiful views of the lights below us was seen and admired. After a brief rest, we moved on again for just under an hour until we were at last at the “Cabins” where our destination was reached. In total darkness, only with the help of our flashlights, we reached to our cabin just after 11pm and we had to immediately unpack and get only the essentials ready for our expedition to the peak in only a few hours ahead (3am) the following morning before getting only a couple of hours sleep. I could not sleep at all as the temperature of the place was just too cold (about 12 degrees Celsius). We just lay in one place in our respective beds regretting that neither a blanket nor a sleeping bag was bought. In total darkness, I laid there both excited and cold at the prospects of what to expect in the couple of hours to come.

Saturday 18^th February 2012.

At long last, 3:30am came and by now, to me, the temperature dropped even lower as we labored off our bunk and readied ourselves for the further uphill trekking to the peak. Just the clothes we hiked uphill to the cabin with is what we slept in and hiked further uphill with……that’s to tell you how cold the place was. Once again, in total darkness under a star filled night, we followed Ellis uphill a steady uphill with only the use of the flashlights we had. The heavy black Maglight I had, though it offered the usual great light, because of the metallic material of the flashlight, I had to keep on switching from hand to hand regretting every minute of not having a pair of gloves as my both hands were literally frozen, but the show had to go on and on we went. We stopped a few times deliberately as we had to time the rising of the sun which was principally the objective of the walk as the Blue Mountain was known for its fabulous sighting of the rising sun. At long last, we reached to the top of the Blue Mountain and there we met a couple of other people from England, Canada and yes, Trinidad and after a few exchange of pleasantries, voila…. The moment we were waiting for was there before our eyes…..the beautiful and unforgettable rising of the sun from the east which was simply amazing hereby making all efforts coming here really and truly worth the while. A couple other people came to the top and enjoyed the amazing views.

When the whole mountain was now filled with sunlight, we eventually made our way back to our cabin where at this time, we were joined by other locals who occupied the other part of the cabin and together we all had a big cook out, both lunch and dinner under the typical camp fires and as usual, under extreme cold conditions hereby making bathing here virtually impossible as the temperature of the cold spring water that flowed continuously here was just under freezing point and even the touch of the water immediately numbed your hands, so bathing here was not an option whatsoever; “Wet Wipes” was the order of the day. The overall ambience of the place in the Blue Mountains was just beautiful and the day passed great and when evening stepped in, the usual coldness came over us and we just had to brace ourselves. After dinner, we all made the early turn in bed as there was nothing else to do.

Sunday 19^th February 2012.

We all got up bright and early, prepared breakfast and while having a hearty meal of fried sausages with fried dumplings and whole wheat bread, the sighting of the glorious sun coming over us was also a magical sight as the bit of warmth came over the place. After breakfast, we then prepared for our departure and downhill we went and it was there we were treated to the beautiful sightings of the valleys and mountain formations below and around us that we were deprived of when we passed this same spot the night before. The beautiful formations of the world famous Blue Mountain Coffee trees were seen for miles ahead of us and the rich red coffee beans were easily seen and enjoyed and appreciated by us. We passed a few estates along the way, as well as a couple of guest houses that is ideal for the persons wishing to undertake such expedition. Our ride eventually came for us as we ambled slowly along the rough terrain and we loaded in and our driver Rassa stopped off at his father’s place that is also a guest house and I took the opportunity in meeting and chatting with him and even took the opportunity in purchasing 2 bags of the Ground Roasted Coffee Beans from him that was specially packaged. We eventually reached back to ground level and you know as the saying goes: “all good things must come to an end”. We came back home, had a glorious hot shower that was so badly needed (LOLOLOL), and a bit of rest and relaxation before I was given a treat where we headed to Ocho Rios where the drive was very enjoyable with beautiful views of a couple of rivers and scenery along the way until we came to the tourist area of Ocho Rios which I admit exceeded my expectation. This place is really fabulous indeed and the structures that lead to where the cruise ships dock is really enticing and beautiful. We had a late lunch at the ever popular “Jerk Centre” where the jerk pork and chicken was just great and we ate to our hearts content. After strolling around the town a bit, we eventually took our departure back home this time, around the coastline where the Caribbean Sea was absolutely gorgeous and the hotels occupying the obvious prime areas of the sea coast. We eventually reached home safe and sound and after a light dinner and chat, we all retired to bed fully contented.

    Activities this upcoming week.

This upcoming week, due to my being in Jamaica for the early part of the week, as well of the official carnival festivities, things are a bit quiet here with me until Friday where I take a private group on a hike to Paria Bay and Waterfalls. On Saturday, I will be embarking on a hike to Balandra Basins which is little known but a natural beauty. On Sunday, I have another private group to take on a historical tour Down “D” Islands onboard the Island Prince Vessel.

IMPORTANT NOTE.

NTITT’s advertisement will be aired live on 100.1FM and on CNMG television on a daily basis for the next month starting from Ash Wednesday. Regarding the times the advertisement will be aired on both on radio and television will be bought to your attention as time goes along. It is high time that NTITT reach across to the public in order to really make an effort in educating them of our historical and other important and vital information about their land that is so badly needed to be known but is not known whatsoever. Stay tuned for this. The advertisement will also be placed onto NTITT’s website so that as soon as you log on, you will be introduced to the advertisement which I must admit is really an advertisement of sheer quality.

GENTLE REMINDER.

Once again trekkers/hikers/clients, do not forget:

NTITT’s tour/hike to Cedros and Icacos on Saturday 03^rd March 2012.

NTITT’s overnighter up El Tucuche on Saturday 10^th March 2012.

NTITT’s all-inclusive beach lime at secluded “Sena Bay” on Good Friday (06^th April 2012).

NTITT’s semi-inclusive historical boat tour Down D Islands on Easter Sunday (08^th April 2012).

More details will be given to you as time goes along, but otherwise, log onto www.naturetrektnt.com and click on the “Events” section. When the calendar opens up, click on the top right hand corner until the desired month comes up, click on the desired activity for detailed information.

Until such time folks, it’s “Cheerio” for now.

Emile Serrette (NTITT)