Trinidad and Tobago a Paradise of Wonders.

Ever daydreaming of Caribbean Islands with crystal blue waters, white empty beaches, mojitos on the beach while lying in a hammock and just enjoy the relaxed, chilled lifestyle of the Caribbean while humming along on old Bob Marley tunes? Doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Trinidad and Tobago is a beautiful little country located in the Caribbean Sea just waiting for you.

Arriving at the airport in Port of Spain, the Capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, tourists are easy to spot. One cannot see many tourists here, in general. The oil and gas industry leaves tourism low down on the priority list. Upscale resorts and hotels are out there, and more so on the island of Tobago, but generally spotting tourists is as easy as finding Nemo in the seven oceans. Like many of the Caribbean Islands Trinidad and Tobago has a history of slavery and colonization. The name of the Capital, being Port of Spain, gives away much of the history. This was one of the places Christopher Columbus visited on his search for India.

First trouble, gastronomy of a whole new world
Have you ever tried to eat half a crab with only your fingers and tongue and the only garnish served with it on a paper plate is a raw green food-banana? I had absolutely no idea on how to attack the meal I’d just been served sitting on a half-empty bounty island with crystal clear water and no cutlery in 5 km of waters distance. I tried to stick my tongue in between the shell and tried to suck it out. It didn’t work and I looked around like a desperate western 1st world country girl who has never eaten a meal without proper cutlery. My fellow diners were just taking bites of the half crab, shell and all and spitting pieces of the shell out into the sand as they sorted it out in their mouths, I assume. I tried this, without success…. and that was how the most efficient diet of my life started.

Famous foods in Trini
One of the things unavoidable in Trinidad and Tobago is roti. You can not walk into any shop and not get a roti. They come in many forms and with various different kinds of meat in them but try them you must. Another everywhere eat is Doubles. It is an often deep-fried sandwich with curry channa. For special ‘once in a lifetime’- dishes try Cow Heel Soup. Maybe you are lucky enough, like me, to be invited to someone's house for this specialty. It is a traditional dish, that every mamma knows how to cook in just her special way. The cow-heel can be bought in the supermarket and the soup is cooked centered around this part, with different garnish put into it.

Trinidad, beautifully untouched
There are many reasons to visit this Caribbean Island. One good reason for wanting to go to Trinidad is their Carnival. Originally Carnival was created by the West African slaves mimicking their French owners, known for their balls. Being slaves they were not allowed to participate, hence creating their own celebration combining elements from their own culture to the banquets. From the abolition of slavery, it got taken to the streets through the expression of drums and other instruments. IT IS CRAZY! Go all out on dancing. The fewer clothes you wear the better. And if you can press a coin in between the guy you are dancing with, you are a prude. Cover yourself with colors and party like there is no tomorrow.
This annual event takes place in end February or beginning of March, and it is a must try. Though almost all the Caribbean Islands celebrates Carnival, Trinidad is special because Port of Spain is filled with students, and student know how to party and have never-ending energy. The University of West Indies is the only university in the Caribbean Island, and it is located on three of the Islands, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad. UWI in Trinidad is located in St Augustine just outside of Port of Spain.

Port of Spain, a Capital like few others
Walking around Port of Spain, you quickly realize that tourism isn’t high on the agenda here. The city looks very corporate, neat and fine. One thing to mention about Port of Spain is its crazy nightlife. Clubs like Zen and 51 degrees gives a look into what Caribbean soca, reggaeton, chutney, limbo and calypso music are all about. To quote Dirty dancing, if it was dirtier They would be making babies on the dance floor.
Most of the music originated from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the other Caribbean Islands, have very sexual innuendo and the dances are very sexual.

Exploring the Island
There are not many good beaches located on the island of Trinidad since most of the coastline isn’t accessible for the common man, Most are military areas or cliffs.
One very beautiful beach is Maracas beach, located on the other side of the island. While visiting this lovely beach, why don’t you swing by for a famous T & T special: Bake and Shark or Shark ‘n Bake? As the name shows this is pieces of shark, deep fried and served with fried bread and numerous of sauces.
When it comes to food T & T are known for cooking extremely hot and spicy food, so be sure to tell the waiter that you don’t like hot flavored food. No matter how spicy you think you can handle, this will be to spicy. The kitchen of Trinidad is famous worldwide for its’ food, with a lot of specializes that can’t be found other places in the world.

Tobago the paradise of paradises
If you want the lottery-beaches and laid back lifestyle with drinks on the beach, hammock, empty beaches, and paradise Tobago is the island to visit. You can chill out one of the various beaches around the coastline, go island hopping in a glass boat, where you can get a sneak peak of the coral life that is a part of the Caribbean Sea. If you are into Scuba Diving, Tobago is also a popular diving destination. If not there are plenty of spots for snorkeling and trying to explore life under the sea.

Nature is gorgeous and the island is much more based on tourism than Trinidad, though more on the south-western part. This is where most of the idyllic beaches are located. This part has fewer waves because it is protected from the Atlantic Ocean.

Good to know:
Tobago lies outside the hurricane belt, which means that it has good weather roughly all year around.

These Islands offers a wide variety of ethnicity, religion, culture, biodiversity, as well as food and I promise, here you will never need to be bored. Do you like sipping tropical drinks in a bar on the beach, diving, enjoying the nature, the foods? Are you into luxury, budget or local, here is a place where you can find it all.