Salybia Nature Resort & Spa Trinidad

I decided to take advantage of my paid vacation and spend two weeks in Trinidad and Tobago. My good friend Kevin Fortune, who I met in college, is from Trinidad and was a phenomenal tour guide. I stayed away from computers, cell phones and any reading materials related to the economy and/or the environment.

... not only which ones I liked the most, but why I liked them. I showed him a rectangular, clear glass bead that caught my eye, and explained its appeal. So on the morning of our departure, Michael was in the glass studio and told me he was going to make a necklace for me before I left. He did..a cool vertical piece of clear glass capped with an amber bead, and in no way resembling macaroni.

Now let me tell you about our last night on the beach. Christopher Mitchell picked us ...

... all of our teammates had disappeared. We assumed that Rodger and the guide had simply looped out of our sight to the far side of the island...but where were the others? I looked back and far off in the distance, between the rise and fall of the swells and the glints of sun bouncing off the water, I made out the shapes of two kayaks. But I didn't see any people. And the kayaks looked strange. I squinted and squinted and realized that was I was looking at was ...

... that the guests at Suzan's have money, and cameras, and computers locked up neat and tidy in their rooms. Baptiste stays behind to keep the intruders at bay.

This afternoon, our one day off of the project, I was enjoying a nice afternoon lounge on the second floor terrace of Suzan's. The terrace overlooked Suzan's overgrown garden and, beyond, forest and jungle. This is where Trinidad's beauty is best on display...in the wildness of the flowers and birds and trees, in ...

This was our first time to participate in a Carnival Parade in Port of Spain Trinidad. Trinidad has one of the largest Carnival celebrations after Mardi Gras. We joined the group called Pulse 8 and danced through the streets of Port of Spain for two days. Our group had about 1000 people. When you join a group - you pay a lot of money and get a costume, all you can drink for two days, food, trucks with large ...

... to sup with us. it was sooo good! the broth was coconut milk and had all local veggies in it. we ate, talked and they smoked weed. it was perfect. the next day was the snorkle tour. we hopped on the boat and sped with dolphins thru the waves and around the island. we must have found a mess of them as they were surrounding our boat, everywhere we turned there were more. when we got to the snork spot it was a bit choppy and ...

Wow, where do I begin? After 48 hours of staying awake on planes, and one night in our UWI dorm, Milner Hall, our 20-person programs split off into homestays all over the island of Trinidad for two nights. Then we spent a relaxing time in Tobago for a week, Trinidad's sister island to the north. We returned to St. Augustine, Trinidad this past Sunday to register for 2 UWI classes. They paired Rae-Ann (from Arima, Trinidad) and me for our homestay with Annette, a ...

... in Trinidad and Tobago, if you don't know, wikipedia it. It's like nothing else on earth. I haven't seen this many people on a three day benders since the last time I got 72hrs shore leave in South Louisiana. Carnival starts on the Sunday before ash Wednesday. the children have their parade usually on sunday, then the party really gets kickin with the adults. On Monday at three in the AM, J'ouvert begins and the streets fill with partiers and revellers. The party heats up until ...

... but the other one). Over the next three days we have been entertained with Norman's stories, this guy is 60 and has done a LOT of things, some of his highlights are: Had "a short career as a criminal" So spent three an half years in jail. As a result of manufacturing 60 million pounds worth of Amphetamine from 1979 to 1982. Been shot! Owns 180 million quids worth of land in Antigua??? hmmmm?? Has a law degree. As nights draw in Norman entertains ...

... on the day. He said, "You could've gone with us. I don't know why (the witch) told you not to wake me up." He raised his backhand as if to slap the land-lady were she around. I realized I did have a friend here. David. He has a youthful smile, greets everyone with a friendly "Hey, Mister!", and likes to party. A great guy. Did I mention he's Venezuelan? Ahh, David. A Venezuelan ray of sunshine in these Trinidadian pollution-clouds ... And that's the weekend. Later, All - Modern Oddyseus