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Hosanna Hotel
What's there to See in Trinidad
Asa Wright Nature Centre
North of Arima, 360 metres up in the Northern Range and about 90
minutes' drive from Port of Spain, the Centre caters for both
professional and amateur naturalists and for visitors interested in
birds and wildlife. There are eight trails, including one to the home
of the world's most accessible colony of nocturnal oilbirds. There is
simple, comfortable accommodation; meals should be booked 48 hours
before visit. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with guided tours at 10:30 A.M.
and 1:30 P.M.; bookings should be made in advance (667-4655).
Botanic Gardens
Facing the Queen's Park Savannah on the northern side, the gardens
were laid out by Governor Woodford in 1820, with specimens from all
over the globe. The official homes of the President and Prime Minister
adjoin the Gardens.
Caroni Bird Sanctuary
The home of the Scarlet Ibis is a large area on the north-west coast
of Trinidad, part lagoon part swamp, a place of striking stillness and
beauty. The birds return at sunset; boat tours start in the late
afternoon. The Sanctuary is about 30 minutes' drive from Port of
Spain. Contact Winston Nanan (645-1305).
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Finished in 1832 and built of stone from nearby Laventille, this Roman
Catholic cathedral stood beside the sea when it was first opened;
reclamation has left it well inland, on the eastern end of
Independence Square.
Chaguaramas
The north-west peninsula of Trinidad was occupied by American military
forces during the Second World War; several of the old buildings
remain. There are grand development plans for the area, which now
offers several small beaches, yachting facilities, a Convention Centre
and a public golf course. The far end is occupied by the Defence
Force.
Emperor Valley Zoo
On the northern side of the Queen's Park Savannah, the Zoo has an
extensive collection of Trinidad and Tobago wildlife. lt is next to
the Botanical Gardens and the President's House. Open daily 9.30
a.m. to 6 p.m. (last tickets 5.30 p.m.). Admission fee charged. Tel. 622-3530.
Fort George
Overlooking Port of Spain and its approaches,
this fort dates from the earliest British days;
some buildings and armaments remain, but it
is mainly the view that attracts visitors now,
and the cool mountain air. Closes 6 p.m. No
admission charge.
Gasparee Caves
On the offshore island of Gaspar Grande, a short distance from
Chaguaramas, the northwest peninsula. There are picnic facilities and
the remains of colonial fortifications. Boats are available. Tour guide and
entrance fee payable. Open 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. weekdays,
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends. Tel. 625-1503 or 634 4364.
Knolly's Tunnel
The Caribbean's longest railway tunnel, reopened in 1991, is near
Tabaquite. You can drive through its quarter-mile length in a horse
and buggy, and stay in new thatched cottages nearby. The tunnel was
part of Trinidad's railway system from 1898 to 1965.
La Vega Garden Centre
Established in 1988, La Vega now has a huge collection of tropical
fruits and plants. It's also a good place to go to relax or picnic
among the bamboo groves. The estate is at Gran Couva in central
Trinidad, about 45 minutes from Port of Spain. There is no admission
charge to the sales area, but tours of the estate should be booked in
advance (tel .653-6120).
Lopinot Complex
Five miles off the Eastern Main Road up the Lopinot valley is the
restored estate house of a French Count, Charles Joseph de Lopinot,
who arrived in Trinidad in 1800 and planted cocoa on this magnificent
site. His ghost is said to reappear on dark stormy nights. His house
has been turned into a small museum. Lopinot is one of the main
centres of parang, the traditional music of Christmas.
Magnifcent Seven
Seven lavish colonial mansions ranged along the western edge of the
Queen's Park Savannah, including a school, two episcopal homff and an
amazing Scottish Gothic baronial castle.
Maracas Bay
Trinidad's most popular beach, 35 minutes from Port of Spain. Further
along the north coast are more beaches, less used though often less
sheltered, until the road peters out at Blanchisseuse (you can return
over the Northern Range to Arima). Snacks and drinks are available at
Maracas.
Maracas Waterfall
In the Northern Range, north of St Joseph, this 91-metre fall is the
country's highest, and a popular spot for picnickers, campers, swimmers and bird-watchers. It is an easy 2.4 km. hike from the road.
Mayaro/Manzanilla
Ten miles of beautiful, windy, palm-fringed beach along the east coast
of Trinidad. There are visitor facilities at Manzanilla. The drive
from Port of Spain takes about two hours.
Military History and Aviation Museum
The Caribbean's only military history museum is near the helicopter
hangar in Chaguaramas, about 20 minutes from Port of Spain. Its displays
cover centuries of military, naval and aviation activity. Open daily
9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tel. 634-4391
Mount St Benedict
The largest Benedictine monastery in the Caribbean, founded in 1912, 25
minutes from Port of Spain on the flank of the Northern range, lies 800
feet above St. Augustine with spectacular views of the central plains,
beautiful gardens and nature trails. There is a small guesthouse,
established in 1932 with simple but comfortable accommodation, which
caters for retreaters, eco-tourists and biologists (to whom it offers
basic lab facilities with equipment). The teashop serves traditional
"Pax Tea" every day from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Access is via
St. John's Road, off the Eastern Main Road. Tel. 662-4084.
National Museum and Art Gallery
On the south-east corner of the Savannah, the Museum has a national
art collection including paintings by Trinidad's great 19th century
painter Cazabon. There are also regular exhibitions and a permanent
display on the nation's history. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to
6p.m., no admission charge. Attendants on hand for information.
Pitch Lake
A dark mass of imperceptibly moving asphalt near the southern town of
La Brea: it doesn't look like much at first glance, but it is an
extraordinary place. Crude oil or bitumen seeps through a fault line
in the sandstone 250 feet below ground, providing an endlessly
replenishing pool of bitumen for roads and mastic asphalt roofs. You
can walk on the surface, but a car would sink to its axles in a few
minutes; sticks soon disappear. Objects vanish and reappear years
afterwards as the pitch slowly swirls. There is a small museum.
Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust
A research and conservation centre on 26 hectares of the Petrotrin oil
refinery, with trails and a learning centre, dedicated to protecting
endangered waterfowl and birds and reintroducing them into the natural
environment. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bookings must be made in
advance (662-4040 before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. or 637-5145).
Red House
Between Abercromby and St. Vincent Streets in downtown Port of Spain,
this lavish building is the seat of parliament. The original (1844-48)
was burned down in 1903; the present building dates from 1907. It
overlooks Woodford Square, scene of some of the country's greatest
political rallies and a place where everyone has the right to hold
forth.
River Estate Water Wheel
A monument to the old sugar days, when the
sugar estates ran the country and massive
water wheels supplied energy. This wheel, at
the end of the Diego Martin valley outside Port
of Spain, is part of a restored estate house and
museum, with picnic facilities.
Toco
The north-east tip of Trinidad. A two-hour drive from Port of Spain
brings you to the windy Atlantic coast, a series of beaches, and the
village of Toco. There is a disused light house on the point, where
Atlantic and Caribbean meet. A good day trip.
Trinity Cathedral
The Anglican Cathedral, on the south side of Woodford Square, was
finished in 1818 and consecrated in 1823. Its fine roof, supported by
mahogany beams, was copied from Westminster Hall in London.
Hosanna Hotel
Santa Margarita Circular
St. Augustine, Trinidad, W.I.
Phone: (868) 662-5449
Fax: (868) 662-5451
E-mail: Click Here To Contact Us
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