Places of Interest

In Trinidad & Tobago

By Chaitanya Dasa

Standard 2:R
 Table of Contents

Section One: Places of Interest

 1. Asa Wright Nature Centre

2. Maracas Waterfall

3. Caroni Bird Sanctuary

4. Pitch Lake

5. Emperor Valley Zoo

6. San Fernando Hill

7. Buccoo Reef

8. Fort King George

9. Gasparee Caves

10. Maracas Bay

Section Two
11. A letter to a Friend

12. Map of Trinidad and Tobago

Section One: Places of Interest

 1. Asa Wright Nature Centre

Located at 1,200 feet in the mountains of the Northern Range, seven

miles north of the town of Arima, the Asa Wright Nature Centre is a
world-class natural eco-tourism destination that is of particular interest
to birdwatchers. The beautiful 270-acre nature centre is surrounded by
impressive rainforest.

The centre has several cottages that are available for rent and one can
choose to spend a night, a weekend or even longer. There are many
trails throughout the property and very knowledgeable guides can
identify each type of bird by sight or sound. The highlight of any visit to
Asa Wright is simply sitting on the veranda of the main building and
watching or photographing the wide variety of birds that come to the
bird feeders. There are about 159 different types of birds that can be
seen at the centre. The centre is internationally famous for its easy
access to tropical wildlife especially the large number of hummingbirds.
 2. The Maracas Waterfall

The Maracas Waterfall is situated in the upper part of Maracas Valley of

the Northern Range. It is 91.5 m high, making it the highest waterfall in
Trinidad and Tobago. The refreshing and tranquil atmosphere that
surrounds this waterfall makes it ideal for picnickers, campers,
swimmers, bird- watchers and all-round nature lovers. An easy 2.4 km
hike from the road can take you to this beautiful sight.

The waterfall is actually made up of three levels, the lowest level being
the most well known. The second level consists of a deep pool which
supplies the water for the last 298ft drop. The volume of water is quite
low and the descending water can take on a misty appearance. The trail
to the lower level is easy to traverse. The trek to the upper level
requires a guide, however, and the trail is a difficult 3-hour hike uphill.
The water flow down the Maracas Waterfall is more spectacular during
the rainy season but even in the dry season it is a wonderful sight.
 3. Caroni Bird Sanctuary

The Caroni Bird Sanctuary is one of the popular tourist attractions in

Trinidad. It is situated in the northwest of Trinidad in the mangrove lined
waterways and lakes of the Caroni Swamp between the Uriah Butler
highway and the sea.

Caroni Bird Sanctuary in Port of Spain is the nesting location for the
beautiful Scarlet Ibis, one of the National Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Scarlet Ibis is protected by law and the large wetland area of the
Caroni Bird Sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary to provide
refuge for the Scarlet Ibis and other birds in 1953.

Tourists visiting the sanctuary can also go for boat tours through the
swamps, in the afternoon. It enables them to catch a spectacular view
of the Scarlet Ibis flocks as they make their way home at the end of the
day.
 4. Pitch Lake

The Pitch Lake is a natural phenomenon, situated in the village of La

Brea in southwest Trinidad. It has fascinated explorers, scientists and
locals since its discovery by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595. It is about 250
feet deep at its center and is estimated to have over 6 million tons of
pitch from which about 180 to 240 tons of pitch is mined daily. The
“lake” is not just water but is 40 percent pitch, 30 percent water and 30
percent clay. The lake is refilled from the centre which is called "The
Mother of the Lake."

The Pitch Lake is a gift of nature and a national treasure. It provides the
entire country, many of the neighboring islands and even other
countries with pitch for building roads. From a distance the lake appears
to be an abandoned car park and visitors can be seen walking on the
surface or even swimming, with the hopes of gaining what some believe
to be the lake's healing properties.
 5. Emperor Valley Zoo

The Emperor Valley Zoo is the only zoo in Trinidad and Tobago. It is
located next to the Botanical Gardens in the capital, Port of Spain and
covers about 7.2 acres of land. The zoo is named after the Emperor
Butterfly that used to frequent this natural valley. The Emperor Valley
Zoo was established in 1952 to show the residents of Trinidad and
Tobago the native fauna and flora while providing education to
encourage respect for nature.

The majority of the zoo`s present collection consists of local animal

species such as monkeys, racoons, oceleots, porquepine, red brocket
deer and the savanna hawk. The zoo also has among the most
impressive collection of bird species compared to other zoos in the
world. An extensive collection of colourful parrots, song birds, wild
ducks and forest and swamp birds are on exhibit.

Vistors to the zoo, however, are often captivated by the animal species
from different continents that are on display. There are several big cats
such as African lions, tigers, jaguars and small cats like the tyra. There
are also mandrills, brown spider monkeys, English red deer, a tapir and
the giant otter.
 6. San Fernando Hill

San Fernando Hill (officially known as Naparima Hill) is a 180 metre hill
which lies in the middle of the city of San Fernando in Trinidad and
Tobago. The hill which is mainly composed of limestone is the highest
point in the Naparima Plains. The hill was originally nearly dome-
shaped with a flattened top but the size was reduced by more than a
third as a result of unrestricted quarrying in the 1970s.

The quarrying almost completely destroyed the Hill but protests by

citizens led the government to stop to it and the Hill was included in the
National Parks and Protected Areas plan of 1980. The Forestry Division
took over management of the Hill and constructed a nice visitor centre
and recreation area on the Hill. There one can look out and get a birds-
eye view of South and Central Trinidad, the Gulf of Paria, and on a clear
day, even the coast of nearby Venezuela.

'The Hill' as it is locally called, holds a special place in the hearts of the
residents of San Fernando and it gives the town its character. During
the Christmas and Divali seasons, a large electrically lit star and deeya
are placed at the top of the hill. Also many social events are held there
such as weddings, corporate events, family days, birthday parties and
parang performances.
 7. Buccoo Reef

The Buccoo Reef is one of the most accessible coral reefs in the
Caribbean. It is a protected marine park located a short distance off
Pigeon Point and Store Bay beaches. The reef is full of fascinating,
colourful underwater life. World famous French explorer Jacques
Cousteau visited Tobago's Buccoo Reef and rated it as the third most
spectacular reef in the world. The Buccoo reef system is approximately
7 km2 in area and consists of an arc of five reef flats that enclose a
shallow reef lagoon.

There are daily tours to the reef using glass-bottom boats that allow
visitors to view the reef from the inside. Visitors are also given snorkel
gear and allowed to swim briefly in some parts of the reef and the
nearby Nylon Pool. The Nylon Pool is a shallow white sand area just
behind the Buccoo Reef. The waters of Nylon Pool are said to have the
ability to rejuvenate anyone lucky enough to swim in it.
 8. Fort King George

Fort King George was built by the British forces in the 1770’s to help
guard the Tobago capital of Scarborough. The Fort was named in honor
of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, King George III.

Fort King George is located on the top of a hill overlooking the scenic
capital of Scarborough and it tops the list of historical places of interest
in Tobago. The Fort gives some understanding into the history of
Tobago and also rewards its visitors with beautiful views of
Scarborough and the Atlantic Ocean.

The British built Fort King George where they did since its location
provided the perfect viewpoint from where they could best protect the
capital. No visit to Scarborough would be complete without a trip up to
this most historic site in Tobago.
 9. Gasparee Caves

The Gasparee Caves are found on Gasparee Island, also known as

Gaspar Grande, which is one of a chain of five islands situated just off
the western peninsula of Trinidad. The island is the closest island to
Chagaramas Bay and is a short boat ride from there.

The caves are below ground and a long staircase provides entry to the
bottom of the caves. The largest and best known of the caves is called
the Blue Grotto, which has a crystal clear pool that is 30 feet in diameter
and reflects the light entering the cave. The entire cave system is about
90 feet deep and a 1/2 acre in size.

The caves are made of limestone and have produced limestone

formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Water dripping from the
limestone roof of the cave over the years is what gives shape to the
stalagmites and stalactites. Stalagmites are the columns, which rise
from the floor of the caves. Stalactites are those which hang from the
roof of the cave. Bats are a commonly seen flying in the Gasparee
Caves and visitors to the caves are allowed to view the safe areas only.
 10. Maracas Bay

Maracas Bay is a beach on the northern side of the island of Trinidad,

about an hour's mountainous drive from the capital city of Port of Spain.
The beautiful drive through the Northern Range Mountains provides
breath-taking scenery on the way to the beach. Unlike many of the
northern beaches of Trinidad, Maracas Beach is protected by a deep
bay. It is probably the most popular beach in Trinidad as is considered
by some to be the most beautiful beach of its size located near the
capital city.

At the beach visitors can sit along the sandy shore shaded by coconut
trees or enjoy playing in the waves under the safety of lifeguards. The
lifeguards patrol the beach and put warning flags at dangerous spots for
the safety of the bathers. There is a big parking lot, clean changing
facilities, picnic tables and snack booths at the beach. Also small
canoes called kayaks can be rented. About three quarters of the way
along the beach there is a small concrete jetty where people sometimes
fish. There is a small hotel and a few rental beach houses at Maracas
Bay where visitors can stay.
 Section Two

11. A Letter to a Friend

Maracas Bay is approximately 30 minutes from Port of Spain and is

probably the most popular beach in Trinidad. Lifeguards patrol the
beach and warning flags are posted. There are changing facilities,
picnic tables and snack booths. Sit-on-top kayaks can also be rented at
this beach. Approximately three quarters of the way along the beach
there is a small concrete jetty, on which people occasionally engage in
fun fishing.

At the western end of the beach is a fishing depot at which it is possible

to purchase fresh fish on most days. There is a small hotel and a few
rental beach houses at Maracas Bay. Within one minute of the beach is