Queen's Park Savannah - More than World's Largest Traffic Roundabout



Queen's Park Savannah
(Photo taken through Sony Ericsson P1)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Now that I am based in Singapore, I tried to reminisce my two year contract in Trinidad and Tobago from October 2006 to October 2008. I miss Queen's Park Savannah and Lady Chancellor Road.  

According to wikipedia.org, Queen's Park  "Savannah"  is Port of Spain's largest open space and the world's largest traffic roundabout. It occupies about 260 acres (1.1 square kilometers) of level land, and the distance around the perimeter is about 2.2 miles (3.5 km). Once sugar land, it was bought by the town council in 1817 from the Peschier family (except for a small parcel near its centre that served as the Peschier cemetery, which remains in private hands).

Queen's Park Savannah was one of our favorite place in Port of Spain. We always spend our Saturday morning at the park and complete at least 2 rounds of jogging around the world's largest traffic roundabout.  Things to do in Queen's Park Savannah include:


Poui tree at the Queen's Park Savannah during summer 

1. Chill and Relaxa - While at the park, it was relaxing to see the trees, the lake, government offices with nice architectures, the entrance of Emperor Valley Zoo, Port of Spain General Hospital, Queen's Royal College (http://qrc.edu) and many more. 

2. Experience local food - Some vendors selling "doubles" and ice cold coconut juice are there near the area of Port of Spain General Hospital and  in front of Queen's Royal College. Doubles is a traditional Trinidadian breakfast made up of naan and peas. So after completing 2 rounds of jogging, you can have a breakfast of doubles and ice cold coconut juice.


Lake at Queen's Park Savannah
Port of Spain, Trinidad

 3. Experience the beauty of flowers - During summer, one of the evident view when you come to the park was the Poui trees at some areas of the park. Everytime I come to the park, I feel like I am in other parts of the world like Japan, US or Europe by looking at the beautiful all-pink trees.

4. Discover great architechtures around Savannah - The western edge of the Savannah, along Maraval Road, is the location of the Magnificent Seven, a group of late Victorian buildings built in an eccentric and flamboyant variety of styles.

These are Queen's Royal College; the residences of the Anglican bishop (Hayes Court) and the Roman Catholic archbishop; Whitehall, once a private residence, now the office of the prime minister; Mille Fleurs, the future home of the Law Association; Roomor, an ornate black-and-white chateau-like building that remains a private residence; and Stollmeyer's Castle, a turreted house supposedly modelled on Balmoral Castle which is now being converted into subsidiary offices for the prime minister's staff. 



City of Port of Spain
(Photo taken at the top of Lady Chancellor road) 

On the other hand, Chancellor Road is also a good place to visit. Chancellor Road, which ascends the hills overlooking the Savannah, is one of Port of Spain's most exclusive residential areas. It will take you about an hour and a half to two hours to walk from Savannah and reach the tip of the Lady Chancellor.

Our first attempt to reach the top has failed because we did not know how far more we need to complete. However, we found out on our second attempt that we were almost there but just didn't see the final destination as it was uphill. However, reaching the end of Lady Chancellor road is like fulfilling a dream, completing an obstacle, or conquering your limits. You will then see the beautiful city of Port of Spain

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Maracas Beach, the most famous beach in Trinidad

 

Mountainous range on the way to Maracas Beach


PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - On our first few days in Trinidad (since we came from the Philippines), we've learned from colleagues and friends that Maracas beach is the best beach in Trinidad. Also, we knew that Caribbean is famous for beautiful beaches and we want to start visiting Trinidad beaches. So we decided to go to Maracas beach on October 14, 2006, Saturday.



On the way to the beach from Port of Spain, we experienced an hour drive on the mountainous range. It feels relaxing to see the greens - trees, plants and grasses with various sizes along the way. We stopped at a certain place called "the look-out" and was able to see places that we passed by. It was a breathtaking scenery.

The"Look out"

The place is famous for shops selling  local Trinidadian candies and preservatives (sour prunes, red mango, salt prunes and others), and world popular candies (gummy bears and sour keys).

Its been a while since I last saw and experience mountains, farms and forests scenery as most of the time, I only see buildings and traffics in Metro Manila. I cannot stop admiring the place. Its a very nice view. After a short picture taking, proceeded.

On the other side, we were able to have a sneak peak of our ultimate goal, the Maracas beach. We realized that we still need to come across more mountains and zigzag roads to finally reach the destination. It was not a dull trip because we tend to observe the scenery on the way. In addition, my colleagues and I were joking and laughing along the way. 



Maracas Beach, Trinidad's finest

After a total of an hour drive, we reach Maracas beach. It was quiet when we came. We then realized that we were so early. Usually, locals (Trinidadians) will come from 2:00 pm but we came in at 10:00. The good thing about coming early is we get to choose the best spot in the area.

The thing I like about Maracas beach the most was that we can have everything the nature can offer, the sky, the mountains and the beach in one. Additionally, the waves are unpredictable, it can be calm, but it can also be rough. For those who like to experience whirlpool, I suggest you come to Maracas beach. One of my colleagues experienced the rough waves and she had bruises beside her one eye. We were worried when we saw bloods running down on her face. Aside from this unfortunate incident, we enjoyed the first trip to the beach.



Maracas Beach, The most beautiful beach closest to
Port of Spain, Trinidad

Wikipedia.org provides more information about Maracas beach. According to the article, Maracas Beach is protected by a deep bay unlike many of the northern beaches of Trinidad. It is one of the most well known beaches in the island of Trinidad as its considered by some to be the most beautiful beach of its size located closest to the capital city. 

One of the most famous aspects of Maracas Beach are the dozen Bake and Shark huts. Bake and Shark is a Trinidadian native dish that consists of deep-fried shark stuffed in a "Bake". "Bake" is actually kneaded flour usually made for roti that is fried in certain shapes to make the bread. Again, Bake and Shark became my most favorite Trinidian food. Richard is the famous Bake and Shark shop in Maracas. 



Bake and Shark from Richards

I think the price of one bake & shark on our first visit in October 2006 was TTD 12.00 (USD 2.00). It was very reasonable. After they give you the bake and the fried shark, its up to you what types of salad and dressing you want to put meal. Yummy! After a tiring swim at the beach, it is refreshing and filling to drink an ice cold coke together with hot bake & shark. The price of the bake and shark before I left in October 2008 was TTD 25.00 (USD 4.00).   



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Independence Square - Trinidad's business district



KFC branch in Independence Square - world's
most number of chickens sold in all KFCs

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - On October 7, 2006, we went downtown Port of Spain to look around the city. These are what we noted:

1. Independence Square is Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean's major business and financial district. The area include important establishments like: 

a. Kentucky Fried Chicken  -KFC (www.kfc.com) - It was in this branch of KFC where we had our first fastfood experience in Trinidad. The branch was undergoing a renovation during that time but we've noticed that the restaurant was very busy and quite big.  We then found out from our Human Resources manager that this branch had been awarded for selling the most number of chickens in all KFCs worldwide. I also read an article at board.elreylargo, that this KFC branch makes the most money among all the KFCs in the world. It is due solely to the annual Carnival celebrations that are held in this country, alone, a record number of sales had been produced from this branch of the KFC establishment. RBTT's major branch was just opposite KFC.

b. Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago - RBTT (www.rbtt.com). While the establishment is not the head office of the bank, we  can say that it is one of the biggest branch they have in the country. RBTT was where I had the savings and checking accounts.  

c. Nicholas Tower - wikipedia.org describes as the second tallest building in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as in the English-speaking Caribbean. Secondly only to the 26 story building situated in the International Waterfront project. It has an elliptical floor plate and stands 21 floors tall and 88 Meters high. Construction was completed in 2003 and each floor, 8,000 square feet (700 m²) of space, was rented out at a cost of $96,000 a month (as of 2005). It is a blue glass tower.  

d. Twin Towers of the Eric Williams Financial Complex - the home of the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance are some important establishments in the area.

Independence Square

e. Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre - Wikipedia.org describes it is a construction project aimed at revitalizing and transforming the waterfront of the capital-city Port of Spain located in Trinidad and Tobago. The project is a part of the overall Vision 2020, a government policy attempting to take Trinidad and Tobago to developed country status by 2020.

 

In the middle of the square is a park for chilling and relaxation, a place for watching people and events.



Things have changed quickly. I tried to search the internet on how Independent Square have transformed and noted significant improvements. I can truly say that Port of Spain is the financial capital of Trinidad and one of the important business district in the Caribbean. This made me miss the city that I once live for 2 years.

Photo taken from wikipedia.org

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I traveled half the world, from Manila, Philippines to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago



Our Apartment for 2 years
Andalusia, Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - From Manila, Philippines, I together with 3 colleagues, traveled half the world to go to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on October 2, 2006. We were hired to work for one of the Big 4 services firms (audit) in Port of Spain, Trinidad for 2 years.

The total travel time from Manila to Port of Spain was 40 hours. Our first stop was in Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific. We stayed in Hong Kong for few hours before heading to London via British Airways International. From London we still boarded British Airways to go to St. Lucia before going to Trinidad. But the route was switched so we landed in Port of Spain earlier than expected. 



Andalusia, and exclusive village in Maraval
Trinidad and Tobago

Before we arrived in Trinidad, we did not know much about the country except that Trinidad and Tobago is active in the beauty pageant like Miss Universe and in several instances, they were in the top 10 finalist. It was also in Trinidad and Tobago when our Miss Philippines, Miriam Quiambao, won as first runner-up in 1999.

We arrived at Piarco International Airport, Trinidad in the afternoon of October 3. The company's Human Resource associate met us at the airport and assisted us at the immigration. She then accompanied us to our temporary accommodation at Sundeck Suites in Port of Spain. 

Sundeck (www.sundecktrinidad.com) is in the heart of Port of Spain. Everything is accessible including our office, which is just 10-minute walk. We stayed in Sundeck Suites for 2 weeks before moving to our apartment in Andalusia, Maraval.



Andalusia, Maraval, Trinidad

Andalusia is an exclusive village in Maraval. It is 10-15 minute drive to the office without traffic, but with traffic, it can go up to 1 hour.

There is a security guard at the entrance of the village which makes it more secured as the crime rate in Trinidad during that time was quite high. Andalusia was our home for 2 years from 2006 - 2008. The apartment has

I am excited to blog about Trinidad and Tobago and our experiences because there are a lot of things to explore in this twin-island country. Although, the climate and trees are similar with the Philippines, but it was totally a new country to discover, different culture, tradition, working environment and attitudes of people to deal with. We are glad we survived and learned from this experience.  Follow me in exploring Trinidad and Tobago in terms of: 

1. Festivals - annual Carnival parade, Jover't and more

2. Food - local and traditional foods like doubles, bake and shark and more

3. Malls - Trincity, the biggest mall in the Caribbean, The Falls at Westmall, Movietowne and more

4. Restaurants

5. Beaches - Maracas beach, my favorite and the best beach in Trinidad, Mayaro beach and more

6. The Chinese Association of Trinidad and Tobago - where we play badminton and table tennis

7. Queen's Park Savannah and the Lady Chancellor walk

8. Hi-Lo - our favorite grocery store

9. Public Holidays - almost every month, there are holidays catered for political and religious organizations

10. Bars and entertainment centers - 51 degrees and Zen

11. Coffee shops - Rituals cafe Trinidad's Starbucks

12. Independence Square - Trinidad's business district

13. And a lot more.

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