(Trinidad Guardian) In what is likely to be taken as a significant plus for Trinidad’s tourism, the island has been described as the next possible “it” island in the Caribbean by the New York Times. In an article published today, but available on the New York Times Web site on Thursday, the newspaper attributed glamour and star attraction to Trinidad as a result of recent restaurant and hotel openings, trendy Trini ambassadors such as rappers Nicki Minaj and Theophilus London and the Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung-Chee, along with Trinidad Carnival described as “the region’s biggest and, lately, most star-studded (last year, the actors Idris Elba and Malik Yoba showed up).” According to the article, by Baz Dreisinger as part of the Times’ 36 hours travel series, Trinidad “is not piña colada territory” but that was part of its allure “which means that in lieu of sunbathing hordes and “Yah, Mon” T-shirts, you’ll find miles of unspoiled beaches and waterfalls visited by locals; a Creole culture with roots in Africa, India, Europe and China; and a bustling capital city offering some of the Caribbean’s most electrifying night life.”
While most locals would not dream of walking around the capital city, the US newspaper stated: “Caribbean islands aren’t usually celebrated for their capital cities, but Port-of-Spain is a gem worth exploring on foot. Here you can shop for locally mixed reggae and soca CDs in busy Independence Square, gaze at the ornate Victorian-style houses known as the Magnificent Seven alongside the Queen’s Park Savannah—Trinidad’s version of Central Park, with coconut water vendors in lieu of hot-dog carts —and stroll around the posh-yet-funky Woodbrook neighbourhood.” The article also mentions Alice Yard, described as a historic house turned gallery and creative hub, recommends that visitors shop for “avant-garde Carnival costumes,” at Satchel’s House, the “charming new boutique owned by the local designer Meiling” and suggests that tourists do some “liming” (hanging out, usually with alcohol) on Ariapita Avenue. Named in the section on liming are the indoor-outdoor bar Stumblin, the More Sushi restaurant and the Drink! Wine Bar, which is described as a lounge and outdoor hangout catering to a budding clientele of “Tripsters”— Trinidadian hipsters (same skinny jeans, different accent).
As many travel journalists have done in the past, the New York Times writer suggests ignoring the bathing possibilities at Maracas Bay “and head straight to the humble food stalls and taste what folks flock for: bake-and-shark — a hunk of fried, breaded shark tucked inside a doughnut-like bun, dripping with mouth-watering condiments.” But the piece also suggests a visit to Blanchisseuse, Marianne Bay and from there a 30-minute hike along the Marianne River “through lush greenery and dramatic bamboo forests, and cool down in beautiful Avocat Falls.” Also featured in the article are 51 Degrees nightclub with its VVIP and, yes, VVVIP sections, NAPA and a trip to the “town” of Curepe “in central Trinidad” for doubles, which all locals are reported to take “seriously.”
The journalist also paid a visit to Chaguanas, of which he wrote: “Once you’re in central Trinidad, you might start wondering what country you’re in: the region is the historic hub of Trinidad’s East Indian community, which has roots in the 19th century, when indentured servants were brought to the island from Asia. In Chaguanas, about 11 miles south of Port-of-Spain, shop for spices and silk flowers in cluttered shops and markets, then pay homage to the Nobel laureate VS Naipaul at the trapezoid-shaped Lion House, immortalised in his 1961 novel, A House for Mr Biswas. Pose alongside a flamboyant 85-foot statue of the Hindu god Hanuman, rising above the humble village of Carapichaima like a surreal piece of Las Vegas in Trinidad.”
