Trip to Maracas

Maracas beach...one of the prime destinations for tourists coming to Trinidad. A beautiful beach nestled within a sheltered bay with the mountains in the background. I ventured to this beautiful spot many times with friends and family. Maracas is known for its 'Bake and shark' where you buy at the many stalls located in the car park. The water is a beautiful blue green...with some waves...and white sand....and many coconut trees to take some rest under its shady branches...

Imagine sitting under a coconut tree...watching the waves....hearing the beautiful sounds of the sea and the clear blue sky overhead...while to sink your teeth into a spicy Bake and Shark...life is good...in this tropical paradise...

THese pictures were taken when my freinds and I ventured to Maracas for a lime...in June 2012

Christmas time again...

Christmas...such a beautiful time....seems so different from other times of the year...why so....there seems magic in the air...though I am not in the most festive mood this year...its still made me smile...even though I am a tad sad....lifted my dismal mood...you cant be sad when you hear a Christmas carol...it just makes you smile...such the wonder of the season...

So Christmas time again...all the little kiddies waiting patiently for Santa....to buy them presents...such as wonderful time...to be a child...life is full of magic and wonder...happy surprises....Santa Claus...Elves...the North Pole...or when you got older...trying to catch your mum and dad in the act...everything seems so special...so magical then....everything new experience was exciting...amazing...

So here comes again...Christmas time....

Salybia Waterfall

This waterfall is located to the north eastern part of Trinidad and I did this hike many times. Its a very easy hike and takes for most, one hour for the slowest hiker. The waterfall is worth the effort with its beautiful bluegreen pool surrounded by lust forest and the fresh mountain air. You pass many streams along the way before you reach the main waterfall and take care because the rocks are a little slippery. Its best to go to this hike or any hike during the dry season because in the wet season there may be flash flooding which can leave you stranded in the forest. Not a good idea.

Copyright God is ah Trini 2012

                                            

I sit and ponder

As I sit alone and wonder...wonder about the meaning of life...wonder why we are here...on this planet...what is our purpose...what is my purpose. Life seems like a dream sometimes..intricate tapestry of emotions, experiences and dreams all wrapped up and individually packaged for each person. Why am I here on this earth? A question asked a thousand times...before...and many will ask this question in the future...I sit and ponder..

Is life an illusion...some poets say it is....is it a beautiful dream...if so when I wake up what will be real...thoughts..thoughts...sometimes do you feel like your thoughts are not yours...like we are all connected...when someone thinks a thought of a laughter...someone somewhere smiles...like fingers all controlled by the same hand...and yet believing itself to be seperate...

If it is but a beautiful dream...then why is there sadness and pain...why is there suffering...why is there strife...but there also is love...happiness...harmony and peace....such a beautiful dream...how would you know peace..without knowing war..how would you know happy...without being sad...this eternal drama...love and peace...strife and sadness....playing out until one will triumph over the other...until only light...and love...exists...

Copyright God is ah Trini 2012

Mount St Benedict

Nestled in the Northern Range, away from the hustle and bustle of the valley below is this beautiful church. I visited this church many times due to it peaceful atmosphere, beautiful view from the Mount, as well as to eat the famous PAX yogurt that the monks make. There is also a gift shop where you can buy candles, holy water, and rosary beads. The atmosphere in the church is one of silent pray and there is a statue of the Mother Mary and St. Benedict. I sit and soak in the silence and soothing vibrations of this place that seems to calm the soul and brings one peace. Some years ago I did stay at the retreat centre which is a good place for contemplation and silence. Lower down the road at the guest house you can have tea which normally starts at 4pm in the evening. There are a variety of teas to choose from as well as homemade bread and cake. A real treat.

Trip to Siparia

Shops in Siparia Main Road

Siparia is a town in the south of Trinidad, which lies on a plateau and is about forty five minutes away from the city of San Fernando. This country town is the home of the La Divina Pastora or Supari Mai, a popular Saint adored by many faiths, who visit the R.C. Church on Good Friday to offer prays and offerings to the Saint. Hindus revere the Saint as Supari Mai and believe that she is Mother Kali, an aspect of Mother Durga whose complexion is dark like the Saint. One story goes, when the church was built, an indentured labourer had a vision of the Mother Kali and she told him that she would reside in the church. Many young women also pray to her for a suitable husband.

Iere High School is the first co-ed Presbyterian School in Trinidad. The present Prime Minister of Trinidad attended this high school which is nestled adjacent to the edge of the plateau. From Siparia, you can take a drive to Quinam Beach which is a popular beach for Trinis in the south, located on the southern coast of Trinidad. Its a popular spot for a beach lime. There are many shops and eating areas along the main street, including a KFC and Subway.

La Divina Pastora/Supari Mai

Iere High School Auditorium

Main Road Siparia

GOD is ah TRINI

Toco Bay on North Easthern Coast of Trinidad

I am currently in Trinidad and Tobago. Twin islands to the far south of the Caribbean Sea. There are many interesting places here that are unque to these small islands rich not only in its diverse cultures but also the warmth and passion of the people. Life is simple and easygoing. Here is where East and West converge..and 'the Ganges meet the Nile' from a popular calypso by David Rudder a famous calypsonian.

The food is exotic and highly seasoned with fresh green chives, celery and pimentos and red hot peppers. The islands can boosts of tropical green rainforests, breathing beaches on its many coasts and mangrove swamps. In addition to this these islands have a rich spiritual heritage with an intermingling of many faiths, the Baptist, Hindus, Moslems and many Christian faiths.

Seem strange that where there has been so many wars fought all over the world, in this tiny country, all these different cultures, religious beliefs and races exist side by side. I invite you on a journey of discovery to explore these two beautiful islands...where the locals sometimes joke that 'GOD is ah TRINI'.

View from Look out on the North Coast Road leading to Maracus Bay

Virbhadra Temple

I spend Christmas in India and it was an enchanting experience. I visited this beautiful temple in January of the new year. There is a story behind this location. It is said to be the site where Daksha, an ancient indian king had a yagna or fire offering. Daksha's daughter was Sati who was married to Lord Shiva. Daksha was opposed to this marraige and disliked Lord Shiva so he did not invite his son-in-law or daughter Sati to the yagna, though he invited all the other Gods. Sati went to the yagna, though Lord Shiva told her not to go, because they were not invited and became distraught because of the dishonor of her husband who was not invited and threw herself into the yagna fire. Lord Shiva on hearing this dreadful news became angry and distraught and sent Virbhadra to distroy the yagna and Daksha whom he beheaded. Enraged and saddened by the loss of Sati, Lord Shiva carried the body all over the Universe. Lord Vishnu to pacify him sent his discus and cut Sati's body into pieces that fell all over India and became known as Shakti peetas. The Shiva Lingam in the temple is very beautiful and the vibrations of the temple are calming and condusive for meditation. There are also shrines to Mother Durga and Lord Hanuman on the temple grounds.

A tale across many seas...many generations....

Ganges in Rishikesh

This is my second time in India. My first time was in December 2005 and that time was a magical experience...it was like a homecoming of sorts...though I do consider myself a Trini....India holds a special place in my heart...the place where my ancestors left many years ago and travelled across many seas to reach the Caribbean...and set their feet on Trinidad soil. They must have been brave...and a tad adventurous...to go so far...I did ask my grandmothers the story and they both told me.

My Aggee which is my father's mother told me that her grandmother left India with her two young sons to come to the West Indies. She did not know why she left, and also was not sure what happened to my great grandfather. For a woman, alone with two small children to make that trip would have been very courageous especially in those times...when you would not have known where you were going. My  Nani also told me the love story of her grandparents who fell in love on the boat...that went India to  Guyana...where they did their indentureship and decided to go back India after they had finished. However when they did, they were disowned by their family so they came back to Trinidad where they sat on the Savannah until someone took them to the St. Madeline Sugar Plantation.

There are so many similarities between the two countries. When I first saw the Himalayas when I stayed in Rishikesh, it reminded me so much of our Northern Range in Trinidad...when I am driving on the Highway going North...I will have to post pictures so you can see. There are also temples ever so often when you are in India...and you don't have to worry about sitting crossed legged...like I might do sometimes in work when no one is looking...because in India this is normal.  

So India I travelled again...back to where my forefathers came...the smell of the earth...the air makes me nostalgic...And I imagined for some reason like it was like coming full circle...that they had left to come Trinidad...and here I was back in India...this magical place where the sand banks of the Ganges sparkle as though they came from heavan...and if you know the story of the Ganges you would know she did...