The channel between South
America and Trinidad is broken by a series of breathtakingly beautiful islands
dear to Trinidadians as sites for holiday homes. This tour offers a glimpse into
both colonial history and the way of life of the well off Trinidadians. These
islands in colonial days supported a flourishing whaling industry, coconut plantations
and small communities of fishermen The remnants of permanent settlements are now
one of Trinidad's last remaining group of French patois speakers.
We set out for 'the islands'
from the Chagaramas National Park where marinas are crowded with yachts from all
over the world. We travel by boat through the gulf of Paria where an optional visit to Gaspar Grande Island
to visit limestone caverns is possible, then pass through ' coves and bays of Scotland Bay,
The Bocas, and Monos Island, named for the bands of Howler monkeys it once had, to the island
of Chacachacare a few miles from South America.
This island had been an
outpost of the Venezuelan war of Independence but today only the ruins of colonial
architecture and an abandoned convent remain on the island. All is now desolate
except for the reputed nightly visitations by the ghost of a nun. We stop on the
black volcanic sands of La Tinta Bay to picnic, swim or hike before returning
to the mainland.
Participation: |
Minimum of 4 persons |
Price per person: |
USD 150 includes lunch not including Gasparee Caves Entrance Fee
|
Duration: |
7 hours |
Level: |
Very easy |
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