f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013

The Trinidad
experience
by Sandra Baksh
Port of Spain is a prosperous, bustling
city doused in beauty and culture but
sometimes, even party animals or
workaholics need to get away for some
relaxation and a change of scenery. A
drive along the coast of the northwest
peninsula leads to Chaguaramas, with
its busy marinas, yachting industry and
numerous water activities. It is from
here that many locals, expatriates or
tourists find their way to experience the
ultimate Trini excursion—a trip “down the
islands.”
“Down the islands” refers to any of
the offshore islands off the northwest
coast: Diego Islands, Five Islands, Gaspar
Grande and the Bocas Islands, the
latter two being the most significant for
overnight camping or longer stays in
mainly privately owned holiday homes.
Bocas Islands gets its name from the
Spanish word for “mouth” derived from
the three narrow troughs of water between
each of the islands called the First, Second
and Third Bocas. The Boca Grande is the
mass of ocean between Venezuela and
its closest point to Chacachacare. The
Bocas were collectively called Boca del
Drago (Dragon’s Mouth) by Christopher
Columbus and was (still is) notorious
for its wild currents, high winds, large
swells and treacherous rocks surrounding
the islands. Many shipwrecks have
occurred in the various Bocas over the
centuries, including the famous Doktor
Siegert, 1895, that used to carry cargo
of Angostura Bitters between Venezuela
and Trinidad and which sank after it hit
Bolo Rocks off Chacachacare’s southern
end. Many more unfortunate crashes took
place even with steamships, usually due
to human error in navigating through the
varying marine conditions of the Bocas.
The Bocas Islands comprise Monos,
Huevos and Chacachacare as the most
visited group, either for exploration, rest
and relaxation or fun and frolic. It is also
common to see many fishermen, scuba
divers, WaveRunner or Jet Ski drivers and
even kayakers enjoying the Caribbean
Sea, so it can be quite busy at times, but
there is freedom to choose where exactly
to go in the vast ocean or on shore.
Chacachacare
Gaspar Grande
Also known as Gasparee, the island is
about 330 acres (134 ha) in area and
at its highest point, it is 339 ft. (103 m).
Down the Islands
It is named after its first owner, Gaspar
de Percin in 1783, who proceeded to
cultivate cotton. There was also a whaling
station at Pt. Baleine (baleine is French
for “whale”) from 1826–1846. British and
Spanish forts on the island are worth
exploring.
The island is geologically different
from the Bocas Islands being primarily
limestone with fascinating Karst caverns.
The sheer overhangs of Gaspar Grande
are densely developed with magnificent,
brightly coloured holiday homes, most
having private jetties. Trinidadians own
most of these exquisite homes, and many
are also rented out at attractive rates, to
anyone wanting to get away with friends
Huevos
and family for a weekend or special
occasion. All you need is to have access
to a boat, which can be easily hired
at any of the marinas or boat yards in
Chaguaramas.
The Gasparee Caves, a major tourist
attraction, are under the management of
the Chaguaramas Development Authority
(CDA) and can only be accessed through
their tour guides. Tours involve a fifteenminute
boat ride from the mainland to Pt.
Baleine then a short walk to the amazing
formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Some cave features take the shape of a
Expect to see the exquisite Blue Grotto
Cave, with a saltwater pool at its base.
Other caves include: the White Cave, the
Brioge Cavern and the Precipice Cavern.
Trips must be prearranged by calling the
CDA at 634-4227 Ext. 130
Monos
Spanish for “monkey”, it is a steep-sided
island with numerous bays on the south
and east side and cliffs on the west
and north sides of the island. Private
residential and vacation homes fill
almost all of the bays and other available
spaces. Its history includes whaling
stations at Copper Hole and Tardieu Bay
and the American occupation with gun
emplacements overlooking Biscayern
Bay.
Huevos
Gulf of Paria
dinosaur head, chandelier or cauliflower.
Gasparee Caves
Photo courtesy Chaguaramas Development Authority
Monos
Spanish for “eggs” got its name from the
many marine turtles that used to come
ashore to lay their eggs many years ago.
It is a small island about 250 acres. To
some it is considered as two islets since
there is a separation known as the Boca
sin entrada (passage without entrance).
The island is steep-sided except for one
broad sandy bay on the southern side
of the island. The Boos family presently
owns it under lease.
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The Ins & Outs of Trinidad and Tobago