f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013

Sights
Cannons at Fort George
Peter Sheppard
Port of Spain
The Story of the City of Port of Spain is
a permanent exhibit focusing on the history
of the capital. It is located at Fort San
Andres on South Quay, opposite City Gate.
For a relaxing Friday evening with the
locals, take a stroll along the Brian Lara
Promenade where you can enjoy an icecold
beer from the many bars that line the
streets.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception towers over the city with its
19th-century stained glass windows. Trinity
Cathedral, at the top of Chacon Street, with
its statue of Governor Woodford, is also
worth a visit. A sacred labyrinth (ancient
walking meditation tool) on the grounds of
the Cathedral is a spiritual oasis in the midst
of the bustling city. The Cathedral is one
of many buildings surrounding Woodford
Square, which include City Hall, Hall of
Justice, Greyfriars Presbyterian Church,
the Red House, seat of Trinidad and
Tobago’s Parliament the, Old Fire Station
and the National Library on Abercromby
Street.
Northern Sights
Paramin Village, especially during the
Christmas season, is famous for its Parang
Festivals and delightful cuisine, as well as
breathtaking views.
The Angostura Museum, located
in Laventille at the House of Angostura,
features a display of corporate and national
history. For information and to arrange a
tour guide, call 623-1841/5 or visit www.
angostura.com
The charming village of Lopinot has
a museum, a river, picnic tables, a cosy
restaurant and playing field and is rumoured
to be haunted by the Count de Lopinot.
Mount St. Benedict Monastery sits atop
a hill overlooking south and central Trinidad.
It offers spectacular views, nature tours and
exhibitions. Accommodation is available
at Pax Guest House, renowned for its
afternoon teas and simple but sumptuous
dinners. Dine either indoors or, if it’s not
raining, out on the balcony, which overlooks
mountains and treetops under the stars.
Cleaver Woods, situated on the Arima
Old Road, is famous for the Amerindian
Museum housing the works and crafts of our
first settlers and indigenous people. Arima
is well-known for the last remaining Santa
Rosa Caribs who hold annual festivities
there.
The Asa Wright Nature Centre was
established in 1967 in order to protect
and preserve part of the Arima Valley. It
is globally renowned with ornithologists
and birdwatchers (see page 72). For details
call: (868) 667-4655. E-mail: asaright@
tstt.net.tt or visit their Web site at
www.asawright.org
The Eric Williams Memorial Collection
Housed in the library of the University of
the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, the
Collection (the library and archives of the
late Dr. Eric Eustace Williams, pioneering
Caribbean historian and educator) was
inaugurated on March 22, 1998 by Prime
Minister, the Honourable Basdeo Panday
and U.S. Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell.
Dr. Williams was the first Prime Minister of
Trinidad and Tobago and led the country to
Independence from Britain and to becoming
a Republic. As much a philosopher as he
was a politician, the Museum is organized
around the themes: Family, Scholarship,
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The Ins & Outs of Trinidad and Tobago