Around the World Adventures!: Monday 26th May 2014

We woke up and had a snake, fruit (watermelon and an apple). We also went to a traditional Trinbagian joint. I had Bhaji, Corned beef, and roast bake! It was good but yet again the meal was too big for me. I had Orange juice which was sooo sweet! Nikki informed me that this was b/c of colonization. People would get the less rich remains of juices or Cocoa and as a result would add tons of sugar to make it sweet. Saying the orange juice is sweet is an understatement. But, overall, breakfast at Rosie's Homestyle was yummy! We got snacks for our road trip. We went to Fort Bennett and to a tombstone with an interesting riddle on it. It is the unknown tombstone. We then proceeded to Castara. We asked an older gentleman to help us and he got into the back seat for a ride, but he took us to the junction. However, we still managed to get lost and go in circles. We finally stopped at a shop with a doctor of sorts who led is towards the right direction. But, Nikki and I started singing this song

Attempting to go to Castara
We didn't know which way
One says this way, another says that way, we don't have all day!
All we want is to get to Castara,
Getting lost
Tobago Hosts,
why do you want us far away,
when we want to be at Castara bay!

The view was astounding! I did some martial art techniques at the beach we just walked on. Then we went to the rainforest, and did the Gilpin Train (part of it) 1.5 hours. Our guide Junior was awesome and insured that I didn't re-injure my knee. We went up to Golden Waterfalls. I saw crabs, lizards, birds, big old trees and their roots! There was one blue bird that kept coming my way but every time I tried to take a picture or get close to take one, it flew away. If i zoomed in, it didn't come out clear.... It was already around 1 by the time the rainforest tour began and I was of course hungry. So I had my fruit bar. It was interesting because Nikki and I were wondering how to get into the falls and find a guide and I saw this sign and we pulled over and called Junior. The sign was in front of his house! How innovative. So he just came out and said the trail was 3 hours but since we were all on a time constraint, we did 1.5 hours. Over the phone Nikki got the price quoted at 100 TT each. We followed him to the entrance in our respective cars. Now there are cars on the side of the road, tied to different spots :) When we got out I started talking with the guy who then proceeded to state, you have an accent and stated that the tourist rate is 165 TT. Nikki stated "but I'm Trinidadian" and well he stated that since he has already quoted us a price he will stay with that one. He did an exceptional job and had a passion for what he does and has awesome people skills. I would recommend him any day. We gave him a tip too! He was just great. I also saw the home of a trap door spider!!!!! They create a home that is camouflaged in their surroundings and when you open it a spider, if in there, pops out. The spider secrets a glue like thing that comes out of the house to capture bugs and then just takes it home.
We also saw a parrots apple which begins as if its an onion but blooms into food for raccoons! This rainforest is the oldest preserved rainforest in the world since 1776.

So we finished at 3 and we were both famished. We finished the grapes, nuts, the last fruit bar, and the last of the bread that Nikki's mom made. We ate chicken and rice again for lunch/dinner. We gave another person a ride! After leaving the rainforest, we came upon a grandma with her two children so we gave them a ride.

After dinner, we went to Grange Bay. We got to the changing room as they were to close, but the ladies were kind enough to let us use the facilities. We got to Grange Bay around sunset and went in at dusk. The water was so cold. Nikki went in and told me to come. Due to the uneven sand, I was nervous, but overcame my fear and enjoyed the cool waters. We came upon a couple who we called "the humans." They were kind folks, who also gave us some idea of where some good spots are. Pirates Bay being one of them! (that is for tomorrow). When they left, we left, for safety.

We filled our water bottles with water so we could clean our feet. Of we went back to the hotel to clean up and then we met up with Wei- 9/10 years ago is when we last met up! Wow! It was great to catch up. Then we got home :) Crashed! It was a long day. And tomorrow is another long day!

The biggest thing was when people couldn't provide transportation, it was primarily b/c they were from Trinidad! Very interesting.