tomato, tom-ah-to.
Today me, the boy, and the brother went up to central Trinidad to the Caroni Swamp.
Venue: Caroni Swamp.
Mission: to see birds.
Trinidad is known for its status as a home for the Scarlet Ibis which flocks homewards to the swamps at around five o clock in the evening. You can see them one by one, as slim and straight as arrows, with long beaks and equally as long wings, or in groups which more resemble clouds of red dust than birds, it's pretty gnarly to see. The two hours of floating through the mangrove is worth the 10 USD it costs. Plus, if you're lucky, you get to taste a bit of Trinidadian culture as well. I know I've blogged once before about some Trinidadians claiming they know things even though they don't really know anything, but to tell you the truth, seven years of being away from the island means that i don't really know that much either, which would prove my initial claim right there. But having a few Trinidadians nestled between the real 'tourists' gives an interesting insight as well.
Trinidadian tour taker : "Where we could see the birds resting?"
Trinidadian tour guide : "There's only two places the birds go: to roost and to nest"
Trinidadian tour taker: "But I want to see where the birds rest!"
Trinidadian Tour Guide: "But they either roost or nest: this is nesting season, and we can't go and see them now. They need privacy to nest."
tour taker: "But lemme tell you, I have only been on this tour once before, nuh, but once is enough for me to know that they also rest!"
Tour Guide: "You mean roost?"
tour taker: "No, I mean rest!"
Pause.
Tour Guide : "Okay, well they either rest or nest then. And this is nesting season. We can't go and see them."
tour taker: "Well I've seen them resting."
Tour Guide: "Roosting. And they're not roosting now."
tour taker: "Resting."
The Tour guide sighed. "Well, ANYHOW, we can't go and see them."
I'm not sure who felt that they walked away the winner of this conversation, but it was entertaining while it lasted. As was the rest of the tour.
Here's the entrance to the swamp aka mangrove aka bird sanctuary.
Fallen trees were everywhere in the mangrove. Most of these had improvised and sprouted other roots into the water.
This little number I like to call "Bird on Stick".
Sunset over the swamp.
Birdwatchingtower, last in use in the twenties.
Afterwards, my two male companions bonded, as if to mark what a special experience they had shared.
For more creamy goodness and wedding updates, you'll have to wait a few days, my precioussess. it's off to Tobago with us tommorow.
And you will be...where?
Venue: Caroni Swamp.
Mission: to see birds.
Trinidad is known for its status as a home for the Scarlet Ibis which flocks homewards to the swamps at around five o clock in the evening. You can see them one by one, as slim and straight as arrows, with long beaks and equally as long wings, or in groups which more resemble clouds of red dust than birds, it's pretty gnarly to see. The two hours of floating through the mangrove is worth the 10 USD it costs. Plus, if you're lucky, you get to taste a bit of Trinidadian culture as well. I know I've blogged once before about some Trinidadians claiming they know things even though they don't really know anything, but to tell you the truth, seven years of being away from the island means that i don't really know that much either, which would prove my initial claim right there. But having a few Trinidadians nestled between the real 'tourists' gives an interesting insight as well.
Trinidadian tour taker : "Where we could see the birds resting?"
Trinidadian tour guide : "There's only two places the birds go: to roost and to nest"
Trinidadian tour taker: "But I want to see where the birds rest!"
Trinidadian Tour Guide: "But they either roost or nest: this is nesting season, and we can't go and see them now. They need privacy to nest."
tour taker: "But lemme tell you, I have only been on this tour once before, nuh, but once is enough for me to know that they also rest!"
Tour Guide: "You mean roost?"
tour taker: "No, I mean rest!"
Pause.
Tour Guide : "Okay, well they either rest or nest then. And this is nesting season. We can't go and see them."
tour taker: "Well I've seen them resting."
Tour Guide: "Roosting. And they're not roosting now."
tour taker: "Resting."
The Tour guide sighed. "Well, ANYHOW, we can't go and see them."
I'm not sure who felt that they walked away the winner of this conversation, but it was entertaining while it lasted. As was the rest of the tour.
Here's the entrance to the swamp aka mangrove aka bird sanctuary.
Fallen trees were everywhere in the mangrove. Most of these had improvised and sprouted other roots into the water.
This little number I like to call "Bird on Stick".
Sunset over the swamp.
Birdwatchingtower, last in use in the twenties.
Afterwards, my two male companions bonded, as if to mark what a special experience they had shared.
For more creamy goodness and wedding updates, you'll have to wait a few days, my precioussess. it's off to Tobago with us tommorow.And you will be...where?
