Trinidad

Trinidad is 50 miles long by 30 miles wide and lies about seven miles off the continent of South America and the country of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean.  Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover it in 1498.  The climate is tropical with average temperatures of 270C (810F) and rainfall 200cm (40 inches) a year, with a dry season between January and May.

It is a meeting place between peoples from many different continents, where an old world civilisation is overlaid with new world energy. It is the home of

  • calypso,

  • limbo,

  • steel bands and, of course,

  • Carnival,

whose creative energy that has spread far and wide.  World famous Carnival, which takes place in January, February and March is among those things which everyone should experience at least once in their lives, no matter how far they have to come to join in!

Outside the town centres, luxuriant and exuberant forests and leafy hills with a profusion of wildlife and flora.  With over 400 species, it is one of the richest areas for birds in the world, accessible from good roads and forest tracks over most of its 1,200 square miles. The world famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, on the southern side of the mountains at the head of the Arima valley, is 60 minute drive from Plantation House.'