Post Recreated: Originally posted - 01 March 2003
Steve, will do a full review of Arnos Vale when I have caught up with work! Spent 5 days on Trinidad as well, any interest anyone?
Trinidad Report
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John
Trinidad Report
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 02 March 2003
Hi Tim Yes interested in Trinidad we are planning a visit to Asa Wright did you go there?. we are of to Rex Turtle in May 03
Hi Tim Yes interested in Trinidad we are planning a visit to Asa Wright did you go there?. we are of to Rex Turtle in May 03
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Tim W
Trinidad Report
Post Recreated: Originally posted - 02 March 2003
Hi John, did not go to Asa Wright but a number of people staying at Arnos Vale went during their visit and said it was excellent. Trinidad in general is wholly different to Tobago -even in the very south of the island the roads are almost pot hole free! We spent 2 nights in Port of spain staying at the Normandie in St. Annes and 2 nights based in San Fernando staying at the Trade wind in St Josephs. Normandie was fine but the rooms are in despatate need of upgrade- all bathrooms while functional are in very poor state as is funiture in bedrooms. Public area's are very fine but not unexpected as the hotel caters alot for conferences, meetings etc. The hotel food was good - we ate there one night-breakfast was an experience! We also ate at Solimar also on Nook Avenue- fantastic food, wine and service- top european level but the food tasted better!!
We were able to spend half a day in Port of Spain centre -good roti, no hassle, interesting mix of shopping. Clothing and shoes very good value ,other consumer goods very expensive. On our fist evening we walked aroun the Botanical gardens and Queens Park and felt as safe as anywhere, lots of people out strolling, liming, playing cricket and getting ready for carnival- Don't expect traffic to stop at crossings for you!
Half a day was then spent "down the islands"> This is the islands that spread west towards Venezuela beyond the Chaguaramas. Excellent fun in a very fast boatwith lots of Carib! I wasn't driving. We then went east through Tunapuna, Arima and after getting very lost somehow down through Sangre Grande and did the most fabulous drive down Manzanilla beach to Mayaro from there we cut over to San Fernado. Tradewinds is an excellent hotel.Rooms are all benig upgraded- the one my inlaws had was huge-more suite size- and everything was new. Ours was smaller but fine.
The Food. I thought i ate a lot.The Treetop restaurant(in a tree) was superb. The range was very good but not so huge you are convinced it is all coming out of the freezer! Quality was great,but the portions... you could feed a small town on a meal for 4. breakfasts were even more of a noghtmare. I tried to eat for England but they were surprised at how little we ate. The American influence. last full day was spent doing the deep south where my in laws lived for 15 years. Best roti in the world comes from Penal. On our 2nd night we ate at Soongs great Wall on Circular Road. It is highly rated by most of the guides-very disapointing. We went on Wednesday night which is buffet night. If we had gone at 6.30 I am sure we would have enjoyed it but by 8.30 it was tired, dry and indifferent. Shame Last morning came up the west coast to see the temple in the sea at Waterloo and back on Tobago by 2pm.
The island is much brasher than its little brother, the contrasts in rich/poor is amazing. Visually the island has so many facets you could explore it for months and not get bored. Any specific areas you have questions about i will try and answer-the above is a snap shot- or will ask the old ones who are bound to know!
Hi John, did not go to Asa Wright but a number of people staying at Arnos Vale went during their visit and said it was excellent. Trinidad in general is wholly different to Tobago -even in the very south of the island the roads are almost pot hole free! We spent 2 nights in Port of spain staying at the Normandie in St. Annes and 2 nights based in San Fernando staying at the Trade wind in St Josephs. Normandie was fine but the rooms are in despatate need of upgrade- all bathrooms while functional are in very poor state as is funiture in bedrooms. Public area's are very fine but not unexpected as the hotel caters alot for conferences, meetings etc. The hotel food was good - we ate there one night-breakfast was an experience! We also ate at Solimar also on Nook Avenue- fantastic food, wine and service- top european level but the food tasted better!!
We were able to spend half a day in Port of Spain centre -good roti, no hassle, interesting mix of shopping. Clothing and shoes very good value ,other consumer goods very expensive. On our fist evening we walked aroun the Botanical gardens and Queens Park and felt as safe as anywhere, lots of people out strolling, liming, playing cricket and getting ready for carnival- Don't expect traffic to stop at crossings for you!
Half a day was then spent "down the islands"> This is the islands that spread west towards Venezuela beyond the Chaguaramas. Excellent fun in a very fast boatwith lots of Carib! I wasn't driving. We then went east through Tunapuna, Arima and after getting very lost somehow down through Sangre Grande and did the most fabulous drive down Manzanilla beach to Mayaro from there we cut over to San Fernado. Tradewinds is an excellent hotel.Rooms are all benig upgraded- the one my inlaws had was huge-more suite size- and everything was new. Ours was smaller but fine.
The Food. I thought i ate a lot.The Treetop restaurant(in a tree) was superb. The range was very good but not so huge you are convinced it is all coming out of the freezer! Quality was great,but the portions... you could feed a small town on a meal for 4. breakfasts were even more of a noghtmare. I tried to eat for England but they were surprised at how little we ate. The American influence. last full day was spent doing the deep south where my in laws lived for 15 years. Best roti in the world comes from Penal. On our 2nd night we ate at Soongs great Wall on Circular Road. It is highly rated by most of the guides-very disapointing. We went on Wednesday night which is buffet night. If we had gone at 6.30 I am sure we would have enjoyed it but by 8.30 it was tired, dry and indifferent. Shame Last morning came up the west coast to see the temple in the sea at Waterloo and back on Tobago by 2pm.
The island is much brasher than its little brother, the contrasts in rich/poor is amazing. Visually the island has so many facets you could explore it for months and not get bored. Any specific areas you have questions about i will try and answer-the above is a snap shot- or will ask the old ones who are bound to know!