Missing Stefanie and Tim

We have had a wonderful time with Stefanie and Tim, we were sorry to see them go home but one little boy "Buster" was pleased to see them last night when they arrived home.

We had a lovely last night meal at Chaud a very nice restaurant in Port of Spain. Stefanie & Tim celebrated their anniversary whilst they were with us.

Weekend in Tobago

Spent a lovely long weekend in Tobago with Tim and Stefanie. We arrived Thursday morning, and enjoyed a glass bottom boat tour and some snorkeling with our favourite Tobagan, Captain Curtis on Friday.

On Saturday, we drove around the island, visiting Forts Bennet and King George, enjoying some Geocaching along the way.

Stefanie & Tim Arrive Tonight

No more sleeps ( perhaps a nap this afternoon). We will be picking them up tonight from the airport around midnight.

We haven't seen them since Christmas..............................................much too long.

We have lots of trips planned, together with a few days in Tobago.

I have run out of fabric so I can't wait for the bolt of muslin that is being packed for me. I have been busy sewing and Stefanie will take it back and do the stuffing and finishing ready for the Fall and Christmas Shows we have booked.

Also can't wait for more books to arrive I have exhausted my library, it becomes desperate when you go online and read the local papers each day.

I had better go put the white wine in the fridge and make sure there is enough Rum for Tim's Rum & Coke.

Happy Easter Everyone.

A Trinidadian Wedding

Doug and I were invited to a wedding which we attended at the weekend.

The invite said the service started at the church at 3.00pm so being very responsible guests we arrived at 2. 50pm and there were just two cars in the car park. We checked the invite again to make sure we had arrived at the correct church. We forgot "Trinni Time" if it says 3 pm it means a lot later.

The guests arrived and the service started, a beautiful service no organ in the church just a handful of wonderful singers and someone playing a guitar, very nice. The service was very personal to Daniella and Steve and they made a beautiful couple.

After the service we went for the reception at Peir 1 in Chagaramus, the guests relaxed poolside with cocktails and cutters (finger food) whilst Daniella and Steve had there official wedding photographs taken at the Bamboo Cathedral, a natural beauty spot in the Tucker Valley. I think the photographs will be spectacular.

The official reception was wonderful with some heartfelt speeches from friends and family followed by dinner and the cutting of the cake and then the bride and grooms first dance. We were also entertained by a famous Trinidadian calypso singer and after by a socha singer.

We sat on a table with several people from the bank and I met some more lovely Trinidadians, Doug and I also received an invite to join some of them on a Turtle Watch in early June. We are very excited about this as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is the season the giant turtles beach to lay their eggs, we are hoping to see the young turtles heading back out to sea once they hatch, Apparently it is quite a sight to see.

Enjoy the photos of the happy couple, together with some of the beautiful tropical flowers that decorated the reception.

Baptist Shouters Day

We have a holiday today to recognise the liberation of the Spiritual Baptists (Shouters). One of many holidays here in Trinidad that celebrates the different cultures.


THE OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF BAPTIST SHOUTERS

The people of Trinidad and Tobago observe March 30 as Spiritual Baptist (Shouters) Liberation Day. This national holiday, instituted in 1996, honors an African-American religious sect once outlawed in Trinidad and Tobago. The Spiritual Baptists originally came to the islands as former American slaves, who had fought for the British in the Revolutionary War. Their style of worship combined African and American Baptist beliefs and practices. Services include bell ringing, shouting, and high-volume singing and chanting. The colonial government of Trinidad and Tobago accused the Spiritual Baptists of disturbing the peace. In 1917, the government forbade the group (nicknamed the "Shouters") from practicing their religion. This law was overturned in 1951. The recently established national holiday honors the Spiritual Baptists' long struggle against religious persecution. It is observed with speeches and religious services.


We are going to have a lazy day in the pool and make a huge dish of lasagne for dinner. Might even have a glass of wine with it.

Carnival Was Great

What an experience, it was noisy it was colourful and the day was very hot. We had a wonderful time, will definitely go again next year. I may even wear my bikini!!!!!!
We took a total of 236 photographs but I won't show them all just a selection of some of the costumes.

We have also had an invitation to a Trinidadian wedding in April, looking forward to sharing customs of another country.

CARNIVAL 2011

Monday and Tuesday we are going to experience our first Trinidad Carnival.

We have bought tickets for the Coco Lounge where we will spend both days from 10 am -10 pm. The Coco Lounge is situated opposite one of the judging stations on the carnival route. There is going to be plenty of partying going on. We have already bough earplugs as the music is very very loud.

If I survive I will share pictures with you next week.