WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT T-N-T

Welcome to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago! 

My beautiful island is geographically located in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea lying to the northeastern coast of Venezuela and south of Grenada.  It possesses a tropical climate and the general temperature is 32°C. We offer a two-island experience, but in one country, all of your senses will be stimulated. There is the richness of the foods, the natural beauty, both above and below the water, and so many types of birds, flowers, and butterflies creating an explosion of color.

The capital of Trinidad is Port of Spain. The twin towers and new government buildings are landmarks to let you know you're heading in the right direction.

Our lovely Prime Minister Kamla Persard-Bissessar is the first female to become Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

Show me the money!!! Our bills are all different colors to be easily identified.

    Currency: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD)

Trinidad is well known for its Carnival and is the birthplace of Steelpan, Soca, Calypso, and Chutney.

We invented this!!!

Carnival

                     

           
     










http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tSJ7znmQxAw#t=9s

We are also the home to many stars... Hip Hop star Nicki Minaj, 2011 Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung-Chee,  Greatest batsmen of all time Brian Lara, 2012 Javelin Gold medal winner, Keshorn Walcott  and the list goes on...

           

             Ms. Universe 1977 Janelle Commissiong                                                                                       

Anya Ayoung-Chee

      Miss Universe 1998 - Wendy Fitzwilliam   

Brian Lara

Keshorn Walcott

My country is very diverse in its culture, food, and entertainment. There is a very laid back, homey feeling in the atmosphere. Once you get a whiff of it, guaranteed you'll keep coming back for more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zWvGHJlQQ1g

SHOPPING & MORE ON FREDERICK STREET

To delve into the city's art scene, stroll over to Frederick Street (also known for its shopping).
                   
Visit the National Museum, once the Royal Victoria Institute, and the Art gallery. In addition to works of local artists, there are exhibits on the history of steelpan and the evolution of the island's sugar, cocoa, and coconut industries.
    
The House of Angostura is the second largest rum distillery (after Bacardi) in the Caribbean.


Made with the same original secret recipe since 1824, the world famous Angostura® aromatic bitters remains the quintessential and definitive ingredient for classic and contemporary cocktails. This is a unique flavour enhancer (seasoning) for the preparation of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as, any savoury or sweet food dishes.
To learn more about this mysterious cocktail additive visit their website http://www.angosturabitters.com/AromaticBitters

LOCAL DISHES

"We doh make joke wid we belly"...We don't play when it's time to eat!

When it’s time to eat it's not hard to find a place to calm your cravings. Whether it's casual and fancy places serving Indian, Chinese, South American, Thai, and Middle Eastern food.
If it's McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway, Americn dishes you want, we have that too.

But I suggest for a truly memorable meal, seek out West Indian spots like El Pecos, Hot Shoppe, Mangoes and Trini Flava just to name a few (located mainly in the Port of Spain area). There you’ll find Trini specialties like West Indian stewed beef with dumplings, crab and callaloo made from spinach-like greens, macaroni pie, pelau, and flying fish with coconut sauce, mmmmm.

And be sure to try roti, perhaps the island’s most famous dish: an oval of chewy flatbread flecked with ground chickpeas served alongside or stuffed with your choice of curried fillings, ranging from pumpkin and potatoes to chicken and goat.

Pelau

Roti

But wait how could I forget doubles, that's right we have a dish called "Doubles". Why is it called that? You see it has two bara (two round flat fried pieces similar to bread) and in the middle its filled with curry chana and condiments of your choice. It's a common street food found on almost every corner of Trinidad. Want breakfast but not in the mood to turn on the stove, buy some doubles. You want lunch go buy some doubles, you just finish liming by the bar and your tummy is crying, you got it, go buy some doubles.

If you want to know what ingredients make up a doubles or you want to experiment checkout the link below. 

Anytime, anywhere, doubles is there

 http://www.theoneonefour.com/2009/09/09/recipe-of-the-week-trinidadian-doubles/

"Alyuh" (you all) won't believe but I made "meh"(my) self hungry just by typing this...Think I'll head to Ali's on Utica Ave or Trinidad Golden Palace on Nostrand Ave. Both of these restaurants offer all of the above dishes and are located in Brooklyn. Check them out you wont regret it!

DID I HEAR MARACAS?

Relaxation at its best

If it’s surf you seek, delicious bake and shark, or just want to relax, then drive to Maracas on Trinidad’s north coast, my favorite especially on a Sunday. Here you will find the best and I mean the BEST Bake and Shark sandwich you’ll ever taste. This traditional “Trini’’ invention consists of a fried bread (we call fry bake) round slit and stuffed with tender fried shark, mmmmm! But it’s the condiments that make the sandwich, and at Richard’s you’ll find a veritable salad bar of toppings, including shredded lettuce, cucumber and tomato slices, pickled mango, pineapples, onions, and myriad sauces, including garlic, tamarind, hot pepper, and chadon beni (a bright green dressing made from a local cilantro-like herb). Just prepare yourself for the long lines...

If you don't try a Richard's bake and shark, you have wasted your time driving to Maracas.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UDhfDuAN5M&feature=player_detailpage#t=156s

  Don't forget the pineapples!!!

Of course it's not only about Richard's Bake and Shark, Maracas has so much more to offer. On Sunday evenings you can check out Uncle Sam's where the vibes is always nice, drink a few beers, chat, dance and watch the beautiful ladies (men too) model in their bathing suits.

Check out the link below. It gives you a fair idea of what to expect at Uncle Sam's EVERY Sunday. Yes, this is how we prepare ourselves for the work week ahead .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb04ggnj6XA&feature=player_detailpage

"Lewwe" go OUT ON THE AVENUE

Ariapita Avenue also called  'D Avenue'  is in the city of  Woodbrook, Port of Spain. This entire stretch is filled with restaurants, bars and lounges which have various opening hours that begin about 10a.m. for breakfast. There are shops for interior decorating (lighting, plumbing fixtures, flooring, blinds), business supplies, banks, insurance agents etc.

 

"We" Trinidadians take our "liming" (entertainment. hanging out, chiilling) very, very seriously and 'D Avenue' is filled with activities to keep u entertained alllll night long.



For some reason Trinidadians like to lime on the "pavement" (sidewalk). But then again "dais" (that's) where the best "limes" take place.  

Find your way to the bar for exoctic drinks

You must try a STAG one of Trinidad's national beer next to the Carib. They say "it's a mans beer" I guess becasue its as sweet as a woman, lol 

                                           

There are a multitude of bars, nightclubs and lounges along the strip that has just the right vibes to soothe u after a long week of hard work.

 

Stumblin Bar & Lounge

42 Ariapita Ave, Woodbrook

(868)223 5017

 

 

 Crnr Ariapita Ave & Cornelio St

(868)624-6612

www.shakerstrinidad.com

 

 

www.levelsultrabar.com
(868)622-5350
 

Frankies Restaurant & Bar
68A Ariapita Ave, Woodbrook
(868)622-6609

 

I think Machel Montano, one of our talented artist, said it best in is his song "On the Avenue". Take a listen below, hope u enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQv0Wc5IA5Q&feature=player_detailpage#t=8s

During Carnival, Ariapita Avenue is a top spot to watch the Carnival bands as they assemble for the judging point in Queens Park Savannah. Carnival is suppose to be celebrated on two days, Carnival Monday, where the participting masqueraders don't have to wear their costumes, and Carnival Tuesday, which they are required to wear costumes.  But because we soooo love to enjoy ourselves, we start celebrating Carnival as soon as lent is over, which begins the day after Carnival called Ash Wednesday and lasts for a period of 40 days...I'm just kidding. We begin preparation for the Carnival season as soon as Christmas is over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDTzVPzgqdE&feature=player_detailpage#t=0s