The National Trust of Trinidad & Tobago Heritage Tour to Nelson Island Date: Friday May 30, 2014 (Indian Arrival Day T&T) ......Dont believe I have ever been as excited to go on an adventure as I was this one. :)) Our day got started at approximately 8:00 am when we walked into the Water Ferry Service, San Fernandos Office and was greeted by a most pleasant, well dressed and thoroughly efficient female member of staff, who checked to see that we had already purchased tickets and seated us. In an orderly fashion she then ensured everyone formed a proper line to head to the front of the building to have ID bands put on us and our tickets torn and chits attached for our day. Once that was done we were asked to be briefly re-seated while they prepared to board us on the ferry. Boarding began soon after and again was done in a timely and orderly fashion. The ferry staff greeted us all warmly as we hit the gangplank, security was in place to ensure all passengers had a safe day, which I was very pleased to see. Needless to say this was my first trip ever on board one of our national water taxis and have got to tell you how completely impressed I was by their service! The Water Ferry was very clean, bathrooms included another plus! So, I felt very comfortable, sat back into my seat (very comfie too at that!! ) and got ready for our day ahead. From the time we departed the San Fernando Terminal we were again greeted and officially welcomed on board the service for the day by the staff then taken through the safety briefing quickly. Once that was completed one of our Tour Guides took to the airwaves to tell us a little history of San Fernando, Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Lisas Industrial Estate etc as we journeyed to the Port-of-Spain Terminal to collect more passengers. Rain began falling halfway through our journey but the ferry handled the water conditions beautifully and spirits remained high! Arrival time into Port-of-Spain was a lot quicker than I had anticipated, and once we docked it seemed that weather conditions had brightened. We had a 15 minute lull time while we picked up the remaining passengers. On departure out of Port-of-Spain we were told that not only would we be traveling to the island but on route back we would be taken for a spin around Chacachacare and the other islands. Sounded like music to my ears! as I had not been Down D Islands (DDI) for AGES! For those of you not quite familiar with the great history of this island, Neilsons Island, called Nelson Island, was a quarantine depot through which tens of thousands of Indians, possibly all Indians, passed on their way to the various estates where they would spend the next five years or, in some cases, the rest of their lives. Like Ellis Island in the United States, it was their first disembarkation and their first encounter with natives of their host country. On arrival at Nelson Island we were broken up into groups of approximately 22 persons and sent off for our tour of the island with a Tour Guide (from the Tour Guide Association of Trinidad & Tobago). I need not tell you that I got the BEST! Tour Guide!! (YES! Im biased :)) ) who is not only an Admin of Review Trinbago but also my Cousin!! Derik Donawa. Our tour was extensive! with heavy walking and so much new information to take in :)) all at once but I greedily grabbed it all up and enjoyed every minute of it!! For a few minutes, I almost felt like I was not in Trinidad, the scenery so Spectacular! and the wealth of knowledge given to us such a treat! On completion of our tour we stopped to have lunch (boneless chicken rotis, a cold drink and a bag of indian sweets each (Pure Bliss!!) :)) We spent approximately 3 hours on the island before being re-organized to head back to the ferry to continue our tour before returning to the Port-of-Spain terminal. Our day was nothing short of AMAZING!!! as we met some old friends, as well as made new friends who we very quickly exchanged contact information with and had some magical conversations. For those of you that missed this trip I strongly URGE! you to do the next one that pops up (not to sure when that will be) but keep your ears to the ground! HATS!!! off to the Management & Staff of The Water Taxi Service, The Management & Staff of The National Trust of Trinidad & Tobago in conjunction with the Tour Guide Association of Trinidad & Tobago who came together to bring this adventure to fruition, JOB EXTREMELY WELL DONE!!!! The day was a safe one with no issues, fun, educational and beautiful. Thank You all for a truly memorable day!
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 12:02:32 +0000
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