Turtle Watching - Grand Riviere


 Photo by: Earthwatch

Each year between March to September more than 10,000 turtles visit the warm Trinidad shores to nest in the island's beaches. One of the most popular beaches is located in the village of Grand Riviere. which is visited by both local and international nature seekers alike, turtle watching is one of the many exciting activities that one can partake on the island.

The experience was one like no other, we drove for what felt like ages (you know them country people does tell you it right dey and is a whole 45 mins you driving). When we finally got to the beach, in the dead of night, tour guides greeted us and lead us to the beach. It was a short trek and they explained the rules to us on the way; no flash photography before the mother turtle has started laying, don't startle the turtles and don't steal any eggs.

Soon enough large dark bodies emerged from the ocean and let me tell you, I misjudged their sizes. They are HUGE animals! I was very apprehensive but the guides assured us they are harmless animals. We were lucky to see the mother digging her nest and laying her eggs. In addition to hatchlings running to the ocean (so cute, the guides allowed us to pick them up, they was real strong for babies though, wriggling out of my hands). 

  Photo by: Seattlestravels

I've been to this particular beach only once before, roughly 8 years ago. Let me tell you, it has been one of the experiences that has remained with me throughout my life since.

Trinidad has strict anti-poaching laws against these animals and restrict access to the nesting points unless accompanied by an accredited guide. This is in an effort to preserve the wildlife as the turtles are on the list of endangered animals and while poaching has since been reduced, there are other factors that put these beautiful animals at risk. They include;

  • Polluted beaches
  • Climate change - warmer beaches increases the chance of female hatchlings, which can throw off the gender balance
  • Change in ocean currents that allow the turtles to navigate their way through the ocean is expected occur with increasing climate change


 

Comments

  1. punal9311 June 2017 at 14:51

    Wow ! I have never been to one of these turtle watching excursions. Do you know if there are any scheduled for the rest of the year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown11 June 2017 at 19:57

      Absolutely, as the season runs up until September. Check out this link to get you started with some trusted organisations

      http://turtlevillagetrust.org/turtle-watching.htm

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Throwback: Trini Snacks

Image
Ting a ling a ling, school a bell ring! Popularized by dancehall artist Shabba Ranks in 1993 was a common song to hear during recess at primary school. (Mind you, if my mother only know I was listening to these kinds of songs when I was a a child, I woulda get a cut tail!) Most of these snacks still remain in tuck shops and school parlours and many have been discontinued and re-introduced throughout the years. Now we're not talking about local handmade snacks like Tamarind ball, Coconut fudge, Bene Ball (Tobago) and sugar cake, even though those were available in parlours as well. This post will focus on the sugary, chocolate covered, salted, preserves and ice cream that I remember saving my allowance to buy on a weekly basis. Let's start with my favourite:  Chocolate Digestive- a delicious wheatmeal biscuit covered in milk chocolate. If you all remember well the original packaging used to be white and brown before they switched to purple and only costed 50 cent
Read more

Trini slang - A basic guide before you visit

Image
Whether you're visiting home after a while, or just need to know what the yout and dem saying here's a quick guide. Now I want to make it clear, Trini slang is different from other Caribbean regions' slang. A lot of tourists compare our dialect to Jamaican but don't say that to either country before you get a cut eye. However, since the country is a mix of all ethnicities, races and people there will be some cross twang but this post will feature general words utilised throughout the nation. 1. Lime / liming - Not only a fruit but this also means 'hanging out' or 'going out' usually with friends. A lime may or may not include alcohol. Sentences include: I feeling to lime. When last you lime with her? When we liming? I having a lime by me tonight. 2. Wine/wining - Similar to 'grinding' not necessarily sexual but definitely flirtatious. Lots of hip movement, common in every lime or fete. Sentences include: She could real wine. Watch h
Read more

Food Festivals - Hyatt Waterfront Restaurant - Mexican Night

Image
As soon as I got the WhatsApp notification from a friend that this was happening, I knew I had to be there. It ran for three days (May 24-27) presented by Hyatt in conjunction with United Airlines and Copa Airlines. Naturally, we ended up getting there on the last day in true Trini fashion. Now I'm no expert on Mexican food and culture (I putting my disclaimer up front, I shame but I still up in the people and dem event) but based on a quick Google search the menu looked tantalizing, incorporating various traditional and authentic dishes. According to a UNESCO article in 2010 , Mexico's food is a huge part of its culture. The staples include corn, tomatoes, avocados, beans, chilis, cocoa in addition to European influences; mainly with meats, herbs and spices and some fruit.  Needless to say, my appetite was piqued. As we got there, the ambience was warm and inviting with instrumental mariachi playing faintly on the speakers. The staff were putting the fini
Read more