Trinidad on CaribUnity Caribbean Blog Network : CUBlogz

What have I been up to? - Fishing off Saut d’Eau

raz4125 — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:30:00 +0000

Not to be out done by the Scotland Bay lime, the next day I was invited by the same fishermen to go fishing. And me being the adventurous one grabbed my camera again and went along for the trip to Saut d'Eau (pronounced Sho-Doh) .

So where is Saut d'Eau? Saut d'Eau is a small island off the North coast of Trinidad that is mainly inhabited by Brown Pelicans and other bird species. It is a wildlife sanctuary but then, there's no need to worry because from the pictures you will see that the island is very inaccessible.

There are jagged rocks all around the island so any attempt to approach by boat is very treacherous. Actually, while we were approaching the island there was an area the fisherman showed me that had a large rock that was just under the water. If you don't know where it is you can easily run into it.

The only other way to get to Saut d'Eau is by foot. The Saut d'Eau Bay on the mainland is a favourite spot for hikers due to its seclusion, but don't be fooled the hike is a long and hard seven miles to reach to the bay.

So, it was me braving the waves, the hot Caribbean sun and the threat of motion sickness (no I didn't get sea sick), fishing off Saut d'Eau for a day. In the end it was fun: I caught two Bonito and a lot of Zuffy that we didn't want, we made some Bonito Pelau on the boat, and had a wonderful experience. Let's get to the pictures shall we? Of course, you can see even more over at the fan page.

Evening time and we're getting ready. We stopped to get ice and fill up water.

The bunk where I slept.

The water bottles all filled and the ice in the box.

Dusk slowly comes and Crews Inn lights up like a Christmas tree.

3 o'clock and time for a little early breakfast: sardine choka and bread.

We caught some live bait but it was still too early.
By 4:30 a.m. we filled the boat well with bait and left for Saut d'Eau (Sho-doh)

As dawn approaches we see Saut d'Eau island in the distance.

Saut d'Eau island as we approached from the West.

See how jagged the rocks are? And, the waves were just as rough.

Our first catch: a red fish.

As the day rolled on we caught some bonito and more king fish.
This was our second king fish.

Filleting Bonito for lunch.

Fresh Bonito seasoned and marinated with salt, thyme, chive, garlic and onion.
Time to make some Bonito Pelau!

The Pelau looks almost ready.

Bonito Pelau. Delicious! :-)

Time to leave now after a fine day of fishing.
My last pic of Saut d'Eau as we left.

We returned to Monos Island. Forgot my phone charger :-)

We return safely.

So now you all see what a busy week I had. I went; I saw; I photographed, I experienced and now I share, for all to see what a beautiful country Trinidad and Tobago really is. Time for some rest, relaxation and recuperation. Don't forget to check out more pics over at the facebook fanpage...

Well you all know by now how I usually end every post...

Ah gone! :-)

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How life began

The Wonderer — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:10:00 +0000

x

Indians of the Amazon

In continuing the study of the fancy Indian, I attempted at first to make a garment, then I made a moccasin shoe using a square piece of cloth. Overall, I felt as if I was mocking a culture. But as I thought of the Indian, I thought too of the continent and the migration of its people from the tip of south America across to Russia.

Then I thought, if this planet was a rock which separated to form land masses, the formation of the sea may have occurred when a ice comet collided and disintegrated the side of the planet where the Pacific ocean exists and struck where it is the deepest. In the catastrophic explosion, the moon may have been a fragment caught in the gravitational pull, and the craters left behind filled with the remains of the comet, ie, water. The water then became contaminated by the fusion of molten rock wnich made it salted.

An American Indian

Indians of America

The Wonderer — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:46:00 +0000

Look ah cascadura*

In composing the traditional carnival character of the fancy Indian, I thought of the Indian native to the Americas.

* The cascadura is a fresh water catfish native to Trinidad

What have I been up to? - Scotland Bay Lime

raz4125 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:27:00 +0000

When I was invited to my sister's birthday lime down Scotland Bay I just couldn't resist. So with camera in hand and my bottle of pacro water we headed down to "Power Boats" Chaguaramas on the North West coast of Trinidad to catch the boat. This area is a popular berthing spot for "yachties" from all over the world. One of the fishermen said that some of them spend months in our waters. But, then I can't give them wrong for staying because Trinidad and Tobago is really a paradise as you will see in the pictures.

Scotland Bay is only accessible by boats and is also a popular beach to visit especially around Easter time. It is a favourite camping spot for us Trinis and a great place to "buss ah good Lime". That's why we went there: it was secluded; there weren't much people on the beach and the water was inviting. I spent the whole day in the water; I just couldn't get enough of the sea water.

The sun was unforgiving and in the end I got a good tan ( a little more and you could serve me medium rare) lol!; a few cuts from barnacles on the boat and a ton of pictures. But as usual I can't put all the pictures here so head on over to the facebook fan page for the rest.

We're all ready for the trip down to Scotland Bay.

First we had to stop for gas

In the distance Dragon's Teeth

Lunch time now and my plate is packed.
In my plate clockwise: fried chicken, fried rice, potato salad
and Macaroni Pie. Want some :-)

Afterward we played a game of cricket.
After a short while nearly everyone on the beach joined in the game. It was fun.

Oh I can't forget the Jep (Wasp) nest that was right over our heads where we ate.
We didn't disturb them and they didn't disturb us.

It was time to enjoy some sea water. And get sun burnt in the process :-)

The birthday cake

We can't forget the Johnny Walker and coconut water.

This guy didn't know what pacro water was.
By this time, the fishermen added white oak rum and had nearly drank the bottle. See what I told you: they know about it too well.

Time to go home.

On our way home we fried some Jashwa or Fry Dry on the boat.

Freshly fried Jashwa or Fry Dry.

On our way back we passed some yachts.

Pulling in at Crews Inn

We return safely.

As I said before just head on over to my facebook fan page. The rest of pictures are waiting for you. More to come. Ah gone!

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Pacro Water

raz4125 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:02:00 +0000

Do you know what is Pacro Water? Well today you're going to find out. To us Trinbagonian men, pacro water represents a lot of things. It is: an elixir of life; a rejuvenator; a strengthener; a booster, an energizer....in other words, just like sea moss "It good for de back" :-D

When Trevor, a friend and facebook group member, wrote me back in August '09 about Pacro water, I knew I had to get this recipe posted. I knew about bois bande and oysters and their aphrodisiac qualities, but pacro water was a new one for me. This information is not only important to me but for all (Trinbagonian) men and perhaps all men!

So what really is pacro? Pacro is our Trini term for Chitons, a type of mollusk in the class Polyplacophora, which abounds all over the coast of Trinidad and Tobago. Fishermen all over the island know about it and its properties and therefore are always on the lookout for a few on the rocks while fishing. Usually, the pacro can be found clinging onto the rocks but I was told that they also move, seeking shade when the sun gets too hot.

So this is where my story starts...

My fisherman friend brought some pacro home the other day and showed me how pacro water is made real trinistyle. The process is simple and can be made in no time. To some the water is an acquired taste but with me it was acquired after the first sip. It was new and different but delicious at the same time. It reminded me somewhat of souse without the onions, with a slight taste of the sea but don't take my word for it; make some a try it. After all there are only benefits to be derived from drinking it, if you know what I mean. :-)

Here's the ever famous, Trinidad and Tobago favourite, Pacro Water: a sure hit in any lime. Enjoy!

PACRO WATER

3 lbs pacro (Chitons)
water (enough to cover the pacro while boiling)
25 leaves chadon beni, chopped finely
6 leaves big leaf thyme, chopped finely
5 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1 1/4 tbsp salt
2 small limes
pepper to taste

Yields about 3 qts

Wash and place the pacro in a pot to boil. Add enough water to cover the pacro.

{See how brave I am? I'm holding up a few to get a close up :-) Yes, they were still alive and moving in my hand slowly }

Boil for 15 minutes over medium to high heat

Strain using a collander.

Note: Don't throw away the pacro. We'll make use of it in a later post.

Strain using a strainer

Strain again using a smaller strainer

Add the seasonings, salt and pepper.

Squeeze the limes

Stir and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Here we have a bottle of pacro water that I carried to a lime I went to. Where did I go? Stick around you'll see. In the mean time have some pacro water and tell me what you think. Ah gone! :-)

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Launch date of new Caribbean inter-island ferry service to be announced soon

Caribbean Net News Daily Headlines: Trinidad & Tobago — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:00:00 +0000

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada -- With the gradual resolution to a number of logistical issues, the date for the launch of the Caribbean’s new inter-island ferry service, will soon be announced. In a statement on Wednesday, Benjamin Ross, CEO of the Grenada-based owners and operators of the service...

Dâ€™Krewe 2010 Review â€“ Carnival Tuesday

The Wonderer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:44:00 +0000

CARNIVAL TUESDAY I got up at 4:30am despite my intention of waking up at half 5. The time to meet the band was 11:00am. After having a bath and hastily shaving my legs, I made my way to my makeup artist, Rachiel in the living room. :) Aunty Rachiel does my makeup for me every year and this year was no different. I had to wait for my sister in law who was getting ready to meet her band for 6:

Stilt Walker

The Wonderer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:07:00 +0000

The Stilt Walker

In this study of the stilt walker or in Trinidad Old Mas, "The Moko Jumbie" I was concerned over my safety. Toppling over and falling for art would be a header. Yet the concept was to camouflage myself behind a bush as would an African Stilt-Walker to see and warn of foreboding danger.

On a ladder In preparation

The high lookout

Day 213: Photo 365

The Wonderer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:03:00 +0000

Day 213, originally uploaded by TraceyChan.

"A sensible man will remember that the eyes may be confused in two ways - by a change from light to darkness or from darkness to light;
and he will recognize that the same thing happens to the soul." - Plato

Iguana - Necroartophilia

The Wonderer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:05:00 +0000

A dead green iguana

Side view

The is an Iguana, it seems she suffered from exhaustion, she was also pregnant. In the study of documenting her, I thought of the prized* as wild meat and of the TaÃno people and of barbecue, where the term is derived from. But there was more, on inspection, the creature reminded me of the traditional dragon carnival character by its claws and scaling skin.

* The prize is that the lizard is a vegetarian...but the meat taste like fowl

Necroartophilia: The appreciation in the preservation of any thing dead