A turtle nesting site of global importance
Grande Rivière (in northeast Trinidad) is the second largest leatherback turtle nesting site in the world, with 18% of the total global population nesting here. During turtle nesting months (March to September, and sometimes as early as January) — Trinidad and Tobago become two of the world’s most important turtle nesting grounds, and not only for the endangered leatherbacks. Hawksbill, green turtles, and other species — all of which are legally protected on our shores — come up on north and east coast beaches to nest during nesting season.
The Swiss Family Robinson
The classic 1960s film Swiss Family Robinson was shot entirely on location in Tobago. The iconic treehouse used in the film was constructed around a majestic samaan tree that is said to still exist near Goldsborough Bay, on the property of Roberts Auto Service and Tyre Shop in Goodwood. The film’s director, Ken Annakin, instantly fell in love when location scouting, after also visiting Jamaica and Trinidad and finding them unsuitable. Lead actot John Mills was also in high praise of his Tobago adventure: “I’ve been all over the world to shooting locations, and I don’t think I’ve ever been to a more lovely location. … Unlike a sugar island like Barbados, it was lush; the scenery was varied and very beautiful. I was lucky to see it before it became popular, with the inevitable golf course and noisy water sports. It was simple and totally unspoilt: miles of empty golden beaches lapped by the sea which was full of exotic and highly-coloured fish that, as they were never shot, were so tame they poked their noses against our facemasks as we swam amongst them.”
The Minshall effect: AirDancers to the world
AirDancers? What are air dancers? Also known as “SkyDancers”, these inflatable, dancing, icons may now be best known as dancing baloons that are often used as eye-catching advertising and branding. They were originally conceptualised as “Tall Boys” for the 1996 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremony by Trinidadian artist Peter Minshall, with a team that included Israeli artist Doron Gazit (who controversially patented the “flygyuys” concept in 2001 — without Minshall).
Steelpan to the world
Steelbands exist all over the globe, from the US to Japan and Australia. Local ones have performed at prestigious venues world-wide. In 2015, a steelpan concerto (the second ever composed) was premiered at the Kennedy Centre in Washington by the US National Symphony Orchestra, featuring pannist Liam Teague. And in case you need the refresher, the steel pan — forged in the Laventille hills above Port of Spain, Trinidad some 80 years ago — is the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century.
Source: Caroline Taylor Discover Trinidad and Tobago
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