Did you know that there are 17 species of Hummingbirds in Trinidad and Tobago?
In fact, you can view 13 of the 17 recorded species all at one of Trinidad's best kept secret locations, nestled in the northern range, Yerette - Home of the Hummingbird.

If you’re a Trini, then you’ve probably heard of all the ‘places of interest’ that our twin-republic has to offer. I thought I knew it all and had seen it all having read all the magazines and seen all the Facebook posts. WRONG.

There are so many treasures throughout our islands that are yet to be experienced. When we think of vacations though, we often forget that our island is perfect for a staycation for those times when you can't quite leave the country!

Recently, I’ve been shackled to my desk thanks to work of varying sorts, but in an attempt to destress and remain sane, I decided to escape at least one day over the Carnival weekend and see the infamous “Caroni Bird Sanctuary” for myself. Sitting still with minimal need for movement seemed like a brilliant weekend idea for my tired mind.

I didn’t think much of what it might turn out to be… but boy was I wrong. I absolutely loved every second of the winding channels that lead to lush mangroves packed with these glorious scarlet creatures I barely paid attention to in primary school! They were breath-taking. (Truly deserving of being our National Bird).  Maybe I’ve been so preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of life that it amazed me more than the average Jane, but I had to at least get someone else to bask in its beauty. So-if you’ve seen it already, then hopefully you share my sense of awe, but if you haven’t then you really need to! I won’t share too many details, but if you’re one who appreciates the little things in life, then this is definitely for you.

                                                

You can find out more at the official website for the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, or take a look at the impromptu timelapse I tried to catch with my phone while I absorbed the hidden beauty that I never new existed about 20 minutes from home.

If you’ve got any local treasures you think are bucket-list-worthy, let me know in the comments! Next up, I’m thinking the Gasparee Caves!

Often, life becomes so overwhelming that we lose ourselves in the momentary struggles of each day. Ever felt like you were drowning in your problems? Sheesh! It’s so easy to feel overcome and defeated by our circumstances.

I, for one often feel like I have too many brain tabs open… But thankfully I’ve been developing ways of closing them off one by one and learning how to isolate myself in a way that healthily provides me with the grace to carry on.

Tobago is one of those little antidotes for me. I absolutely love it. We Trinidadians are so lucky to have such a beautiful sister isle just a stone’s throw away! Oh Tobago, you're the perfect getaway!

It is SO important to take a step back every now and then, and take a moment to literally listen to the sound of waves crashing and allow your problems to be drowned out. It’s important to set your phone aside, or switch off all your devices and change perspectives every now and then.

When you step away from whatever is challenging you, you immediately lessen its grip on you. Try it! It works. 

 Remember: all the water in the ocean could never sink a ship unless the water gets inside. Likewise, you need to learn how to survive without letting what you feel consume you from the inside out.

If you can’t physically remove yourself from an atmosphere or situations where you’re inclined to feel overwhelmed, at least take a mental break and switch gears every now and then to focusing on things that make you happy or inspired.

I can attest to the fact that this method has been like glue in holding me together.

Here are some photos from my little island hopping adventure over the long weekend!

----------------------------------------------Looking for a hotel?---------------------------------------------------

We stayed at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, in Lowlands, Tobago... Pictured below!

How do you escape? I’d love to know! Tell me in the comments section below! 

If you're new around here, you may not know it, but I'm a self-diagnosed tea-a-holic. Allow me to define this for you:

1. tea·a·hol·ic

   te-aˈhôlik/

   noun

   1. 
a person with a great dependency on tea with a strong addiction to teas of varying sorts.


   Synonym: an Aimee


   
   

It all began when I was younger. My mom works everyday, Monday-Saturday, and she's worked this harsh schedule from even before I was born. On Sundays we have church, so naturally, the only time we've been able to have some 'us' time is on Saturday afternoons when she came home from work. 

Every Saturday, for as long as I can remember, we've been having mother-daughter dates, most often at a little cafe in the mall called Jardin (maybe I'll do a post on this some time if you'd like, let me know in the comments!).

I'm not sure if it's the taste or the fond memories I've had throughout the years while having tea with my mom, but tea for me has always been an escape in a cup.  I've always loved minty things, so it's no surprise that from very early on, I developed a love for all things mint, spearmint and peppermint. So too, do I feel about chai, cinnamon and honey... needless to say that they're all favorites of mine. Particularly the loose-leaf varieties. 

One of the places we used to go to when I was much younger on afternoons was the PAX Guest House which is just a few minutes from the very popular Mount St. Benedict. Mount St. Benedict is the home of the Benedictine monks who live and work in Trinidad and Tobago. They follow a way of life with roots that trace back to St. Benedict of Norcia, who was born in Italy in the year 480. In fact, the Mount has become an integral part of the country's spiritual tapestry. 

Beautifully nestled in the hills of Trindad's northern range, PAX and the famous church at Mount St. Benedict are approximately six hundred and sixty feet above sea level, with lush flora and fauna surrounding the most picturesque views. 

There's a wonderfully simple tea service on afternoons from 3:00pm - 6:00pm that my mom and I love having on weekends. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a very simple option, somewhere super serene and peaceful. Through the hustle and bustle of daily life, it had been a while since we visited, but last weekend we decided to carve out a little time to revisit a place with many fond memories.

Sitting in the same wooden chairs my feet would swing off years ago, now with them firmly planted on the floor, I realized how much time had passed and how precious memories like these are. The tea filled me up with nostalgia even the taste of the tea-cake reminded me of my childhood. What a priceless experience! Not to mention the always soothing views. I can't wait to someday bring my own little ones to tea here. 

If you're looking for a quiet escape, be sure to check them out!

Until our next adventure,

Aimee.