When driving from Port of Spain to Maracas Beach on the north side of Trinidad, taking Saddle Road, more commonly known as North Coast Road, provides a scenic escape from the city. The narrow road immerses you in lush vegetation while providing aerial views of the Caribbean Sea, rainforest and nearby islands. There are many lookout points to stop for photos, although be careful about parking because there aren’t really designated lots. Make sure to also stop off at Maracas Lookout for the best view of all, as well as to sample “Trini Treats,” like coconut fudge, cilantro-brined fruits, sweet, spicy tamarind balls and fried dough coated in crystallized ginger (kurma), from local vendors. For an idea of what you’ll see, here are some iPhoneography shots from my journey.
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
