Trinidad - The Flag Tour -Caroni Swamp

WARNING - This blog posting has a snake pic.  I know, I know.  I do not like snakes either - in real life, videos or pictures.  BUT... I am trying to face a fear.  Actually our guide was kewl about it and asked if anyone was afraid of snakes before we even set off.  Carla and I shot our hands up high in the air proudly.  "Okay" he said.  However, he still made a point to showed us the snake in the tree.  A tree boa I think.  He explained a little about that type of snake and that after they eat, they sleep...often for a week or two in one spot.  This one had apparently had a big meal because he had been in this same spot for almost two weeks now and thus the guide could find it.  My thought was that it would wake up any second and start moving and I was therefore glad we moved along before it did..  On second thought, I really don't like when I open a magazine, or turn on the TV or open FB and suddenly see a snake pic with no warning and thus no way to avoid it so I am not going to post the snake pic.  :)  You're welcome!
 

Blue something bird

Guess what else we found?  Can you see him below?

How about now?  It is a caiman - small crocodile.  It was in the water and scrambled up on the bank when we came near.  We were actually able to get quite close. 

Not sure what is going on with the white on the tip of the tail

The swamp has several open areas of water with small, scrub islands of vegetation. 

So peaceful

These small islands provide a roosting place for the Scarlet Iibis, Trinidad's national bird and the reason we came to the swap.  When I say scarlet, I mean RED.  These birds are very red.  Not kind of- sort of, but completely RED.

Scarlet Ibis in flight

They fly in at dusk by the thousands.  They are approximately the size of the White Ibis.  bahahah.  Ok, the size of a smallish crane.

Settling in for the evening

The Scarlet Ibis will pick one island and then ALL land there.  Thousands!  There are four or so islands throughout the swamp that are used by the Scarlet Ibis but only one is accessible to tourist via guide boat.

Time for bed

1500 Scarlet Ibis or more.  The guide said at the height of the season, it can get to 6000.  WOW!  The island looked like a Xmas tree.  Pre-dawn, th ibis head out to feed, eating crabs that actually make them the brilliant red color.  Hatchlings are born brown and white....I think.  Once they start eating the crabs, they change color to the brilliant red and stay that way.    

Still more coming home to roost

 It was such an amazing sight and experience.

Below - another sort of bird spotted on the trip.  A funny little bird.  English I think.  Just kidding Claire!

Trinidad - The Flag Tour -The Pink Temple

We had just enough time to do a drive by of the Karya Siddhi Temple - the pink temple.  Jesse dropped us off on one side and we strolled though the outside grounds, meeting him on the other side.  It is very ornate with detailed carvings in the stone.  Beautiful and fascinating.   

When I say detailed, I mean detailed.  Take a look at the entrance behind me.  The grey things appear to be sharks eating some cross-legged dude that is praying.  HEY - I told you.  I don't know much about the Hindu religion and there was no guide! 

So colorful

There were two rows of what I would call "pews" out in front of this.  However, the below sign made it pretty clear there was limited access to go any further than those pews.  I didn't completely understand the sign  -Pradakshina Only (click the link to learn what that means - interesting stuff).

"No Exercising'  Weird but my kind of place.  Where do I sign up?

The temple is dedicated to Hanuman -the Indian monkey god.  At 85 ft, this is one of the tallest statues of Hanuman outside of India.

Hanuman is one tall monkey

This temple is also (or had in addition to) an ashram....I think.  There was a sign sort of hinting at that.  Sorry - again, severe lack of knowledge. 

Something new under construction

Trinidad - The Flag Tour -Temple in the Sea

The front of the temple

On our grand day out with Jesse James....after the Pitch Lake and lunch, we stopped at the Temple in the Sea.

The sea - the Bay of ?? to be specfic

Okay, so it's not really IN the sea but it used to be and then the land was built up to protect it from being destroyed by the sea.

The back of the temple

I know next to nothing about the Hindu religion but I am trying to learn while here.  So far it's going slow.  I am probably going to need to read something to get a better feel. 

Shoes must be removed before entering all Hindu temples

Flags are big in the Hindu religion.  We see them not only at temples but up on street corners and in nearly every yard in Hindu neighborhoods. 

The temple itself was locked but one of the side windows wasn't.  D-oh.  NO, we didn't climb through.  We merely peeked in.  Inside was so pretty and colorful.

Trinidad has a rather large population with east Indian heritage.  They were first brought to Trinidad after the abolishment of slavery.  Indentured servants aka just a different form of slavery in my mind.