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| A Real 'Learning Journey' |
 There were bugs, boots, bites and bush. Slips, slides and slush but that did not stop over 80 Commonwealth Youth Forum Delegates from thoroughly enjoying the Tobago Rainforest. The tour to the Tobago Rainforest was the heaviest subscribed of the four Learning Journeys organised for CYF 7, with the others being trips to Buccoo Reef, The Tobago Cocoa Estate and the Youth Assembly, a mock sitting of the Tobago House of Assembly…but by all reports, the Rainforest Tour was the most exciting. The Tobago Rainforest is the oldest protected reserve in the Western Hemisphere. It has been established since 1764 and has a diverse eco-system, despite almost being totally destroyed by hurricane Flora in 1963. After a 75-minute bus ride we arrived at the trail heads and were promptly separated by members of the Professional Tour Guide Association into manageable groups numbering 10 to 15 Delegates. Purely by coincidence, our group was made up of only West Indian Delegates and was led by the knowledgeable Junior ‘Kodak Moment’ Thomas who got that nickname on this tour because of his constant urgings to “use your camera, this is a rare opportunity” Junior was not the only person given a sobriquet in the forest; Rashida Beckles will be from this day forth known as ‘Bamboo Bajan’ after showing her uncanny appreciation for Tobago’s version of the largest members of the grass family. Her ‘riding partner’, Crystal ‘Trini Red’ Liverpool had to literally drag her away from taking photos in one of the many bamboo patches which skirt the trail. Rashida’s admiration for flora was matched by Irwin ‘Tallman’ Williams’ fascination with the trail boots. Having never worn work boots before (apparently) the Trinidadian was just amazed at his progress and prowess in getting through the trail in what first seemed to be an ugly piece of footwear. He deemed the TT$20.00 rental fee for the boots, “the best money ever spent”. Jamaican, Tamian ‘Smooth’ Beckford and Javon ‘Real Bago’ Carrington agreed fully with their new found friend as we searched for the Red Chester Trojan which was constantly answering the calls from the guide but not showing itself. We finally found the elusive bird perched high above us on the branch of a wild cocoa tree, way out of the reach of our simple digital cameras. The fresh water crabs were also shy, which is in stark contrast to the tree cutting ants, which were everywhere. The end of the trail proved to be the most exhilarating part of the tour as we took turns swinging on the Tarzan Vines. Tamian was not so “smooth” with his landing but showed good form in the air. ‘Tallman’ was easily the star of the show, with good performances coming from Arryl ‘Sweet Smile’ Lewis and of course, the diminutive ‘Bamboo Bajan’ and the svelte ‘Trini Red’. After returning our very practical footwear and boarding Roger’s Maxi-Taxi, only snores could be heard on the ride back to civilisation. |
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 December 2009 17:00 ) |
