While thousands joined revellers in the two days of Carnival, many took to the beaches to camp with their family and friends.
When T&T Guardian visited beaches along the northeast and southeast coasts yesterday, there were people from all parts of the country present.
Many admitted that the difficulties in travelling to Tobago forced them to change their plans and stay in Trinidad, which saw an influx of visitors to beaches like Salybia in Toco, Manzanilla, Mayaro and Guayaguayare.
Most of the beach houses were fully booked while the beaches were also littered with campers.
The Phakira family, of Chaguanas, told the T&T Guardian they had been going to Salybia Beach for the last 30 years for Carnival because they liked the ambience of the area, safety and the warm welcome they received from villagers. They added that this period served as a time for reuniting and socialising with family members and making new friends.
Pastor of the Nazarene Church of Arouca, Kerron Lee, said his congregation had been spending Carnival at Toco for the last 18 years and enjoyed every minute of their stay. However, he said, he had to look for a bigger place next year as many more of his members wanted to join them.
Most campers said the beaches on the north east and south east coats were very safe for camping, noting police made regular visits and spoke with them.
“We not missing anything and are also having a wonderful time, having fun and enjoying the music provided by DJs. Most important, we breathing fresh air and enjoying the ozone,” one camper said.
At Salybia in particular, even the villagers looked after the campers’ safety and ensured they enjoyed themselves.
Toco’s small business community said their sales were high and the the most profitable they had had for a while.
Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chairman Terry Rondon visited the campers, and was congratulated for providing added security, lifeguards, and portable toilets at the camp sites.
Rondon said many had journeyed to Toco as there were problems travelling to Tobago. He said campers not only occupied Salybia beach, but at Rampanalagas as well.
Head of the Salybia lifeguards Gimmie Gopaul said his team of seven ensured the safety of all campers, the number of who he said, doubled this year.
He thanked the campers for cooperating with them.