Caves Bats and Lepers
Chaser 2
Yvonne Chapman
Fri 3 Aug 2007 01:03
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Before leaving Trinidad we decided to visit
the underground caves on Casper Grande, a small Island off Trinidad's west
coast. Again it was arranged through Jesse James, he arranged a taxi from
our marina to drive Yvonne and me with Chris and Tony from
Waylander to a small dock where we were transported by boat to Casper
Grande. We then had to walk maybe half a mile up hill to the entrance
to the caves. We then descend down a wooden staircase to an underground
sea level lake amongst stalagmites and tites and things. It was hot and
humid work (how we suffer) so we cooled off in the saltwater lake. The local
inhabitants you an see in the photo were clinging to the ceiling above our
heads. Chris and Tony enjoy a swim too before returning up the stairs for a long
walk back to the boat taxi.
The following day we checked out of customs
preparing for our departure. The people of Trinidad and the country itself was
very pleasant, the nicest country we have visited so far, and it was a shame to
leave, but we think we may modify our plans to return sometime.
We left our Marina at 1000hrs with Waylander
alongside, we decided to pay a visit to Chacachacare whilst still in Trinidad
waters, despite having cleared out of the country. This island was a leper
colony for many years until a cure was found and in 1984 the lepers were
moved to a hospital in Port of Spain for treatment. Its quite incredible to
think that only 20 odd years ago this disease existed. The island had a doctors
house, a nunnery, workshops and generators for electric, aswell as a
village housing all the patients.
Walking through the undergrowth you an still see
the houses and chapel etc although everything has been looted now,
but apparently years after one could walk through these houses and see them how
they were left; as if someone said 'hey! found a cure, lets go! plates and
cutlery still on the tables or in the sink books on shelves, food in cupboards.
It is such a beautiful island and anchorage as you can see but nothing has ever
been done since the departure of the peoples. Nature just covering it over, very
little now to see, no souvenirs of this place, just the odd finger or toe laying
around the desolate buildings, (only joking).
Before leaving Trinidad waters completely we spent
the following night in Scotland bay so we would have an easy 01.00hr departure
for our sail to Los Testigos, our first taste of Venezuela. Adios Trinidad, we
will return.
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