EASTERN SCOPE
THE CORRIDOR GROWING FAST
By Roxanne Stapleton
Express
March 24, 2000
Pages 39-42
The
Eastern Corridor has fast become a hub of business and social
activity. Gone are those days when the
East was primarily a residential basin.
There
are industrial estates on the outskirts of the districts, and they operate as
unique entities. There are Post
offices, Judicial Courts, Warden Offices, Parliamentary Representative Offices
and other forms of major business office.
Quite a metamorphosis has taken place, but much of the natural beauty
remains intact, though people still engage in wanton littering and pollution.
Centrally
located along the Eastern corridor, Tunapuna has
survived a major overhaul within recent years that has served only to improve
the aesthetics of the place.
Townhouses
and condominiums are currently constructed to house a growing populace. Many people now make here their home, and it
continues to attract those wanting to start families. Schools, churches and other religious bodies are well established
here, and the infrastructure is at an excellent standard. There is an abundance of savannahs and
parks, features that further attract people to the area. To get to Caura River, one can start the
trek through scenic Tunapuna.
People
hike, bike or drive to get to this rewarding venue. Tunapuna is quite a breezy place as it stands at the foot of the
mountain range. Since it is nestled
directly between UWI St Augustine and the Piarco Airport, many homeowners, have
tapped into the business of renting apartments and guestrooms.
If
you're a lover of great scenery, hillsides, open lush green savannahs, fresh
air and little vehicular traffic and you don't mind going the distance for it, Sangre Grande should be
your destination.
The
access route to this place through the plains of Aripo and Valencia really sets
you in a wonderful frame of mind. The
pace of life here is much slower, than is experienced in many parts of
Trinidad. People are engaged in crop
cultivation and farming, and often go to sell their produce in the heart of
Sangre Grande.
The
folks of this town are more close-knit, and are in principle their brothers'
keeper. Sangre Grande has also gone
through spurts of modernized architectural improvements as is evidenced by the
new police station. The business
community is very active in town development and continues to keep abreast of
all activities on the drawing board.
If
you are soon to retire, and have the money that would allow you the opportunity
to relocate, and enjoy a pace of life that suits a retiree, why not purchase a
piece of land in Sangre Grande? You
would be minutes away from Manzanilla, and about half an hour away from
Mayaro. Not bad eh?
WONDERS OF NATURE
AT ASA WRIGHT
Arima,
home of the Carib community, Dial and Velodrome, is one of the larger
residential base towns in Trinidad. La
Horquetta, Santa Rosa, and Carib Homes, are just a taste of some of the
residential home schemes, found there.
The
Asa Wright Nature Centre is indeed one of the magnet features of this well-known
town. It is here that you can experience
the wonders of nature in its purest sense.
The
trails carry you step by step, through rare species of fauna and flora. There are birds, snakes and other animals
that can be seen here, in what can be considered their natural habitat.
There
are ponds and other waterways that capture rare beauty and you are left in
wonderment.
Honeymooning
couples or people wanting to get away for the weekend can make here a destination. There are rooms available, and included in
the package are meals. If you suffer
from high blood pressure and you need rest away from the rat race this may in
fact be the ideal place for you.
A HIKER'S PARADISE
The
Heights of Aripo is an ideal hikers' paradise.
There
are trails that are better known than others, and there are the more difficult
lesser known ones that are extremely challenging.
It
is advisable that prospective hikers approach the Forestry Division, and other
relevant authorities before attempting such trekking. I have seen first hand the beauty of Aripo and it forever remains
etched in the deepest cavities of my mind.
There
are the Five Sisters, which are five tributaries that make for great swimming
and splashing, and the water is so refreshing.
For those orchid lovers, you would be amazed at the finds that await
you. So, what are you waiting for?