Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
The focus shifted from the road to the riverbank for Ash Wednesday yesterday, when friends and families gathered at Caura River in Tunapuna. While some opted to cool down beneath the bamboo shade or in the water, others continued their revelry.
The popular nature spot in the Northern Range drew crowds from across the country for what many considered their last celebrations for Carnival.
After midday, vehicles lined the roadway near the river, the smell of food filled the air and music echoed through the area.
Deo Ramnarine and his family left their Chaguanas home to take part in the post-Carnival river cooldown, which has been a tradition for years.
“We cooking dhal, rice, curried duck and curried chicken and it is something I doing ever since I could remember,” he said.
Suzanne Mc Phillimy said the river was the perfect relief from the exhaustion of the festival.
“I had an amazing Carnival. We played with Tribe and it was a really nice experience on the road,” she said.
In a few days, Mc Phillimy will travel back to her home in the Middle East. However, the T&T national was eager to reconnect with family, with the river as a natural remedy.
“Everything, the vibe, just the cooking and just to be by the water and with family and friends, it’s just great. I really miss everything when I’m not here, the people, the food, the atmosphere, everything. Whenever I’m back for Carnival we must continue this tradition,” she said.
Jamaican national Kerry Verona-Holness, who has called T&T home for the last ten years, has also integrated into the river lime tradition.
“I just like the vibe, the nature, the culture, I like everything. I like the quiet, peace, the water it’s refreshing, everything about it really is enjoyable,” she said.
Verona-Holness and her relatives also appreciated the police presence, which they said boosted safety and ensured order at the location.
Many people said the Caura cooldown is an essential part of their Carnival experience, providing them with a final opportunity to soak in the joy and camaraderie of the season.
However, the experience was not as pleasant for people seeking relaxation at Maracas Bay, as they endured gridlock traffic in a police roadblock at “The Pillars” along the Saddle Road, Maraval, on their journey to the popular beach.