A Postcard from Trinidad: Get used to the music and you'll have a blast!

Mar 9 2009 By Howard Nichols

Howard watches England take on the West Indies

Even if you’re not into cricket, it’s well worth heading out to a big game at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

It was built in 1896 and is Trinidad’s main cricket ground. Cricket can be an obsession in Trinidad and, if you can get used to music blaring from sound systems after every over of the game and after each wicket that falls, you’ll have a blast. A few ice-cold Carib beers will quench any thirst!

The pavilion has just been named after Brian Lara, Trinidad’s most famous cricketing son.

To its right is the Trini Posse Stand, a hotbed of good humour, alcohol consumption, and pounding music, with cheerleaders strutting their stuff. England are currently locked in a Test Match against the West Indies here and, to the naked eye, it seems that there are more supporters from England (including the Barmy Army) than there are locals, something of a surprise.

The Oval is the only West Indian Test ground that is privately owned, by its 3000 members and sponsors. Security around the ground has been tight following the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan.

While you’re around Port of Spain go up to Fort George for some spectacular views over the city and the big Gulf of Paria.

The fort itself was built in 1804 and was a precautionary island defence against the French Caribbean fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, although no military engagement actually took place. Some of the original cannons and cannonballs are still there, as is the jailhouse which was used to house valuables and treasures when danger threatened.

Stone defensive walls still surround the wooden signal station that was used to house the largest contingent of British troops in the Caribbean throughout the nineteenth century: at some point these soldiers mutinied although the full story hasn’t been made public.

Anyway, take a camera and plenty of sunscreen – it’s hot up there!

Howard is Senior Partner at Surrey Copywriters of Weybridge, whose team specialise in writing brochures, websites and features for their clients.