It’s that time again where we close our eyes and point to a spot on a map of Trinidad. The destination, Fishing Pond, a quiet little village on the east coast of Trinidad situated on the outskirts of Sangre Grande. With the whole gang finally together at the Wallerfield intersection to Cumuto, we were off and encountered the strangest thing, a heavy rain shower. The peak of the dry season, serious water restrictions and we are driving in pouring, bucket –ah-drop rain. Go figure.

Tradition is to pick a venue and drive to it….but try to find the longest way there and back, except where the destination is Icacos, but next run for that story. So through Cumuto, passing thru Little Coora Road and coming out on the Guaico Junction. Next stop, Sangre Grande, for a bit of breakfast, but not before 4 vans got lost. How someone could lose 7 vans in front of them I don’t know, but blame was cast on a bad Google Map. After taking some spy pics and being invited to an excursion to beach by some locals, Fishing Pond was the next stop.

Now when the lead man and head navigator passes a sign telling you where to go and drives into a dead end swamp, you have to shake your head and wonder, but that is something to sit and argue over a few cold drinks by the beach, which we did. Like many places off the beaten path in TnT, Fishing Pond doesn’t disappoint. Neighbours were seen peering out windows and garages to see why 11 pickups are invading their quiet little slice of heaven. Police even came looking for us on 2 occasions.

Vast doesn’t quite put it into context of the space we encountered with even more land being cleared to create more ponds, well it isn’t call Fishing Pond for nothing. After reading the tourist board, we were when you think about it, there’s more to Fishing Pond than….well….ponds. Leather back turtle nesting grounds, nature trails and river tours….even a camp site for those wanting their action on the ruff side.

After all the pictures were taken and driving till we could go no more, seeing the strangest boat stuck in the middle of a river that appears to be too small for it, we headed out to Manzanilla for lunch and what every Diesel Boy loves…..a beach run. If once was a fluke, rain fell again on our way out and this was where the boys in blue and white passed us twice on the way out. We waved, they waved back, we ran.

Some more back roads and startled villagers and we were soon on the beach. Lunch was the order of business but not before 7 of us headed out for a small run down the beach to the mouth of the Nariva River. More pictures than you could take at a wedding and then back up to have lunch and recall the events of the day. By mid afternoon, we called it a day, half heading back to Grande and the others taking the southern route through Rio Claro on to San Fernando.

A lovely day seeing the country, nobody got stuck, a first for us and everyone made it home safely to their loved ones.

Next up, the 3^rd Annual Icacos Run……a fan favourite!