Volendam Holiday Voyage, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

I was out early this morning for a beautiful sail into Port-of-Spain, Trinidad…  Once docked, Cathy and I got off first thing and took a taxi to Mount St. Benedict Monastery. It was a nice monastery and chapel founded in 1912 by a Brazilian Order of monks. We returned to the port and started our walking tour through town to see the sights of Port of Spain. I had not been to Trinidad in a few years and noticed how cosmopolitan the city has become with many beautiful buildings weaved among the charming 19th century buildings. We made our way up Brian Lara Promenade at Independence Square to Frederick Street passing the Anglican Trinity Church, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and a walk through Woodford Square surrounded by public buildings such as the Red House (Trinidad’s Parliament building), Hall of Justice, City Hall and the National Library. We made our way to the Queen's Park Savannah, a multi acre urban park. Across from the Memorial Park sits the spectacular National Academy of the Performing Art Building with its five domed facades. Following the Savannah’s perimeter, we came upon the Magnificent Seven, a group of restored mansions that date from the colonial era, provide a glimpse of Trinidad's history and lining the road that surrounds the park. The city's botanical gardens, the national zoo and the president's residence, Whitehall, share the same block. It was a nice walk on a beautiful day...returning to the ship for some pool time.