Greener pastures

The campaign aims to give residents an opportunity to experience tourist sites and attractions and “provide visitors and citizens with authentic and memorable experiences”.

Tucked away in the hills of Cunaripo, Green Pastures which was originally a cocoa and coffee estate in the 1980s offers a thrilling escape for nature lovers.

The family-owned business began its transformation to a resort four years ago when work began to make it a more diversified project.

The estate is owned by Arthur Sam, his son Anderson, daughter- in-law, Melissa and their son, Addison. Melissa revealed that Arthur was the first proprietor and farmer of the estate. Although the estate contained mainly citrus and poultry at that time, Arthur’s ever- present passion to do something meaningful in his community along with his wife’s death in 2013, propelled him to finally transform the plantation into an eco-friendly estate which his community and country could enjoy.

In 2013 he began renovations, building swimming pools and carat sheds with old-time firesides so that guests could enjoy outdoor cooking.

The estate has fruit trails, nature trails with swings and hammocks, a mini zoo, a fresh-water tilapia and cascadura pond (for visitors to fish) and a bee-keeping area. Bee-keeping was introduced 18 months ago by Anderson and Melissa who also sell the honey to visitors. Their honey, according to Melissa, is different.

She said the type of nectar that bees forage on, impacts the colour and texture of the honey.

Since their bees forage on the citrus from the estate, the honey “is a completely different colour, a golden, rich, nice-tasting honey.” The Sams are also working on adding traditional dirt ovens as another attraction. “We’re trying to maintain that legacy, that old-fashioned, Trinidadian cultural setting that we lived in once. We don’t want it to die,” Melissa said.

Green Pastures’ visitors come from across the country. “We have from South, Diego Martin, Aranjuez, all over,” Melissa said.

They come throughout the year but the busiest times are July- August, weekends and public holidays.

On a trip to the venue organised by the Tourism Ministry recently, tour guide Derik Donawa took a group to explore all of the estate’s attractions (except the pool, which was booked). The individual sheds which can be rented by visitors are equipped with running water and electricity.

Tour guests also got to sample fresh fruits and juices made from trees on the estate as well as pommecythere chow.

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