IslandMix

I have never been to Trini carnival. I know it's a shame. I'm a complete novice but I'm considering going next year. But it just seems so overwhelming.

If you had to create a step by step guide to playing mass in Trini (including insider tips), what would you include?

Best time to book flight, best accomodations, best fetes to go to, safety tips, etc...

that's alot of info you looking for!!!!! we could write a book in here :p
right now flights are expensive the prices should come down alittle when it gets closer but then you run the risk of seats being sold out even though I prefer to book my flights thru bwee online you can find cheaper flights thru travel agents & charter companies. you need hotel accomodations? you don't have any family or friends to stay by? there are tons of guesthouses that are less expensive than the big hotels but they tend to be booked & sold out very early

http://notes.tidco.co.tt/accommodations.nsf

Guesthouse
Airport View Guest House (868) 669-4186 (868) 669-5104
Alicia's House Ltd. (868) 623-2802/624-8651/625-2648/625-2619 (868) 623-8560
Carnetta's Inn (868) 622-5165/628-2732 (868) 628-7717
Coblentz Inn (868) 621-0541-4 (868) 624-7566
Laguna Mar Beach / Nature Resort (868) 669-2963 (868) 628-3737
Monique's Guesthouse (868) 628 3334/2351/5511 (868) 622 3232
Par-May-Las Inn (868) 628 2008 (868) 628 4707
Pax Guesthouse (868) 662-4084 (868)662-4232
Sundeck Suites (868) 622-9560 (868) 628-4707
Host Home
Alford House
Alfredo Villa
Ana's Place (868) 627-2563 (868) 628-0971
Brahma bhûta
Casablanca Bed and Breakfast (868) 663-3863 (868) 663-3863
Chateau Guillaume Comfort Zone
Chez Jeanne
C. T. Garden Inn
Gibson's Self Catering House
Gwen's (868) 627-8032
Hillvue Host Home (868) 632 8046 (868) 622 2557
Hopevilla
Kiskidee Cottage
La Belle Maison (868) 663 4413 (868) 663 4413
Le Grande Almandier (868) 670-1013, (868) 670-2294 (868) 670-1013
Lenore's Chattel House
Leo's Place
Mc Eachnie's Haven
MK's Haven
MK's Haven
ML's Ginger Bread House
Morgan's Bed and Breakfast
Sadila House (868) 640-3659 (868) 640-1376
Sand Dollar
Sapphire House
Savannah Breeze
Second Spring
Sunshine House
Tahira Boos
The Greenery
Thor's House
Trinidad Gingerbread House
Valsayn Villa
Williams' Villa (868) 628 0824 (868) 622-7782
Hotel
Abercromby Inn, The (868) 623 5259, (868) 627-6658 (868) 624 3858
Ambassador Hotel (868) 628-9000 (868) 628-7411
Asa Wright Nature Centre (868) 667-4655 (868) 667-4540
Cara Suites Pointe-A-Pierre 1 868 659 2271,2272,2230 1 868 659 2202
Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre (868) 623-3511, (868) 623-3513, (868) 623-3515, (868) 623-4208/9 (868) 627-8046
Coral Cove Marina, Hotel Ltd. (868) 634-2040 (868) 634-2248
Crews Inn Hotel and Yachting Centre (868) 634--4384/5 (868) 634-4542/4175
Crowne Plaza Trinidad (868) 625-3366 (868) 625-4677 / 625-2773
Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre (868) 624-3111 (868) 624-4485
Kapok Hotel (868) 622-KPOK (5765) (868) 622-9677
Mikanne Hotel and Restaurant (868) 659 2584 (868) 659 2584
Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel (868) 670-8381, (868) 670-2216
Cellular: (868) 680-4553 (868) 670-0057
Piarco International Hotel Limited 868-669-3030, (868) 669-4040 868-669-1739
Royal Palm Suite Hotel (868) 628-5086/9 (868) 628-6042

Machel's Alternative Concept & I think BrassFest the sat (1 week) before carnival Sat
Glow on Tues before carnival
Bacchanal Wed & Customs Fete on Wed before carnival
UWI Splash & MadHatters on Thurs before carnival
Girl Power, Pier 1 Cooler fete on Fri before carnival
Insomnia & Trinipossee fete on Sat before carnival
Brian Lara all-inclusive & BoyScouts on Sun before carnival
then j'ouvert into carnival Mon

My website has just about everything you need. It's listed in Google's top 5 under Trinidad Carnival and is partially sponsored by TnT tourism board. It's got band info, where to stay, who to fly, parties, concerts, pictures, tips......and it's updated every month. It's a bit bare now since I'm home working on 3 of the pages, but it'll have everything you need for now..........including a page with tips for newbies. :p

Click Here for general info or here for carnival tips.

very nice site it just made me really excited!

Thanks ampy. It started off in 2000 as just a way for me to promote my culture (ah was getting very tired of repeating meh self to non-west indians); it's since become a major marketing tool with contracts for caribbean entertainers coming from as far Asia. I took the e-commerce down and won't put it back up until Sept./Oct (tee shirts, etc), but that's only because I'm preparing for two major marketing project for next carnival.............................you might have heard about it. It's .

:p :p :p

Yeah LSK it's a really cool site. I just finished checking it out.

Foxxie...I'm in a bit of a caffine crash so I can't think of anything right now. But I think these guys got the jist of it. And stay tuned to CC, there's always stuff popping up in here. :)

__________________
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA 44th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

it's been a long time comin'.... but I know....a CHANGE is gonna come

amp..I usually stay by family but I asked about the accomodations for those who would want to know..thanks for the fete list, I'd better start saving up!

LSK..your website looks great so far and the site for first timers is funny but informative

It's just about the planning for me. I stress myself out enough with making travel plans..lol...so the idea of the costume preparations just gets to me. Either that or something financial comes up. I just have to tell myself that I'm going and start to prepare from early on. Now that I have a friend down there to keep me company I don't have to worry about people changing their minds. But I think i'm just going to go as a spectator first and play mass the next year. :) Thanx guys

What???? Wha yuh mean by that? That should never be an option to consider.

I agree foxxie you gotta play! SPECTATORS can never have as much fun as masqueraders

The best thing is playing mas, I could pass on the parties, just give me my costume and I'm in heaven...

As with most things, you just have to have a plan, we have 6 full months til February, look at the list below and estimate how much you need to save in that time and put it in action. I would say that by October you should have your airfare and costume deposit.

airfare - $500 - 800 US
housing - ??? US
costume - $200 - 350 US
parties - $100 - $400 TT, depending on the party

I know how you feel, but I just take it one step at a time. I find that once the airfare it booked, especially if I pay less than I anticipated, it less worry, because now I'm sure I'm going.