Mind, body & spirit need rarely look further than Trinidad and Tobago for the infusion of wellness – with all its diverse offerings – that the twin islands provide on a daily basis. It’s the big things; it’s the little things. It could take the form of a well-planned excursion or emerge from the simple beauty of the daily living, with its foibles steeped in joy, interaction, laughter, camaraderie and nature. It’s the laugh that comes from deep within the Trinbagonian belly, the abandon of a Carnival celebration, the serenity of a hike through a rainforest, the incredulity of taste buds running amok at the doubles’ vendor.

T&T’s melting pot continues to welcome new recipes

Vitamin T&T is available in abundance, in slight and heavy doses (see, it does not just apply to pepper), you can decide the level of prescription, but you are rarely in control of the timing of the dosage. Which does not matter because overdosing on wellness is the perfect counter to the stresses of life and more so, life in the 21st century.

The subtle vibes surround you; lush green mountains loom large in the distance as nature imposes itself even though you are miles away. A glimpse of the ocean from afar, inducing the uncanny sense of calm that water brings, even if it as fleeting as the glimpse.

Water, in all its forms – the healing powers of the salt, the refreshing coolness of the river, the thundering of the waterfall, even the freedom of bathing in a rainy season downpour – is always a short journey away. Once you’re immersed, the best laid plans will have to take a back seat.

If variety is the spice of life, then T&T’s melting pot continues to welcome new recipes, literally and figuratively. Food forms a crucial hub in the society, little wonder then that our favourite pastime contains the word ‘lime’. Contrasts add to the flavour; the pace and buzz of a busy city awash with global brands and local luminaries, against the chilled scenario of a walk through the leafy lanes of a bamboo arch, both within miles of each other.

Life on our islands always moves to a beat

In the distance is the ubiquitous beat, not necessarily loud but always with a rhythm. Calypso, chutney, soca, rapso, the homegrown genres vie with global rock, rap, pop, R&B, that keeps our feet tapping because life on our islands always moves to a beat.

This all gives rise to the Trinbagonian personality, the myriads of characters that are too complex to explain yet are so easy to lime with. Ole talk, serious talk, global talk, political talk, sports talk, just talk (with of course, picong). We love engagement, we can debate until next week, we rise in the boardroom and recline on the beach, but always there is the connection with one another regardless of the setting.

Within those settings, colour is everywhere and is always changing. The streaks of orange and red against a perfect light blue canvas, as parrots take the same flightpath home each evening against the Caribbean sky; the vibrant yellow or pink in April to June as Poui trees announce their arrival in grand style. These imbue the mind and soul with delight, bolstered by the subconscious thought “This is my land”.

Yes, yours for the taking, so go ahead and grab it with glee. Allow the mind to wander, let the body travel to the varied landscapes and open the spirit up to the unique sights that are encased in the land and on the sea, that help to shape a nation’s perspective and create the culture of enjoyment.

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