To me, Rancho Quemado is one of those places where you find yourself scrambling for a map to find its location even as a Trinidadian. Sometimes it is not on the map at all. You have to find Palo Seco and Erin, and somehow gauge its position between these.
All that is about to change as the newly opened Rancho Quemado Agro-Eco Tourism Park has mapmakers updating their respective productions.
Walking through the grounds of the park you could see how manager Mark Andrews visualised the potential of this deep south area and made his ideas for its sustainable development a reality.
The park is part of Rancho Quemado Estates Ltd and occupies five of the total 45 acres of land. The Upper Six students from Princes Town West Secondary had a blast (my classmates) today 12 December 2012, eagerly awaiting their turn on the see-saws and swings in the mini play park or peering at the birds and animals in the mini zoo while some indulged in some fishing from the jetty, nature trailing along the walkways or just relaxing in one of the sheds which was a long-standing vision of Andrews.
The estate originally comprised of cocoa, coffee and citrus, which is typical of these southern areas.
I noted the tilapia and the natural spring fed ponds on the estate. As tilapia is a species that multiplies rapidly, this is a great phenomenon to witness.
Looking at the cocoa and citrus on the estate, I envisaged a thriving industry here, and today production is an integral part of the estate.
The estate also has a flourishing bee community, as Andrews has added apiculture to the estate's functions. At present, there is a fully operational "honey room" where presentations on bee keeping and the production of honey are done.
In 2008, the Brash family, owners of the estate, produced the first set of Cocobel chocolates. Cocobel is made from the Trinitario cocoa beans harvested from the estate.
The estate was by now thriving under the management of Andrews. However, being the enterprising person that he is, he took it one step further.
Today as I was on my daily walk through the estate, I said to myself—what a magnificent nature trail. I was advice on the endangered species. I saw cages and a pair of scarlet macaws.
It was an eco-park. There were constructed walkways throughout the grounds and also a mini zoo on-stream. Signage on the cages and on the trees helped me become educated on the importance of our natural habitats.
Of course we were like children admiring the animals, an realising that the play park is a must.We 'limed' in the sheds and just chilled and relaxed.
The estate is blessed with a natural spring that has maintained a continuous flow since when it was first discovered in 1927. It channels the water to create a fishing area downstream. The waterfall that adorns the park has been created by pumping the water from the dam below. This is all done to enhance the beauty and enjoyment of the park.
We definitely would carry what we have learnt to school. Children's minds are like the young branches of a tree. You can shape them to grow along the direction you want them to blossom. From there, they continue to bring forth new fruit on their own. The older ones have already done their part in providing shelter and nurturing.
We received 45-minute tours with the two resident tour guides under the vigilant patrol of the company's security firm.
Sample giveaways of cocoa powder was given.
The entrance fee of $40 was worth it!!!
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