Carnival, calypso and steelpan
Port of Spain is a busy, multicultural capital best known for Carnival, the pre-Lent festival of costumed bands, soca and calypso that fills the streets before Ash Wednesday. The steelpan, one of the few acoustic instruments invented in the twentieth century, was born in Trinidad, and panyards host rehearsals in the run-up. The Queen's Park Savannah is ringed by grand colonial houses known as the Magnificent Seven. The food mixes Indian, African, Chinese and Creole cooking, from doubles to roti, and Maracas Bay is a short drive away.