Nariva Swamp We were very fortunate to visit Trinidad's largest fresh-water wetland, the Nariva swamp. Located on Trinidad's east coast, the protected swamp land is edged by the "coconut estates" (a large coconut farming area) as well as the Manzanilla-Mayaro road which runs the length of the breathtakingly beautiful, raw east coast ocean beach. Designated a "Wetland of International Importance" this 32 square mile area is a unique fresh-water ecosystem that harbours large concentrations of rare wildlife; including manatees. Located in the swamp is a 3 metre high, small, heavily forested island known as Bush Bush Island; home to troops of white-fronted whining capuchin and red howler monkeys. Our travel into the swamp was by pirogue which took us along a narrow river edged by reed filled marshes and eerie mangroves (lots of crabs scurrying in the black mud). After we had progressed about a mile the river became too shallow for the pirogue and we set off on foot, in the ankle high mud swamp, for shore on Bush Bush Island. Our efforts were rewarded as we located and interacted with approximately 8 capuchin monkeys and several howlers. We were unable to make a sighting of the 60 macaws that have been reintroduced into the area but did find 2 of their long blue and yellow feathers. On our departure from Bush Bush Island we had a very fast and exciting pirogue ride in the rain as we skirted the mangroves along the narrow, winding river. Our memories, on this our 36th wedding anniversary, were of our awesome, thrilling encounter with both capuchin and howler monkeys. Truly an experience we will always remember.