THE INTENT

I made it back to the United States safely and without hassle despite what the masses were saying.  It was a concern of mine because of the rumors regarding reentering the country while using multiple passports.  Well, I'm here and can tell you that people are full of shit! Nothing new over here. Whoever  shared experiences of getting held back or had to go into a 'little room', they left out the part of what they really did to end up there or were just repeating things they didn't experience first hand. I can assure you that those negative experiences had nothing to do with traveling with multiple passports.

With that being said and out the way.....

Trinidad carnival 2025 and Tobago owes me nothing!

In fact, I may owe Trinidad and Tobago some money!

Tobago was intentionally separated from Trinidad carnival because Tobago has their own carnival and my trip to Tobago was not a "carnival" experience.

Anywho... Everything from my band choice, to each fete and excursion were great decisions!

I am gradually coming back to the land of the living so please, allow grace.  From upfront, I will let you know that my pace will be that of one who almost died yet didn't. The intent is to however do one review/experience per day but don't hold me. I've realized that the content is received better once I've posted them individually rather than do one long post so... The list of events that I planned on going to were as follows:

2/21 Fri  LAND ✅

2/22 Sat Stink and Dutty ✅ 

2/23 Sun Maracus ✅ 

2/24 Mon Private Parts Boatride ✅ 

2/24 Mon Monday Madness ✅ 

2/25 Tues Shhh ✅ 

2/25 Tues KES ✅ 

2/26 Wed CITRUS ✅ 

2/26 Wed Punchy Punch ✅ 

2/27 Thur Lyro and Ding Dong's All White Hennessy Boatride✅ 

2/28 Fri Colors ❎

3/1 Sat AMBush ✅ 

3/1 Sat Soca Brainwash ✅ 

3/2 Sun (Brunched at home) ✅ 

3/3 Mon SPIRIT MAS ✅ 

3/4 Tue  SPIRIT MAS ✅ 

3/5 Wed Maracus Lime ✅ 

3/6 Thur Boat/Ferry to Tobago ✅ 

3/6 Thur Argyle Waterfalls ✅ 

3/6 Thur Beach Bonfire ✅ 

3/7 Fri Tiki Tiki ✅ 

3/8 Sat Trinidad via flight ✅ 

3/8 Tribe Last Lap ✅

3/9  Sun HOME  ✅💀

The only event that I just couldn't make was DJ Stephen's Bright Colors boat ride.  As time goes on, you will come to understand why. 

FANTASY, WHAT HAPPENED?

In Trinidad and Tobago, there is a group of carnival mas bands that are considered 'The Holy Trinity' of mas bands.  Of this 'Trinity', you never PUBLICLY hear of the woes that go on within the bands.  Whatever grievance a masquerader has isn't shared publicly among bloggers, newspapers or social media forums however, the troubles of Fantasy caught everyones attention globally and an email was sent out to registrants of the Scheherazade section.

"Dear Scheherazade Masquerader,
The Management of Fantasy Carnival mas band would hereby like to apologize for the inconvenience caused to all masqueraders registered to play in the private section, "Scheherazade" as produced and marketed for Carnival 2017 by Richard Anthony Productions and Concepts.

Unknown to Fantasy Carnival, Richard Anthony Production and Concepts made a grievous manufacturing/scheduling error and this section was not produced in time for distribution.

It should be noted that with regards to this particular private section, the marketing, sales, production and distribution of "Scheherazade" is the sole responsibility of Richard Anthony Productions and Concepts.  Unlike standard sections where we manage the entire manufacturing and production process, Fantasy Carnival merely provides the auxiliary services for "Scheherazade" such as: music, trucks, drinks, etc.

Unfortunately, Richard Anthony Productions and Concepts misled our management team into believing that their production was on stream and that all costumes would be ready for distribution at the allotted times.  Fantasy Carnival was only made aware of the problem with "Scheherazade" on the morning of Carnival Saturday (February 25), thus, we were only able to provide limited assistance in their attempts to rectify this monumental mismanagement.

Even though this grievous error was not caused by Fantasy Carnival or our production team directly, we do understand our role and responsibility as your preferred mas band and continue to attempt to make amends for this faux pas.  In keeping with those efforts, we have created an email to address your concerns directly in private and will continue to issue full refunds to all masqueraders registered with this section, who were unable to play.  For refunds please email us at scheherazaderefunds@gmail.com with a copy of your receipt, full name and contact number attached, so that we can expedite the process.

We thank you sincerely for your cooperation in this regard and apologize again on behalf of Richard Anthony Productions and Concepts.  We hope that this error will not ruin our longstanding, good-natured and mutually-beneficial relationship and look forward for the opportunity to make your fantasies a reality again in the near future.

Sincerely.
Fantasy Carnival"

I've taken the time to RETYPE THE ENTIRE APOLOGY LETTER JUST SO I can place in bold "directly in private". So you see, these things happen within all the carnival mas bands whether in Trinidad and Tobago or abroad but the way in which it is handled is what sets them apart.

I won't go into the gossip of it all because the end result is the same and for what? It happened already.  What does this mean for Richard and Anthony? What can or will they do now? Only time will tell because what you can not take from them is that they are a creative duo.  Until then, we will sit and wait with the resting bitch face.

These pictures are only a handful of options within the section. 

EXOTICA DE CARNIVAL REVIEW

These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email.  Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.

So, I decided to give this brand new fete a try because it's supposed to be the new emerging fete for Trinidad and Tobago carnival 2016. I've heard that too many times to count.  This boat ride was surprisingly good. As you walked onto the boat, there was a vodka mix called "The Exotica".  It was a mix of pineapple Ciroc, lime juice, and watermelon balls.  This was the first taste of Exotica de Carnival. 

As we walked up to the top deck, we could smell the aromas of the food which made my mouth water. As we left the dock, we were swept into a soca trance from Miami's best Eternal Vibes. After the vibes we heard from Ultra Simmo, Merry Perry and Custodian. All the Dj's played both ole and new soca which was a plus for me because for the entire time I was in Trinidad I was beaten to death by nothing but soca from 2015 and prior.  The DJ's did play music from last year and older but it was a good mix.  It blended well and you could tell they knew (and had) music from 2016. To make a long story short, the patrons were not in need of anything musically.  We were also entertained my soca artiste SKHI and S Carter.  They seemed to know exactly what we wanted and it was reasonably priced.  It was only 300TT! Sweet music and great food at THAT price? This cooler cruise fete is a must go.  

I can't think of anything negative to say about the event aside from the boat leaving about a half hour later than anticipated but it also came back about 40/45 minutes later so.....winner!  Hopefully they decide to have another cooler cruise fete for 2017 and if they do, I will be attending. 

My only hope is that I didn't rave so much about it that I end up with NO ticket next year....



This WFYG Bandit asked to remain anonymous.

VALE VIBE REVIEW

These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email.  Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.

Vale vibe..

Well what a change.....my first time doing vale since they moved from the original venue in the vale. Now...last year ..I attended shades....ummmm no thanks...I good. So back to vale fete I went. I personally prefer this venue....now I feel like the fete really deserves my hard owned money. Partying on a street that I grew up on. ..well let's just say...it's hard parting with that tic money. Now..it's not Santa Cruz...they can execute thoroughly. Food on point...drinks flowing..vibes....nice....
Performance by Soca monarch king Voice..definitely an added plus. All in all Vale was nice.....now what I heard about Shades....hmmmmm...let's just say...thank God I stuck to what I know..lol

MACHEL MONDAY AND TUESDAY ON D ROCKS, THE REVIEWS

These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email.  Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.

Machel Monday
One of my favorites...why .....well of course because Mr Montano is there. I usually attend this concert because it usually starts my carnival  festivities. This is where I learn all the new music. ..not just from Machel. I will admit it is an extremely long show, however it is definitely worth my money. This year was extra special when Chinese laundry and signal to noise graced the stage. ....can I say bess!!!!!!!
Now...like I said before..this show is extremely long.....so when I saw Mr Kernel Robert's rolling a piano on the stage...I was like...that's it...time to go..lol. All in all it was a great concert.
Oh ...PS.....where was Lyrikal????

Tuesday on D rocks...Kes

Well lemme just say...this was a big difference from Machel Monday.....lol....why you say!!!

Well at Tuesday on the rocks...No one got searched to enter the fete...while at Machel Monday it was pat down for so. Moving long though. ..this year I chose this fete over Fallout...my usual Tuesday fete. I wanted a different vibe. I must say it was a great  show...more laid back....and much cheaper than Mr.Montano's show. Performances were great..Kes was amazing. Will definitely be back next year. However I heard vale cooler fete  that day was great....so we will see!!!

*Natalie Lamming

COMPILATION OF FETE REVIEWS

These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email.  Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.

My carnival experience was amazing. Machel Monday was epic as always. Trini Jungle Juice's Mental was a blast. Met a lot of WFYG bandits in the place. The food was amazing! C'est La Vie was boss and a must every year. That food was sooooo good. Party was vibes. I left out of there soak and wet! Phuket was so much fun! The green bandits represented in that fete! Drinks were good, food was good, but I heard they ran out of both towards the end. I missed Soca Brainwash but we had tickets to Scorch for later that night. I think I was already soured by my IP Mas ordeal so Scorch was blah to me. I was rather bored. Beach House Cooler fete took a rather long time to get going. The venue was hilly and dusty. Somewhere between all that dust and a previous cups I developed bronchitis and had to suffer through the rest of my trip. I couldn't make it through carnival Monday so we left the band and came back home. Carnival Tuesday we had to chase down the band. They were already by Charlotte street by 7:30am . Drinks were good, food was blah, Djs were cool. I've never heard so much old music in my life. The entire trip every fete and on the road the djs beat old music to death. Crossing the stage wasn't as amazing as I had dreamed. Our band seemed a little scanty to me. I thought there would be much more revelers. I appreciated the air conditioned shuttle buses since I wasn't feeling well. That helped me get through the day. Overall I had a great carnival experience despite the ordeal with IP and getting sick.

C'EST LA VIE REVIEW

These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email.  Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.

C'est La Vie...Thursday

So I have been doing C'est La Vie since they started. ...and I was always happy with the outcome even though, I must admit that it was a bit over crowded last year. This year I nearly opted out because I haven't been to Beach House in years. However. .I stuck to my guns...so off to C'est La Vie I went.
Can I say Food heaven?........I am so ashamed at how much I ate.....C'est La Vie had the best food out of all the events that I attended. ...from stuffed crab backs...suckling roasted pig...to the most delicious pholourie that I ever had. So you can clearly see I ate my belly full. This crowd is a bit older...so it takes a little while first the vibes to hit..but once the alcohol was soaked in...it was vibes all the way. Kerwin Dubois was a nice touch and a great change from David Rudder...I mean. .I love Rudder....but....ummmm..you get my drift.

All in all...food flowing...drinks on point..vibes on point...I had a blast....I think will stick to mih C'est La Vie oui :-)

Review given by Natalie Lamming

2nd SOCA BRAINWASH REVIEW

These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email.  Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.

SOCA BRAIN WASH- Saturday
So peeps..I had no intention of going to this fete eh. I left my hotel to head to El Peccos..and somehow ended up in front of Fatima grounds...no tix in hand. Therefore I had to resort to buying a tix from.....I dread to say it.....yesssss....ah scalper.... $1300tt.....whattttt. I said sir...it's 415pm...what time does this fete end...he replied...I think6pm....whattttttt........jeeez! I reluctantly paid my 1300 tt and went in the gracious brain wash fete. Lemme just sum this up real quick...this fete ended at 6:25pm....so i was in this fete for 2hrs.....the best.....the best....the best 2hrs I spent in a long time.....can. I say vybezzzzz. I will NOT miss this fete next year. Doh ask me bout food or drink....I can't put my finger on it....there was just a real carnival energy in this fete. NUMBER ONE on my fete list.......but PS....It's only 2 days later...I calculated my 1300tt...and realize the scalper get mih good for my 200 us. Lol

Review given by Natalie Lamming

PAPARAZZI MAS REVIEW

These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email.  Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.

This year I had the pleasure of playing mas with Paparazzi.  I am the type of person that likes to test all my options.  I have played with different bands almost every  year.

I must say at first I was a little hesitant due to it not being 1 of the top overrated bands but after hearing constant rave about how great their customer service and road experience was, I decided to give them a try.

I said to myself,  im getting the same liquor, same music why not give it a try.   So let’s start by saying their costume price average at least 100 to 200us cheaper than the average band.  I also received a discount of 200tt for being a part of a large group.

The pick-up time for my costume was no more than 15 minutes from start to finish!  With the tight schedule that we had that was absolutely amazing.    I entered the lobby area to pay my balance in which I was prepared to cuss expecting them not to have my discount on file, only to be proven wrongly.

The lobby area was decorated with all the costumes in which I got to see my costume finally up close and I was pleased! The music was pumping and I only had 1 person ahead of me on line so I was excited.    I paid my balanced within 5 minutes and was directed to go around back to pick up

my actual costume that was already waiting for me.   I presented my receipt and we went over my costume.  It seems as though the sizes ran small so I asked to change my panty to a larger size and with no hassle at all it was changed.

This was also done for a member in my party.  As you know switching is a no no.   Did I mention they still give out Full Monday wear!

The staff was very accommodating and extremely pleasant.  I was very pleased leaving the mas camp.   My road experience was fabulous.   I never got an opportunity to sit on an air conditioned bus, but took full advantage for a good 40minutes while we passed the hospital since the music had to be turned down.  The music was as good as I hoped for it to be.  There were plenty of times that I didn’t need to go get drinks at the bar.   The paparazzi staff came around and provided all types of drinks in a little mobile cart.  If you know me, you know that I have a phobia for porta pottys,  well this band has the cleanest pottys I have EVER seen and smelled in my entire life.  A member of my group said he actually sat on the toilet for 10 minutes taking a break. There is a live attendant on board that disinfects and cleans and mops after each use!  there were also tall mirrors, pins and glue guns on that truck if you needed to repair any damages.  Right before crossing the Savanah stage as you know the drinks truck makes a detour so by then we are all dying of thirst until once again we get saved by those little carts of beverages that the paparazzi staff brings around.    it’s the little things like this that counts.

My only issue would have to be lunch that was served on Monday.  We were given a dish of pelaeu, to me was a little dry.   The meal we had on Tuesday was much better, we had Stew chicken, mac pie, rice and peas and salad.  we were given ice cream as well.   I’m not sure if anything else was being served as I went and took my nap for about an hour before heading out again.    The truck drivers were always told if they were going too fast, we rarely had to run after a truck! They made it a priority to keep the masqueraders together!  At  no point I felt unsafe!

I would definitely play mas with Paparazzi again!   Gather your crew cause this band was definitely worth giving a try!

FIRST BAND TO REVEAL CARNIVAL 2017 THEME!!!

 

The news buss!

An this time, I wasn't ready!!!

I was still relaxed and giving people time to get settled in from their trips.

I guess the "Bling Kings" wait for NO ONE! 

BEACH HOUSE RESERVATIONS.....NOW OPEN!

THESE ARE ONLY 

RESERVATIONS

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE

Seeing as I won't be going home for carnival 2016, I figured I could share some of my good news and make some people's life a little easier....(although I am secretly hating you all lol).

BLESS.