Angela Philipps, Contributor

This is carnival Jamaica-style, but Angela Philipps says when it comes to carnival in Trinidad, we a'int even trying! - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

Less than a year to go before I am on another plane to Trinidad carnival, six months until I can buy my costume! I'm planning my trip from now, and so should you. And rest assured, you will be getting a reminder in August!

I don't even know how to begin to tell you what a fabulous time I had in Trinidad. You think we know how it's done? No way, Jamaicans have no idea ... unless, of course, one has been over there to see for oneself.

My advice is DO NOT burn yourself out within the first four days of landing. There is not only something to do every evening, there are at least two or three sessions per night, and a few in the day as well! And when I tell you that you will come across attractive people ... I mean drop-dead gorgeous. Trinidad has an unfair quota of beauty among the party population.

Even MY heart can be touched

So, what madness and badness did I get up to? Well, I was fairly well-behaved considering, but I must tell you that I did leave my heart and my silver slipper there (I am hoping that a special someone finds it and eventually gets round to seeing if it fits my foot!) Ha! You didn't think I had an ounce of romance in me, did you? A gal who is a little wild and slightly jaded about love. One who is so capable and completely care-free when it comes to going solo! But you know something? Even MY heart can be touched. I'm just not necessarily very good at letting a man know that he's had any affect on me. My travelling companion told me that I am too tomboyish and that I need to be more feminine around guys who I have crushes on. She says it's virtually impossible to tell for sure when I like a lad, because I am so friendly and flirtatious with everyone. Note to self: Must endeavour to be more obvious with my affections! What do you think?

Enough mush for now, though! On to my favourite aspects of this land which, to me, is as sweet as chocolate. Now, quite possibly, things are not the same when carnival fever is over, but please let me continue with the fantasy that nothing changes throughout the calendar!

The late-night f?t?s with Machel Montano, Destra Garcia and Iwer George stunning crowds with their soca hits and gyrating hips! Early morning J'ouvert bands like Section Eight, Red Ants and Cocoa Devils, where you get covered in paint, mud or chocolate and have the sweetest time bumping into old friends from all over the world (seriously, it happens!), wining with the hottest of hunks, and being hosed off and fed by the loveliest of the neighbourhood's women. Going down the islands on sailing and speed boats, which means taking a trip out to one of the five islands off Port-of-Spain (we did this twice). Heading north through the hills to get to Maracas, where recovering masqueraders can be seen body-surfing in the feral ocean, playing paddle ball on the golden sand or taking a catnap under the coconut trees.

'Playing Mas'

And, finally, the road march itself. We call it 'Jumping', the Trinis call it 'Playing Mas'. Dressed up in the skimpiest of costumes, chipping down the road for two days behind music trucks, dancing with any and every person who passes you by, bellowing out all the tunes you've heard numerous times for the week as if you're Alison Hinds or Shurwayne Winchester yourself, and being in awe (yet again) of the stunning faces and sexy bodies who are just about everywhere! Incredible how many Pocahontas and Tarzans there are on this small island! It's no wonder I left my heart and my silver slipper there. Who wouldn't in a land so sweet?

angelaphilippsja@hotmail.com