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Past Arouca, the EMR takes on a more rural aspect, wreathing through Cleaver Woods up to Arima . Named Naparima by the Amerindians who were the first to settle in the area, it has a far deeper history than its commercial facade would suggest. The town is home to what's left of Trinidad's Carib community - most of whom live around the crucifix-strewn Calvary Hill . The Santa Rosa Carib Community Association, formed in 1974 to look after their interests, has its headquarters on Paul Mitchell Street, behind the cemetery, and sells good-quality traditional Amerindian craft such as woven baskets or carved calabashes. Apart from the Santa Rosa festival - a combination of Catholic and Carib celebration, held during the last week in August - the only other compelling reason to stop in Arima is the fabulous open-air market , which is liveliest on Fridays and is a great opportunity to view local life and vegetables. As the region's main transport hub , maxis to Sangre Grande (TT$3), Manzanilla (TT$3), Toco (TT$7), Mayaro (TT$7) and Grande Riviere (TT$15) leave from Raglan Street and Broadway, whilst maxis to Port of Spain (TT$4) leave from the northern end of St Joseph Street. Taxis to Sangre Grande (TT$4) and Valencia (TT$2) leave from the roundabout, and taxis to Port of Spain ($TT5) can be caught on Broadway. Alternatively, catch the ECS bus to the capital outside the courthouse on Hollis Avenue ($TT4). Once past the outskirts of Arima, a turn-off at the WASA Guanapo Waterworks sign leads to the Heights of Guanapo Road . This is a fantastic hiking area, but not a place to explore without a guide ; Laurence Pierre is recommended (tel 868/634-4284). The breathtaking Guanapo Gorge , the La Laja and Sombasson waterfalls are here - a vine-wreathed deep channel, a twenty-metre and a three-tiered fifty-metre cascade respectively - and you can see them all in a day, though you'll need to be pretty fit.
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