Carnival week in Trinidad doesn’t ease you in. It throws you straight into chaos.

The Journey: Our Own Yellow Brick Road

This year’s theme was The Wizard of S&D.

Emerald towers. Fantasy visuals. A glowing golden road on the flyer leading into the unknown.

And honestly? That yellow brick road felt very real, because it took us three hours to get there.

We were in bumper-to-bumper traffic from Westmall all the way to the Chaguaramas Heliport. Cars barely moved. Engines idled. Soca blasted from trunks. People stepped out of vehicles just to stretch.

At some point, you stop fighting it and accept that this too is part of Carnival.

By the time we finally got inside just after 7 a.m., the sun was rising over Chaguaramas and the crowd was already soaked. Water, paint, powder, sweat… it was full immersion from the moment you stepped in. The Emerald City stage glowed against the early morning sky and for a brief moment, the three hours it took to get there almost felt worth it.

Almost.

Because leaving around 10 a.m. was a completely different experience.

It took another three hours just getting out of Chaguaramas. This time, the sun was fully up. The heat was intense, beating down on the cars and pushing through the windshield, burning our legs as we sat there barely moving. The AC ran nonstop, gas gauges slowly dropped and engines began overheating from the constant stop-and-go crawl.

You could feel the exhaustion setting in.

Revellers were dehydrated and visibly agitated. Minor bumper accidents happened from frustrated drivers inching forward. Police officers attempted to manage the traffic flow, sometimes holding lanes and redirecting vehicles, which only seemed to add to the confusion. It felt chaotic and uncoordinated.

At one point, people began stepping out of their vehicles just to catch a breeze. Some stretched their legs on the side of the road. Others searched for food and water, trying to cool off and reset. What started as a fete exit turned into an endurance test under the Trinidad sun.

And yet, ask almost anyone who was there and they’ll still say the same thing:

The vibes were worth it.

The Vibes Inside: Full Immersion Only

Once you made it in, everything shifted.

The stage glowed in emerald green against the morning sky. Water trucks were in full force near the front. Paint and powder flew with every drop of a soca anthem.

There was no standing cute at Stink & Dutty.

If you were by the stage, you were drenched.

The performances were high energy from start to finish, the kind that makes you forget traffic entirely. For those few hours, it didn’t matter how long it took to get there.

This is why Stink & Dutty consistently ranks among the top Trinidad Carnival fetes every year:

• Massive turnout
• High-impact stage production
• Water and paint in full effect
• Sunrise energy that feels electric
• A crowd ready to go all in

It’s not polished.
It’s not gentle.
It’s Carnival in its most unfiltered form.

Why It Was the Most Talked-About Fete of Carnival 2026

Yes, the vibes were incredible.

But the traffic made headlines.

With only one main road in and out of Chaguaramas, thousands of revellers trying to enter at once created a gridlock that people are still talking about. Businesses were affected. Social media exploded with traffic stories.

And yet?

Most people are already saying they’d go again next year.

That’s how you know a fete delivered.

Is Stink & Dutty Worth It?

If you want convenience and easy entry, this might test you.

If you love wildness, unpredictability, sunrise chaos and stories you’ll retell for years. This is your party.

The yellow brick road was long. But Oz delivered.

Planning to Attend Next Year?

If Stink & Dutty is on your Trinidad Carnival list:

• Arrive by boat (Depending on location)
• Consider carpooling
• Expect traffic delays
• Bring waterproof protection for your phone
• Stay hydrated

And follow their official Instagram for updates and future event details:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/stinkndutty/

---