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First few days provisions advice

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:02 pm
by Mary.CH
Hello,

We are arriving for our first visit to Tobago (Castera) on 11th January :D . We are arriving late (after 9pm), and the owner of where we are staying has very kindly offered to buy us some food to get us through the first few days.

We would like to spend 2-3 days relaxing before we hire a car and can get to some of the supermarkets but wanted to know if someone can tell us:

1. What is available to buy locally? We will probably eat out most evenings and some lunch times but would like to provide breakfast and some lunches for ourselves. Can we get milk (not condensed), fruit, fruit juice, bread, cereals, eggs easily and if so where? Sorry if this question sounds ignorant it is just so much of the information available states how basic things are - just wanted to know how basic 8-[ .

2. Is the tap water drinkable?

3. If shops are available locally - are they open normal hours (Mon - Fri 9 to 5)? Weekends?

Thank you

Mary

Re: First few days provisions advice

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:54 pm
by Brian Taylor
opening hours are always subject to change at any time in tobago.... meanwhile you are able to get the essentials in castara.... also there is a meat shop now, the fresh fish of the fishermens coop is unbeatable and there are some fruits and vegetables available in two shops in the village... so if you can survive without olive oil for a few days you will be just fine !!! you get (not fresh) but tetra pack milk, bread from the clay oven or at shirmas cafe and bar (there on a daily basis) and bottled water since the water from the tap is drinkable but not too tasty. good enough for ice cubes, coffee, tea, brushing teeth etc.
for the opening hours, there is usually SOMEONE open week days, week ends any time, but when the rain falls too heavy they might close. so when you see a shop open and they have what you like.... go and get it :D
hope that helps, have a great time
steph

Re: First few days provisions advice

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:58 pm
by Mary.CH
Thank you Steph that is very helpful

Mary

Re: First few days provisions advice

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:06 pm
by Joanne Green
Hi Steph-
Where is Shirma's? We usually get our bread from the ladies at the clay oven, but this year we arrive on a Thursday, so will have to wait until Saturday to get theirs. Also, what time does Shirma usually open?

Thanks in advance for the information.

Re: First few days provisions advice

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 3:32 pm
by Brian Taylor
sirmas cafe is at the main road, opposite the new bus station hut at the community center. she also does take out food and soup on saturday. best bet for bread and buns is in the afternoon... thats as close as it gets to time advice around here as you know, joanne :wink:
hope that helps
steph

Re: First few days provisions advice

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:23 pm
by Joanne Green
Thanks for the information, Steph.