The outbound flight was great. We flew on the inaugural Virgin flight, flight time 8 hours (See posting New Virgin Flights) The flight was direct to Tobago.
We stayed at the Rex Turtle Beach all inclusive, and I have to agree with most of the other reports posted here regarding the hotel. It is in need of refurbishment, but clean and comfortable.
Most of the staff were extremely pleasant. There was a problem with the hotel water and a note was posted on the main notice board saying that until the situation had been resolved complimentary bottled water was available from the reception area, there was a severe water shortage in Tobago but the rainy season has started so should easy the situation.
The food was good, with a good choice, breakfast was great fresh fruit served by a delightful lady dressed in local dress also with a big welcoming smile, you name it they had it eggs of any type. Lunch buffet was also good loads of fish and salads more fresh fruit. Dinner was of the same standard with a good choice once a week there was a Bar-B-Q with Steak, Chicken, Fish, bangers, Chops etc. And once a week a very good carvery it was generally tasty enough and there was plenty of it.
You could go Al-la-Carte and were given Credit of 135TT$, 8oz steak was 130TT$ and I was told this was very good.
The beach was wonderful you could walk one way to Plymouth a Bar and some shops and the other way to Black Rock Bars and supermarket (Hardly Tesco) the traders very friendly and not at all pushy. My wife had a massage from Mary on the beach too, which after a hard days sun bathing (!) is very welcome and wonderful.
Where else could you help the local fishermen pull there nets in on the beach just yards from the BAR thirsty work pulling in nets.
Highlight seeing the Giant Leatherback Turtles come ashore and lay there eggs we saw 6 during our stay, including one which had got tangled in some fishing nets which we managed to get back into the sea at 06:00 in the morning. (See posting Giant Leather Back Turtles).
We went to the rain forest with a guy called Kelton Thomas who is a qualified Ornithologist, we wanted to see birds, I wouldn't have missed this for the world seeing the Blue-Backed Manakins doing there dance. Awesome, on the way back we took in the Grafton Bird Sanctuary although there had been a fire there were still lots of birds. We hired a car, I was told they drive on the Left (Sometimes)!!. We visited Speyside and got the boat over to Little Tobago, Apart from the Red-Billed Tropicbird & Boobies the birds were much the same as seen before, the sea was rough and I am not a good sailor but I lived to tell the tale. After returning to Blue Water Hotel which was full of police, the President was at the hotel having lunch, we lunched at Gemas Tree House boy the shrimps were so tasty. We travel most of the island and loved Pigeon Point (Just one guard at the gate house) and the other bays, but I liked the location of the Rex as being able to get out and about easy.
We also spent two days in Trinidad staying over night at The Asa Wright Centre famous for its birds and wild life. I would recommend this trip to any bird watchers or nature lovers, on the way back we called at Caroni swamps to watch the Scarlet Ibis returning at sunset hundreds of them flying in to roust for the night a great sight to behold. Cost flight 200TT$ each return 20 minutes flight time Asa Wright 130US$ including meals for us both. http://www.asawright.org We hired car at airport easy trip into mountains can give very good directions if required.
We went to Sunday School which was great fun and my favourite evening of the holiday. The Steel band was great playing anything from Beatles to Classical and we danced and partied with the locals as if we had been on the island for years. I am not joking when I say they are some of the friendliest and nicest people I have ever met. Everyone was just great.
The evening entertainment at the Rex was OK but the dance floor could have been better placed.
Whilst the Rex has to have one of the best locations on the island as far as the beach is concerned, it also offers excellent value for money. Someone said it was full of old people, it may have been once, but with the Virgin Holidays quota of rooms, 28 rooms on our flight there was a good age mix.
Tobago has to be one of the best places I have ever visited for hospitality, beaches and general island beauty. It is just a pity to be home again so soon. Thanks for all the advice on this Web site Steve, keep up the good work I may want to go back next year.
Well “That’s all folks”.
