Avocado cottage - Review Page 2
Accommodation
Visitors need to appreciate that Tobago is not a Disney pastiche. You cannot ‘pretend’ to be in Venice or Timbuktu, or the Amazon rainforest, then walk behind a screen and return to 21st century America and tuck into a MacCrapburger. This is the real deal! If you want to live like a native Tobagonian, then don’t expect heated toilet seats and gold plated taps.
Avocado Cottage is as near ‘real’ Tobagonian life as you are likely to encounter. The accommodation is simple, even basic. The furnishings and equipment are perhaps a little tired and presentation lacks the attention to detail that more experienced and worldly hospitality owners would take for granted. But, there is no doubt that all the basics are there and Tony Bobb is a genial and hospitable host who will help you to make the most of your visit, offering whatever degree of involvement you wish of him. Accepted for what it is, Avocado Cottage can offer a unique holiday experience that visitors will be talking about for years to come.
Life in the cottage tends to revolve around the 3x3m covered balcony. Standing 5m above the surrounding garden, and three times that above the luxurious villa development below, you feel that you are on the edge of a precipice. Mind you, standing at the front of the balcony is not recommended if you suffer vertigo. The views are extraordinary, even if they represent something of a dichotomy. Here you are, living the life of a local, but your view looks down and across the pristine gardens of five large luxury villas, then out and across the neat manicured fairways of the golf course. Two worlds running in parallel!
The dichotomy extends beyond the view. Other than the minor road that provides access to the few properties in the area and carries negligible traffic, road and vehicle noise is virtually non-existent. The same cannot be said for the bird sounds. There is a constant cacophony of bird calls. Within an hour of our arrival, a spectacular Mot Mot was perched on our balcony, waiting for a lump of cheese; the following morning a beautiful Jacamar took up station on a branch, just a few feet from the balcony, from which he swooped on passing flying insects.
The balcony is furnished with a large round circular all-weather table and four deckchairs that proved surprisingly comfortable. Move the table and chairs back and you can unfold two hammock-style swinging chairs from their resting place beneath the corrugated roof. Whether eating or relaxing, on your own or with company, the balcony represents a cool and shaded sport on which you will surely pass much of your time.
The cottage is split down the middle. On one side are the two identically sized bedrooms; on the other, the long living area and kitchen.
The ‘master’ bedroom is furnished with a 53-inch double bed with suspended mosquito net. The room is simply furnished with a one-metre free-standing wardrobe, plus a small dressing table with half-height mirror and additional storage drawers. A single un-shaded light bulb offers the only illumination. A free-standing electric fan is provided for cooling.
The second bedroom is virtually identical, except that it is furnished with two single beds, both with their own mosquito net. There is a small wardrobe and another floor-standing electric fan. Linen and towels are provided and the cottage is serviced on a weekly basis. A cot is available on request.
The living area is furnished with an armchair and two sofas, which although tired looking, were actually very comfortable. Entertainment is available via a 13-inch TV or a small CD-radio unit. Better still, why not choose a novel from the two dozen or more provided and enjoy the natural sounds of this beautiful location? For those who need to stay ‘connected’, complimentary wireless Internet access is provided. In fairness, it has to be said that the signal was rather weak and we did experience connection problems with our Apple laptop, but not with our Windows machine.
The kitchen is furnished with a very competent four-ring gas stove, medium-sized fridge freezer, a microwave oven and electric juicer, toaster and filter coffee machine. All of these looked new and were in good condition. There is a useful stock of pots, pans and cooking utensils but should the cottage be occupied with its maximum of four adults the stock of crockery, glassware and cutlery would be somewhat limited. It was fine for the two of us however.
On arrival, we found that Tony had prepared a lovely local meal for our supper. It simply needed re-heating. Such gestures are much appreciated by arriving guests, most of who have just endured a long day of international travel and simply want to kick their shoes off, put their feet up, and enjoy a light meal and a cold drink. Who wants to be worrying about stocking up at a supermarket on the way from the airport? Welcome packs do not need to cost much, but can make a huge first impression on the visitor. In addition to the meal, Tony had left a 5lt bottle of water, some beers and soft drinks, plus a papaya and oranges.
The single bathroom is housed in a separate annexe, or lean-to, with direct access from the house. Measuring 2.5x1.8m, the bathroom is of reasonable size. A simple plastic shower curtain separates the shower area from the rest of the room. The walls are painted wood, but the floor is tiled and the shower area recessed an inch or so lower than the rest of the floor to minimise ‘wet floor syndrome’. Neither the kitchen nor the bathroom are plumbed for hot water, but the shower has an instantaneous water heater and provided that you did not turn the water pressure on high, you could always get a warm soak.
Conclusion
Avocado Cottage is simple and modest in both style and furnishing. However, it has immense charm and offers guests the possibility of a truly unique holiday. Visitors wanting to learn more about Tobago and immerse themselves in local culture could not ask for a more genial host than the cottage’s owner, Tony Bobb.
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