Guest Report

Friendly and hospitable studio apartment at Castara (listing)
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Juliet

Guest Report

Post by Juliet »

We have been holidaying in the beautiful, unspoilt fishing village of Castara for a number of years and this was our first stay at Porridge’s Place.
The self-contained apartment forms the ground floor of the Lopez household, a traditional house with pretty gardens which is situated on a hillside, a short 10-15 minute stroll from the beaches (uphill return journey but not a problem if taken slowly, especially if a stop for ice-cream is made at D’Pink!)
Porridge’s Place has to be our favourite accommodation in Castara; a holiday home with every comfort and need taken care of. The apartment was spotlessly clean and linen and towels were changed every 3 days. We arrived to fresh flowers and found the kitchen stocked with basics like bread, tea, jam, bottled water and a couple of beers.
Porridge, his wife Jeanell and their son and daughter, Shaq and Derricia ensure that you have an amazing stay, welcoming you into their lovely family. They are kind, generous, gracious yet unobtrusive hosts.
The accommodation suited our needs perfectly; comfortable bed with secure mosquito net, fully equipped kitchen, powerful shower with hot water and the bonus of air conditioning in addition to a fan. We enjoyed the best sleep ever and soon adjusted to the sounds of cockerels, crickets, frogs and Shaq’s sheep, Baabara! Occasionally, we would hear a neighbour play their reggae music which just added to the whole experience of staying in a Caribbean village. We were invited to use the garden for sun bathing and to help ourselves to the mangoes and limes. There is a lovely shaded porch area, complete with hammock, where we ate and spent many hours relaxing, liming and just soaking up the atmosphere, watching the bats, hummingbirds, motmots and other birds at the feeders. We also saw lizards and geckos, tree frogs and an agouti in the gardens.
Porridge and Jeanell manage Castara Retreats and a number of other holiday rentals and you have their expertise and knowledge at hand when it comes to arranging trips and sightseeing. Porridge has a number of cars to rent and transfers were easily sorted to and from the airport.
After collecting us at the airport, Porridge stopped at the supermarket so that we could stock up on essentials. Castara has a few small shops for buying fruit and vegetables and, of course, the fishermen’s cooperative. Freshly baked bread and cakes from the clay oven can be purchased on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Additionally there are a number of bars and several restaurants for eating out, catering for breakfasts, lunch and dinner, our favourites being Cheno’s, Marguarite’s and D’Almond Tree.
The Lopez crew all ensured that we enjoyed our holiday. We went with them for a lime to celebrate Miss Janitta’s 85th birthday which was a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the local people. Jeanell (a licensed tour guide) will arrange any trip to suit; we spent an unforgettable day with her visiting Fort King George, the Mystery Tomb and the Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve to see the humming birds. She can also take you to the Argyle Falls and Cocoa Plantation. Porridge took us to Pigeon Point to party and dance the night away at the Soca Fest which was part of the Tobago Heritage Festival. We also had a boat trip with Shaq, swimming and snorkeling at Englishman’s Bay and Rockstone Bay; we saw a pod of dolphins, turtles, octopus, rays and squid. For lunch we anchored at Paradise beach and enjoyed a delicious barbecue, cooking the fish we caught on the way, and washing this down with some lovely rum punch!
Jeanell and Derricia are excellent cooks; the accompaniments to our barbecue were delicious (chicken, spicy lentils, coleslaw and macaroni pie). Additionally, we enjoyed some of their lovely homemade cake and sorbet. Jeanell surprised us one morning with tasty fried fish (jacks) and freshly baked bread for breakfast and on our last evening she prepared a wonderful meal of bonito, rice and breadfruit pie.
When we weren't exploring the island or relaxing in the lovely environs of Porridge’s Place, we spent our time on Castara’s beautiful beaches swimming, snorkeling and enjoying a beer and roti for lunch.
Our stay at Porridge’s Place offered so much more than the delightful accommodation; we got a real feel for village life and all things Tobagonian.
Thank you, Jeanell, Porridge, Shaq and Derricia for the lovely times and memories and your warm hospitality and kindness. We loved every moment of our holiday and can’t wait to return!
Julian, Juliet, Lewis and Oscar
(NB. our teenage boys stayed in the neighbouring Little House on the Hill, just a stone’s throw from Porridge’s Place – review posted last year.)

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