Guest Report

[Judith Poulteney]

We spent a week at Carpe Diem in March 2011. We had one of the two studios. This is a great place to experience 'real' Tobago. The lovely wooden house with the two integral studios is beautifully constructed on the side of a hill in Castara, a small fishing village, overlooking Big and Little Bay. The tropical rain forest comes down to the shore in parts of Castara and Carpe Diem, along with its neighbours, nestles on the edge of the forest. When you stay at Carpe Diem you are surrounded by all the wonderful colour, noise and activity that the rain forest produces - back to nature!
In the mornings you are rewarded with bird song as brightly-coloured birds come to the house to eat from the feeders where you can put fruit and bread. Banana, papaya and cocoa plants surround the house and you will see butterflies and lizards. The view of the bay is fantastic from the terrace and in the evenings there will be some of the most dramatic sunsets you have ever seen.
The studio has high ceilings and is airy. There is a large and very comfortable queen size bed with full mosquito net. The kitchen area is very well-equipped with a large fridge with freezer, full oven, grill and stove, kettle, toaster, juicer, etc, and all the utensils, crockery and cutlery you need - so you will have everything necessary if you fancy cooking for yourselves (we can recommend the fresh fish - caught daily). There is plenty of hot water, a great shower - and the water tastes good and is safe to drink.
The path to the beach is steep but it is not far at all - about 200m - and both bays are great for swimming. Local shops provide good basic provisions. It's a really friendly place where visitors are welcome to join in with village activities. We can recommend Chinos for breakfast - don't miss the salt fish and coconut bake - and the fresh pumpkin and wholewheat bread baked by the ladies of Castara in a traditional clay oven (Wednesdays and Saturdays). We had a great boat trip with Ali Baba Tours - and would also suggest you walk into the forest to bathe in Castara's pool at the base of the waterfall ...
Chris and Yvonne Runciman, the owners of Carpe Diem, were staying while we were there. They should be congratulated on the thought that has gone into their beautiful home and the care and attention they pay to looking after their guests. They play an active part in village life and encourage their guests to support local restaurants, stores and businesses - as they do themselves.
If you are looking for an all-inclusive 'clinical' package, then this is not for you. Carpe Diem is the ideal location for the independent traveller who wants to see and experience for themselves (in comfort!) what Tobago really has to offer.