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Worried about loud music playing all night in Tobago!

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 10:14 pm
by Sujata14
Dear all,

As a first-timer planning a two-month stay in Tobago during Dec & Jan, I've been browsing through the forums to read about other people's experiences visiting Tobago. From time to time, I'm stumbling upon reports of recurrent problems with all night loud music in Castara and other places. Most of these posts seem old (before 2011, I think), and its not clear to me if this problem still persists. I'm seriously worried, as I know Trinidad is known as a big party island (correct me if I'm mistaken) and so far I've been believing that Tobago is different. What I want above all is a quiet, peaceful two months, and what's luring me to Tobago is its natural beauty. So, before finalizing my trip, I'd love to get some color on the real noise situation in Tobago. Thanks so much!

Sujata

Re: Worried about loud music playing all night in Tobago!

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:34 am
by Steve Wooler
Hi Sujata

Yes, its true that Trinis - and, to a slightly lesser extent, Tobagonians - love partying.

Tobago is a noisy island. It may be the crashing of the surf on the beach or the ever-present sound of birds tweeting, cicadas chirping or even bull-frogs croaking, but silence is almost an unknown in Tobago. However, being the sounds of nature they never seem to intrude. It is also amazing how much of the man-made noises they cover.

If you are staying in a West Indian village, there will invariably be the sound of music somewhere in the distance. Very occasionally it might be next door and really get on your nerves. You may strike unlucky and find that there's a wedding, some celebratory party or, if staying in Castara, one of the 'events' that happen on two or three all-nights per year.

So, forget Tobago if you want silence! However, I know exactly where you are coming from and I totally empathise. I am NOT a party animal - in fact just the opposite. I don't dance, don't drink and avoid parties or any mass gatherings like the plague. Jill and I live in a beautiful rural location where every man-made noise tends to annoy. So, with all this background in place, all that I can tell you is that in the 55+ years that I have been visiting Tobago (6-8 weeks per year for the last 10), I can count the number of sleepless nights caused by man-made noise on one hand.

The bottom line: the noisiest locations tend to be in the Crown Point area, but given what you have said, I doubt very much that this is somewhere you will be looking to spend time.

So, I think you will find that the subject is a non-issue in terms of what you are hoping to achieve.

Re: Worried about loud music playing all night in Tobago!

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 10:56 am
by Sujata14
Hi Steve,

Thank you for your very helpful reply - it gives me a lot of comfort. Like you, nature sounds, however loud, never seem to bother me, in fact, quite the opposite. Somehow ,for me, there's a soothing quality about nature sounds. And you're so right - they do cover up a lot of the man-made noises. :-) I'm happy to hear that in all the years you've stayed in the island, you've never been through anything too disruptive.

Sujata

Re: Worried about loud music playing all night in Tobago!

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 3:00 pm
by Hugh S
I would like to add that if you are staying in a village you will hear roosters (lots of roosters, right under your window, starting at any time of night or day) and dogs. Dogs plural. Ditto for any time of day or night.

After all that some good, solid reggae bass thump, the kind that vibrates the furniture across the room, is welcome.

Sweet dreams, Hugh 8)

Re: Worried about loud music playing all night in Tobago!

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:18 pm
by Elizabeth.W
[-X Shame on you Hugh, :lol: funny, but true

Re: Worried about loud music playing all night in Tobago!

Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 7:30 pm
by Hugh S
I couldn't help myself . . . :^o :lol:

It's amazing how quiet the big city is after Tobago.

But I love it all and will keep coming back again and again.

Hugh 8)