Writer Seeking Authentic Information

[M.Wilde]

I am writing a novel that contains a scene in Tobago. If someone is willing to help me, I'd be most appreciative. If the administration finds this post inappropriate, please let me know and I will seek answers elswhere. I do not wish to disturb the board. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi M

Welcome aboard!

Anything that publicises Tobago is welcome here so fire away.

[Hugh S]

Related to Oscar?

[M.Wilde]

Thank you Steve for the gracious welcome.

I'm sorry Hugh, no relation that I know of.

Since I prefer not to copy the scenes in complete junks to be posted over the internet, I'll do my best to ask specific questions.

- Is Coco Reef on the Caribbean side...with the lighter sand?
- Is the sand lighter on the Caribbean side due to the coral?
- Is the sand darker on the Atlantic side due to the volcanoes?
- How long would a taxi ride be from Coco Reef to Tyrrel's Bay?
- Should the word "village" be capitalized when referring to Speyside?
- Is steel pan music performances readily available at the resort-type hotels?
- Are many of the rum drinks served at the resorts from local distilleries?
- If a guide were to explain the difference between the sands surrounding the island, how would s/he say it? I'm looking for the local "lingo" here.

Thanks!

[Hugh S]

I can't speak about the sand but Coco Reef is on the Caribbean side, "village" is not capitalized, steel pan is available at all resorts, and most of the rum is Angostura/Fernandez which is made in Trinidad.

Hugh

[Ronald]

Hi

The sand on the Caribbean side has mostly a light colour, because it mostly comes from coral, but it´s not white as some post cards from W.I. sometimes show. But the sand isn´t so all over, if you, as an example, go to Black Rock you will see a very wide and long beach, and parts of it has very dark sand, coming from rock on the beach.

Mostly beaches on the Atlantic side has much darker sand, but even here they are different from beach to beach. Some beaches which are protected by land has a mix of light or dark sand, some can have only dark or light sand.
A beach nearby Scarborough, Bacolet Beach, is open against the Atlantic. That beach has dark sand, and as waves from the Atlantic comes in, the sand is also hard. If you go there, do not go far out, there are sometimes strong dangerous currents there. There are not so many safe beaches on the Atlantic side from Crown Point up to Speyside.

Tyrrel´s Bay is in Speyside, and as I never go by car I can´t tell you how long it takes. And it´s also so there´s some nice places to see when going up so one person might say one thing and an other someting else. But my guess is that a direct trip up from Crown Point to Speyside can take about 1 hour, depending on traffic, weather and so forth, the road is also narrow north of Bacolet.

This site has a lot of information, so just ask questions, specific ones or common ones.

[David Watkins]

I don,t know of anybody who says Speyside village,it's just Speyside.As for time estimate 45 minutes,
David

[M.Wilde]

Thank you Hugh, Ronald and David!

Now I just need someone to help me with accent. I would prefer not to have a local guide use stuffy, proper english. Any thoughts?

[M.Wilde]

Another question if you all aren't sick of me yet...

- Would it be reasonable to think a couple could easily walk from Coco Reef to Store Bay Kiosks, La Cantina and other's nearby? I'm of course assuming safety isn't an issue. If it is, please let me know.

[Ronald]

A walk from Coco Reef to Store Bay Kiosks, you pass Coco Reef´s guard by the gate, turn right follow the road, a 50m walk to the end of the wall around Coco Reef, turn right again and an other 50m and you are at Store Bay! To La Cantina, the other direction on the road but about the same walking distance.

Don´t feel silly for your questions, when you look at the map, you doesn´t see the distances as you haven´t been there before. You might have a 10 minutes walk from Coco Reef to the airport as a example, not more. There are some smaller shops at the airport too, a bank, a cafe..

Safety isn´t an issue at all during daytime, but as a rule I would say, never carry golden chains, rings or expensive watches when walking around. Never mind where you are, in Tobago or somewhere else.

[M.Wilde]

Thanks Ronald. I really am having a hard time judging distance on the map.

[Oracle]

Not sure where you are but I'm in NY and speak all the Tobagonian you need to know!

Born and bred in Castara. Let me know if you're interested and we can get in touch.

Oracle

[M.Wilde]

Hi Oracle!

I just need a local guide to turn to his guests and explain why the sand is lighter in some areas and darker in others.
Actually, close to what I said in "proper" english before would be close enough.

I don't want to show my ignorance...but here goes!

- It's the female that questions the sand difference, might the guide start speaking to her by calling her "Gyul"?
- Might he say, "The T'ing is..."?

Ignorance transmission complete! LOL

[Oracle]

Yeah - sounds good.

Being a former guide I would break into some wild story...

"Gyul, let me tell you a story why da sand white on dis side and dark on da oder..."

And then I'd make up some huge story about the battle between good and evil...

Maybe I should write a book too!

Oracle

[M.Wilde]

I'd read it Oracle! Thanks for your insight, I really do appreciate it!

[M.Wilde]

Three questions today!

I"m looking for the slang for "because"...is it just "'cuz" like I say it? LOL

Also, can we talk about drivers for a moment? The worst taxi ride I've ever had was from Atlantis to Nassau International. It took all the strength I had just to stay in my seat! Not kidding! The guy must have burned through a dozen sets of brakes a year! The second worst, for me, was the driver that took us "the back way" to Wrigley Field when we were running late for a game.

So, how do you feel the driver's rank in Tobago?

Finally, from the maps it looks as though there are several sharp corners along main roads. One picture I saw showed such a curve...without guiderails. Is this typical?

[M.Wilde]

Yes, I'm back again...Steve may regret letting me in the forum!

I need a reputable snorkeling guide. I've seen many ads...but who can tell the difference from a website? Any suggestions?

[Oracle]

Oracle's wife here... thought I'd put in my two cents.

Oracle claims he would just say "because" - nothing else! I insisted he would say 'cuz but he says that he's not a Valley Girl and would not say that!

As for the driver's (having been in many harrowing driving experiences including a bus on the Peruvian mountainside and taxis in NYC ) they are pretty, well, crazy - not anyone that I know, of course, but fast cars on small winding roads are not uncommon.

Speaking of the roads, they are generally narrow, curvy and steep, and there are few guardrails (unless there's been a major overhaul of the roads in the past 6 months).

And, finally, I find Alibaba's to be a most reputable establishment for all types of tours, including snorkling. I think it's about time Alibaba is once again immortalized in a book...

Kelly

[M.Wilde]

Valley Girl! LOL

Thank you Kelly, I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

[M.Wilde]

Hello again everyone! I'm here to bother you some more.

This time I have questions more specific to the resort (Coco Reef).

- Do they maintain a doorman service?
- Do they utilize bellhops?
- Are there other such services that one wouldn't typically find at a "much cheaper" venue?
- What's the policy on smoking?

Thanks!