Night walks

[T Heie]

Can't believe we'll be on the island in May. First-timers rarin' to go!
This may be a terribly strange question, but it is common for people to walk around at night using a flashlight for guidance? We have one of the camping variety and were wondering whether we'd even need to bring it.


Cheers!

[Steve Wooler]

Hi T

I guess the answer depends upon where you will be staying. Personally, I wouldn't bother because I doubt whether you'll be anywhere that you need more than a tiny pocket Maglite (a really useful accessory because you can almost forget them in your pocket). If you're in the built-up Crown Point area there's more than enough street lighting to see your way around. If you're staying elsewhere, I would probably suggest that you're unlikely to be walking anywhere at night anyway.

Have a wonderful time - I'm sure you'll absolutely love it and become Tobago-nuts like us.

[Kevin Hampson]

Hi T,
AS Steve said the street lighting around Crown Point is OK so if you are staying there you will be fine. Outside that area it's a bit different. We normally say at BWI and a torch is very important getting walking back from Speyside. On our last visit there was no moon at all and away from the main string of lights in the village it was pitch black. I have also experianced the odd power cut and a torch will come in useful.

I alway pack a good torch for my diving anyway but the small maglight should be more than adiquate. The other thing that I always find useful is a small multitool (packed in the hold luggage of course) if only to open the odd bottle of crib or stag when your down at the beach.

One of the worst feelings in the world, sun kissed caribbian beach, a cold beer and no darn bottle opener!! Eventualy tried open it on the car bumper, broke the bottle, cut my hand on the glass and spilt most or the beer.



Regards
Kevin

[Paul Tallet]

There are a number of points regarding light/torchlight at night.

Sure, you need it in some parts such as Speyside where there is little light and no moon at night.

In Crown Point there is so much light it is almost light polution.

During a full moon period there is no need for light.

On many beaches on the Caribbean side there is too much lighting on the beach ... this reduces the number of turtles that come to the beaches to lay their eggs ... the bright lights confuse them because they need the moon to guide them back into the sea. There are rules about this in Trinidad but few care in Tobago.

Apart from showing you the way, torches can have an interesting use. In Castara there are many Fruit Bats flying around at night ... they even feed from the demerara sugar I leave out for the daytime shift ... but if you shine your torch into the air on the beach they come and dance around the torchlight as you wave the beam around.

But, to answer T's question, being a camper and looking for a visual feast ... try to get to the road by Englishman's Bay ... switch off any light you have and see the spectacular display of the fireflies below the night time stars.

... quite wonderful.

Regards

[Kevin Hampson]

Hi Paul,
The best fire fly dispaly we saw last October was Charlottville. Having dinner at Sharons. the whole village plunged in to darkness with a power cut, and every tree and bush came alive with fireflys. Things like that really do make a holiday.

Regards
Kevin

[Jill M]

Paul,

I have just read your reply to my husband - what a mistake that was ! He now wants to do the same

Apart from showing you the way, torches can have an interesting use. In Castara there are many Fruit Bats flying around at night ........ but if you shine your torch into the air on the beach they come and dance around the torchlight as you wave the beam around.

Thanks a bunch I'm sure he will have a great time - I'm terrified of them !

Jill

[Jane H]

Hi Jill,

Don't be afraid of the fruit bats. If you get the chance to see one up close, they really have very sweet little faces, and all they really want is a good feed of nectar.

When we were staying on Kuredu in the Maldives, we had a palm tree outside our room which was a regular feeding place for fruit bats. It was fascinating to watch them working their way round the tree to the palm flowers, then hanging there like rather battered leather handbags when they had eaten their fill! Incidently, our bats used to feed during the day and roost at night (noisily!)

Jane

[Paul Tallet]

If you want to please the Fruit Bats ...

Get half a coconut, hang it from a branch or anywhere where you have a good view.

Fill the coconut with brown/demerara sugar.

The Fruit Bats will eat from the coconut during the dark hours.

Enjoy!