Just booked flights for my third visit in 3 years (twice in 2004 - interlude for a new boy of 2 to come into the world).
What a superb bit of prose, so you teens are not all running about in hoodies scaring the old folk after all!
Great stuff as has been mentioned by others, take a bow sir!
(PS Woking is fine, after all Woking gave us Paul Weller!).
Tobago: experiences of a 15 year old
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Dom Ennis
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David Lawson
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Linda P
Hi David
We took our Daughters to Tobago 2 years ago, Gemma celebrated her 11th birthday while we were there, Amber was 8. This was only their second time abroad, they had never been on such a long flight or been anywhere on holiday without 'Kid's Clubs' or access to a TV.
The flight was much easier that we expected, not once in the whole journey did we hear the dreaded "I'm bored"! The girls had their backpacks with the essential supplies for a long trip, comics, books, puzzle books, cards, 'Top Trumps' and walkmans. Along with the inflight movie, and the fact that an early start meant they slept for some of the flight they were perfectly happy and kept themselves occupied.
We had been to Tobago the previous year without them, so they did have some idea of what to expect, but they were still stunned by the sight that hit them when we landed, the general comment was "Oh my God it's amazing / beautiful!", no amount of photographs can really do justice to the beauty of the place, and this was so different to what they had seen before, I think they, like many people were stunned that a country so hot can be so green and lush.
I have asked both girls what they enjoyed most, Gemma loved the beach (we spent a lot of time at Pigeon Point), she enjoyed being able to wander around on her own and was amazed at how friendly everyone was and quite often went off to chat to the ladies running the gift shops. She had never snorkeled before and was amazed that she could see so many varieties of fish (going on holiday meant both girls missed a school trip to 'Sea Life', but they had absolutely no problems producing the school project that their classes were required to do on their return), Gemma told me that her class were full of the stories of the fish they had seen through the glass, her response was "Big deal, I actually swam with them!". A boat trip and barbecue at No Mans Land was also a high point for Gemma, she met a local girl and they spent ages discussing the differences in their lives and finding out how much they had in common.
Gemma is now learning about rainforests at school, and considers herself to be at a great advantage, being the only one in her class, teacher included, who has actually visited a rainforest. As I said, Gemma celebrated her 11th birthday while we were there, she said she wanted a party and to go on a boat, so we had a second glass bottom boat trip, where everyone on-board sang happy birthday to her, and a party, to which we invited freinds we had met during our stay, they all bought food along for us to try, and one even baked a cake for her. As Gemma said, how many people would do that for her in England, when she had only known them for a few days?
Amber was closer to your daughters age, and unlike Gemma is not a bookworm (Gem would be happy anywhere as long as she has a book to read), she also likes to be busy the whole time and has always looked forward to holiday 'Kid's Clubs', so we were a little more concerned at how she would take to the laid back way of life. Amber also loved the sea and snorkeling in particular, on her first attempt, we went to Emerald Bay with Marlon on Cocomotion, he provided both girls with life jackets and snorkels appropriate to their size, and took time to make sure they fitted properly, at the time Amber did not like to swim out of her depth, when we first got in to the water she was clinging round my neck so tight I felt like I was being strangled, however it did not take long for her confidence to grow (once she realised that no matter how hard she tried!), she loved swimming along with me holding one hand, when either of us spotted fish we would squeeze hands and point, after her initial nerves, she was the last to get back on to the boat. Amber was amazed at how friendly everyone was, as she said, you just walk along the street and everyone says Hello, noy only that, but they all took the time to get to know her and did not treat her like a silly little kid.
Were they ever bored? "No way!!!"
Did they miss all the activities they usually associate with holidays, "No, because it was a proper family holiday and we did things together all the time, it was good not having a TV because we played cards and talked"
Do they want to go back? "Can't wait!", we will be back in May this year.
So David, if your daughter is anything like our two she will have an incredible time, we did not fill our days with activities, yes we went to the rainforest, had a few boat trips and went to Scarborough, but most of our time was spent chilling on the beach during the day and limin around the pool at night, both girls agred it was the best holiday they had ever had and a totally unforgettable experience.
Linda, with help from Gemma and Amber.
We took our Daughters to Tobago 2 years ago, Gemma celebrated her 11th birthday while we were there, Amber was 8. This was only their second time abroad, they had never been on such a long flight or been anywhere on holiday without 'Kid's Clubs' or access to a TV.
The flight was much easier that we expected, not once in the whole journey did we hear the dreaded "I'm bored"! The girls had their backpacks with the essential supplies for a long trip, comics, books, puzzle books, cards, 'Top Trumps' and walkmans. Along with the inflight movie, and the fact that an early start meant they slept for some of the flight they were perfectly happy and kept themselves occupied.
We had been to Tobago the previous year without them, so they did have some idea of what to expect, but they were still stunned by the sight that hit them when we landed, the general comment was "Oh my God it's amazing / beautiful!", no amount of photographs can really do justice to the beauty of the place, and this was so different to what they had seen before, I think they, like many people were stunned that a country so hot can be so green and lush.
I have asked both girls what they enjoyed most, Gemma loved the beach (we spent a lot of time at Pigeon Point), she enjoyed being able to wander around on her own and was amazed at how friendly everyone was and quite often went off to chat to the ladies running the gift shops. She had never snorkeled before and was amazed that she could see so many varieties of fish (going on holiday meant both girls missed a school trip to 'Sea Life', but they had absolutely no problems producing the school project that their classes were required to do on their return), Gemma told me that her class were full of the stories of the fish they had seen through the glass, her response was "Big deal, I actually swam with them!". A boat trip and barbecue at No Mans Land was also a high point for Gemma, she met a local girl and they spent ages discussing the differences in their lives and finding out how much they had in common.
Gemma is now learning about rainforests at school, and considers herself to be at a great advantage, being the only one in her class, teacher included, who has actually visited a rainforest. As I said, Gemma celebrated her 11th birthday while we were there, she said she wanted a party and to go on a boat, so we had a second glass bottom boat trip, where everyone on-board sang happy birthday to her, and a party, to which we invited freinds we had met during our stay, they all bought food along for us to try, and one even baked a cake for her. As Gemma said, how many people would do that for her in England, when she had only known them for a few days?
Amber was closer to your daughters age, and unlike Gemma is not a bookworm (Gem would be happy anywhere as long as she has a book to read), she also likes to be busy the whole time and has always looked forward to holiday 'Kid's Clubs', so we were a little more concerned at how she would take to the laid back way of life. Amber also loved the sea and snorkeling in particular, on her first attempt, we went to Emerald Bay with Marlon on Cocomotion, he provided both girls with life jackets and snorkels appropriate to their size, and took time to make sure they fitted properly, at the time Amber did not like to swim out of her depth, when we first got in to the water she was clinging round my neck so tight I felt like I was being strangled, however it did not take long for her confidence to grow (once she realised that no matter how hard she tried!), she loved swimming along with me holding one hand, when either of us spotted fish we would squeeze hands and point, after her initial nerves, she was the last to get back on to the boat. Amber was amazed at how friendly everyone was, as she said, you just walk along the street and everyone says Hello, noy only that, but they all took the time to get to know her and did not treat her like a silly little kid.
Were they ever bored? "No way!!!"
Did they miss all the activities they usually associate with holidays, "No, because it was a proper family holiday and we did things together all the time, it was good not having a TV because we played cards and talked"
Do they want to go back? "Can't wait!", we will be back in May this year.
So David, if your daughter is anything like our two she will have an incredible time, we did not fill our days with activities, yes we went to the rainforest, had a few boat trips and went to Scarborough, but most of our time was spent chilling on the beach during the day and limin around the pool at night, both girls agred it was the best holiday they had ever had and a totally unforgettable experience.
Linda, with help from Gemma and Amber.
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Bill B
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:26 pm
- Location: Illinois,USA
Linda,
Thanks for your comments.
To quote you:
Did they miss all the activities they usually associate with holidays, "No, because it was a proper family holiday and we did things together all the time, it was good not having a TV because we played cards and talked"
end quote
You've got it exactly right. All most kids want is their parents attention and love. We as parents have learned to rely on TV and other diversions to keep the kids occupied because we are too busy with our own stressful lives.
My children are grown now and we often have our 2 grandkids (12 year old cousins) to our summer home on the lake. One of the rules is no TV. Between swimming, boating, campfires and just running around with the neighbor kids they're never bored. If the weather goes bad then it's time for dominos or cards.
It appears that you and your husband have a beautiful family and your daughters will have a lot of pleasant memories to cherish if you continue to do holidays like the one you had two years ago and have planned coming up.
Bill
Thanks for your comments.
To quote you:
Did they miss all the activities they usually associate with holidays, "No, because it was a proper family holiday and we did things together all the time, it was good not having a TV because we played cards and talked"
end quote
You've got it exactly right. All most kids want is their parents attention and love. We as parents have learned to rely on TV and other diversions to keep the kids occupied because we are too busy with our own stressful lives.
My children are grown now and we often have our 2 grandkids (12 year old cousins) to our summer home on the lake. One of the rules is no TV. Between swimming, boating, campfires and just running around with the neighbor kids they're never bored. If the weather goes bad then it's time for dominos or cards.
It appears that you and your husband have a beautiful family and your daughters will have a lot of pleasant memories to cherish if you continue to do holidays like the one you had two years ago and have planned coming up.
Bill
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David Lawson
Linda, and Gemma and Amber
Wow! Thanks for such a detailed reply. Although we now roughly what to expect (I have been to Tobago once before, lived in the Virgin Islands and been to Trinidad half a dozen times) it really is great to receive such a response particularly as we have not really been to the Caribbean with the kids. Rhiannon is just about swimming and reading of Amber's experience will really help her nerves. However, I think I will have to watch my neck as well!
What tour did you take to No Man's Land. My younger daughter is only 2 1/2 and I think this may suit her better. Although looking at the Cocomotion website does make me salivate a little.
Did you come across any beaches which the girls could snorkel out from rather than boat to?
Bill, your comments are spot on - but can I exclude the cricket from TV ban?
David
Wow! Thanks for such a detailed reply. Although we now roughly what to expect (I have been to Tobago once before, lived in the Virgin Islands and been to Trinidad half a dozen times) it really is great to receive such a response particularly as we have not really been to the Caribbean with the kids. Rhiannon is just about swimming and reading of Amber's experience will really help her nerves. However, I think I will have to watch my neck as well!
What tour did you take to No Man's Land. My younger daughter is only 2 1/2 and I think this may suit her better. Although looking at the Cocomotion website does make me salivate a little.
Did you come across any beaches which the girls could snorkel out from rather than boat to?
Bill, your comments are spot on - but can I exclude the cricket from TV ban?
David
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Joranson
Hi there, with reference to snorkeling from beaches, I visited tobago for the first time this January and although a strong swimmer I was very nervous snorkeling, but I absolutely loved it in Tobago. I snorkeled from the beach at various places the easiest I found was from Mount Irvine Beach, lovely beach easy parking, sun loungers in the shade (or sun) for £2 per day each and wonderful snorkeling in a fairly shelterd spot with a spot for swimming right next to the coral, brilliant. The other thing that my husband and I did was go to a proper diving shop and they helped us select well fitting masks which made all the difference. Also it may be I found it easier to acess the water with my beach shoes on rather than fins.
I also snorkeled from Arnos Vale beach which again was wonderful, but the swimming was not so good and when you entered the water it got deep very quickly. We also snorkeled from the bay at Blue Waters Inn, this again was excellent, and the swimming was good there too.
Your children will love it.
I also snorkeled from Arnos Vale beach which again was wonderful, but the swimming was not so good and when you entered the water it got deep very quickly. We also snorkeled from the bay at Blue Waters Inn, this again was excellent, and the swimming was good there too.
Your children will love it.
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David Watkins
- Bude Cool Boy
- Posts: 1990
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2003 12:12 pm
- Location: Bude Cornwall uk
- Contact:
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Bill B
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:26 pm
- Location: Illinois,USA
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Clyde Alleyne
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:40 am
- Location: Samaan Grove, Tobago
David, if your younger daughter is only 2 1/2 the two beaches I would suggest you try are Pigeon Point and Canoe Bay. Pigeon Point is the more popular and accessible. Canoe Bay is a little more distant.
Here's a photo from the myTobago photo gallery.
http://mytobago.info/photos/beaches/tihon-ppoint.htm
Here's a picture of Canoe Bay from the air. http://mytobago.info/photos/aerial/IMG_4744.htm
At Pigeon Point the water is very shallow and typically glassy calm and you can safely let your daughter run around without fear.
Clyde
Here's a photo from the myTobago photo gallery.
http://mytobago.info/photos/beaches/tihon-ppoint.htm
Here's a picture of Canoe Bay from the air. http://mytobago.info/photos/aerial/IMG_4744.htm
At Pigeon Point the water is very shallow and typically glassy calm and you can safely let your daughter run around without fear.
Clyde
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Dom Ennis
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David Lawson
Let's hope we don't end up like the icon! 18 days and counting. -
David Lawson
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David Watkins
- Bude Cool Boy
- Posts: 1990
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2003 12:12 pm
- Location: Bude Cornwall uk
- Contact:
