I've booked!

Carole Ward · Post by **Carole Ward** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:05 pm

Well its done, flights booked with Virgin and accommodation reserved just need to pay the deposit!!

Yippppppeee so excited now, roll on January. Better start the diet now!

Look forward to meeting some of you there!

Carole

Carol Townsend · Post by **Carol Townsend** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:48 pm

Well done Carole with an e.
Hope you do better with the diet than I did

I think the Tobagonians will accept you as you are though.
And keep reading this site!
Regards
Carol without an e.

Carole Ward · Post by **Carole Ward** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:56 pm

Thanks Carol, have paid deposit too now, finally got through on the phone!! So its all systems go.

I will be reading for your updates ... am relying on you to tell me the good restaurants and places to go!!

What trips did you do when you were there?

Maybe you can put all your diary bits onto one thread a little at a time, whenever you are bored at home, 'Carol's diary' or something it would make great reading!!

Caroleeeeeeee

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:17 pm

Carole,

Lucky you. Where are you staying at?

As far as dieting goes I don't think you'll have to worry. Chances are the food you will be eating in Tobago will be healthier than what you're getting now. Also the heat has a tendency to curb your appetite so you probably won't over indulge.

Now, rum punch and Caribs are another story

Bill

Carole Ward · Post by **Carole Ward** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:23 pm

Hi Bill

After much deliberation and exchanges of emails, we have decided to stay at the Naturalist.

Well I gotta fit in the bikini or costume for the beach, so diet it is, I've put on a stone in the last year dunno how that happened really (must have been that chocolate and puddings my boyfriend force fed me) - hey ho!

I don't drink beer so rum punch it is for me, as long as its not too strong, I'm a bit of a lightweight with booze, only have to sniff it and I'm drunk!

Carole

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:37 pm

Carole,

Be very careful then, because as plentiful as fruit is in Tobago it seems that it must still be more expensive than rum (at least based on how much rum and how little juice goes into a typical rum punch

)

The Naturalist seems to get good reviews. We didn't stay there but from the outside it was clean and neat and looked quite attractive. Also the location right on the beach is hard to beat. Paul the "Weather Guru" stays there and I'm sure he'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Bill

P.S. Not to be indelicate, but for those of us in the colonies, how much is a stone?

Carole Ward · Post by **Carole Ward** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:56 pm

Ha ha sorry Bill a stone is 14lbs! A dress size at least - not the end of the world but I feel better without it!

Yes I noticed somewhere on a thread that Paul stayed there and he gave it a good review, so hopefully it will be OK, I love the idea of just being able to walk out of the door onto the beach. The other option we had was Lillibets, which also looks great, but my boyfriend decided he wanted Naturalist. We could have also stayed at Sandcastles, which again looks lovely but I understand its a bit "up the hill", so we will go there to sample the restaurant instead!

Oh and I'll be careful with the rum, I might have to buy extra juice to go in it!

Carole

Gisela Grell · Post by **Gisela Grell** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:56 pm

Hi Carole,

good choice! You will love the Naturalist and you are directly on the beach and close to the village. The people there are very friendly and the only problem is the way up the hill and down to Little Bay. You will find out when you are there because Castara has TWO wonderful beaches.

Lucky you,, I still don't know when I can make it next.

Cheers
Gisela

PS: I love Carib and have a lot every time but still I loose weight when I'm there. Don't worry, be happy!

Carole Ward · Post by **Carole Ward** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:00 pm

Hi Gisela

I noticed there were too beaches but wasn't sure which one the Naturalist was on, so you have just confirmed it. So is Little Bay 'Heavenly Bay'? What is the problem with the way up the hill, is it just a bit steep or difficult?

Carole

Gisela Grell · Post by **Gisela Grell** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:09 pm

Hi Carole,

the way is not difficult and there is a short cut you can walk but it is hot in Tobago and the hill is very steep. Naturalist is on the edge of Big Bay. Heavenly is the other

I'm sure you will love both beaches.

Cheers

Gisela

Carole Ward · Post by **Carole Ward** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:18 pm

Oooops just noticed my typing mistake above I put too instead of two, but couldn't edit it after!

Thanks Gisela, oh well bit of exercise will do us good! Cant wait to discover all these things!!

Carole dreaming of the beach!

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:58 pm

Carole,

Depending on the tide and wave action you can wade around a small rocky point to get from one beach to the other. The best snorkeling is on the far end of Little Bay from Big Bay so you could just start swimming in Big Bay and cross by the point.

Otherwise it will be uphill and then back down to go from one to another. Believe me you'll sweat out at least a drink on each round trip so if you do it often enough you won't have to worry about that stone.

Bill

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:15 pm

I never take that hill ... although, if done regularly, it would solve the problem about inserting yourself comfortably into that bikini.

I always wade round to Heavenly Bay ... pack your belongings in a waterproof and go for it !! ... can be tricky at high tide with strong surf, buts makes for an unforgettable experience nonetheless ... far easier than the road/hill.

I call Heavenly Bay the 'dead zone' of Castara ... a place to die for ... but you can die getting there

!!

Regards

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:18 pm

... but if you get there ... you are in heaven

Regards

Peter Kuhn · Post by **Peter Kuhn** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:33 pm

Hi Carole,
forget the diet !

I think it's better to start a special liver-training-programm to survive the meeting with David

Cheers

Peter

Carole Ward · Post by **Carole Ward** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:35 pm

Hmmmmmmm well maybe I will be wading then, the hill is sounding like hard work! How deep would it be at high tide to wade round?

Is there somewhere on the beach(es) to hire snorkelling stuff?

Also from what I understand there's not much going on at night time in Castara, which is fine as we don't want to do much, but are there any little places to go if we do fancy a drink after 9pm??!

Hopefully I will have fitted comfortably into the bikini by then so won't need the exercise so much!

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:46 pm

Ok Carole ...

Once you have got your body mass into your bikini and you are ready for a party ... just say ' I need a party' ... loads of people will join you.

Remember ... in Castara it is the people that make the parties !!

Erm ... at high tide I guess you may be swimming to Heavenly Bay ... so the bikini will come in quite handy

Have fun ... you won't be disappointed

Regards

Peter Kuhn · Post by **Peter Kuhn** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:18 pm

Yes Carole,

Paul is right

It's up to you to start a party $\:D/$
Don't miss the party at the boathouse.

Have fun

$\:D/$

Peter

Jane H · Post by **Jane H** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:58 am

Hi Carole

Don't remember anywhere with snorkle gear for hire in Castara - although I guess some may be providd in individual accommodatins?

To be honest - you're better getting your own in the UK (mask and snorkle at least). If you buy from a good sports store or dive shop, you'll be able to try them on and get advice on the best kit for you. I had one holiday spoilt (a bit) when I couldn't get a mask that fitted properly and a suitable snorkle. It's no fun looking at fish when you have to stop every couple of minutes to empty a mask that leaks; clear snorkle that's flooded (and who has used the mouthpiece before you?); cough, choke, splutter..............! And cost effectively - you can keep on using your own kit!

I agree that fins can take a disproportionate amount of case space - I don't bother with carrying them around - but the mask and snorkle are an essential as far as I'm concerned.

If you feel better after the diet - go for it. But don't worry if it doesn't happen - no one else in Tobago will!!!

Cheers

Jane

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:43 am

Carole,there are three rum shops in Casatara where you can lime until you drop.Three bars-Cascreoles/Treetops sports bar and restaurant,usually a party there on Saturday-D'Boathouse on Heavenly Bay usually pan and African on Wednesday(book early) and Marvin's Bar near the Medical Centre(!).I don't know anything about this as he has only recently opened
David(65 days and 12 minutes to take off!)

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