Happy New year everyone!
We are new to this forum and want to thank everyone for their contributions. The reason we are here is that we will be making our first ever trip to Tobago in February...and boy, are we excited!
We have many, many questions but thankfully most have been answered by reading your posts and replies. For that we are grateful to all of you.
Our biggest concerns right now are our arrival date and transportation. We are staying in Charlotteville and only rented a vehicle for weeks one and four of a four week stay. At first we thought this would be fine, but after reading posts in this group, it appears that public transportation is limited and that taxis are quite expensive. For example, Charlotteville to Crown Point would be at least $60.00 USD?
The other concern is that we arrive in POS on Feb 4 and fly to Tobago on the first flight the morning of Feb 5. We always knew this was Carnival but were led to believe by our Charlotteville landlords that as long as we booked everything early it would not be any concern at all. Now we have read things about the festivities and parades and are wondering about the driving from the airport to Charlotteville on February 5, 2008 (keeping in mind that we will have to stop for groceries en route...)
Any advice anyone might offer about our transportation and Carnival concerns would be very helpful.
Thanking you in advance,
crowlandgrange
Kate and Paul
Niagara Falls, Ontario
First time visitors looking for advice
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Clyde Alleyne
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:40 am
- Location: Samaan Grove, Tobago
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Kate & Paul, I would not be worried about the drive between the airport and Charlotteville. For one thing, you mentioned "first flight to Tobago". That's a pretty early flight if in in fact you are talking about the 5:45AM flight (BW1500) out of Trinidad. You should pass on the outskirts of Scarborough on your way to the Windward Road well before the traffic into Scarborough starts building up for the Carnival Tuesday celebrations in Scarborough. At worst you might experience some minor slowdown at the 2-3 intersections that lead to downtown Scarborough.
Secondly, re you concern about transportation from/to Charlotteville. The reality of Charlotteville's location is that it lies at the north-eastern tip of Tobago, and therefore is a good way from many of the other places you might want to visit. A car is definitely the most convenient and flexible way to travel.
But there is public transportation (buses) that you can take from Charlotteville that will take you to Scarborough, and it's quite reasonable - nowhere near the US$60 that you quoted, which is the kind of price you would pay if you called a private taxi service to come pick you up and take you somewhere. I don''t know what the public transportation schedule is, but this is something that you can find out in Charlotteville. There might also be what I would call "route taxis", which are shared taxis that would also travel to/from Charlotteville. Their prices might be slightly higher than the public transportation (buses)but again, nowhere close to US$60 (I would guess maybe US$2-3), since the buses and route taxis are how the locals get around and they certainly can't afford US$60 each time. Just remember that from Scarborough, you would then have to take additional buses or route taxis to your final destination if you wanted to go to the southern end (airport side), or northern side (Mt Irvine/Stonehaven/Englishman's Bay/Castara areas), and the total travel time can add up since the bus services don't exactly come along every 15 minutes (every hour if you're lucky).
Hope this helps.
Clyde
Secondly, re you concern about transportation from/to Charlotteville. The reality of Charlotteville's location is that it lies at the north-eastern tip of Tobago, and therefore is a good way from many of the other places you might want to visit. A car is definitely the most convenient and flexible way to travel.
But there is public transportation (buses) that you can take from Charlotteville that will take you to Scarborough, and it's quite reasonable - nowhere near the US$60 that you quoted, which is the kind of price you would pay if you called a private taxi service to come pick you up and take you somewhere. I don''t know what the public transportation schedule is, but this is something that you can find out in Charlotteville. There might also be what I would call "route taxis", which are shared taxis that would also travel to/from Charlotteville. Their prices might be slightly higher than the public transportation (buses)but again, nowhere close to US$60 (I would guess maybe US$2-3), since the buses and route taxis are how the locals get around and they certainly can't afford US$60 each time. Just remember that from Scarborough, you would then have to take additional buses or route taxis to your final destination if you wanted to go to the southern end (airport side), or northern side (Mt Irvine/Stonehaven/Englishman's Bay/Castara areas), and the total travel time can add up since the bus services don't exactly come along every 15 minutes (every hour if you're lucky).
Hope this helps.
Clyde
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CrowlandGrange
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Clyde,
We thank you so much for the wonderful information. We have rented a car for two of the four weeks of our stay (we actually enjoy taking public transportation!) but we are considering that we may want a rental for the entire month...
We appreciate your thoughts on the drive from the airport to Charlotteville on the early morning of Feb.5. We may not have good reason but we are still a bit concerned with all we hear about the Carnival festivities.
For example, we will be passing by/through Scarborough early...on the first day of a self-catering holiday...will the Pennysaver be open that early? Or at all during Carnival?
As you can tell, our biggest concern is food and drink! I guess what we are wondering is if it is worth it to simply head directly to Charlotteville and get settled on Day 1 and travel back into town on Day 2 for provisions? Or perhaps someone can tell us if we can find basics in Speyside, for example?
It will be a real challenge for us to be "without" for a day and a morning but we are certain we can find a roti and a Stag on the 5th and at least a coffee on the morning of the 6th if need be before we get back into Scarborough for groceries!
Thanking you in advance for any tips!
Paul and Kate
We thank you so much for the wonderful information. We have rented a car for two of the four weeks of our stay (we actually enjoy taking public transportation!) but we are considering that we may want a rental for the entire month...
We appreciate your thoughts on the drive from the airport to Charlotteville on the early morning of Feb.5. We may not have good reason but we are still a bit concerned with all we hear about the Carnival festivities.
For example, we will be passing by/through Scarborough early...on the first day of a self-catering holiday...will the Pennysaver be open that early? Or at all during Carnival?
As you can tell, our biggest concern is food and drink! I guess what we are wondering is if it is worth it to simply head directly to Charlotteville and get settled on Day 1 and travel back into town on Day 2 for provisions? Or perhaps someone can tell us if we can find basics in Speyside, for example?
It will be a real challenge for us to be "without" for a day and a morning but we are certain we can find a roti and a Stag on the 5th and at least a coffee on the morning of the 6th if need be before we get back into Scarborough for groceries!
Thanking you in advance for any tips!
Paul and Kate
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Lisa Keith
- Tobago Business
- Posts: 275
- Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:41 pm
- Location: Baldock, Herts
- Contact:
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Hi Paul and Kate,
Almost certainly, Pennysavers will be closed on both Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Virtually everywhere is! You may find Viewport open as you go past, which has a pretty good stock of all the essentials, but not the variations that Pennysavers has. Viewport is on the same side of the road as Pennysavers, but about a quarter of a mile further on (my sense of distance is useless - it could be twenty feet, but I'm guessing about 1/4 mile!). It's a pinky/orange building with VIEWPORT in black letters painted above, and if anywhere's open, it will be. They'll certainly have all your basics.
If not, you can always try the local hotels for breakfast / lunch / dinner until you get a chance to stock up. There are a couple of small (tiny!) shops in Speyside, but they really are tiny and don't have very much of anything. If you get the chance to buy your stuff before you actually arrive, it's worth doing. There's also Pablos Supermarket as you go through Roxborough which may be open, but that's the last opportunity this side of Speyside. I don't know Charlotteville that well, but I believe there are a couple of small shops there and they may well be open!
Don't worry about the traffic. As Clyde says, with the exception of the Scarborough turn-offs themselves, you're unlikely to encounter much in the way of traffic. The only thing you MAY come up against are devils that didn't make it to Carnival! I'll let someone else try to explain that as I'm not 100% sure on the background to it!! Suffice it to say that it's not threatening at all - purely the Tobagonians who don't make it as far south as Scarborough! A couple of dollars (TT) will be enough to buy their gratitude and compliance!!
Have a great vacation!
Lisa.
Almost certainly, Pennysavers will be closed on both Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Virtually everywhere is! You may find Viewport open as you go past, which has a pretty good stock of all the essentials, but not the variations that Pennysavers has. Viewport is on the same side of the road as Pennysavers, but about a quarter of a mile further on (my sense of distance is useless - it could be twenty feet, but I'm guessing about 1/4 mile!). It's a pinky/orange building with VIEWPORT in black letters painted above, and if anywhere's open, it will be. They'll certainly have all your basics.
If not, you can always try the local hotels for breakfast / lunch / dinner until you get a chance to stock up. There are a couple of small (tiny!) shops in Speyside, but they really are tiny and don't have very much of anything. If you get the chance to buy your stuff before you actually arrive, it's worth doing. There's also Pablos Supermarket as you go through Roxborough which may be open, but that's the last opportunity this side of Speyside. I don't know Charlotteville that well, but I believe there are a couple of small shops there and they may well be open!
Don't worry about the traffic. As Clyde says, with the exception of the Scarborough turn-offs themselves, you're unlikely to encounter much in the way of traffic. The only thing you MAY come up against are devils that didn't make it to Carnival! I'll let someone else try to explain that as I'm not 100% sure on the background to it!! Suffice it to say that it's not threatening at all - purely the Tobagonians who don't make it as far south as Scarborough! A couple of dollars (TT) will be enough to buy their gratitude and compliance!!
Have a great vacation!
Lisa.
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Clyde Alleyne
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:40 am
- Location: Samaan Grove, Tobago
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
hi Paul and Kate, I was able to get some additional information for you. The good news is that Pennysavers will be open on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, but between 8AM and 1PM. Problem is, you land in Tobago quite early, well before 8AM. So here's my suggestion.
First, consider having breakfast after landing. Two choices: across the road from the airport terminal building is Rituals/Vie de France, which opens from 6:30AM. Alternatively, 5 minutes from the airport on Milford Road is The Original House of Pancakes which is open from 7AM, and I highly recommend their pancakes with Nutmeg Syrup - yummy.
Depending on how soon you want to head off for Charlotteville, from 7AM, Jimmy's Mini-Mart will be open. They are located on the Milford Road between the airport and the House of Pancakes (2 minutes from the airport). You will be able to buy drinks, canned goods, cold cuts and eggs but they won't have much by way of meat, fruit or fresh vegetables. From 8AM, Pennysavers is definitely the best of the supermarkets. Just beyond Pennysavers and past View Port and still on Milford Road, you will also see one of the larger fruit and vegetable outlets.
As Lisa suggested, you should also make sure that you have at least $20 TT in single notes for the drive to Charlotteville. This is in case your car is stopped and you are accosted by ferocious-looking "devils" smeared with mud and/or grease and brandishing home-made pitchforks. If you do encounter any of these characters, do take it in the carnival spirit as its part of the Tobago carnival tradition. A couple of dollars of "ransom" will get you waved past. In my personal experience, this happened to me as I was going through the Roxborough area. You will be perfectly safe in spite of the dubious-looking characters.
Hope this helps.
Clyde
First, consider having breakfast after landing. Two choices: across the road from the airport terminal building is Rituals/Vie de France, which opens from 6:30AM. Alternatively, 5 minutes from the airport on Milford Road is The Original House of Pancakes which is open from 7AM, and I highly recommend their pancakes with Nutmeg Syrup - yummy.
Depending on how soon you want to head off for Charlotteville, from 7AM, Jimmy's Mini-Mart will be open. They are located on the Milford Road between the airport and the House of Pancakes (2 minutes from the airport). You will be able to buy drinks, canned goods, cold cuts and eggs but they won't have much by way of meat, fruit or fresh vegetables. From 8AM, Pennysavers is definitely the best of the supermarkets. Just beyond Pennysavers and past View Port and still on Milford Road, you will also see one of the larger fruit and vegetable outlets.
As Lisa suggested, you should also make sure that you have at least $20 TT in single notes for the drive to Charlotteville. This is in case your car is stopped and you are accosted by ferocious-looking "devils" smeared with mud and/or grease and brandishing home-made pitchforks. If you do encounter any of these characters, do take it in the carnival spirit as its part of the Tobago carnival tradition. A couple of dollars of "ransom" will get you waved past. In my personal experience, this happened to me as I was going through the Roxborough area. You will be perfectly safe in spite of the dubious-looking characters.
Hope this helps.
Clyde
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CrowlandGrange
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Lisa and Clyde,
Thank you so much! Perhaps our paths will cross on Tobago and we can buy you a Stag! (or for Clyde, pancakes with nutmeg syrup!)
Paul and Kate
Thank you so much! Perhaps our paths will cross on Tobago and we can buy you a Stag! (or for Clyde, pancakes with nutmeg syrup!)
Paul and Kate
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Clyde Alleyne
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:40 am
- Location: Samaan Grove, Tobago
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Dear Paul & Kate, you're very welcome. I was happy to be of assistance. Unfortunately I won't be able to take you up on your pancake offer, as I won't be in Tobago for Carnival 2008! But here is a something to help your plan your breakfast selection at House of Pancakes... http://www.tobagotoday.com/houseofpancakes/
Incidentally, the name of the fruit & vegetable outlet I referred to in my earlier post is called Canaan Food Basket. You can't miss it, as the name is clearly visible on the front of the building..
Clyde
Incidentally, the name of the fruit & vegetable outlet I referred to in my earlier post is called Canaan Food Basket. You can't miss it, as the name is clearly visible on the front of the building..
Clyde
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Phil Bondie
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:15 am
- Location: USA
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Paul and Kate, Where are you staying in C-ville? Maybe I can help you out with some supplies. It is possible that the stores in town will be open Mon. and Tues. because a lot of campers and church groups come up here for Carnival but nobody is willing to bet me. The eating places should all be open and you can get get food, beer and drinks from them. Make sure to fill up with gas in Scarborough. The gas station in C-ville has only been out for one day since the 1st. In years past they have run out on Sunday of Carnival and not gotten any until the end of the week. The devils will probably get you just before Speyside Lookout coming up so do have some single TT's with you. As everyone has said you should not have a problem diving up here, just stay out of Scarborough. Although I now rent a jeep from Sheppy I hardly use it but it is nice to have around. When I think back to our first stay we never left C-ville for 30 days and never missed not having transport. Let me know if I can be of help. Phil
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CrowlandGrange
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Clyde and Phil,
Thank you so much for the information! We are very excited about our first ever visit to C-ville and so appreciate your help. Clyde...sorry we will miss you for pancakes but perhaps our paths will cross another time...We're in the UK just after Tobago...and it is a small world!
Phil...thank you as well. To answer your question, we have rented a small bungalow for a month and we will hope that grocery stores will be open in the morning on the way up on the 5th...
If not, we will just go back the following day. Any ideas you have for "provisions" are appreciated. We have heard that there are many fruit and vegetable stalls and the fishermen's co-op in Charlotteville. If this is true, that may be all we need!
BTW, thank for your advice: we will have plenty of TT small bills for the Carnival devils en route. We are looking forward to getting into the community Carnival spirit!
Thanks again,
Kate and Paul
Thank you so much for the information! We are very excited about our first ever visit to C-ville and so appreciate your help. Clyde...sorry we will miss you for pancakes but perhaps our paths will cross another time...We're in the UK just after Tobago...and it is a small world!
Phil...thank you as well. To answer your question, we have rented a small bungalow for a month and we will hope that grocery stores will be open in the morning on the way up on the 5th...
If not, we will just go back the following day. Any ideas you have for "provisions" are appreciated. We have heard that there are many fruit and vegetable stalls and the fishermen's co-op in Charlotteville. If this is true, that may be all we need!
BTW, thank for your advice: we will have plenty of TT small bills for the Carnival devils en route. We are looking forward to getting into the community Carnival spirit!
Thanks again,
Kate and Paul
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Phil Bondie
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:15 am
- Location: USA
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Kate and Paul, I have again been told that the stores in C-ville will be open on Monday and Tuesday. Some of the fishermen will be going out but it might be hard to get fish because the demand will be great.
Vegetable stalls (all 3) should also be open but again supplies may be low. By Thursday or Friday stocks should be back up. Not knowing where you are staying it's hard to say what supplies will be in your bungalow. See you next week, Phil (I am around Sharon & Phebes, G's and Workshop, look me up, most people know me)
Vegetable stalls (all 3) should also be open but again supplies may be low. By Thursday or Friday stocks should be back up. Not knowing where you are staying it's hard to say what supplies will be in your bungalow. See you next week, Phil (I am around Sharon & Phebes, G's and Workshop, look me up, most people know me)
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CrowlandGrange
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Phil,
Thank you again! We appreciate all the info...we don't expect that our little bungalow will have any supplies at all.
To reply better to your question about its whereabouts, all we know is that it is past the bend after Man O War cottages and it's on Irie Lane.
We hope that our paths will cross while on Tobago so we can thank you in person!
Paul and Kate
Thank you again! We appreciate all the info...we don't expect that our little bungalow will have any supplies at all.
To reply better to your question about its whereabouts, all we know is that it is past the bend after Man O War cottages and it's on Irie Lane.
We hope that our paths will cross while on Tobago so we can thank you in person!
Paul and Kate
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Phil Bondie
- Oh, so Sad!
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:15 am
- Location: USA
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Hi Paul & Kate, Has to be the Love Shack, right on the left as you turn down. Or one of the 2 down on the beach. You will be close to town. For a couple of days if you have a car you do not have to worry about starving, you can always go to Speyside for meals. If the places in C-ville aren't open you can pop down to town on Wed. or Thursday and get what you need for supplies. I stay in the Cottages (one with the X-mas light), you will walk right by on your way to town on the beach. If it is the Love Shack I can probably get you some bread, butter and eggs and put them in the fridge. Bev is a friend. Phil
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CrowlandGrange
Re: First time visitors looking for advice
Phil,
What a kind offer! You are correct...we are in the little Love Shack...Beverly and Dave have been truly great (and very patient with all our questions!)
Please do not go to any trouble...we expect we will be able to get what we need! We liked your suggestion of just chilling for the first couple of days and then heading back into the Pennysaver for the real grocery shopping.
Bev did mention your name but we didn't realize you were the same Phil until your last post. Apparently you make the best and freshest sushi in the world!!
We may well have much in common since Paul is an amateur chef (second career/working from time to time with Niagara winery restaurants) and one of our last trips was to cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand!
In any case, thanks once again for all your information. We look forward to meeting you...It will be our pleasure!
Paul and Kate
What a kind offer! You are correct...we are in the little Love Shack...Beverly and Dave have been truly great (and very patient with all our questions!)
Please do not go to any trouble...we expect we will be able to get what we need! We liked your suggestion of just chilling for the first couple of days and then heading back into the Pennysaver for the real grocery shopping.
Bev did mention your name but we didn't realize you were the same Phil until your last post. Apparently you make the best and freshest sushi in the world!!
We may well have much in common since Paul is an amateur chef (second career/working from time to time with Niagara winery restaurants) and one of our last trips was to cooking school in Chiang Mai Thailand!
In any case, thanks once again for all your information. We look forward to meeting you...It will be our pleasure!
Paul and Kate