Caribbean Cops on Virgin 1/Carnival 2009

[Emma Storey]

Hi guys,

Just wondered whether anyone else had seen Virgin 1's latest cop style series - 'Caribbean Cops'. It is an 8 part series, showing every sunday at 9pm. I have just watched last Sunday's repeat and have to say although it didnt show too much of Tobago (mainly focused on St Lucia and Jamaica) I wasnt impressed! It featured a break in at a Villa and locals smoking weed on Store Bay beach - enough to put any tourist off! Having been to Tobago twice this year and spending 90% of my time with the locals I have to say in my opinion, this little extract of Tobago would be enough to scare off any uninformed tourist! Lets hope people dont see it and change their minds about visiting this beautiful island.

Anyway, ramble over! Carnival 2009 - I missed carnival this year and definitely want to go next year. I have the dates (23-24th Feb 09) but am wondering how far in advance I should be booking my accomodation....? Am I really behind? Should I have already booked it?! If it is anything like easter this year I guess the hotels will be full to bursting! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Emma

[Linda P]

I watched Caribbean Cops too, true it showed a break in at a villa, probably Bon Accord at a guess, and some guys who they thought were smoking weed, but could not find any on them. I would be more concerned if people associated the horrific crime shown on Trinidad with Tobago. I would hate tobago to become so popular it is 'Costa Caribbean', so if a few people are deterred by this show, hopefully it keeps Tobago a bit more exclusive for the rest of us.

On the subject of Carnival, book your accomodation now! you may already find quite a few places fully booked.


Linda

[Steve Pitts]

On the plus side (positive messages) the tourists interviewed on Store Bay and Pigeon Point said that the local people were warm and friendly and the beaches etc. were wonderful. The detective and cycle cop were totally, typical, Tobagonians.

Compared to a high-speed-at-sea drugs bust from St Lucia, a brutal gang killing on Trinidad, vehicle theft and total destruction on Jamaica (not to mention the debauchery of the Miss wet T-shirt contest at Negril) the Tobago crime scene seemed to consist of a chance break-in at the Bon Accord estate and the detailed inspection of one guy's underpants for his stash of ganga - quite tame by comparison.

It was a shame that the narrative included the comment that over 400 murders a year happen in Trinidad and Tobago. Even my wife was shocked and passed comment that she doesn't feel safe anymore.

The perception that this comment created wasn't balanced by the fact that 99% of these murders happen over on Trinidad.

Then again, it's a program about cops - the producers need some robbers too, to make the show work.
But more coverage of the wet T-shirt contests would boost the ratings.

Cheers
Steve

[Emma Storey]

I agree Steve - I watched it with my parents - neither of which have ever travelled outside the UK and they were horrified that their first born would holiday to 'such a place'! There goes many hours of trying to convince them Tobago is a fantastic country with a low level of crime...! I also worry that the problems of Trinidad may be projected onto Tobago but hey, like Linda says, maybe this will keep people away so we get to enjoy Tobago all to ourselves!

Think I will get cracking with the bookings for carnival 2009 - although I'm slightly confused as a friend of mine is in Tobago at the moment and she seems to think Carnival is in March next year - however everywhere I have read suggests 23rd & 24th Feb?

Emma

[Lisa Keith]

Hi Emma,

I think it's 23 & 24th Feb too. It's the days before Ash Wednesday, which is 25th next year, so that would make sense!

Lisa.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Girls

Yes, 23-24 February 2009 - as shown in our Events article in the Out & About menu.

[Gisela Grell]

I have to put my thoughts in...

First of all, I really react nervous if somebody mentions underpants..... but this is another story.
I don't have the chance to watch this cop series in Germany but as everything just a few people will recognize and most of all will forget after a day.
Maybe we react that strong because we all are somehow addicted to Tobago and don't want to hear anything bad about it.

Good mentioning about Carnival 2009!

Cheers
Gisela

10 days to go

[Robert Wiseman]

Bad boy bad boys...watcha gonna do when they come for you!

[Emma Storey]

thanks guys, i am so there!