shopping
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Alexandra Taylor Presslan
shopping
Im off to tobago next month and i can hardly contain myself with building excitement!!!!! what is there to buy in tobago that is especially good i am not talking about tourist generated toot here i mean for example rugs in turkey rum in cuba this sort of thing...... angoustinie bitters i know... any real bargains made on the island if poss i like to buy something to remind me of my holls thanks any sugestions welcome...... 5 weeks to go 5 weeks to go....
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Glyn Kirpalani
- Tobago Fanatic
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2003 1:27 pm
- Location: Norfolk, UK
Hi Alex
Gasoline is cheap, about 30p a litre, but hard to get home, plus fruit ain't bad either and plentiful/exotic.
Beyond the odd wood carving/nice handmade leather sandals (both the product of rastas) Tobago does not offer much in the way of shopping. Rum is good value (cheaper at duty free on way home) and cigars handrolled by a cuban cigar guy - next to La Terraza restaurant, Shirvan Rd.
Cheap local wooden furniture is, cheap, but bulky again! Pop across to Trinidad for cheap shopping, but again, any bargains will all originate in China or the middle east anyway and might be found in parts of UK for same or less. Don't come here for the shopping.
Have fun
regards
Gasoline is cheap, about 30p a litre, but hard to get home, plus fruit ain't bad either and plentiful/exotic.
Beyond the odd wood carving/nice handmade leather sandals (both the product of rastas) Tobago does not offer much in the way of shopping. Rum is good value (cheaper at duty free on way home) and cigars handrolled by a cuban cigar guy - next to La Terraza restaurant, Shirvan Rd.
Cheap local wooden furniture is, cheap, but bulky again! Pop across to Trinidad for cheap shopping, but again, any bargains will all originate in China or the middle east anyway and might be found in parts of UK for same or less. Don't come here for the shopping.
Have fun
regards
Glyn Kirpalani
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Richard
We found the rum slightly cheaper at the off license but only by pennies when converted back to sterling.
We also found some nice dyed cloths we use as wall hangings and some small carvings.
We simply booked a taxi for our last full day. Cost about TT$250 for the day. Took us to Crown Point for lunch (parked under a tree til we were ready) then we let the driver assist in finding places for goods. Nothing like local knowledge.
In 2002 we paid TT$64 for a bottle of Royal Oak rum. That's less than £6 in todays exchange rate.
We are off on the 17th Jan for our third trip.
We also found some nice dyed cloths we use as wall hangings and some small carvings.
We simply booked a taxi for our last full day. Cost about TT$250 for the day. Took us to Crown Point for lunch (parked under a tree til we were ready) then we let the driver assist in finding places for goods. Nothing like local knowledge.
In 2002 we paid TT$64 for a bottle of Royal Oak rum. That's less than £6 in todays exchange rate.
We are off on the 17th Jan for our third trip.
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Rachel Crew
- Tobago Business
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2004 9:05 pm
- Location: Tobago
- Contact:
Shopping
Hi Alexandra,
I have to echo Glyn's comment here - Do not expect to shop til you drop in Tobago.... and then you won't be dissapointed!However a few ideas:
T&T rum is excellent, and the price in the local shops is comparable with duty free (so you can sample plenty before you choose what to take home
)
There is some nice batik available: check out the Batik House in Scarborough, or the batik shop above Pennysavers Supermarket in Canaan (it usually has a very good selection).
There is also a selection of craft stalls in the foyer of the Hilton Hotel on a Friday evening to co-incide with the Happy Hour in the bar... Ted Arthur sells his hand-made leather sandals,shoes and bags there, and they really are good value - beautifully made and reasonable prices.
There are two other craft shops that you can check out - Things Natural in Crown Point, and Shore Things in Lambeau which also has a small cafe and sells lovely fruit smoothies (... notice a drinking theme in this post??)
But I wouldn't rule out the craft stands at Store Bay - they have a good variety of items and smaller carvings.
But again, enjoy your visit, bring a camera and take home beautiful memories and pictures if nothing else...
Rachel
I have to echo Glyn's comment here - Do not expect to shop til you drop in Tobago.... and then you won't be dissapointed!However a few ideas:
T&T rum is excellent, and the price in the local shops is comparable with duty free (so you can sample plenty before you choose what to take home
)There is some nice batik available: check out the Batik House in Scarborough, or the batik shop above Pennysavers Supermarket in Canaan (it usually has a very good selection).
There is also a selection of craft stalls in the foyer of the Hilton Hotel on a Friday evening to co-incide with the Happy Hour in the bar... Ted Arthur sells his hand-made leather sandals,shoes and bags there, and they really are good value - beautifully made and reasonable prices.
There are two other craft shops that you can check out - Things Natural in Crown Point, and Shore Things in Lambeau which also has a small cafe and sells lovely fruit smoothies (... notice a drinking theme in this post??)
But I wouldn't rule out the craft stands at Store Bay - they have a good variety of items and smaller carvings.
But again, enjoy your visit, bring a camera and take home beautiful memories and pictures if nothing else...
Rachel
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Rachel Crew
- Tobago Business
- Posts: 125
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2004 9:05 pm
- Location: Tobago
- Contact:
Shopping
Forgot to mention....
If you are in Scarborough, especially on a Friday or Saturday, go to the indoor market - you will find a great selection of locally produced spices and spice mixes, and the typical seasoning mixes we use here... essential if you want to recreate any favourite Tobago dishes when you get home!
If you are in Scarborough, especially on a Friday or Saturday, go to the indoor market - you will find a great selection of locally produced spices and spice mixes, and the typical seasoning mixes we use here... essential if you want to recreate any favourite Tobago dishes when you get home!
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Alexandra Taylor Presslan
No there really is not much to buy in tobago, their is a serious lack of anu industry, however there is a really nice man who makes beautiful shoes down at store bay and shore things at lambeau do a few nice crafts as does the cotton house near the blue haven hotel. Angoustea bitters and chilli sauce are good buys. Planet ceramic at crown point do a few nice things as does the backyard. All things natural is very expensive. The little craft shop at bucco is also nice.
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Alexandra Taylor Presslan
oohhhhhhhh nearly forget there is a nice clothes shop in Scarborough called Radical designs, that is quite reasonable by english standards. But make sure your slim as there large is about a 10 even thought the shop assistant is about a 16. While in scarborough stop off for a ice cream at the ciao cafe nice place to while away some time.