Dont drink the water? Don't eat the fruit?

[Richardus]

Just got back from our doctor appointment to discuss what shots we need and any health concerns for our trip to Tobago. My doctor has advised us not to drink any local water or eat any fruit/vegetables from small vendor fruit stands. I understand about the water being differently treated, but I was looking forward to trying locally grown fruit, or stopping at a small juice stand, but now I will have reservations about it.

Local water in the juice drinks would be perfectly sterilized with the right amount of rum, but if I wanted a "virgin" punch I hope it's going to be ok.

Any feedback on the local fruit? Should I avoid it? I mean, even our large resort hotel I assume will be buying locally sold fruit and vegetables anyway, so should I be concerned? I cannot exactly just starve myself either!

[SandraK]

Good grief !! Think your doc. has not a clue. The water is perfectly safe. The fruit is about as organic as you can get as are veg. and meats. Fish you buy around 4pm. as the boats come in should you wish to use the BBQ.
We have never had a problem eating anything on the island - may not always be to our taste but that's a different matter !

The people of Tobago are scrupulously clean - they have to be. Just use the usual hygiene standards and you guys will be fine.

[David Watkins]

Tobago is a developing country....not third world.I've been to Tobago many times for extended periods and have never suffered any ill effects from local (food) produce or the water.
David

[Patrick Dankou]

Hi Richardus,
I can only repeat what others have said before, no problem with the water or fruits, personally I only drink filtered tap water but only to improve the taste. It seems to me the water authority always wants to be on the safe side when it comes to adding chlorine.

[SandraK]

David
Great to see you posting again ! Hope you are now bouncing back big time.

[Joanne Green]

We alway buy a few gallons of water at Penny Savers (about $1US) & use it to make coffee. That way, you don't get the extra chlorine & I'm fussy about how my coffee tastes. Also, if you're a serious coffee drinker, bring your own. tobago isn't known for good coffee!!

[Richardus]

Thanks for all the responses. They sound very reassuring and I'm glad to hear so.

I mean't no offense to Tobago or any of it's vendors, just a question that had to be asked.

[Sharon Keeler]

We have vacationed in Tobago for 9 years and bought and ate all our produce from roadside stalls. Never had a problem. We do buy water but that is due to taste. We brush our teeth and make ice tea with tap water and never a problem. I will say that my stomach does go through a 2-day adjustment, but I think that is due more to different spices. Never a real problem, but just about everyone who has traveled with us has experienced the same "adjustment."

[Andy K]

Richardus,

i drink pipe water all the time, in both Trinidad and Tobago.
Since they become available in our country, i use BRITA filter jugs to enhance the water quality.

There are also no problems whatsoever with fruits and vegetables.

[GillMathews]

Hi.Richardus,
I also have never had a problem drinking tap water or eating local fresh produce in Tobago and am going for the 7th or is it 8th time this year.I have unsettled my own equilibrium a few times from rum consumption (what are holidays for!) but can't blame the water .Jemma's tree house restaraunt(Jemma's seaview kitchen) in Speyside makes very good non alchoholic fruit punch. I love having a meal there looking straight out over the ocean.I am sure you will have a wonderfull time.
David,
You seem to have got your typing skills up to speed again. .Hope you are well x

Sandra,We must talk again soon.Need to exchange contact stuff ready to meet up asap in 'Bago.I am getting itchy feet just at the thought of being there now.All is well here.
Gillxx

[Paul Tallet]

Always drunk from the tap.

I think the only problem I have had was a chocolate brownie on a flight back and I surrendered my entitlement to my greedy daughter ... did she pay or did allah have mercy on my toilet (and other things) for 48 hours?

Tobago is pure ... just be careful what you consume on the plane

Enjoy your time and avoid the sand flies ... smile

Regards

[Richardus]

My doctor has been to many places in the world, such as Greece, Spain, Cuba and Southeast Aisa to name a few, he was probably advising that due to issues in other areas of the world and better to err on the side of caution. I take all of these testimonials from regular visitors to be reassuring and I look forward to trying out fresh fruit, veggies and fish there!

[SandraK]

Richardus
Go for it ! Be amazed if you have a problem.

Gill
Call me soon - with your work hours feel uneasy calling in case you may be asleep !

[Dr Stefan Rustscheff]

I agree with most comments above. Fresh fruit should be perfectly safe. I myself do not drink the water, rather rum and bottled water. Even if Tobago is a developing country it is not a first world country and water-borne diseases are not unheard of. If tap water is heavily chlorinated why drink it anyway since the taste must be less than optimal? I heartily agree with our friends that a holiday is a place for new discoveries, and I have, among other things eaten whole boiled fruitbat-quite a disagreeable experience. Nevertheless my tummy usually stays solid if I avoid tap water and goes in the opposite direction if I don´t. Being a medical doctor I also do not care to host anything exxtraordinary in my intestines

[Charlotte Keene]

Your doctor may not have travelled much - the fruit and veg is fresh and lovely, pineapples bananas mangoes etc all taste totally different and much much better in the tropics where it has grown and ripened; even if it was not grown in Tobago it is most likely to have been grown in Trinidad which is only a few hours away by ferry. So take no notice and enjoy everything. I drink spring water at home because I prefer the taste, but when out and about have consumed local water with absolutely no ill effects, it is perfectly safe.

[Frank and Mina]

Obviously none of you have had a dodgy coconut yet!

I used to look forward to stopping by in the market to have the top of a madaf chopped off and a bit sliced off the side to scoop the jelly.

A couple of visits ago I had one on my last evening. It tasted slightly different.

My coconut and other waters broke spectacularly in the early hours of departure day. This had me worried about my comfort on the flight.

I set about making an appliance out of blue paper roll, the type that doesn't disintegrate, to be held firmly in place by tight fitting speedos. As you all know, skimpy swimwear is frowned upon (for men) in Tobago but I do have some for more secluded sunbathing. Fortunately, all was well by the time the luggage was checked in and we set off for Store Bay. The mere thought of it, though, has meant that those speedos and a good wodge of blue roll now go with me in the hand luggage.

Funnily enough, Paul, I scoffed Mina's chocolate brownie on the plane (she's diabetic so I do well on the sweeties) as well as mine on the way home this week and things haven't been right since. I was assuming that it was the melon, again two passengers' worth!

Anyway, quite irrationally, I won't touch coconut water any more. Our hostess in Diego Martin a couple of weeks ago couldn't understand why I was politely turning it down.


Frank