Christmas Advice

James · Post by **James** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:12 am

Hi,

My wife, daughter & I have booked to spend Christmas & New Year in Tobago (23/12-06/01). The first week we are staying at Canoe Bay & the 2nd at the Hilton. As this is going to be our first Christmas away from home can anyone give us some advice as to what to expect or some options of what to do.

Cheers

James

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:19 am

Hello James

Welcome aboard!

My, that's an interesting one. Never having spent Christmas on Tobago, I'm slightly at a loss to know what to suggest. However the first thing that springs to mind is the catering aspect. Do you expect to self-cater or go out on Christmas Day/Boxing Day? There is only a snack bar at Canoe Bay and no shops or restaurants within walking distance. Have you read our review of the Canoe Bay? So, the first thing to do on your first day is to stock up.

If you're thinking of going out to eat on Christmas Day, you'll need to choose a restaurant and probably essential to contact them and ensure that they're open and to make a booking. The choice of restaurant will be very much to budget and how much you wish to spend. Going out will be the best way to get some Christmas 'feel' because it might be very quiet at the Canoe Bay.

James · Post by **James** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:16 am

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the swift reply. We will probably eat out though this is not set in stone yet.

I have read your review on Canoe Bay though only found your site after we booked. Not that your review put us off in any way. We are are very much looking forward to both parts of the holiday & Glyn from Canoe Bay has been really helpful.

I guess what we're are looking for is to do Christmas "Tobago Style", having had enough of the the way Christmas has been hi-jacked in the UK.

Any advise you can give will be really appreciated.

Regards

James

Wanda · Post by **Wanda** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:41 pm

Hi James
We have spent about 3 Xmas/New Years in Tobago and this year will be our 4th! Its very low key, non of the commercial madness that you experience in the UK. A lot of restaurants are closed Xmas Day so that people can spend the day with family and friends, usually on the beach with big family picnics. Apart from that life goes on much as normal. Very few things in life more pleasurable than swimming in the caribbean sea on Xmas day and then cooling off with a Carib under a palm tree. Sure beats cooking turkey in the cold and grey of the UK!!
Wanda

Steve Fifield · Post by **Steve Fifield** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:01 pm

Hi, James,

I'm new to the forum too, but have been to Tobago four times over the Christmas period. Last year we did both Christmas and 'Old years night' just as you intend this year, and we had a great time.

Tobagonians seem to take Christmas very seriously when it comes to decorating their houses - icicle lights all around etc, and expect the locals to be wearing santa hats whilst playing football in full sun on beach.

On Christmas day, locals will be mostly with their families at home (we were lucky enough to spend Christmas lunch with a Tobagonian family), or at church, so I suggest that you do book up at a Restaurant in advance to assure a place if that is what you want (Hilton is supposed to be quite good), however, if you are not too worried where or what you eat, I doubt that you will go hungry. I've heard that not much special happens in the restaurants until the evening. My experience of trying to book up in advance for New Year (we went to Bonkers, where we had a good buffet) was that none of the restaurants are really prepared to take bookings more than 3-4 weeks in advance, so they will probably be astonished if you email or phone them right now. Also, very few of them replied, possibly because they were not intending to be open on those days, or because their published email addresses often change, or they only check mail once a week etc.

Fill up your car's tank before the bank holidays, and don't expect much to be open, just like home. Christmas eve in the supermarket (Pennysavers, we only needed milk!) was mayhem, so do any food shopping well in advance.

Why not spend Christmas day on the beach, like we did, and forget the lunchtime formalities for once?

We are going again on January 1st 2005, so might see you on the beach at Canoe bay, as it is very shallow and sheltered there, our 6 year old enjoyed it last year.

Steve.

James · Post by **James** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:30 am

Hi Wanda & Steve,

Thanks for your advice, if people are as helpful when we get to Tobago we're sure to have a great time.
Still a little undecided but I think we've got it down to a short list of two, The Hilton or a picnic on the beach.

Thanks again,

James

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:11 am

Check your booking carefully. Some hotels insist you join them for meals at Christmas/New Year.

Rachel Jones · Post by **Rachel Jones** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 2:31 pm

Hi James,
Like you we are dissillusioned with Christmas in the UK and are escaping the rat race by going to Tobago on 20th Dec for just one week (1st time in Tobago).

Me and my hubby have decided on Christmas Day to have a lie in or lie on the beach (ahh bliss) swim in the ocean and if the wind gets up some windsurfing (hother half's always wanted to windsurf on Christmas Day!), then in the afternoon drink copious amounts of rum or beer, then early evening go out for our (I hope) Tobagonian style Christmas.
As we're there on the 20th we'll be able to find out which restaurants are open on Christmas Day and also which are the best ones.

I love the idea of breaking with tradition and having an evening meal on Christmas Day instead of lunch!

Only 13 weeks to go - I'll be counting the hours soon!