myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

well i've almost read this site front to back and have some specific questions

1. When staying in Castara do fishermen come in with their catch daily?
2. Is is ok to ask them to purchase their fish and either take and cook at our place and/or is there a local restaurant that will take the fish and cook for you for dinner or lunch, what could be the expected price?
3. Is there anywhere to buy "Batik" that is colorful fabric that has been hand painted and/or any art shops
4. Is it "ok" to bring your own coolers to Store Bay and Pigeon Point with your own beer. Don't mind patronizing the local bars there but have heard you could wait 20 minutes for a beer and this just will not do

Thank you

oh and anywhere to boogie board?

Cindy,

fishermen in Castara do come in with fish daily, unless there is a very unfavourable
weather situation. Just check them at their little co-opertive building next to the
mini-mart. You can't miss it, just follow the smell

Yes you may ask them to sell you fresh fish, which they will gladly do because it is
their business. Expect to pay TT$ 20.00 to 25.00 per lb of King Fish (King Makerel) or Dolphin Fish
(Mahi Mahi). You will get your fish in slices / steaks. If you want it loined / filets, you need to
buy the whole fish, which may make sense if you have a freezer in your accomodation.
Filets of Mahi Mahi belongs to my favourite, you can cook it in many different ways.

The local restaurants certainly have their own supply of fresh fish, likely the same species
what you see at the fishermen co-operation. I would not recommend to carry your own
fish ... unless you caught it yourself.

Coolers are definitely allowed in both Store Bay and Pigeon Point. When you stay in Castara,
carry your cooler just down the road to the beach. You don't need to go anywhere else

Boogie board ... i don't know. Not in Castara.

Enjoy your holidays !

thank you yes i guess it would be ridiculous for restaurants to take fish I brought in and cooked it . . . .wasn't thinking straight.

Coolers a good thing, thank again

You're welcome.
I forget the "batik" question.
You find batik all over in souvenir shops on the island.
About 50 yards before the fishermen cooperative there is such a shop.
The lady there has a huge variety of souvenirs and will certainly be
able to help you. Even if you don't see "batik" there, just ask and she
will be willing to give you advice where to find it.

Batik is available at a shop in Buccoo on the main road opposite the new stadium.

From elsewhere on this website:
Batiki Point, Buccoo. A small Batik studio and craft shop located opposite the beach facilities in Buccoo Village. The shop is owned and run by Tina Friman and there are a nice selection of wall-hangings, wraps, t-shirts, clothes, art and craft, all designed and made by local artists. The are open from Monday to Friday 11am-6pm and on Sunday evening (during Sunday School) from 6pm. Tina can be emailed at email now or contacted at (868) 631-0111.
I would call first if possible to make sure they are open.

Enjoy, Hugh

Andy K wrote:You're welcome.
I forget the "batik" question.
You find batik all over in souvenir shops on the island.
About 50 yards before the fishermen cooperative there is such a shop.
The lady there has a huge variety of souvenirs and will certainly be
able to help you. Even if you don't see "batik" there, just ask and she
will be willing to give you advice where to find it.

Are you meaning the fishermen's cooperative in Castara?

Hi Cindy

As far as I am aware, there are no batik shops in Castara. From the description, Andy was referring to Tina's shop Batiki Point in Buccoo - also mentioned by Hugh in the previous post. Batiki Point is by far the best remaining souvenir shop on the island.

Cindy,

i was referring to the souvenir shop at the bridge to "Cascreole", 30 yds away from the fishermen's cooperative
in Castara. I remember seeing some batik items there. If the lady there doesn't have any, she will be willing
and able to recommend other places.
If you want to take a trip to Buccoo, the shop Steve and Hugh mentioned is certainly the better choice to find
a variety of batik products.

thanks we will be staying in crown point for the first part of the trip and then up to castara for our last days so maybe i'll get to go to both

One point has been missed by my most eloquent and well knowing colleagues ...

Beer ... I have never waited 20 minutes ... it cannot happen ... it takes very little knowingness and wisdom to uncap the nectar of the Carib and Stag but the nectar flows with these qualities ... so move on to a bar where there are smiles and don't pay until you get the bottle ... or er, hmmm maybe the 8th bottle?

I think we need to get these things in order ... smile

Regards

yeah the 20 minute beer wait thing. I read somewhere either on this forum or trip advisor about the attitude of some barkeeps that are so slack that they won't even tend to you and specifically on the topic on this forum regarding the "Govt" bar at pigeon point being overly rude and some posts said to adapt and that is exactly what we will do by bringing our own cooler and beer at least to have as a standby if this is the case. We have no problem drinking lots of beer at any bar but do not have to put up with being treated bad. I really hope that it doesn't end up that way. We have been to many islands and do understand the "island time" thing and only once have had a real problem with it. We can certainly chill but irks us about the rudeness part.

But usually we end up having a great time with the people at the bar and the bartender(s) and this will probably be the case again.

Try the "trini" method:
Bang on the counter with your hand or an empty bottle and shout "ANYBODY SELLIN' HERE ?"
Not beautiful, but effective

yeah that is what I heard, can't bring myself to do it though

I understand. It is not for everybody

If you don't want through this, try Basso's bar 100 yards further inside Pigeon Point.
You will get attention, a beer in hand and feet in sand

Hi,

What's Bago's Bar like? I read good comments, good place to watch sunset, etc.

Nigel

I like it there. They are open at night now too.
If you are on FACEBOOK, check the group "Bago's Beach Bar" for
actual information.

It´s like Andy say, somethimes one have to do something to be heard!

But, it´s also so, that if one become a regular visitor, than it´s totally different. I use to go to the bar opposite the check-in area at the airport for a coffie and something else in the morning and to read the paper.
After a short while they remember me again, and I even doesn´t have to tell them what I want, it´s ready by the cashier at once!

And at the bar in Bon Accord, at the main road, I mostly use to buy two beers at once. I place one in the fridge and can go back to get in when the first is finish!

So each place can be very different from each other and also depending on who often you are there.