general q's.

[Marian Young]

Hi Steve, just a few questions re. myself & female friend's visit to Tobago on 7th.Oct. for a week. I am armed with some info.(Rough guide to..)but it would be nice from the horse's mouth so to speak...!
1. We will be staying at Turtle Rex, not all inclusive because an extra £250 a week for food sounds a lot of food for us!!! Also - because we don't want to be tied to the hotel. In which case, my question is - Will we be able to find food easily thereabouts?(We hope to eat the local fare.) We are not big eaters - but don't want to starve ourselves! Also - as we want to explore the island - I suppose it would be best if we hired a car. As we are both on a budget..can you recommend the cheapest car hire place nearby.(As we both don't know much about technical things on cars - also, the safest!) My next question concerns innoculations. I am going to the GP Monday as I need a polio & Hep. A booster.(Had typhoid jab. 2 yrs. ago)Is there anything else that you would think necessary? Thanks in anticipation. Marian.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Marian

Excuse me for moving your post to the Rex Turtle Beach forum but it's a little more appropriate than the Air Travel forum.

If you're going to eat out while at the Rex Turtle Beach, your own transport is essential or you'll spend more than the AI-extra on taxi fares. There are no restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Your nearest "local" restaurant is probably the Cocrico Inn in Plymouth. I've never tried it or heard any reports, but it might be worth a try. Other than that, you might like to look down our Restaurant listing for places in Black Rock, Pleasant Prospect, Mount Irvine, Buccoo and Mt.Pleasant.

I receive more private emails complaining of problems with car hire than all other subjects about Tobago combined. "Cheap" is just that on Tobago and could end up with you being stranded hours from anywhere in the northern reaches. I can only suggest that you read our Getting About article and taking it from there.

No vaccinations are necessary, unless you are arriving from a Yellow Fever infected area when an International Certificate of Vaccination against the disease will be required.

[Marian Young]

Thanks Steve - are there no shops nearby either?? I expect if we eat at the Rex Turle - it could prove to be costlier than all-inclusive! So much for our budget dream caribbean holiday! thanks anyways - Marian.

[Steve Wooler]

Depends upon what you mean by "shops". There's nothing at all within walking distance (unless you a hiker). Black Rock village is about a mile down the road and has a small supermarket, but don't expect Sainbury's. It only has the most basic foodstuffs. The nearest decent supermarket is a couple of miles away at Pleasant Propect (Morshead Gourmet Foods).

[Jacqui B]

Marian,
we stayed at RTB last August on a room only basis. We did have a car for most of the time though. When we first arrived we hired a fridge ($360TT for 2 weeks) and walked to Black Rock (15 mins) and bought cereal, milk and fruit for breakfast (I took platic bowls and cutlery with us) at the small supermarket.
We ate one breakfast at RTB, but at $270TT for 3 of us, this would blow the budget if you did it every day!
Once we had the car we stocked up at the larger supermarket for lunches and breakfasts and ate out at different restaurants each night.
In conclusion, it would be very hard to eat well or with any variety without a car. We walked to only one restaurant in Black Rock and have to say that this wasn't the best we visited.

[Marc Jones]

From experience, you're in a bit of trouble with no car - unless you get a cab out to eat.

The food is OK at the Rex, but the breakfast is the highlight.

We (my girlfriend, son and I) thought the same as you and although we did enjoy evening meals there twice we was out every other night .

We mainly visited Crown Point to eat, this was a 20 minute drive (if I remember correctly!). I;d say car hire is essential if you're thinking of "not being tied to the hotel".

I'd also recommend booking in advance with Yes Tourism. Very helpful and not a single complaint could I muster even if I tried.

One last warning, if you are touring the island, get something a bit pokey, or you'll struggle up the hills!

[Marian Young]

Thank you so much Jacqui & Marc, and of course Steve for his wonderful site! I went through a lot of the forum last night - it is so helpful. Not having visited the Caribbean before - I can only surmise from the photos - and of course dream of the reality! Getting helpful lowdown on the area is very useful - particularly for two female travellers on a tight budget!! I want to explore the island, taste it's food & culture. I'm not into getting 'dressed' for dinner at a certain time - or think I've got to eat everything I've paid for. I also find that in the heat we are experiencing now - I eat less. We intend to just use the hotel & facilities as a base(as it was a cheap offer I thought) So obviously after reading the forum-we need to hire a car for the week. Marc - can you let me know approx. price for that please & presumably just our full licences will suffice? Steve - my Health clinic recommended Hep.A booster - which I had 1/2 hr. ago! Best to be on the safe side! thanks again - love Marian.

[Marian Young]

Don't worry replying Marc - have already found the info. required at 'Yes Tourism' thanks again though, Marian.

[Marc Jones]

Marian, it was also my first time in the Caribbean. I had a great time. Perfect in fact.

Here's some of my pics of the holiday...

http://homepage.mac.com/jzilla/PhotoAlbum10.html

Your trip sounds just like mine - ie the Rex as a base etc. Anything else I can help with, just holla! (I drive the entire Island in two weeks so any questions about that side of things, fire away).

[Marian Young]

Thanks Marc - great photos - I can tell you loved it! Okay, a question for you - If you had only one week there (as we do) what would you not have missed, including places -Oh & another, are the cheapest 4wd's on Yes Tourism good enough to get about in? Thanks a lot for all your help - Marian.

[Marc Jones]

We hired a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 and that coped OK (ish). I was pleased we didn't get smaller but the Grand Vitara wasn't as big as I had hoped (it wasn't the kind I see here in London!). Some hills tested even the 2 litre engine we had. You'll get up them, but driving about (I did 871km in 2 weeks) isn't highway driving, it's a bit tasty at times! (but fun).

One week?

Well we missed a few things like the Rainforest and Waterfalls that we wished we'd done.

We loved Englishman's Bay, Arnos Vale, Little Tobago with Frank's Tours (with snorkelling at Angel Reef).

Scarborough is worth a visit to get a flavour of the place (have an ice cream at Ciao Cafe).

A trip out on Cocomotion is great (snorkel Emerald Bay).

Would also recommend a visit to Adventure Park. It's a walk in the gardens led by the two dogs that live there (no, honestly, the dogs lead the way!) - we saw Hummingbirds as well as at the expensive tea at Arnos Vale - also saw a snake!

I also liked the food at Crown Point in the beach facility and it's surrounding restaurants (my pick is the Kariwak - but that is weighted heavily by the veggie food!).

Driving about was great fun, I really feel like I _saw_ Tobago. Driving past villages etc was very interesting.

I'm sure others can add stuff even I missed!

[Marian Young]

all read and noted Marc - and many thanks again!