Two weeks in Tobago
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:50 pm
Hello, everybody. The good news is, we spent two wonderful weeks in Tobago (September 3-18 ). The bad news is, we had to return home. We already miss the place, although we happened on the first hurricane since 1963, apparently. 
We stayed at the Ocean Point Hotel, and then at a timeshare in the Sandy Point Beach Club.
The hurricane? Well, where we stayed it wasn't much more than a day of very bad, yet still normal, weather. High winds, lots of rain (we were barely able to keep the water out of the room), but that was about it. When we drove to the remote part of the island in the north, we saw some trees down, minor damage to roofs, a damaged bridge near Englishman's bay, and a few mudslides. But the general consensus in Tobago was that it wasn't as severe as many people had feared. If not for the death of the poor pregnant firl in Bethel, the whole experience would be quickly forgotten.
Other than that, the weather was extremely nice.
Not much rain, not too hot, perfect beach/vacation weather. We drove all around the island, and we thought it was thoroughly worth, although the Windward road is quite narrow and we had some difficulty, given that we're used to driving on the left side of the road. The road to Moriah from Plymouth is another to be given a miss, although very scenic. The route to Speyside and Charlotteville is wonderful, and the swimming at the Pirate's Bay is worth the road trip+short hike. Other than that, our favourite beach was Englishman's Bay, with an honorable mention to the deserted, long Bloody Bay. We didn't enjoy the west coast much - too crowded, too touristy for Tobago. Having said that, the scene at the popular Store Bay Beach wasn't bad at all. Great swimming, tasty food, friendly people, not too much hustle from craft sellers. At Pigeon Point, the beach facilities weren't at their best right after Ivan, and we thought that it wasn't worth the admission price (we hate it when beaches have an entrance fee anyway).
We tried a different restaurant every night, the plan being to visit the best one in our last evening. The honours went to "Mot Mot", a delightful little place with local cuisine near the crossroads to Buccoo. Fantastic food, great service, good atmosphere. If the owner decides to promote the place a little more, it can become a hit.
We also liked the cuisine and setting at the "Belle Creole", at the "Old Donkey Cart House", in Bacolet. Crown Point's "Ru-B-Lou" wasn't half bad either, although its offerings are a bit more on the international side (which we were trying to avoid). The "Garden Grill" restaurant at our hotel (Ocean Point, at the Lowlands) was also friendly and good. If you don't like the food, which we seriously doubt, better not tell Lynette, the cook. 
For breakfasts, juices, coffee, and lunchtime snacks, "Shore Things" was unbeatable. Nice souvenirs, too. A good, friendly, fun place for a late drink was the "I95" (formerly "Petitrou", I think) by the Little Rockly Bay, next to the rather more noisy "Cat and Fiddle". We also enjoyed the Saturday night party at "Crystals" (where is seemed we were the only non-locals), and the funny "Scouting Talent Night" on Friday. We even won some prizes
And of course "Sunday School" is such fun. A nice opportunity to mingle with the Tobagonians and feel part of the island atmosphere.
The "Ocean Point" hotel was spotless, clean, friendly, charming, and inexpensive. No complaints there. We'd return any time. The "Sandy Point Beach Club", less so. We thought that the staff were not that courteous, and the hotel was trying to squeeze money out of us with any opportunity (they even had a 20 TT dollars charge for using the phone regardless of the fact that we used a pre-paid card). The amenities were food, but it's the behaviour of the people and the management that make the difference. We flew by British Airways from Athens, Greece via London, and we were lucky enough to get an upgrade on the London-to-Tobago part. Thanks, BA
I hope we'll be able to return to Tobago some day. Meanwhile, you all take care, and please keep us posted on whatever happens in this beautiful island of paradise.
We stayed at the Ocean Point Hotel, and then at a timeshare in the Sandy Point Beach Club. The hurricane? Well, where we stayed it wasn't much more than a day of very bad, yet still normal, weather. High winds, lots of rain (we were barely able to keep the water out of the room), but that was about it. When we drove to the remote part of the island in the north, we saw some trees down, minor damage to roofs, a damaged bridge near Englishman's bay, and a few mudslides. But the general consensus in Tobago was that it wasn't as severe as many people had feared. If not for the death of the poor pregnant firl in Bethel, the whole experience would be quickly forgotten.
Other than that, the weather was extremely nice.
Not much rain, not too hot, perfect beach/vacation weather. We drove all around the island, and we thought it was thoroughly worth, although the Windward road is quite narrow and we had some difficulty, given that we're used to driving on the left side of the road. The road to Moriah from Plymouth is another to be given a miss, although very scenic. The route to Speyside and Charlotteville is wonderful, and the swimming at the Pirate's Bay is worth the road trip+short hike. Other than that, our favourite beach was Englishman's Bay, with an honorable mention to the deserted, long Bloody Bay. We didn't enjoy the west coast much - too crowded, too touristy for Tobago. Having said that, the scene at the popular Store Bay Beach wasn't bad at all. Great swimming, tasty food, friendly people, not too much hustle from craft sellers. At Pigeon Point, the beach facilities weren't at their best right after Ivan, and we thought that it wasn't worth the admission price (we hate it when beaches have an entrance fee anyway). We tried a different restaurant every night, the plan being to visit the best one in our last evening. The honours went to "Mot Mot", a delightful little place with local cuisine near the crossroads to Buccoo. Fantastic food, great service, good atmosphere. If the owner decides to promote the place a little more, it can become a hit.
We also liked the cuisine and setting at the "Belle Creole", at the "Old Donkey Cart House", in Bacolet. Crown Point's "Ru-B-Lou" wasn't half bad either, although its offerings are a bit more on the international side (which we were trying to avoid). The "Garden Grill" restaurant at our hotel (Ocean Point, at the Lowlands) was also friendly and good. If you don't like the food, which we seriously doubt, better not tell Lynette, the cook. For breakfasts, juices, coffee, and lunchtime snacks, "Shore Things" was unbeatable. Nice souvenirs, too. A good, friendly, fun place for a late drink was the "I95" (formerly "Petitrou", I think) by the Little Rockly Bay, next to the rather more noisy "Cat and Fiddle". We also enjoyed the Saturday night party at "Crystals" (where is seemed we were the only non-locals), and the funny "Scouting Talent Night" on Friday. We even won some prizes
And of course "Sunday School" is such fun. A nice opportunity to mingle with the Tobagonians and feel part of the island atmosphere.The "Ocean Point" hotel was spotless, clean, friendly, charming, and inexpensive. No complaints there. We'd return any time. The "Sandy Point Beach Club", less so. We thought that the staff were not that courteous, and the hotel was trying to squeeze money out of us with any opportunity (they even had a 20 TT dollars charge for using the phone regardless of the fact that we used a pre-paid card). The amenities were food, but it's the behaviour of the people and the management that make the difference. We flew by British Airways from Athens, Greece via London, and we were lucky enough to get an upgrade on the London-to-Tobago part. Thanks, BA
I hope we'll be able to return to Tobago some day. Meanwhile, you all take care, and please keep us posted on whatever happens in this beautiful island of paradise.