Alibaba Tours experience

[Julia C.]

I've been meaning to do a write up of our Alibaba tour since we got back - still better late than never!

We booked an Island tour with Ali - very informal and tailor made to suit our requirements. Jackson was our guide and we would highly recommend him for rainforest or island tours. He was charming, knowledgable and a very happy gentleman who obviously loves Tobago.

We went in an open top jeep and took it in turns to sit in the back. It was great fun sitting in the back, but we were glad we had hats for our heads and scarves for bare legs etc because of the sun.

We sarted out from Castara and went north pass Little Englishman's Bay and then stopping at a point just before and above Englishman's Bay. Here the magic really started. We stood in the shade of a tree looking down on this perfect sand and forest lined bay whilst Jackson recounted this lovely tale of how the bays got their names.

We then drove down and had a closer look at this beautiful beach. Driving on we passed Parlatuvier (sp?) turning right at Bloody Bay and up through the rainforest. It was lovely up there, cool and quiet and (for first timers in a rainforest) amazing. We stopped for a while and Jackson pointed out to us a Blue Crowned Motmot and a pair of White Tailed Saberwings.

We drove on through Roxborough up to Speyside (dipped our toes in the sea again) and stopped at Jemma's Tree House for lunch. I'll never forget the breadfruit pie, yummmm! After lunch we carried on east to Charlottesville, which we had a quick drive around, with the odd stop or two to chat with people Jackson knew.

From Charlottesville we headed south down the "still being built" road, through some more fantastic scenery. I'm so glad we drove back this way and saw this area as it is now, as once this road is complete this part of Tobago may change, though probably quite slowly. We came back through Bloody Bay and then safely home to Castara.

I read on this site a recommendation to take an Island Tour at the beginning of the holiday and a very good recommendation it was. For a small Island Tobago has a lot of different and fantastic scenery to offer and with a guide like Jackson it is the perfect introduction.

We were going to take a boat tour with Alibaba too, but unfortunately Ivan changed our plans. Never mind - next time.

As well as meeting Ali we also met Steph (a frequent mytobago poster!). A very helpful and friendly couple, Ali helped us with our first experience of buying fish and Steph gave us a lift to Scarborough to save us waiting for the bus. Thanks guys!

[Steve Fifield]

Sounds great Julia, I might give them a try on my visit next January. I have to pop in there anyway to steal Steve W's Stroopwaffels, if they haven't eaten them already.

Steve.

[Brian Taylor]

not eaten yet (still fighting myself every day). seems I have to put them in a safe to fight off you all, too.
thanks julia...had a good time with you, too. just leave your friend ivan home next time
steph & ali

[Steve Fifield]

Brian / Steph / All,

Do Alibaba Tours only arrange tours from Castara base? Claire Jack and I will be coming to Mt Irvine on Saturday 1st Jan 2005, for two weeks. We almost feel like we know you from the various myTobago threads that we have shared (Stroopwaffels included), and other good reports, and might want to organise a trip out to Little Tobago this time as we've never been there before. We wondered who we should best organise it with - do you or anyone else have any recommendations please?

Steve, Claire and Jack Fifield.

[Brian Taylor]

hello steve & co

we are only LOCATED in castara, but we OPERATE from where ever you stay!!!
the man with the biggest smile on the island even pops by before the trip to arrange what your exact wishes and ideas are, to get it right.
get in touch on his cell 686 7957 when you reached.
you might even meet him in the airport on saturday...hughe man, big smile and seabreeze sign and you got him

have a good flight
steph (ali is on the way to mount irvine this minute...)