MY REVIEW 20-28 DECEMBER

[Rachel Jones]

Hi all,
Got back last night from a week in Tobago and as a Tobago newbie I was helped greatly by this site so just thought I'd send my thoughts/reviews on eateries and other places. Not going to write loads as still a bit jet lagged and could get boring for the readers!

FLIGHT
Flew Excel and after all I'd heard it was fine.
Slightly delayed at Gatwick (half an hour) as Caterers were late, but plane as fantastic. Plane seemed quite new with plenty of room for legs. Food was best airline food I'd tasted and good service.
Only complaint was the choice of films - they showed 'A Shark's Tale' on the way there and on the return journey.
Slightly delayed on our return journey - apparently it was late out of Gatwick. Flight was only half full. Couldn't believe the flight just before ours - Virgin Atlantic had sent a Jumbo Jet and it was only a third full!!

HOTEL
Stayed at the Conrado near Pigeon Point which was quite rough and ready but a good base for where we wanted to be - the air conditioning unit fell off the wall and the bar area resembled a YMCA, however after talking to the owners about their renovation plans, it will look a lot better and 'slicker' in a couple of years. Breakfasts were fine even though we got everything in the wrong order (toast at the beginning, juice at the end), they put on a great buffet on Christmas Day though.
We were on the parrots side of the hotel. The birds had us up every morning at 6am, was quite thankful for that as we wouldn't have been able to do as much as we did if it wasn't for the screeching waking us up!
For all I've said though, great location for Pigeon Point as OH windsurfs.

PLACES TO EAT - CROWN POINT/STORE BAY AREA

MUMTAZ
Fanastic curry house just opposite Dillon's. Friendly owners and the best curry I have eaten in ages. Very good price. Try their chicken Samosas and lamb Korma. They will add spice to any dish depending how hot you like it.

DILLONS
Bit dissapointed. Mediocre seafood with not much taste. Husband doesn't eat seafood so asked for Chicken to be told they had run out. Ended up eating rice and veg.

PANACHE
Gorgeous creole style food. Bit more expensive than the rest as don't have a menu. They just tell you what they have and you don't know the price. Fantastic lobster and soups. Good entertainment-singer with guitar.

PELICAN REEF
Ate at the BBQ buffet - lovely food but expensive but you get what you pay for as they have entertainment on every night. Great cocktails.

GOLDEN STAR
Again, had the buffet. Good price food and good service (quicker than the usual extensive wait!) Good entertainment with steel band in Santa hats.

PIGEON POINT
Beautiful Beach. turquoise neon water.
Never encountered any problems with guards or from taking photos or videoing.
Don't be misleaded into thinking fast food means fast food at Pigeon Point:
Pizza Boys - be prepared to wait for half an hour for burger/pizza. The motto on Pizza Boys bags says "No-one does it faster"...ahem...
Carribean Kitchen - asked for 2 cokes, the attendant only brought one, then when we said she had forgotten the other she tutted and as if it was the end of the world she sulked over to the fridge and got the other one.

Other food outlet (white hut) sold the best Ice-cream I have tasted.

All-in-all the staff in the food outlets didn't seem like they wanted to work there but maybe this has something to do with the ongoing saga with Pigeon Point as most locals won't go near the place.

Hired a kayak and rowed out the sand bar at Pigeon Point (one km out)then swam in the Nylon Pool. Better than any glass bottomed boat.

BEACH DOGS
I am a lover of dogs and wanted to bring them all home. None of them are thin as the tourists feed them on fried foods. I just felt to sorry for them as some of them wouldn't go near a human as if they had been hit by someone.
The one's which would go near me got a good scratch on the head (I washed my hands after) and they seemed to really appreciate it.

CAR HIRE
We hired a jeep from Thrifty (near Airport) for £46 including collision insurance. Great way to see the Island if you can avoid the potholes - I recommend you get a jeep for this reason.
We did the island in one day. Enjoyed the Argyle Waterfalls - a guide takes you up and you can swim in crystal clear waters. Costs £3 each and the guide also tells you about flora and fauna in Tobago. Well worth it.
All in all loved the Island - so beautiful.

PEOPLE
This was a huge part of what was missing for me....
Some of the locals we met were great and smiled, generally though the service of workers was poor, with a bad attitude - it was like they didn't want to and couldn't be bothered to work. Hardly anyone smiled and most looked generally miserable to be there. Apparently there are not enough people who want to work in Tobago and most tourist businesses will be forced to employ workers from Trinidad.

STAG/CARIB
Definatley Stag for me even though it's a man's beer. I liken Stag to Bud. Carib is lighter and sweeter, bit tasteless really.


Hope this is helpful for some! Will write more when I get my brain back!

Rachel