Must do's in Charlotteville

Dianne O. · Post by **Dianne O.** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:04 pm

I just confirmed reservations for my first trip to Tobago in December, and I will be spending a couple of days in Crown Point, and then a week in Charlotteville at Top River Pearl!

I plan to go kayaking while there...What other places I must go and see, eat and drink, etc. while I am in Charlotteville? I will probably take a taxi to Speyside and explore.

One other question: What is the best way to travel from Crown Point to Charlotteville? I am not renting a vehicle as I do not feel comfortable driving on the left in an unfamiliar area. I still have terrifying memories of driving in London!

Thanks!

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:53 am

Dianne O,your only option is by taxi from Crown Point or bus from Scarborough.I'm sure TRP will arrange a pickup for you if you ask them.
David(165 days to go

)

Joanne Green · Post by **Joanne Green** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:24 pm

Dear Diane--

As a fellow Yank, I have to tell you that you are limiting yourself if you don't rent a car & explore all over the island! Your experience in London, while terrifying, has no relevance in Tobago. For one thing, there's very little traffic. It's important that you get an automatic transmission, which you can get very inexpensively from Sheppy. That way, you're only having to think about driving on the left. When you don't have to think about shifting with an unfamiliar hand, driving on the left isn't that difficult. Actually, in Tobago, the roads are such that you're driving in the middle, more often than not! It helps if you have someone to navigate, as the signs aren't the greatest. Email me if you want to talk about it some more.

Joanne

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:17 pm

Hi Joanne

Actually, in Tobago, the roads are such that you're driving in the middle, more often than not! It helps if you have someone to navigate, as the signs aren't the greatest.

Did you really mean that

... ?

I have a sense that we should be looking out for you ... as well as the potholes !!

Quite a challenge !!

Regards

Jane H · Post by **Jane H** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:17 pm

Hi Diane

I agree with Joanne - don't worry about driving on Tobago. I know it's on the wrong side of the road for you - but if you have a car that's the "right" way round - and automatic (if you really want) - you will really enjoy gettng round to so many different places. There are some lovely villages and beaches that you can reach - and if you coped with London traffic, you can certainly cope with Tobago! Particularly in the north of the island traffic moves slowly because of the winding nature of the roads. So don't worry about holding other people up - it's really not an issue.

Do get in touch with Sheppy about a suitable car for you - I'm sure they will help and give you a good deal too. (We were very impressed with their service)

Anyway - enjoy your trip - I'm envious that you're going to be there in December - when I'm at my busiest in our shop in the Cotswolds!

Jane

Dianne O. · Post by **Dianne O.** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 1:59 am

Thanks everyone! OK, so I will rent a car. I know this sounds pathetic, and I really am an adventuresome kind of gal, but I don't like driving in foreign countries alone because it's difficult to concentrate on driving and navigation. Perhaps Sheppy has an automatic with a GPS system?

But, my real question: What must I not miss in Crown Point (only there a few days) and Charlotteville? If I have a car, I definitely will spend some time in Castara. Any recommendations are much appreciated. Thanks!

Achim Lewandowski · Post by **Achim Lewandowski** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:43 am

Hi,

although there are some nice places around Charlotteville, you will miss in my opinion the special experience in this village if you're expecting a list of sights, restaurants and beaches which you have to visit one after each other.

Maybe it is hard to explain, but in my opinion the change of state of mind is the thing I kept from my visit of Charlotteville (and Castara).

I prefer being treated just as an ordinary human (no pampering necessary) and events as a common football game on the beach, sitting under the village trees and watching the change of women's hairstyle, talking to Mr. Neptune, while he greets everybody passing by, or the loud greeting over a distance of 30 meters with a nickname you have been given by "Bushman" already on your arrival, are much more important to my memories than any visited waterfall or fish dish.

Achim

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:46 am

Hi Dianne

Navigation in Tobago is simple. Just keep the sea on the same side of the car and you won't go wrong - you'll end up where you started. Check out the maps available in the Tobago/Road Maps menu above and you'll see there are actually very few roads.

If you're in Crown Point for a couple of days, don't worry you won't miss anything. Seriously, though, the main features of the area are Store Bay and Pigeon Point.