myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 24 March 2003

Hello, A while back you answered some questions on horseriding for me and I have since been in touch with Fiacra & Erica and looking forward to meeting them. I was wondering if you had any input on Crown Point Beach resort. We had decided on Kariwak village as opposed to the more expensive first choice of Coco Reef and then a friend of ours mentioned the Crown Point Beach hotel and its proximity to the beach. Have you any experience with this hotel or can you help me decide between the two. Decisions, decisions All the best, Annette

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 24 March 2003

Hi Annette

I live in Trini and have stayed in both the Hotels that you mention. In my veiw Kariwak Village is superior to Crown Point Beach Hotel. Whilst it occupys a great position overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The Kariwak standards of service, food, and ambience is nicer. Further Kariwak is hardly any distance from the beach. Crown Point is in front of the airport and Kariwak is to the side.

I think you mentioned horseriding, there are some riding stables, I think its called Looking Out Stables, they are located in the hills above Mount Irvine Golf Course, is the best way I can describe it. I do not have a number for them, but if you drive past Mount Irvine on your travels, toward Black Rock / Grafton you will see signs for it. They have about 8 to 10 retired racehorses. We were up there a couple of weeks ago. My girls although too small to ride like to go up there. The people who run it are very nice. They do rides to the beach etc.

I hope that this helps you. If I can offer any more assistance please post back and I will happy to assist if I can. In any event enjoy our beautiful Island.

Philip

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 24 March 2003

Thanks Philip....We have been in touch with Fiacra & Erica who own Indigo and also rent horses so we are are all set with the horseriding. I was just torn between hotels and needed some advice. We will also be in Trinidad for a couple of days as my boyfriend is from Petit Valley but has not been to Tobago in over 10 years and that was for a very brief visit. Any other great suggestions you can give us???? I am so disappointed that we are going to miss Sunday school as it sounds like a good time and I love to dance. Thanks again. Annette

Hi Annette

I totally concur with everything Philip said about the Crown Point Beach vs. Kariwak Village. The latter has an excellent reputation for their restaurant, in particular.

Give our love to Erica and Fiacra. Have a great trip and be sure to let us know how you get on.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 March 2003

Hi Annette

Great place Petit Valley. I have to say that, as I live there. you will find there are plenty of places to dance in Trini, so hopefully you will be able to make up for missing Sunday School.

I'm pleased that you got the horse riding organised. On other thing to do. I would highly recomend the Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool tour. You can get boats at either Store Bay, close to the Airport or at Buccoo, where they have Sunday School. They go daily around lunchtime I believe, and visit the Coral Reef, (The boats are Glass Bottom) then Buccoo reef, where you can swim with the tropical fish. it's not deep, you can stand up. Finally you go to Nylon Pool, for a swim, again not deep, about 3 to 4 feet. and the clearest water you will ever see.

Rent a Jeep and tour the Island. Take a drive along the North Coast, wonderful scenery, and also if you can, take a drive along the south coast to Charlotville, a fishing village. stop along the way and take a beer with the locals.

Another great thing to try is scuba diving. you can walk out to the reef at Store Bay, and dive there, it's perfect for beginers. Normally they teach you in your hotel pool, and once you get the idea off you go. Your hotel will arrange this for you, or you can do it yourself. You will see diving places all around store bay.

If it your scene there is also a Casino to the west of Scarborough. not quite Las Vegas.

There are aslo many wonderful restaurants to try in Tobago, Dillons, Sea Horse, Old Donkey Cart, Papillon, to name a few.

Hope this helps. Enjoy,

Philip

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 March 2003

Hi Philip,
I have to comment on your highly recommended Buccoo Reef Glass bottom boat trip. You indicate that the reef is not deep so one could stand up. This is exactly why this once beautiful reef is almost dead now, thousands of tourists literally trampled down the sensitive corals over the years. Please everybody, make sure you only go out with a boat operator who doesn't allow you to walk on the reef, a perfect alternative is the reef in Speyside, it is not so shallow so you can snorkel without touching anything, for further information on reefs in Tobago check this site : http://buccooreeftrust.org/

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 March 2003

Patrick thanks for posting the Buccootrust web site very interesting. Steve worth a link I think how about it.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 March 2003

Patrick thanks for posting the Buccootrust web site very interesting. Steve worth a link I think how about it.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 March 2003

Hi John

Quite right. We totally endorse and support everything The Buccoo Reef Trust is trying to do. They have promised to write an article for us on the Reefs of Tobago. You've reminded me that I must give them a chaser.

Regards

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 March 2003

Patrick I totally agree with you, that the reef has been irrepairably damaged by humans. The point you make though could be confusing, beacause as you know the part of this tour where you swim with the Tropical Fish is not in the live part of the reef. I have never seen or heard of any of the boat owners who do this tour allow anyone to damage the live reef.