Returned today

[Jean Sampson]

Well I'm back to a grey rainy day! I left the sun and the sea and the sound of the surf yesterday evening. How sad I am. I thought I'd give a brief account of this year's visit . Firstly, rest assured, the reported crime that Steve previously mentioned involving 'the twins' has been dealt with. At least I hope this is correct (coming from the Parlatuvier local who told me.) I was told one twin went to court last week and received 3 years and the other is awaiting his trial in custody. Also the police have been in force and swooped on a number of people in a village near Mount Irvine. More was said, but this would result in too long an account. The island's Caribbean road from Charlotteville to Castara was dodgy when I arrived, due to monsoon type rain for the first three days of my stay. After it ceased I was able to see that work was in progress to get this stretch of road surfaced but wait...... Just along the newly laid stretch, the recently surfaced tarmaced road looks fine for only a short distance and then..... you spot large patches of it churned up, breaking up, potholed and very rough. It can only be a year or two years ago it was put down. Whatever has happened? The highways department must surely be concerned at the short life their roadworks last and to think tarmac originates from the pitch in Trinidad.
Near Castara I visited Heavenly Bay and was told by couples staying at the Ali Baba apartments that they were well pleased and the location is wonderful, that's a recommendation thirdhand. I had an excellent meal in Castara at Sandcastles. Adam is a great chef and the meal was heavenly. I would say a bit expensive for Tobago prices but worth it. I also enjoyed the delicous fish meal at Gails in Charlotteville, also thoroughly recommended. In Charlotteville I soon realised that the usual happy smiles and helpfulness that Gail certainly has in abundance, was sadly missing from those working in a few other places particularly the Mini-Market and fish Co-Op. I always have a smile and a hello but I am afraid there were some instances where I received a grunt back or just plain ignoring me and the sour face was not conducive to a welcome. I did not find this everywhere but it was noticeably different from my previous visits to the island. A few holidaymakers also remarked on this so it wasn't just my recent experience and it doesn't bade well. I found a little picnic area with a waterfall on the road to Hillsborough Dam where we rested and enjoyed the view. Hillsborough Dam is not open to the public now following terrorist threats a couple of years ago which was a real shame as I never took the opportunity to visit it when it was.
The weather during my first week was unseasonable with very heavy downpours and this did bring out the mozzies when it stopped. I found that Boots Deet extra tropical wasn't the answer. I'll keep trying... Why don't the suncreams contain anti biting insect repellants? Someone tell the manufacturers! It would make life a lot easier. And don't tell me that they don't bite in the day. I had mozzie bites any time of the day. Up near the rainforest where I was staying they were huge sadistic devils. Despite the unseasonable weather, a few sour faces and the wicked insects Tobago is still a jewel. And one to treasure.

[Jane H]

Hi Jean,

I know I've put this in posts before - but for us the local mozzie repellents like OFF! seem to be far more effective than anything we've taken out to Tobago from the UK. (And they don't smell too awful either!) I do agree with you that some of the wee beasties are some of the most persistent we've come across - so anything that dissuades them from attacking is welcome!

Sorry that you had one or two bad experiences in local stores etc - I guess that some people just get a bit fed up with tourists (however pleasent they are to them) by the end of the high season. You are right that generally the welcome you get from everyone in Tobago always seems more genuine than on most other Caribbean islands.

I'm sure that you are already looking forward to your next visit - as I am.

Jane