myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

We would just both like to say what a wonderful time we had whilst on holiday in Castara, the highlight, of course being the wedding at Castara Retreats pagoda on the 18th. What a fabulous day.

We tied the knot at 4.00pm and everything went as smooth as could be. We were a little worried about the weather, which turned out to be perfect for the wedding and pictures.

It was just as you'd expect a wedding in Tobago to be like, laid back with no stress. Here's a little snippet of how it happened-

We contacted our arranger,Porridge & Jeanelle (respect) over e mail who said it could be done, no hassle. Porridge then found us on the beach a day or so after we arrived (Tuesday). Jeanelle took us to Scarborough to get the paperwork done on the Thursday and we were married on the Friday. Fantastic.

The minister was really good and put us at ease. We did the full vows etc.. Pictures were taken around the lovely grounds and then down on big bay as the sun was going down.

Afterwards we has a lobster meal at the Boathouse, thanks to Sharon, with the guys giving us a private drumming session. Then up to Coddries about 9.00pm for drinks with David et al (see thread have a waffle with Carol).

So many thanks( in no particular order) to - Jeanelle and Porridge, Steff and Brian(stored the dress and were great hosts at our accomodation Alibabas Sea Breeze), Sue, Stuart and family, Sue kindly agreed to be a witness, Monroe our photographer, some great shots, (by the way Porridge as well as all your other "business", try being a photographer your photos on our camera were great.) Also all the guys who were at Castara retreats to watch, making us nervous . And finally, last but not least, Mr David Watkins, who was a font of all knowledge of things Tobagonian and gave us some great advice (not to get married ) Only joking Sarah

Here's to many memories...........

Phil & Sarah

It sounds like you had an amazing time.

Can't wait to see the photos.

Jill

Dear Sarah and Phil,

congratulations and all the best of the rest of our wedding life
Sounds like you had the time of your life and a gorgeous wedding. Well I did not expect anything else in Castara

and please - like Jill wrote - don't talk about the photos - show us!!! I'm so curious.

Cheers
Gisela

Hello Phil
Thought I would reply to all of your recent post on this topic as it is the one that links everything as the wedding was obviously the most important point,congratulations on that and I hope that you have a long and happy marriage.
If at any time you feel conflict between you just think back to Castara and I am sure you will find this will help to calm things down.
You were lucky to put yourselves in the hands of a lot of caring and helpful people in a village full of those and also some of the regular visitors and you were extremely lucky that the "non naked chef" prepared one of his culinary delights (we will be there at this time next year so hope to meet him then).
Again best wishes for the future.
Paul

Thanks, Paul.

Yes, it's a good job that he was the "non naked chef". The alternative does not bear thinking about

His food was good though.......

Enjoy your stay next year, we certainly hope to go back in the next few years.

PS- for all- photos will come on Monday, Sarah has the disc at her works until then

Some photos being uploaded to the address below....

Please bear with me it's quiet a long process, but they'll be some of the wedding and some general snaps....

two http's in one address...isn't that a bit generous...haha... still going to have a look now, although I had a peep up here at my PC already...
steph

Hi Phil

Saw your reply to my other posts about XL and my thoughts on Tobago - yes, looks like the insurance claim is all we can do.

Do you remember Nasho at the bar (AKA Keith Barry) - he was wearing a Middlesborough top. I've sent him one of my cherished Chester City shirts. Whether it arrives is another matter - the address was simply Keith Barry, Castara Village Tobago. That just about sums the place up!

Sounds like you're quite taken with the place so will look forward to hearing if he's wearing it on your next visit.

Sorry to see Man City's unbeaten home record disappeared. Still...you could be a Chester supporter. Hope married life's suiting you. Maybe we'll bump into one another again some day.


Cheers

Adrian

Hi there Mr & Mrs Walker.

Beautiful photos. More please.

Love

Tony & Janette

XXX

Adrian L wrote:Hi Phil

Saw your reply to my other posts about XL and my thoughts on Tobago - yes, looks like the insurance claim is all we can do.

Do you remember Nasho at the bar (AKA Keith Barry) - he was wearing a Middlesborough top. I've sent him one of my cherished Chester City shirts. Whether it arrives is another matter - the address was simply Keith Barry, Castara Village Tobago. That just about sums the place up!

Sounds like you're quite taken with the place so will look forward to hearing if he's wearing it on your next visit.

Sorry to see Man City's unbeaten home record disappeared. Still...you could be a Chester supporter. Hope married life's suiting you. Maybe we'll bump into one another again some day.


Cheers

Adrian

Cheers Adrian. I'm sure Keith will love the shirt, Mr Watkins may be able to let us know if it arrives, though if it does I bet he'll still be wearing it when we go back.

Arsenal deserverd their win, at least we lost it to a decent team and now they're two points ahead of Utd, with the derby game to come.

All the best, you never know may bump in to you in Tobago some time....

Hi guys-

More photos will follow, hopefully tomorrow. Took me ages sorting via flickr, just getting the hang of it now. I've left my disc at home so will do rest later.

Steph, yes I need to change the web address on my profile so they match, took me ages to work out how to put a signature in doh, and get the correct address on flickr. (Too busy rushing to uplpoad photos and not reading the instructions.)

Hi Phil & Sarah

Janette noticed something interesting in your pics that I completely missed. I've just been and had another look and she is right. You are both apparently the same height. Is this some kind of trick photography or did you have your knees cunningly bent under that long, flowing bridal gown, Sarah? Whatever you did it is very convincing. I don't suppose many people realise that you are actually 6' 6'' tall and Phil is only 4' 11'', so I won't tell anyone. You can count on me. Mums the word. (Should there be an apostrophe in mums? I dunno, or care that much).

Looking forward to more photos, especially the ones of the wedding night lime at Mr Wallace's (remember you are not allowed to post the one with David 'Man of Mystery' Watkins in it). You are lucky to have one of such a mythological character and should feel honoured that he even allowed you to take it, although I think he may have met his match with a rum-fuelled Sarah Walker.

I dreamed of Castara last night but rather disappointedly and confusedy woke up on the Isle of Wight. Now I must get organised. Work to do. People to see. Reality to face. Sighhhhhhhhhh.

Tony

Tony

Good spot by Jeanette

Nothing to do with Sarah or trick photography, it may have been something to do with the shoes I was wearing at the time

Going to try to upload more photos now, and mask out Mr W. Many people have met their match with an alcohol fuel Sarah, many more scary than Mr W

Nice pic Tony.

I've uploaded a few on flickr now.

Brings back the memoires...........

Phil,

Great photos. It's amazing how many are similar to the one's I took as well as those of so many others. I guess we were all inspired by the same views, people and scenes in and around Castara

I agree with Tony that you can barely tell your beautiful bride is walking on her knees. If he hadn't mentioned it I would have guessed that you both were the same height.

Tony, nice sunset shot. When will we see more of your photos?

Bill

Bill

Actually I wasn't too pleased with that shot. It looked OK before I uploaded it but now appears a little out of focus. Aah well...

Didn't take quite as many pics this visit. No point in duplicating the same views I thought. But I have the digis on the computer waiting to be sorted through and Janette has a whole bunch of pics taken on a plastic Lomo camera and some fisheye stuff which, being real film (remember that?) has yet to be developed.

After three weeks in paradise I am having more than a little trouble adjusting to real life. I was happy as a sandfly spending my days watching the waves breaking on the beach and now people want and expect me to do things, like work. How unreasonable!

Never fear, I will eventually upload some photos to flickr... just don't hold your breath.

Tony

Tony,

You've got it backwards ! Three weeks in "Paradise" is the real life. All the rest of the time is the B.S. we have to put up with in order to have a real life.

Yes, I vaguely remember film. I also remember the time I didn't remember film - when the frame counter hit 39 on a 36 exposure roll I started to get worried. At 41 I knew I had problems - 400miles, three stops (and photo opportunities) and popping it open to find the camera empty. With the new digitals you can set them to lock the camera if there is no card in it and even if you don't you won't take more than one or two shots before realizing your mistake.

Bill

Some good ones there, Bill.

I'd checked some of them out before we left for Tobago. Looking them after our return is even better, when you can put them into context.

Congratulations on your wedding Phil, and may you have a long and happy life together.
Lovely photos, except, alas, for Watkins the Cornish Snowman. Nice pair of knees, but the face looks a bit strange....
Carolnoe

Thanks Carol. Glad you enjoyed the pics.

Well Mr W said he had had a cold recently and was feeling under the weather. So I thought I might portray him looking a little ill, not withstanding the fact he likes to remain incognito! I hope no one can recognize him from his knees ugh....