myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

greetings to all,

i will be visiting tobago for the second time in november, and i almost waited until then to post, but decided this might help visitors going there this summer. i never (until now) post on forums, and this site seems to have all the information anyone will ever (ever) need about tobago, but i really couldn't help myself. like most of you, i love tobago, so i want to do what i can to preserve its beauty.

for anyone visiting tobago (or other such nature-lover's paradise), please consider these tips to try to minimize the impact you have on its ecosystem:

- biodegradeable suntan lotion, bug repellent. many people are surprised to learn that using certain kinds of suntan lotion is harmful to sea life, including coral(!). consider taking biodegradeable suntan lotion and bug repellents with you. Biodegradable means it breaks down naturally in the environment, and doesn't just float around the ocean and contaminate it. These kinds of sunscreens usually say "biodegradeable" right on the label (i.e., mexitan, caribbean sol, sun care, etc.). At the very least, make sure the ingredients don't list any of the following: PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and butylparaben. there's plenty of info on the internet about brands. and you forum-junkies can almost always check out the reviews before you buy.

- packing. when you pack, try to take as few disposable goods as possible. for those disposable items you bring, take as much of the packaging off as you can (cellophane, film boxes, unnecessary cardboard/plastic). tobago is an island (duh), so there's not much space for a landfill to store your garbage. you also don't want your garbage to be the reason for the fire on the hill (i.e., burning trash - this not only kills plants and insects but it also emits carbon into the air). also, consider taking biodegradeable cosmetics (i.e., eco-friendly/vegetarian soap, shampoo, etc.) and rechargeable batteries (improper battery disposal is terrible for the environment). added bonus: room for your third bikini.

- garbage. when on boats, beaches, and other such places, don’t leave personal souvenirs, like chewed gum or cigarette butts, behind. If you're going on a boat trip, beach, hiking, etc., make sure to bring a ziploc bag (or other recloseable baggie) for garbage and take it off the boat/beach/other such place. nobody wants any sealife choking on your used earplugs. ew.

- feeding animals. do NOT feed animals. whether they are stray dogs/cats/chickens, beautiful birds, turtles, whatever - DO NOT FEED THEM. first, you are no chef to these guys, and giving them food they are not supposed to be eating might kill them. second, if you feed them, stray dogs will follow everyone (not just you) and beg for food. this is not the healthiest thing, considering since they might have fleas/ticks/mange/other gross condition(s).

- water. yea, tobago has a rainforest, but if you notice how many houses and guesthouses use rain drums, you can see that fresh water isn't necessarily altogether plentiful. conserve water by shutting off the tap when you are brushing your teeth or in the shower. also, for those people who are not freaks about drinking bottled water when not in their home country, buy only one or two bottles of water. boil some tap water at your place (if you have a stove) and fill your bottles (after the water cools). yum. (note: you can also try iodine tablets, but in my opinion, boiled water tastes much better)

- electricity. make sure you turn off all the lights in rooms not in use. unplug (not just turn off) electronics when not in use - lots of electronics use energy when they are plugged in, even if turned off. also, whenever possible, switch to fans instead of air conditioning. in addition to higher energy usage, AC systems emit chlororfluorocarbons into the air, which contributes to the erosion of the ozone layer and subsequently, global warming.

- souvenirs. try to purchase locally-made products, as this helps to stimulate the local economy. avoid items which are made with rare natural components (i.e., rare feathers, animal skins, etc.).

- food. let's face it, not everyone has to looooove callaloo, but you should try to purchase local food and produce when possible. again, this stimulates the local economy (and you might try a new goodie or two). avoid purchasing items with excessive packaging if there are alternatives (you don't really need that processed diabetes-inducing cake from the grocery store, right? just chew on some sugarcane...hmmm).

i hope some of you find this information useful. even if you can't (or won't) do all of them, doing some of these things will reduce your impact on tobago's' environment.

maybe we'll meet in tobago some day...until then, happy (and clean) traveling!

Thanks Frida, Some great tips there, many that i already follow as a matter of course at home, so naturally continue to do so when on holiday. I was not aware of the eco friendly sun-screens etc, as I fly to Tobago on Saturday, I have already purchased all I need for this year, but will definately be checking them out next year.

Linda

Thanks Frida,
No-one could disagree with your advice; it applies to to the whole planet!
Regards
Carol(Noe)

Hi

As Linda say, a lot of useful information, very useful for those who haven´t been in T&T before.

One thing which always make me feeling sorry is, the HUGH amount plastic bags, small and large, in the supermarkets. They even put things like a pack of eggs into a separate plastic bag! They look at me as I´m crazy when I say "I don´t need all these bags, put everything into my big bag".

An other thing is all these plastic bottles, no recycling, not even of bottles, except for Carig and Stag, and all canned soft drinks, the same there. I really don´t think it´s cheaper to produce a new CocaCola glas bottle instead of recycling the old ones.

They should start with recycling, that should be a good help for the nature.

//Ronald

Yeah! A good post Frida. I was surprised, reading through your check-list, that I do nearly all of that stuff without thinking. It just seems common sense. But biodegradeable suntan lotion I'd never heard of. You're never too old to learn something new.

Ronald, I do the same thing. If my stuff is shoved into plastic bags at the checkout I just take it out again.

Hey now, hey now, hey now, looks like we got an environmentally friendly forum on the go here.

Tony

Hi Frida

Welcome aboard and well said. Here, here!

Tony G wrote: If my stuff is shoved into plastic bags at the checkout I just take it out again.
Tony

We have spent summertime during the last eight years in Ireland and about four years ago they put a tax on plastic bags given at the checkout & it's made a fantastic difference to the quantity of bags used plus the streets and roads are noticeably cleaner too It's funny how folk will walk out with an armfull of shopping rather than pay 15 cent to the taxman but if their bottle of wine went up that much they wouldn't care so calling it a TAX has really worked well I hear London is thinking of doing the same thing with luck it will spread to the whole country & the rest of the world too.

Gary.

Intriged!
What are the bio-gradable suntan lotions and bug stuff, where do you buy them and do they work?

Hi Sue

The only sun protection I will use is Ultrasun (see www.ultrasun.co.uk). This is not just out of concern for ecology - although that is a factor. I am a saddo who can't stand the feel of dirty/greasy hands (apart from which they play havoc with my keyboard and/or camera while in Tobago) and so prefer to go without rather than apply those horrible oils and potions.

Anyway, ultrasun is not oil based. Best of all, its one that you only apply once a day. It spreads easily and within 10 minutes its absorbed into the skin. No greasy hands or skin and that's it for the day. It is quite a revolutionary product. It works from the inside of the skin, rather than adding a layer on top of your skin. So, it doesn't matter how much you go swimming, there's no need to re-apply that day.

I've been using this product for three years and can only say that it does everything advertised. The downside is it expensive - but, to be honest, the sun can be so harsh in Tobago that good protection is essential and not having to worry about if it is time for a top-up and all the hassle that goes with that is worth a lot to me. It's also only available in a few factor strengths - 17, 20 and 28 I believe. You can get it from tons of places - just Google and you will see.

The same company do a insect repellent. Forget it. That, I'm sad to say, was a waste of time and money in my experience.

hi sue,

there are several kinds of biodegradeable insect repellents, such as citronella-based products. www.pristineplanet.com has several such products for sale in the us. unfortunately, i don't know if any of these are available in the uk. you can also try www.guardianecostore.co.uk, an eco-friendly store managed by the guardian newspaper. if you are not sure whether a product works, i suggest googling it to see if there are any forums discussing its effectiveness.

thank you so much for caring!

There is news on the mosquito repellent front! Something to beat DEET. Coming soon . . .

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... d=90832158

Done a bit more research on this and found out the one been using for last few years is bio-degradable .

We use Prosport, it's an 8 hour cream (yes, it really works!) and have to buy it in surf/sailing type shops.
It's Aloe based and think we pay something like £15 for 180ml.

I know it's a lot cheaper in America.

Is there a local 'insect repelent'? found in Europe, the local one's always work best

hi sue,

http://www.guardianecostore.co.uk/guard ... Group=3307 is a repellent made in scotland, i'm guessing that's what you mean by 'local'?

also, i have not tried this particular brand, but i have used repellents that contain eucalyptus citrodora (natural repellent found in eucalyptus plants) and they have always worked well for me.

plenty of Carib and White Oak....if the b......s get you they are dead(alcohol poisoning)and even so you don't feel a thing .Seriously,a good dose of alcohol changes the breath and body odour so the mossies are not attracted.
That's my practise anyhow(and my reason )
David
,

Thats a good plan David And a very enjoyable one too

Gary.

Thanks David.........hic!

Frida, by local I meant stuff you can buy or made in Tobago

Dave, (Sue's worse half).