Guest Report

[Chris Sowerbutts]

As my sister and I used this great website so extensively to help plan our recent trip i was determined to get a report added on here when i (sadly) got back home, which is now (very sadly) the case...

We stayed at Birdie's Nest 26th Mar-1st April, as the reviews all seem to say, my sister and i both totally 100% agree that Birdie's Nest is an absolutely top place and Prince is an absolute legend!

Firstly Prince agreed to collect us from the airport and on the drive over to the apartment already started to give us great practical info, including going out of his way to take us to the supermarket and to drive down all the little routes where it would be possible for to walk to the various places near the apartment. He'd arranged for us stay in the larger upstairs apartment as the others (we'd booked a smaller apt downstairs) were empty, and at no extra cost (although the 2nd bedroom was understandibly locked off and this was an exception so don't go trying to do Price out of any hard earned income!), this made it extra special as the upstairs is so spacious and has direct use/access on to the wicked terrace out front.
As we were cheapskates and hadn't booked a car for the time here (we were diving and they did free pick-up's/drop offs!) on our first night Price drove us to a nice place to eat and then picked us up later, he also did the same for the 'Sunday School' thingy and as other guests have also experienced he checked on us every day to ensure we were ok, didn't need anything and just to have a good old chat. I'm sure if you'd have asked for anything he would have sorted it out for you, he's just a genuine top lad!

I won't go into details but although the the apt is quite old-fashioned in decor and compared to some places may seem a tad basic, it is well kitted out for a easy life if your doing DIY catering, it has A/C in the bedroom, our room had 2 big double beds, cable TV if you really can't leave it alone for 2 weeks, a great shower, probably the most comfortable sun lounger and chairs i've ever used on a holiday for the terrace, plus a seperate covered, yet still outside with a great view dining area. He's thought of little practical touches like providing candles and bits n bobs like that. If you want serious luxary then you should look elsewhere, but for the money this place comes up trumps big time.
Black Rock is not too far from all the main stuff in the South, but far enough so you feel like your really getting a better, less touristy vantage of the place, plus then your closer still for trips out to the more rural, hilly and rainforesty north. It has a good cash point and eating/drinking out options nearby, the next beach along (Grafton) is pretty stunning for a 'beach day' and when we were there usually empty. It's so close to where most of the leatherback turtles come to nest (Birdie's Nest is on "Turtle Beach" but there's a bit in middle of the beach which blocks a walk totally along to where the turtles seem to come), but you can literally 'pop round' to that bit of the beach esp if you have a car and don't fancy a walk in the dark, i'd advise to hook up with the local SOS (Save our Seas) volunteers and experience the pretty amazing thing of the big turtles coming up to do their thing, plus if you do it that way it doesn't cost a penny and you're not in a big organised group of tourists.

The highlight for us was staying in this lovely location where you do feel like you are actually seeing "real Tobago", each day watching amazing sunsets from the raised terrace (which had an incredible, if not best view and vantage on the beach by the way) and of course scoffing brekkie while also watching the same lovely view, but a bit brighter and with all the cheeky little birds around you - instead of bats! It gave us access to everything we needed in the South end of the Island and was an all round really good experience.

The only negatives i can think of are you are so close to the sea it can keep you awake a bit until you get used to it, and the damn cockrills crowing in the morning, but then these little blighters are literally kept by homeowners in every part of Tobago (yes even in "built-up" Crown Point according to some fellow sleep sufferes!) Take some sturdy ear plugs and you'll be fine!

I seriously wouldn't hesitate in recommending this place and area on the Island, we had another week+ staying in other areas of Tobago further up North, but this i recokon had a bit of everything and was my overall fave, taking all things into account (inc. cost!). I would do as most people advise though and get a car, esp if this location is your only base on your holiday, there are plenty of nice things walkable, but a car would give you so many more options, esp for buying fresh fish & veg which only seems possible at random little stalls dotted along the main roads - the dive centre staff had to become our personal cheuffer's just so we could eat at night, so if you book with 'Extra Divers' they now definately know where this place is to collect you!

Go, enjoy!