myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Dear Forum,
A large group of friends and family (50-60 people) will be flying into Tobago in early Jan 2010. Most guests will be there for a week and we wanted to have a welcome get together at the villa we have rented (Crown Point / Bon Accord Area). With that in mind, I had a few questions (sorry for the long post!)
1. Any recent recommendations re: the availability, cost and best place to buy the following items on the Island
(a) Local rum (any up to date recommendations, is it cheaper at the airport or further in the island?)
(b) Fresh groceries (vegetable, rice, salads)
(c) Barbeque meats (chicken, fish, pork)
(d) Champagne / good sparkling wine by the case (have read some earlier posts and am wondering if it be cheaper to ask each guest to bring a bottle from UK or would it be cheaper to nip over to Trinidad and purchase?)

2. Could you recommedn any reputable suppliers for the following items:
(a) PA equipment e.g. wireless microphones and speakers
(b) Tables & chairs (the fold up variety)

3. We thought that would give a few of our guest a copy of the Naparima Girls High School Cooking as a gift, again would anyone have a idea of the best place to source multiple copies?

4. Most importantly, we’ll be coming to the island on Sunday Jan 3, how long in your estimation does it take local business to “warm up” after the holiday period? E.g stock availability, opening hours etc.

Thank you in advance if you could answer any or all of the above questions. In each instance we would be grateful if you could relay any recent positive experience of the vendor as well as contact details.
RR

Hi Russell

Welcome aboard!

Just a few quick answers - I will leave others to expand if they have other/better suggestions.

1.
(a) and (d) someone else will have to answer this as I don't drink either rum or champagne. Forget the airport though.
(b) Vegetables and salads are best bought from the small local stores that abound. Note the word 'small' - there are no large stores with the ranges of fresh veg that we are used to over here. The supermarkets (Penny Savers, Canaan will be your nearest) have limited fresh veg.
(c) The Golden Grove Meat Shop might be your best source. See our Shopping article at www.myTobago.info/shopping.php for more details and www.myTobago.info/maps.php for locations.

2. There might be sources, but I have no idea personally. Note the word "might" - it is far from guaranteed. Your best bet would be to discuss this with your wedding planner. If you haven't got one, then I strongly recommend Christine Brent who has recently taken over Tobago Weddings (www.TobagoWeddings.com) from Marie Dilworth who has returned to the UK. Best known for her excellent service at the Toucan Inn of recent years, Christine has been a close friend and colleague of Marie for many years and nobody knows Tobago better than Christine and Bob Brent.

3. Never heard of the book, so no idea. Source it here before you go - forget about buying books on Tobago.

4. How long to recover from Christmas/New Year and "warm up"? Try about 360 days.

Hi

Regarding questions 1a and 1d

Penny Savers in Canaan has a separate store for rum, wine a.s.o, as you see the store om the way from the airport, it might be a choise to look at. But I don´t remember any champagne there.
The big Mall in Lowlands has a shop wich only sell rum, wine, that´s also an option.

So you might have to check both places, also ask your local wedding planner about it.

/Ronald

Hello Russell,

Best bet for the booze is Almondoz which is behind their hardware store opposite TSTT (phone company) just after you turn off the main highway heading into town. They have the best supplies of beer and rum but what sparkling wines they have are not the best and are WAY overpriced.

YES Tourism may be able to hook you up with PA supplies and the tables and chairs if Steve's wedding planners can't help. I can get other names and numbers if you can't get anyone through the others. I have attended many weddings and misc. family functions.

Good luck, Hugh

The Naparima Girls High School cook book you can get at Nigel Khan's booksellers in the Lowlands mall, however would suggest you contact them well in advance to order if you need a lot. They have branches in Trinidad also, so should be able to supply but may need prior warning. You would also get it from just about any bookstore in Trinidad.

Will be far cheaper here than trying to source it in the UK (if you are able to find it even)

Thanks everyone for the responses received so far, they've been really helpful in getting our head around planning. Please do keep the suggestions flowing, I hope to be able to contibute some more to this forum as well. Regards Russell R

Russell,

1a) I second Hugh's opinion. "Miles Almandoz &Co. Liqueur and Merchandise" in Scarborough, opposite
Caroline Building / TSTT, is a reasonable address to get your local products. They also have vans / trucks for
delivery, if you buy larger quantities.
Wine / Champagne: You may need to go to J.T. Morshead in Mt. Pleasant. He normally has a good variety of
international products. Please be advised that especially wine / sparking wine / Champagne are generally very
expensive in Trindad and Tobago due to high import duty.

b) You will find those items along the main road in Bon Accord, or (better) at the market in Scarborough.
As Steve explained before, be prepared for a few stops until you got everything together.

3. Naparima Girls High School Cooking Book is a WONDERFUL idea for a gift.
I absolutely second Rachel's advice to order the quantity you need a.s.a.p., as the book is sometimes sold out
in the entire country and everybody has to wait for the next contigent to come from the print shop.

4. Well, Steve voiced his personal opinion, but that is why we all love Tobago so much, isn't it ?

Old Year's / New Year's is not so much of an exhausting party time for Tobagonians, and they have survived Christmas
by then, so you should find the normal work force being back in operation on Jan 3rd.

I don't want to give any advice on Item #2, as reliability is a very crucial point here, and i DON'T put my head
on a block for the people i know
The wedding planner is definately the best person to have the DJ / PA rental people under control.

Russell,
Regarding the Naparima Girls Cookbook, I endorse the recommendation of sourcing it at Nigel R Khan's bookstore at Gulf City Mall in Lowlands. Here is their website, so you can order in advance and arrange collection at their outlet in Tobago:
http://www.nigelrkhanbookseller.com/. Order early, as the cookbook can be in heavy demand at Christmas time - many Trinis living overseas who come back for Christmas will take one with them on their return home.

Regarding fresh vegetables, I'd suggest Canaan Food Basket which is on Milford Road, just west of Golden Grove Road. Sometime during the week of January 4th, they will typically restock with fresh vegetables - after you arrive, you can check with them to confirm the best day to purchase fresh veg.

Hope this helps,
Clyde