myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Has anyone got some up to date reliable info on what the situation is regading the ongoing saga of Pigeon Point. I really want to take the wife but don't want to support the owners if the sitaution is as bad as it was...Steve, you may have some or possibly Glyn? Anyway thanks guys...P.S. Only 8 weeks until i am there!!

Hi Kevin

By coincidence, just this morning I received a report from a returning visitor and regular contributor to the forum, who said:

Talking of fences, the approach road to Pigeon point is a bloody eye-sore now that they have errected a chain-linked fence from the old entrance to the pier. They have cut those horizontal palms and sea grape bushes and the beach looks like a barren strip of wasteland. When we were there fishing, on most days, we had that part of the beach to ourselves. It looks so uninviting. What a tragedy.

Hope this helps.

Hi Kevin

Haven't popped down there myself for a few months, but some clients (young family) in August went and enjoyed it. Things are never as bad as they may sometimes seem, we hope, so go for a look.

One criticism was that they encountered a little broken glass from someone's (selfish) party before, so check the sand cautiously in case this wasn't a one off. This could happen anywhere I guess, although having paid a fee you would want the beach cleaned.

The actual government legal steps to complusorily purchase the resort back "for the people" seems to have stalled, probably just temporarily. The resort recently failed in a legal bid to get injunctive relief to restrain the government from proceeding for two reasons that I (and other armchair lawyers) might find interesting - firstly the judge held that the courts have no power to restrain the state, secondly he held that since the government had not actually got off its painfully slow backside to start repossession proceedings (beyond mouthing off about it) then the court had nothing to restrain! Such inefficiency will leave the beautiful beach in limbo for more years to come, sadly. Better to get it resolved sooner I feel, either way.

Enjoy your trip
Glyn

We went to Pidgeon Point last Friday and had a great time.

The beach was clean with no signs of any glass and the gardens were well kept. Very few people around and we really enjoyed our few hours there.

It was our first visit here so I can't compare it going back in time but we thought it was a really nice place.

If it helps [Editor: Broken link removed] shows a picture in the carpark / garden area and [Editor: Broken link removed] HERE [/url] is a picture of the beach area.

Hope that helps,

Dave

Thanks to one and all..It looks like i might have to suss it out for myself by making a flying visit bfore i decide if it's worth taking the wife to the once serene beautful place. From what you guys say there isn't gonna be a solution overnight and for me it's just such a nice beach it almost seems a shame to not go..

But at the same time i really begrudge giving to a regime like it's current owners who have no regard for human life and are only interested on one thing..MONEY!! Oh dear oh dear, i still don't know what to do...

Hi Kevin

Personally I think that you will be disapointed in the 'improvements' that have been made.
I don't know when your last visit was, but in the past 18 months the old pier has been replaced. Not sure why, but the glass bottom boats are now served with a longer, less picturesque, concrete structure with a thatched 'dispatch centre' perched on top.

The small group of shopping outlets are, in the main, very expensive for the general tourist soveniers.

The food outlet is moderately priced, but with a very limited menu. Burger, pizza and chips were all that were available last week. True, it was quiet, but the several types of Roti and crab and dumplin' that were once on the menu were 'off' for the foreseable future.

The Blue Marlin Bar is fine for a few Caribs or a cocktail and they appear to have a variable happy hour according to the volume of business.

You can hire sun loungers (no cushions) for a couple of quid a day. Don't expect a smile from the attendant.

The old gate house is still in use, but this is manned by a very impolite guard who merely waves you on to the second barrier where you pay your entrance fee of $18TT and are issued with a coloured security wrist band, the type issued at all inclusive resorts. These bands must be worn at all times and if you are seen not wearing the colour of the day, you will be challenged and ejected if you cannot produce your band.
A WORD OF WARNING.
The band is in the form of a strip of paper with a peel-off adhesive end. This is doubled back and fastened to the other end, around your wrist or ankle. I misplaced the sticky end of my band and stuck it to my skin. I peeled it off with my forefinger and thumb and repositioned it correctly.
I inadvertantly rubbed my eye a few minutes later and for the next hour or so my eye was inflamed, very tearful and despite holding my head under one of the showers for 15 minutes, the searing pain only decreased by holding my eye tightly shut. Eventually the pain and irritation cleared and my sight was not affected in the long-term. I then noticed that where the adhesive tab had been in contact with my skin, several nasty blisters had appeared and although they did not itch, the skin was sore and broken and still is over a week later. I asked one of the employees if this was a common occurance and they confirmed that I was not the only person to be a victim of this type of injury.
Please be very careful when positioning your security band and wash and wipe your hands thorougly if you touch the adhesive. Be particularily careful with children. I would suggest that an adult should secure their bands, for safety's sake.

Several security guards patrol the pier area to warn off potential trespassers who walk along the beach from the old entrance, and at the end of the fence, try to gain access to the Club area.

The section of beach beyond the windsurfing club is an absolute eyesore.
This has been commented on before but the sand and sea grape bushes are still festooned with all sorts of crap, from empty engine oil containers, polestyrene plates, cups and fast food packaging to plastic bags of sand where someone is removing sand from the beach, presumably for building material. As this beach faces the prevailing wind, it collects everthing that is dumped at sea or on No-Man's land, where many beach barbeques are held. Please, if you go on one of these excursions, make sure that your opperator collects all the rubbish and doesn't just chuck it overboard or let it blow across the lagoon.

Having said all of this, when my Brother-in Law and his wife visited in April, they thought that this was the best beach in the world.

'It used to be', I said.

Cheers
Steve

Hi Kevin and Steve

Kevin - I do not think the "regime" at PP can be blamed 100% for the perverse shooting dead of an unarmed thief who was escaping into the sea. Yes they were OTT for arming the (since disarmed) security guards there and most likely under-training/paying them, but the guard himself is now serving time for his irrational crime. Please don't let a tragic act several years ago put you off visiting the beach (assuming that was the act which inspired your comment?). And whatever happens don't email the Whitehouse about it, calling for "regime change", or we shall be swamped with US marines in a jiffy

Steve - what a good, but sad, review, thanks. I shall warn visitors about that glue - in the UK of course the H&S inspectors would have got rid of that by now, after the first complaint, plus a lawsuit might be looming. I wonder if it is worth running your email past the local authorities here, to see if they do anything? If you agree, cut and paste then email to me the wristband stuff privately ([email protected]), so I can approach the relevant people with your email - make sure you state that you want me to raise it in your email. It is vital that steps are taken to prevent more visitors or kids from suffering with the glue I feel.

All the best

Glyn

A horrible trip through a fenced area leads to one of the best beaches i have ever seen.

My friend and I visited Pigeon Point several times between 20 Sep and 4 Oct, but were last there on Sept 30. We loved it very much however that day was scary. We waded out nonchalantly into the shallow water, chatting, joking about and not paying very much attention to anything. I guess we were out about 150 yards. Then the tide changed asuddenly and my friend who's asthmatic, and can swim a little but doesn't like being out of her depth, got into difficulties. I tried to keep her calm but we were swimming hard to try to get back to the shore without success, as the tide was strong. In the end I called for help and a wonderful man came to our rescue, calling for someone else to get help before he swam from the beach. The short end to the story is that a boat that just happened to be around came and rescued us - however we heard that there are no lifeguards on duty at all which is the scariest part! Needless to say, we are returning in March and will visit Pigeon Point again - but will treat the calm waters with more respect. When we got back to the beach we had a relaxing massage from a wonderful lady who told us that someone drowned right in the same spot the previous week. I have no news report to back this up but we were astounded. Can anyone verify this rumour?

Hi Kay

I can't confirm - or deny - the rumour. I haven't heard of the case, but it is true to say that sadly, like almost every island destination, the occasional fatality does occur. My love of Tobago is obvious, so the last thing I want to do is scare people off, but swimming in the sea, ANYWHERE in the world, is dangerous. I nearly drowned as a youngster when I was caught by a rip tide. I virtually lived in the water in those days and was an extremely powerful swimmer - but that rip tide was way beyond my strength.

Incidentally, for those that know me - that's not the reason I don't swim these days. That has more to do with the fact that I'm a big girl's blouse and refuse to get in water cooler than blood temperature.

Hmmmm.

Been to P. Point many times but will probably give it a miss on my next trip to Tobago.

Situation has deteriorated since first visit in Jan 2000.

Beach is undeniably beautiful, yet uncared for ... the tides appear to be rising and washing sand away ... I have come across glass, rubbish, even a dead and gutted, stinking sting ray right under the famous pier ... resturants have been shut down and the hassle you get at the gate to go off on a glass bottom boat is appalling.

In recent years the 'armbands' have been introduced which I and my family hate ... so here is a tip:-

Cunningly wind up the guards by putting the bands around your ankles ... they hate it but cannot complain ... the very last time we went in we all put them on our ankles and stuck our legs out of the car windows and they waved us on with a BIG

Anyway ... on a more serious note, by all means visit the place even if it just to take a photo and say you have been there .... although I have to confess that I am surprised to read contributions saying that photography is now banned ?!?

Go there no more than just once ... to see how beautiful it looks, but please also consider the death and destruction in the Buccoo Coral Reef that must have once been one of the best reefs in the world.

Never mind the plonkers that want to capitalise the place ... the long term benefit has to be the protection of the reef which, I understand, cannot be enforced and so the Glass Bottom Boatmen still hand out plastic sandals to those who are happy to stomp all over what is left of the reef ... if the private plonkers can put a long term game plan into place that will protect the reef then they should be taken seriously ... though admittedly I fear that money is the priority.

So ... visitors to Tobago take note of the following steps to play your part :-


AVOID > P Point if you have already been there (it is no better now)

NEVER > EVER go on a Boat Trip

ALWAYS > put your bands around your ankles (just to wind them up)

ALWAYS > wear sandals or other suitable footwear to protect your feet ... if the glass doesn't cut you, the dead coral will !!

I would also recommend caution about swimming ... the water may look good but it is very limey and cloudy ... shower after a swim !!

There are lots of other (less boring) good beaches.

Hope this helps


Paul Tallet

Dear Paul,
I like what you say. Yes, there are many things a single person can do. And there are many things a group can do to change things. A couple of month ago I read in Tobago News that the Pigeon Point Resort was closed for one day. Some people made a picnic on the public sandy beach to demonstrate against the owners. Also the beach behind the jetty is public, so everybody is free to go there - that's what they did. They must have told the owners before, so they kept the property closed for visitors. Visitors might not have get a good impression about the owners seeing the people having picnic and demonstrating...
What would happen if there would be some kind of picnic once a week - say every Sunday? It is a lovely place for a peaceful picnic with family and friends. Small groups can have much power - in good or bad. Sometimes a minority terrorizes the majority, but sometimes a few people can make things better in a peaceful but clever way. Don't worry about things you can't change, but change the things you can...

Jorg
Good point ... after all there is only so much I can do apart from banging away about these issues in forums such as this.
Here is an idea ... you have got me going now ... I am going to Tobago for 2 weeks from the 9th Feb until 23rd Feb ... I know that a few others from myTobago will be there around that time too.
So ... how about a trial 'myTobago' picnic on P. Point ... could such a peaceful and enjoyable method of protest be arranged ???
Wouldn't that be wonderful ... and it may go somewhere ... worth a bash eh?

Paul

yes, why not do it? And everybody should be welcome to talk about the issue on the public property of Pigeon Point - owners, THA, fishermen, local people and visitors. The beach by the jetty is a better spot to talk than the courthouse. You have a nice scenery, fresh air and it is much less expensive than employing lawyers and judges. And if only the people from Tobago News would show up, you could still send a message to the public to get that thing resolved...

Would a locally held petition help?

I'd sign it on my visit.

The shame is that whilst I disagree with PP being "owned" I do want to visit what looks like the best beach on the island.

Happy to be told otherwise, but I'm certainly in two minds about visiting it as I do want to make a stand (easier said than done of course).

PICNIC

Where would we start?

It needs organising by a well connected person and I would definitely turn up and put my penniworth in if something gets off the ground.



PETITION

That's a great idea too ... I think that this would be very effective for holiday makers to have their say ... after all, I believe that the private company expects to profit from holiday makers in the long run and they will certainly take note of any feedback from their proposed income source.

Perhaps the airlines can be contacted to see if they are prepared to invite holiday makers to sign their views on their return trips home?


SUMMARY

I feel strongly about this but I am probably rather naive about many issues that I need to learn.

Does the private company have a website?

Does anyone know of any relevant websites regarding the Pigeon Point issues?

When we know details of any plans and people start talking ... only then can any structured protest take place if something seems fundamentally wrong (i.e.; human rights abuse, environmental abuse).

Otherwise, it seems that we would just be moaning about the current state of the beach ... I would prefer a longer term effort that could have a significant and ongoing influence in the future environmental benefit of the beach and Buccoo Reef, not to mention the benefit of the locals and local businesses.

Somehow, I suspect that if enough of a stink is made by Tobagonians then the Government would see it as politically safe to have a real go at this private company and acquire the site ... but what then ... what will the Government do?

Hope I am helping.

Paul (trying to be objective)

How about a nearby restaurant hosting a visitors book form of petition?

I'd happily pop along, sample the food and sign away.

people power.

Having read a few comments about the litter and general untidy look on tobago.and having visited the island for several years I to have noticed a general decline of this jewel, But on speaking to some hoteliers the concensus seems to be that they don,t want to over exploit the tourism trade and turn tobago into an other Barbados { in which in my opinion is becoming Disney in the caribean] this is however turning people against returning to the island. Yes Tobago [trinidad & tobago] does,nt need our tourist dollars,pounds,euros to survive but it would be nice to think that the residents and the visitors to tobago would keep the island the way it should be [as should any place ]. Returning to Barbados for a moment about 5 years ago the government there started a program of tidying up the island to encourage return buisiness and has improved the look of the island a lot, may be the T&T authorities could start some thing simular we as tourists can do our bit but at the end of the day it,s up to the locals how they want to live [note to the locals that oil wont last forever] Having vented my spleen on this. Yes I do adore Tobago and hope to return there this year to my favorite hotel The Kariwak. And I like all Tobagophiles want to sing its praises and keep its secrets for my self

my advice to Marc Jones and Paul Tallet if anybody asks your advice about visiting Pidgeon point just say no don't go there, if word gets about they wont and the tourist trade will stop promoting it as the bounty beach and all that that that conjures up in their customers minds, may be this will force the management to do something about state of the area and turn it into tropical haven that it's promoted as

Having just returned from a two week holiday on Tobago, I can confirm that things appear to be no better than when I last reported (Sept 03).
The beach area beyond the windsurfing centre is THE MOST litter strewn beauty spot I have ever seen. A day's beach cleaning would do wonders.
Out of sight out of mind seems to be the attitude.

Staff still appear to derive little job satisfaction and this is one of the few places on the island where you are not greeted with a smile and a bit of friendly chat.

Constant checking by security staff, to ensure that we were wearing the security bracelets. Several local beach users hassled off the property or told to stay on the waters edge. The whole atmosphere was one of being constantly under supervision and suspicion.

Our visit on Monday coincided with the discourging of around 300 cruise ship visitors, so the place was packed. To add insult to injury, a local singer was on hand to seranade the gathered throng to karioke style versions of 'Island in the sun' and 'Yellow bird'. A few requests later, he had degenerated into his third rendition from his collection of Elvis classics. It was all too much to us - we packed up and left -not our cup of tea.

I appreciate that this is what some people expect from a vacation in the Caribbean, but Tobago IS different.
It deserves better than this and so do its visitors.

I guess you could ask, why do we keep going back?
The answer is - we won't.

Steve