myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Planning a walk from Turtle beach Hotel, down the main road to Marie's Place and an early supper at the fish pot restaraunt. Looking at the trip on the interactive satelite map, I'm guessing this is probably about a 25-30 minute walk. It passes by the Grafton Beach resort as well so I'm expecting other tourists may be also walking along the same road.

Anyone with experience in this area feel this is a safe walk to take in the early evening or supper hour? Returning by the same main road sometime after 6pm?

Richardus,that is not an easy walk at all,it is far from flat with some very trying inclines.There is NO lighting whatsoever and when it gets dark it gets very dark.Personally I wouldn't walk that route in the dark,and it is a lot further than you think.If I remember,the last bus from Plymouth is at about 1830,so perhaps the bus to Pleasant Prospect and Taxi return from the Fish Pot.
David

Hi Richard

I totally endorse David's comments. The walk is around 1.5 miles (2.5Km) and NOT something to be attempted after dark - not least because of the lack of street lighting and/or sidewalks. You will be walking in the road - not something to be recommended at the best of times. During the day, you can walk most of this journey along the beach - no problem!

Richardus,

i drive that stretch on a regular basis and i am glad for everybody i DON'T meet walking there at night,
and not having to make hazardous last moment maneuvres on the narrow road.
I think you get the idea: The problem is not bandits robbing you, the problem is the road and the drivers

Thanks, although we were thinking early evening like around 5 or 6pm, it doesnt get dark until at least 9:30pm at that time of year I'm sure. I like Steve's idea of doing most of the walk along the beach rather than the road, I wasn't sure if the beach behind grafton was considered private property. As far as walking 2.5 km each way, we are fairly fit, and hike longer trails in the wilds of Algonquin all the time so that shouldn't be an issue.

Hi Richard

Sunset in June will be at 6:30pm and sunrise at 05:45am. These times vary by less than 30mins over the course of the year, being only 11° north of the equator.

Wow, I didnt know that! I always thought the days were longer close to the equator, considering at that time of year the sun sets close to 10pm in Canada. So as the sun gets higher in OUR sky the days get longer. Caught me by surprise on that one but you would know! Learn something new every day. Sounds like we will need to spring for a cab if we want to try supper at the fish place.

Richardus wrote:Wow, I didnt know that! I always thought the days were longer close to the equator.

In theory, sunrise on the equator will be at 6am and sunset at 6pm and these times vary very little over the course of the year. Anothr factor you'll be interested in is the speed that it gets dark. On the equator, the sun sets perpendicular to the horizon, while at higher latitudes - such as in Canada - the sun can set at a more oblique angle, allowing it to remain close to the horizon after sunset for a longer period of time. So, on the equator the sunset and sunrise happen very rapidly and very close to 6am/6pm. As you move towards the Poles, we start to experience the opposite effect, giving you the Arctic "midnight sun" in mid-summer, followed by months of near/total darkness in mid-winter.

I should have paid more attention in science class!

Steve,

Excellent explanation!

Hugh