The Good Life
Got back from an ace two weeks in Tobago on Tuesday. At around 40km long and 11km wide, it occupies a tiny plot at the foot of the Caribbean, and, until recently, was only really visited by nearby Trinis (from Trinidad) and scuba diving enthusiasts.
As a result, tourism hasn’t really had a chance to scar the island, so it’s many perfect beaches (such as Englishman’s Bay and Pirate’s Bay) are virtually deserted and the coastline is mostly clear of developments such as large hotels and marinas. The rainforest too, the oldest nature reserve in the world and home to over 200 species of birds (and several large snakes), is also mostly undisturbed by hordes of tourists trampling through it.
The outflow of South Americas Orinoco River, the Southern Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, all meet around the island of Tobago. Consequently, the island is surrounded by legendary coral reefs and gardens. Most are in exceptional condition, though Buccoo Reef on the south coast is already showing damage from the tourist-laden glass bottom boats. Scuba diving opportunities are among the best in the world, and my one great regret was not doing a PADI course while I was there - the North Sea doesn’t quite hold the same appeal...
Locals are extremely friendly to tourists - almost to a point where you think there must have been a national scheme to encourage the locals to welcome tourists. Whereas tour operators at other Caribbean Islands might warn you about straying from your hotel, it is positively encouraged here. You get the feeling that the locals are genuinely proud of their island and want to show it off to you (as well as earning a few dollars along the way).
Getting out there is easy for Brits - Virgin do an 8 hour direct flight from Gatwick and it doesn’t take long to adjust to the 5 hour time difference. A thoroughly recommended and much welcomed break.
That’s enough of the Judith Chalmers bit - how about those new G5’s eh?
Posted 6 years, 8 months ago