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Published: February 22nd 2015
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Thursday February 12th, 2015. Scarborough, Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is an independent nation and Republic within the Commonwealth. Tobago, the smaller of the two islands and 22 miles north east of Trinidad, features lush rainforest and glorious beaches and is surrounded by colourful coral reefs with more than 600 species of fish. Winner of the World Travel Awards 'Best Eco Destination in the World', Tobago has over 6,000 species of plants and animals including one of the highest densities of bird species in the world. It is a nature lover's paradise. Although it is only 26 miles by 7 the island has hundreds of species of birds, plants flowers and wildlife and the oldest protected rainforest in the Western hemisphere. The climate is tropical and the island lies just to the south of the Atlantic hurricane belt. The four of us had decided that we wanted to go and see the famous rainforest.
We negotiated a day rate with a taxi driver called Joy. Firstly we headed out of Scarborough up the Atlantic Coast of the Island passing through the towns of Mount St George, Goodwood, Pembroke, Glamorgan, Belle Garden until we reached Roxborough. We stopped on the way
to take some pictures of the Atlantic coast. At Roxborough we turned inland to the Argyle Waterfall Trail. We paid our entrance fees and were escorted by our guide who was called Ester. She was a rather large lady wearing wellies and carrying a large stick. Pati and M speculated that she should be skinnier if she spends all day walking to and from the waterfall which we were informed was a half hour walk (tuns out that its half an hour at Ester's pace - anyone else could do it in 15 minutes!). We walked along the trail and Ester pointed out the various flora and fauna. We saw clumbs of bamboo and Cocoa trees. Ester informed us that each coco pod contains 30-40 seeds, each of which is surrounded by a bitter-sweet white pulp. Cocoa contains nutrients and antioxidents which are beneficial for our health - it should only be eaten in moderation though as it is also used to make chocolate! We saw some beautiful birds including the Tobago's National Bird (forget its name). About half way along the trail we stopped at a small muddy pool which was surrounded by a fence. Ester informed us that
there was a small Caymen inside. This is a type of small aligator. We could just see its nostrils sticking out of the water at the back of the pond. Ester had a photo of it on her phone which we showed us. She also had a very dog-eared copy of the Birds of Tobago book which she showed us if we were to slow to spot one of the creatures flying by us.
We had to climb over some slippery rocks and up and down some steps at the end of the trail in order to reach the Argyle Waterfall. This is a three-tiered waterfall where you can swim if you wish. We didn't bother. Roy commented that they had better waterfalls in Scotland! We made our way back to the waiting Joy and her taxi. We next travelled from the Atlantic Coast across to the Caribbean coast through virgin rainforest. Joy told us that in 19 years of cab driving no other tourists had ever wanted to do this. It was beautiful and lovely and cool. Once we were high up you could see the water vapour in the air. When we reached the point where the
road starts to follow the Caribbean coast of the island we stopped at a lookout point where we could see Bloody Bay below. There are three large rock formations in the bay. We followed the road along the Caribbean coast passing through Parlatuvier Bay, and Englishman's Bay and through a largish village called Castara. Once on the otherside of Castara, Joy stopped the car so we could look back towards Castara bay. It was a beautiful view and the bay was completely secluded and lovely but unfortunately too far from Scarborough to make it a viable stop for swimming.
Joy continued on until we came to Pigeon Point Reserve. Here we paid our entrance fees and were given snazzy purple wrist bands to wear to prove we had paid. Once on the beach we found a bar called Traditions and sat and had some refreshments. Then we found a spot on Pigeon Bay beach and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and swimming in the Caribbean sea.
Joy collected us at the appointed time and took us back to Scarborough. Scarborough is the largest town and capital of Tobago with a population of around 17,000
(one third of the entire population of the island). It became the capital of Tobago in 1769 when it replaced the then capital of Georgetown. She dropped us off in a bar right opposite the cruise terminal where we met up with Alan and his wife Juliet. Alan lectures on the ship and also takes Art workshops. M and D have both enjoyed his activities. We stayed in the bar until it was time for the ship to leave and made a point of being the last on after they kept us waiting at Bequia!
Dinner was with our usual tablemates. However, Christopher had enquired with the table next door if they would be willing to swop tables with us as they were only 4 and had a table for 8. This would mean that Pati and Roy could come and sit with the 6 of us instead of dining alone. The misereable sods said no! M got Sid on the case and he said we could have the Captain's table for the 8 of us on the nights that the Captain didn't need it which would only be two more nights for the rest of the trip.
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