Paradise lost AND found (Trinidad & Tobago)

Member Name: SignalHill

Product:	Trinidad & Tobago
Date:	28/08/01 (307 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great mix of cultures, Wonderful food, Fantastic Scenery

Disadvantages: Need to know the danger areas, Tourists can be ripped off

I am lucky in that I have family who live out in both Islands, so have experienced life from both tourist and (sort of) local. The two are needlessly to say completely different. Please don't let this review put you off; the advice here can be applied to many of the caribbean islands, just that I've been here so many times, i know all the pitfalls and where-with-alls.

Trini is fast (for a caribbean island), can be dangerous and more cosmopolitan than it's sister Island. There are lots of problems with drugs/gangs in certain parts. Certain parts near PoS on the highway are to be watched -especially near the shanty town where if you break down you face the risk of trouble... However, don't let it deter you; there are some fantastic parts of the island - the coroni swamps with the red igret are something to behold (take lots of mossi repellant though!), maracas beach is one of the best to visit and some of the higher climbes of the island have fantastic scenery - I'd advise that you make sure you take a guide with you for the majority of trips you take out - they'll know what's what.

Tobago is the holiday island; some say it's for the newly weds and nearly deads! life is slooooow. You can relax, whether you're a local or a tourist. Many of the beaches are good, although it's best to stick to the main ones, as the secluded beaches can leave your possessions going missing.... The locals do have a tendancy to rip off the tourist (everywhere has local and tourist rates), apart from the supermarkets and main shops (Best to shop at Pennywise or similar store for food/drink). Don't be afraid to haggle with vendors either

THe food on both Islands is fantastic - Rotis are are favourite (try the conch roti - to die for!); Breadfruit MUST be tried, but is hard to come by. Generally the food is a cross between Caribbean and Indian and I just can't get enough of it!!

It's worth hiring a car and
doing your own thing in Tobago, although again for the more remote parts (like the rain forest), take a guided tour - they'll also be able to point out the finer things you'd probably miss.

The best hotels are on the caribbean coast (Turtle Beach, Grand Courland, Grafton, Mount Irvine being some of the major ones). The Hilton is on the atlantic side and although is done out well, gets the wind and so can look a little "rough" at times (the beach nearby catches alot of the junk in the water and has to be cleaned regularly). I've stayed at Turtle beach twice and found it well positioned, sometimes plagued too much by beach vendors (who will be your "best friend" - any info they find out they may very well share to others about you, so best to be polite but firmly tell "no thanks"), food is reasonable, but drinks are quite expensive. THe others also have good location but seem less troubled by the vendors.

So as I first said don't let this review put you off; Tobago is great for holidaying -just be sensible, keep yourself to yourself and you will have a magical time. Use it as a base to visit Trinidad (there's lots of regular flights there, or the slow ferry) - There's lots to see and do on both islands - and you will soon see that although they are only a few miles apart they are completely different in their attitude.

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