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Tobago |
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Tobago |
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Itinerary Day 1 - Sunday: Overnight flight from Toronto to Port of Spain with a connection to Tobago. Day 2 - Monday: Early morning arrival in Tobago. The Crown Point Beach Hotel is located just a few minutes from Tobago Airport amid tropical gardens, on a lovely white beach and with stunning views of the turquoise Caribbean. Our rooms are waiting for us on arrival and the day is at leisure. If you like to be active there is plenty to do. Crown Point's lovely beach offers good ocean swimming or you can take a dip in the pool. In the gardens of Crown Point are many birds and they come to your balcony looking for hand-outs. Put out a piece of fruit and you can have an array of colourful birds keeping you company as you relax with a book or watch the waves. In the late afternoon we have a casual get-together to meet our guides to learn about the ecology of the island and learn about the bird life. We have time for a rum punch before dinner at the hotel. DINNER INCLUDED Day 3 - Tuesday: Full day island tour including the Main Ridge Forest Reserve. This rain-forest is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere (proclaimed a reserve in perpetuity in 1776). It rises to a maximum height of 580 metres in the centre of the island and its main function is to protect Tobago’s soil from erosion by rain and wind. It also protects wildlife and shelters the lee-ward side of the island from the effects of the prevailing trade winds. The forest provides nesting sites for birds, support for orchids and flowers for the honey-bees to obtain nectar. It serves as a watershed to regulate water-flow and water  quality
which ultimately leads to the survival of the reefs and beaches. Some of the
many interesting plants found in the forest are Parrot Apple, Wild Cocoa,
Bloodwood, Mahogany and SilkCotton trees. It is fascinating to learn about
just a few of the many small creatures which each play a part in the
eco-system. Trails in the Rain Forest can be muddy but rubber boots are
available as are rain ponchos.
The temperature is cool at this elevation so a long sleeved sweat-shirt is a
good idea. LUNCH AT MISS GEMMA'S TREE-HOUSE RESTAURANT INCLUDED.
Miss Gemma cooks delicious local fish accompanied by local dishes such as
peas and rice and breadfruit followed by soursop icecream. The food is
delicious and the atmosphere marvelous as we enjoy an ocean breeze just a
few yards from the water's edge. We continue around the island and return late
in the day along
the beautiful coastline. DINNER INCLUDED at the hotel. Day 4- Wednesday The morning is at leisure and in mid afternoon we go to a tropical estate where we have a guided walk through a former plantation to learn about some of the tropical vegetation. Our guide is an expert in local nature lore and tells us some of the medicinal properties of the plants. There is a section where hummingbird feeders attract many varieties of these amazing little birds who hover amid colourful flowering shrubs. Dinner tonight is at a lovely restaurant near the hotel. DINNER INCLUDED Day 5 - Thursday: Early morning flight to Trinidad (20 minutes). A transfer by private minibus takes us into the hills to the famous Asa Wright Nature Centre. Here, we observe an amazing array of birds as they come to the feeders just below the verandah of the centre. Expert guides take us for a stroll along some of the nature trails to see both birds and tropical vegetation. This nature center is one of the most important conservation sanctuaries in the Caribbean and is situated in the lush Arima Valley surrounded by beautiful protected rain forest. We have BUFFET LUNCH INCLUDED at the centre - much of the food is grown here and we sample food that reflects the incredible diversity of the local cuisine, a mix of West Indian, Creole, Oriental, Indian, and European dishes that are served family-style in the old plantation house. In the afternoon we continue to the Caroni Wetlands to see the mangrove swamp with its fascinating ecology and the highlight is when, at sunset, huge flocks of large Scarlet Ibis birds swoop across the water as they come home to roost at sunset. The green trees suddenly turn red as thousands of Scarlet Ibis birds settle in for the night. It is a beautiful spectacle and worth the journey just to see this. The airport is not far and we return to Tobago that evening. Dinner tonight is not included but the hotel restaurant is open until 10 pm or you may wish to have something to eat while waiting for your flight in Port of Spain Airport. Day 6 - Friday: Morning is free. There are boat trips available to the Bucco Reef Under-Sea Garden and Natural Aquarium. Here you can snorkel amidst nature's most beautiful tropical fish and coral formations. In the afternoon we have an excursion to see some of Tobago's many bird species in their natural environment at a bird sanctuary. DINNER AT THE PRETTY, OPEN-AIR KARIWAK RESTAURANT NEAR THE HOTEL. The Kariwak is known for its serving wonderful West Indian cuisine using home-grown vegetables and herbs. It is one of our favourite restaurants anywhere. Day 7 - Saturday: Early morning birdwatching excursion which includes a guided walk through a wooded area near some remote ponds where there are many water birds. The walk ends at a pristine beach that stretches for a mile without a single building. The afternoon is free. DINNER INCLUDED at a restaurant. Day 8 - Sunday: Free morning. In the afternoon we have a guided visit to the lovely Arnos Vale bird sanctuary. Here, amid masses of pink and red ginger flowers and shady bamboo groves, we find bird-feeders which attract an amazing variety of tropical birds. AFTERNOON TEA INCLUDED. On the tropical verandah of this old estate house we sip tea while watching as blue Motmot birds come to be fed amid wonderful flowering shrubs and trees. Many of the birds are quite tame and will take bits of your sandwiches and cakes from your hand. During feeding hour the verandah is surrounded by exotic birds of every size – fr  om
tiny hummingbirds to large cocricos. There will be time for a stroll around
Arnos Vale - a 12 acre nature estate where one can enjoy the beautiful
flowers and listen to the songbirds. DINNER INCLUDED
at the hotel.Day 9 - Monday: Morning departure from Tobago. The birds of Tobago welcome you. When tourists come to see birds these creatures become more valuable and are protected. |