Notes for Visitors

Topics (click to view)

	Introduction		Local People
	Our Local Management Team		Tips/Service Charges
	Flights from the UK/Amsterdam		Personal Responsibility
	Airport Pick-up and Arrival		Language
	Warning about Clothing		Shopping
	The Accommodations		Electricity
	Things to Take		Currency and Money
	Check Out & Departure		Internet and Telephones
	Car Hire		Doctors/Health
	Eating Out and In		Climate
	Snorkelling/Wildlife/Insects		More Information
	Organised Trips		Buying Land in Tobago
	Boat Trips		Visa Requirements

Snorkelling/Wildlife/Insects

You can snorkel from the Little Bay right from the shore. There are many sorts of coral and fish to be spotted. Our favourites are the families of squid that shelter near the rocks and the sting rays which never cease to inspire awe, but every time you go out you will see something for the first time. We have seen little turtles on several occasions and an octopus once. During the summer of 2004, one of our younger guests, Rob, compiled a comprehensive list of fish he had seen during his three weeks stay - it can be found in Osprey's Visitors Book. Thank you, Rob!

As mentioned earlier in these notes, we did some serious planting around the house in 2003, and this has increased the cover and habitat significantly. The house acts as a huge hide, and many varieties of bird can be spotted without moving an inch further into the rainforest. The growth of the ginger lilies and ornamental bananas below the house have encouraged the arrival of hummingbirds, much to our delight. Also, we have had several experienced and knowledgeable bird watchers to stay as guests, who have kindly compiled lists of birds seen in and around the garden. Various lists (gradually added to) can be found in the different Visitors Books. We are working on a comprehensive list that we will print here in the Visitors Note soon, for future reference.

We often see agouti in the garden, which is a great treat, since I read recently on myTobago website that they are quite rare now. Guaranteed sightings in early morning and evening, but we have had sightings at all times of the day. They are dark brown, about the size of a large rabbit, and bound off at a pace if disturbed.

Since the autumn of 2004 we have also been honoured with sightings of a four foot long, bright green iguana, after Carrington saw an adult laying eggs in the garden near Fisherman’s Lodge during the summer.

Tobago is generally a benign place with little to harm or worry you. There are no poisonous snakes or spiders. Protection is advised against mosquitoes with good repellents being available in any chemist and at the airports. We have found Citronella Oil mixed with a base oil such a Coconut Oil to be an extremely effective repellent against both mosquitoes and sandflies.

Then the subject of bugs and flying insects. Tobago is a tropical country, so bugs cannot be avoided. However, there are a few things to say which we hope will be helpful. Firstly, we have very good frame mosquito nets over all the beds, which keep out everything, (including mosquitoes obviously). Secondly, our lights operate on dimmer switches, and so you can limit the number of visiting insects in the evenings simply by keeping the lights soft and low (- we are amazed when we are out there just how bright some clients keep the lights!). You get more insect activity after heavy downpours, it is true, but even this summer, when we were there in the rainy season, we had only one such visitation from flying termites once, and it lasted only an hour or so. We also have sprays in the house, and you can buy stuff locally or bring your own. You'll never avoid the odd cricket or flying beetle from flying in from time to time.

Finally, Pelican and Osprey are not as open as the deck in Rainforest, and so you can limit the potential by keeping the shutters closed into those rooms if you so desire, as you can in the bedrooms of Rainforest.

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