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Tuesday 2 March 2010

Cruise - Tobago #9


The ship docked and we found ourselves in SCARBOROUGH. This can't be right, Scarborough is a seaside town on the East coast of England!


Of course this was Scarborough the capital of Tobago!

Apparently Tobago is named after the indian word for tobacco, cigar shaped Tobago is only 26 miles long and seven miles wide but it's a haven for wildlife and manages to squeeze in everything from glorious beaches to superb coral reefs, sparkling waterfalls and lush green rainforests. The second largest town on the island is Plymouth, definitely an English influence don't you think? Tobago is known for its excellent seafood dishes but creole dishes are popular too. The popular Carib lager is brewed in neighbouring Trinidad and very good it is too.

We didn't have a trip booked for Tobago so, in our usual fashion, we set off on foot to explore what Scarborough had to offer.


We were fascinated by the art displayed on this wall and followed it for a while before discovering what was behind it.


If you look above the wall you get a clue as to what lies beyond - The Botanical Gardens.



A shady avenue


MWM taking a stroll


MWM taking a rest




I don't know what this tree was but look at those seed pods! Do you see the lights strung on the tree? I think the Christmas lights and decorations stayed up all year. In the next photo I think this must have been where the nativity scene is.


There was a school in the grounds of the Botanical Gardens and the children were having a break and came out to play just as we were passing - what a fantastic place to have a school!



Further on there was this lovely walkway.



We spent a lovely morning enjoying the gardens before making out way back to the ship for a late lunch and some sunbathing on deck.

That evening we were entertained by 'Double Impact', twin boys who had been finalists on TV's 'X Factor', who were excellent. There was a movie quiz later that evening in Connexions and we did quite well scoring 355/400!

Then it was time to retire and store up some energy for the following day and the trip in a jeep to the rainforest of St. Lucia. I hope you'll join me.

35 comments:

quilly said...

What a gorgeous place to visit!

Unknown said...

Delightful! THis travelogue is exactly what I need to counteract the cold, gray days that Alex and I are now experiencing. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love those gardens my friend. They are just beautiful :) What a gorgeous place :)

Shrinky said...

Oooh, I wanna' go on holiday!! I can see you had a wonderful time, I'm quite jealous..

Dumdad said...

I've been to Scarborough! Yes, not that one but the one oop north!

Gledwood said...

There's nothing like a botanical gardens in a foreign country, is there? I once found myself in the King's Public Gardens in Rabat, Morocco around new year of 1991/1992... it was like being in an Islamic version of paradise, the most amazing place I have ever been in my life...

Akelamalu said...

It certainly is Quilly :)

My pleasure Nick!

Yes they were beautiful Thom :)

I wanna go on holiday again too Shrinky! LOL

I've been to the same Scarborough as you too Dumdad but it certainly wasn't as hot as this one! LOL

Akelamalu said...

YOu slipped in there whilst I was commenting Gleds! You're so right, botanical gardens in foreign climes are so much nicer somehow.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

you know i should know what that tree is because they grow here too but i don't remember! need more fish oil i guess! ha ha ha

loving your cruise!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Ron said...

Oh my...everytime I see you amongst palm trees and sunshine I just KNOW you're in your nirvana element!

You GLOW!

Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos, m'dear!

*I think I got a tan just from looking at them - HA!

Enjoy your day!

X

Rick said...

We had cold, sleeting rain in Detroit, so I'm thinking you've got the right idea by sailing toward the sun! Great photos, by the way!

secret agent woman said...

It looks very serene. There is a tree here with similar enormous seed pods, but I have no idea what it is.

Fletch said...

Tree: Carob

Akelamalu said...

Well thanks to Fletch I now know that the tree is Carob Bee!

You are so right Ron, I should live somewhere that is warm and sunny - I need it!

Glad you enjoyed the photos Rick and thanks for visiting, it's nice to meet you. :)

Serene, yes SAW. Fletch tells me the tree is Carob.

Thanks for naming the tree Fletch :)

buffalodick said...

I'm glad somebody knew it was carob..I knew it, but couldn't remember the name! I'm like an old computer- too slow!

Maude Lynn said...

It looks so pretty there!

cheshire wife said...

Scarborough oop north is just as attractive. It just does not have the warm weather.

Unspoken said...

How I crave the sun. CRAVE it. This looks lovely.

tattytiara said...

It must be hard getting them back into the classroom after break on a beautiful day!

Akelamalu said...

I was glad to find out the name of the tree too Buff :)

It was Mama Zen :)

Scarborough 'oop north is nice but I prefer Scarborough in Tobago Cheshire Wife ;)

Me too She Writes!

I expect they're used to it Tattytiara seeing it every day - how lucky are they?

Odat said...

It looks warm there....aarrgghh...I need warmth!!! lol.
Have fun!!!
Peace

TBM said...

Beautiful scenery and delicious sounding food, sounds like paradise to me ;-)

Gledwood said...

The word "Tobago" always makes me think of cigars... and no I've not been on the "plant food"...

{%-/...

happily retired gal said...

Now this is a place I've never been and I enjoyed all your sunny photos. Thanks for the virtual tour.
Hugs and blessings,

Flowerpot said...

looks absolutely fab!

Akelamalu said...

You and me both Odat!

Oh yes JAPRA paradise indeed. :)

Well Tobago is cigar shaped Gleds :)

Glad you enjoyed the tour Happily Retired Gal

It was Flowerpot :)

Julia Phillips Smith said...

More beautiful gardens - I clicked on the pictures so I could see up close.

My dad went to Trinidad and Tobago in the late 70's when he sold scuba diving equipment. He brought home gorgeous colorful shirts that he adored wearing.

Spiky Zora Jones said...

my lord I love the photos. oh sweetheart you make me want to go out and ride the waves of the seas. Adventures to capture and the now to live.

I think you have just pushed me over the edge...yep...i have togo on another cruise. :)

tabago is a wonderful island.

later honey. xxx

A Lady's Life said...

Oh I just love those palm trees and you know I wouldn't mind making a nativity set like that to keep in my back yard. I would enjoy the lights at Christmas and in summer it could be used for flower's in pots.
Thanks. :)

Cloudia said...

Why it looks like Hawaii!


Aloha, Sistah-Friend!


Comfort Spiral

Smalltown RN said...

OH your holiday looks so lovely....great pictures...thankyou so much for sharing...

Akelamalu said...

There are still colourful shirts to be had in Tobago Julia!

You should go and take your girl spiky! :)

Those were my thought exactly Lady'sLife - I'm trying to get MWM to build it for me. :)

Then I know I would just love Hawaii Cloudia! :)

My pleasure RB, I'm pleased you enjoyed it. x

nitebyrd said...

Such beautiful country! You took some wonderful pictures.

Akelamalu said...

It is a beautiful island nitebyrd. Glad you like the pictures. :)

CG said...

This looks like such a fun day out. Great photos too.