On arriving at the airport I was very excited to hear we had been upgraded to premium economy both ways! Check in was smooth, and so off I went to duty free, boarding card in hand.
Monarch airlines looked after us with care and attention from the outset. Welcome drinks were brought round as soon as we boarded, alongside a complimentary newspaper and an essentials pack containing a little toothbrush, tooth paste, an eye mask, and flight socks! The captain announced that the flight would take 9-and-a-half hours, so I settled myself in with my complimentary headset to watch a couple of films on my personal seat back TV. Throughout the flight the cabin crew made sure we were comfortable, topping up our drinks from a complimentary bar. We enjoyed two tasty meals whilst onboard: a delicious breakfast shortly after takeoff, and a choice of either oriental chicken or beef bourguignon (I had chicken!) both which were lovely. A refined touch that comes with premium class is a proper glass and cutlery!
After pleasant flight we arrived into Tobago Airport, and passed through security quickly and easily. I had already filled my Visa card in on the aircraft so I was well prepared, a process that I would recommend to all holidaymakers heading to Tobago. Our Luggage was already on the carousel waiting for us, and before I knew it I was outside in the wonderful 34 degrees of the Caribbean, which remained the temperature pretty much for the whole of my stay. We were met by representatives from the Tobagan tourist board and off we went in our little minivan with Roger, our driver for the week.
We had the afternoon and evening at leisure to settle into our first host hotel, Turtle Beach, which served as a lovely beginning to my trip. We were met with rum punch (the first of many!) and mybags were kindly taken to my room. My room was beautiful, with an ocean view and a location that was only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the beach and the beautiful Caribbean Sea! It had a simple, comfortable décor, with great air conditioning and a welcoming atmosphere. After moving in we were treated to a buffet style evening meal, including traditional Caribbean delicacies using rice, chicken, pork, veg, and much more – it was lovely!
Next morning we embarked on a tour to the north of the island, crossing over to the Atlantic coast. The roads had a winding, rural charm to them, and the hour-and-a-half journey was filled with beautiful views of Tobago. We visited Blue Waters Inn, a beautiful boutique property in the north. It has a more modern décor, and made the most of its gorgeous bayside setting by placing all of its accommodations on the beachfront. This is definitely a hotel I want to visit again! Just over a hill we found Jemma’s Seafood Restaurant where we had lunch. Jemma’s is famous all over the island and the food was amazing! Definitely one to try if you like fish, but they also did a great spicy chicken dish! After lunch we went to the stunning Argyle Falls which is situated 10 minutes walking distance into the edge of the rainforest. We all had chance to have a dip in the natural pool below the waterfall before heading back the hotel.
A Dip into the Past
Next we were off to Tropikist Beach hotel for a hosted dinner and site inspection. Even though we arrived at dusk, I could see that Tropikist Beach was a very bright, tropical property. We visited a couple of room categories before having cocktails (and more rum punch!) on their veranda overlooking the Caribbean Sea. They even had a singer on to entertain us throughout our meal. Their hospitality was fabulous!
The following morning we headed off for a bit of history at Fort King George, which is one of 7 Forts on the island. The fort is home to a museum showcasing lots of artefacts related to traditional Tobagan life. A tour guide took us around the fort explaining all about different eras in history that affected the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. It was fascinating!
Following on from our historical morning, we made our way to Blue Haven hotel. This itself has a rich history, as members of the Royal family have stayed there! All the rooms have the most amazing bathrooms with windows facing the balcony (and a blind for privacy!) so you can shower whilst looking over the Atlantic Ocean! They also have a secluded golden sand cove with a beach bar, making Blue Haven the perfect destination if you love the beach!
From there we went straight to Bacolet Bay apartments, a 20-roomed hotel with simple, elegantly modern decor. This hotel is very much suited to couples wanting a retreat for a special occasion. We had lunch at their restaurant Cafe Havana which is set high up with beautiful views over the Atlantic coast. Another marvellous meal was had there before heading back to the hotel in preparation for dinner at Coco Reef.
Dinner that night was a lively outdoor BBQ and a delicious buffet, accompanied by a steel band. Coco Reef was very impressive all round from this first impression. It was a larger, all inclusive hotel with a couple of intriguing restaurants on site. A proper inspection was planned for later in the week, and I eagerly anticipated my return to Coco Reef.
Look out next week for the exciting conclusion to Amy’s exploration of Tobago!
