Tobago: Jewel of the Caribbean
Added: (Wed Jul 28 2010)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
A recent survey, conducted by a well-known international travel magazine, has thrown up some startling results. Deplaning passengers landing at Scarborough’s Crown Point International Airport were asked a brief set of questions. Most of the vacationing visitors believed that Tobago is an endless stretch of sun-soaked, bleached sands, tropical rainforest and just that. They were blissfully unaware of the island’s chequered history or its rich, multi-ethnic cultural diversity and customs.
Tobago is reported to have been sighted by Christopher Columbus, though he did not land there. The first of the European settlers were the Dutch who occupied the island in the mid-16th century and ruled it for the next two hundred years. The island is reputed to have changed hands over 30 times in about 150 years and has been colonized at various times by the Dutch, British, French and the Courlanders, who originated from the present day Latvia. In 1889, during the Napoleonic wars, it was amalgamated to become the colony of Trinidad and Tobago. The new colony was held by the British from 1814 till independence in 1962 as the independent nation of Trinidad and Tobago.
The 19th and early part of the 20th century saw an influx of African slaves and indentured labor, Chinese, Indians and Portuguese from Madeira brought to Tobago, to work the tobacco and sugar plantations. This ethic mix was further blended with an influx of Syrian, Lebanese and Venezuelan immigrants in the last century. In these days of global ethnic unrest, Tobago is a glowing example of ethnic harmony and tolerance where cultures merge and customs are embraced by all, regardless of color or creed.
Tobagonians of whatever ethnic background have an unparalleled zest for life. Two of the festivals that stop the island are Carnival, which takes place just before the start of the Lenten season, and the annual Heritage Festival. This year’s Heritage Festival will run from July 16 through August 1. It exposes the cultural diversity of the island and explores the hearts and soul of the populace. Visitors can expect a fortnight’s extravaganza of dance, music, culture, food and traditional story telling. Some of the best performing artists and groups of the island are able to showcase their talents. Most of the parades and performances take place in Scarborough, the capital and its cultural hub, but dynamic and imaginative productions are held in every village. The Heritage Festival, which is well attended, is fast becoming something of an international attraction with visitors from the US and Europe.
Whatever the season, however, Tobago’s friendly people and its sun-drenched beaches remain a constant factor. Tobago has no dearth of hotels and resorts. One of the best known is the Bacolet Beach Club; a boutique hotel and beach resort located a stone’s throw from Scarborough and yet far from the madding crowd. In keeping with the island’s cultural diversity the Bacolet Beach Club is a blend of architecture built on the foothill of a verdant tropical slope and leading to its own private beach. This luxury hotel has all the conveniences and amenities that the modern tourist expects. It is known for efficient and friendly service more akin to a bygone age. The hotels legendary eatery, the Café Havana Bar and Restaurant offers some of the finest cocktails in the Caribbean, a prelude to a gourmet meal of delectable fusion food which is best chased with a liberal dram of the island’s finest rum.