Unspoiled, Untouched & Undiscovered

A HINT OF ROYAL ROMANTICISM

When Princess Margaret visited Tobago in 1962, one of her adventures included a dip in the Caribbean Sea, off the island’s coast. But not just anywhere in the sea. Close to the undersea Coral Gardens and the Buccoo Reef, Tobago’s famed diving and snorkelling spot, is a metre-deep lagoon. Created by a shallow coral sandbar off Pigeon Point, it’s a stretch of water so clear and calm, it begs a swim. Her Royal Highness heeded the siren’s call and dubbed the spot Nylon Pool – she equated its transparency to that of nylon (not unlike her own sheer stockings as royal protocol still dictates). Local legend has it that if a couple kisses while in Nylon Pool, they will be blessed with everlasting love. Alas, there’s no record of Princess Margaret kissing a prince in the pool that day.

THE GLAMOUR OF DAYS GONE BY

When the British portrait and fashion photographer Norman Parkinson arrived in Tobago in the 1960s, he had already spent a good part of the last two decades photographing royalty, from Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother), both her daughters and Princess Anne, while working for Vogue and shaking things up. A pioneer of on location shoots, Parkinson made Tobago his home for 25 years. He used the island, including his pig farm, as backdrops for some of his most iconic work. Google Jerry Hall and Iman on Tobago, and you’ll see what we mean.

AN ECO-WILDERNESS IDYLL

Living among the flora and fauna gives the outdoors lover the best views and a nature-powered prescription to relax. Tobago is a paradise for birdwatchers, with many lodges, hotels and guest houses perched among the trees. One such place is Cuffie River (cuffie-river.com) Nature Retreat and Eco-Lodge on the edge of Tobago’s rain forest. With just 10 rooms, the privately owned property embeds guests in a tranquil tropical cocoon. Romance, reconnection, rain forest. Sigh.

A HISTORIC VIEW

Ravaged by hurricanes in 1847, much of Fort King George, named after King George III by the island’s British keepers, was destroyed. The sprawling fort, one of Tobago’s most well-preserved historical sites, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean in the capital, Scarborough. It was renamed Fort King George Heritage Park and now houses the Tobago Icons Museum.

DID YOU KNOW? 

Tobago is home to award-winning chocolate-makers, worthy of the gold medal at the International Chocolate Awards. In 2005, Tobagonian born Duane Dove set out to rejuvenate the island’s cocoa industry. He launched Tobago Cocoa Estate, the first 100per cent organic certified cocoa estate in Trinidad and Tobago. The estate also hosts visitors with interactive historical tours, and a rum and chocolate tasting session caps the chocolatey goodness.

Local tip: pick up a bar of the estate’s Laura 45% Dark Milk. Your taste buds will thank you. tobagococoa.com

BRING THIS HOME 

In keeping with the chocolate theme, try this recipe, courtesy of Tourism Tobago and Simply Trini Cooking.

Chocolate Tea

Traditionally taken as part of a Sunday morning breakfast by locals, Tobago Chocolate Tea is a popular drink also served during the Tobago Heritage Festival.

You will need:

• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 cocoa ball (2-3 tbsp grated)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2-3 tbsp full cream milk
• ¼ tsp salt (optional)
• Spices for flavour (clove, cinnamon sticks, bay leaf)

Directions:

• Finely grate the cocoa (2-3 tbsp)
• Boil the water in a deep pot, then add the grated cocoa to the water (spices can be added for your liking and rich flavour)
• Allow to simmer for about 10-15 minutes, then turn off the stove
• Add the milk and sugar. Stir ingredients well.
• Strain and serve hot.

POPULAR EATS

• Miss Trim’s, at the beachside Store Bay food court in Crown Point, for some of the best Crab and Dumpling – a must-try when you’re in Tobago.
• The Fish Pot in Black Rock, for the chef’s catch-of-the-day lunches and dinner.
• If being above it all with bird’s-eye views of the Caribbean Sea is what you’re after, make the climb to Jemma’s Tree House Restaurant in Speyside.
• Fine dining island style, at The Seahorse Inn (and its extensive wine list) in Black Rock, and Waves, for its waterfront location and sunset views along the Great Courland Bay on the southern tip of the island.

For more, visit visittobago.gov.tt