by Editor | Aug 1, 2006 | Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tobago
An early morning departure (we met our guide and three other visitors at 5:30 a.m.) and hour long drive did nothing to dampen our spirits. Scheduling conflicts had forced us to choose between a rain forest tour and a day long sail and the time had arrived to find out if it was a good decision. We had even had to make an impromptu shopping trip to Scarborough to buy long pants for the excursion (we had only brought warm weather casual clothes with us to the island and long pants were necessary to visit the forest). We picked up borrowed rain boots courtesy of our tour company at a roadside spot on our way to the rain forest trail entrance.
by Editor | Aug 1, 2006 | Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tobago
Named Tovaco, meaning tobacco, by the original Amerindian inhabitants, Tobago is a tropical Caribbean island just below the hurricane belt. Described in tourism brochures as “clean, green and serene,” it is an attractive destination for ecoutourists and adventurous world travelers able to appreciate its many charms hidden just below the surface. It was formerly a British colony and retains many of the British traditions such as left side driving, a charming West Indian English, and a sense of punctuality. At 21 miles by 7 miles (41 x 14 kilometers) in size it is slightly smaller than the state of Delaware in the U.S.
by Editor | Aug 1, 2006 | Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tobago
Villa de Lena, like Tobago, was a journey of discovery. We began the journey as curious visitors and ended it as friends. The two story $1.2 million villa occupied 374 square meters. It was well situated in a residential district near the tourist areas on the western end of Tobago. This meant our street was quiet with little traffic. At the same time we were within a five to 10 minute drive to the airport, tourist attractions, the Store Bay market and food stalls, restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and tourist activities such as diving and water sports.
by Editor | Jun 1, 2006 | Bahamas, Exuma, Simon and Baker Travel Review
We loved Exuma. The islands and their people reminded us of the way The Bahamas and the Bahamians were when we first visited the island nation 20 years ago. Exuma or Great Exuma, as the locals call it, is the central island in a chain of 100 cays. It is connected by a bridge to Little Exuma, the eastern most island in the Exumas.
by Editor | Jun 1, 2006 | Exuma, Simon and Baker Travel Review
We first encountered the Four Seasons Spa while looking for a late lunch spot. The following afternoon we found ourselves heading back, one hour each way, for spa treatments. It was worth the drive. The Four Seasons spa facilities were impressive; especially considering that the hotel is on a small out island in The Bahamas. Although outside the sign for the spa was so discreet we missed it, the interior of the large building was cheerful and bright.
by Editor | Jun 1, 2006 | Exuma, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Our stay in the aptly named Sugar Beach Villa was wonderful. Although living in South Florida with access to world famous beaches has made us pickier than most about beaches we thoroughly enjoyed the Villa’s swimming pool like beach. In addition to an exceptional white sand and turquoise water beach, the new looking property had many advantages that made it stand out.
