Scarborough Trinidad and Tobago December 12

Exactly one week from today we will be lugging all our suitcases off the ship early because we have an early flight.  This port is one we haven’t been to before.  The stop has a deep port location so no tenders. The ship terminal really is the center of town. We don’t have anything booked here other than to walk through the town, shop a little for the ship crew that we appreciate get to the botanical gardens. Dan looks also for the local library to update some things on his iPad that we have been watching.  The forecast is for showers and the skies look a little threatening so we get off fairly early and have our umbrellas. We are ducked free from 8-5. Inside the terminal there are a few duty free shops , local crafts, tour operators and a tourist office. Outside the terminal so is a small pub and ice cream shop. 

Tobago is the smaller of the two islands that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Located on the southern Caribbean Sea it’s outside the hurricane belt.  Most of the tourist points are around Crown Point, Store Bay, Pigeon Point and Buccoo Reef. Sone of the more idyllic beaches are at Castara, Bloody Bay where in 1666 a bloody battle broke out here between the French and British and turned the bay red.  There is aLos Englishmen’s Bay. 

Scarborough is the largest town here with about 17,000 people. There is a rainforest here and a reef marine park. You can also stop at Fort James and Fort King George built here in 1777 by the British  where there are museums and an arts center.  The currency here is the TT pronounced teetee and one US dollar equals about 6 TT.  

Our cruise director says this is a favorite stop for the crew because they have a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant and all the crew love it!!! We have our waitress $10 to buy herself lunch here!!  

A map of where we go in the Caribbean 

Where we dock right in the middle of town. 

Beaches 

A welcoming steel drummer and dancers 

The lady in the back right is dressed fantastically!!

It was so hot and humid for dancing but it was appreciated 

Colorful banners decorated the downtown area 




And they too have their own carnival! 

Lots of beautiful murals all along the walls of the Botsnical Garden 



Their history

Their culture where once sugar cane was planted 



The park was all de orated for Christmas and I’m sure all the children loved going in at night with the lights and decorations 


The grounds were well taken care of. 

Lovely bird of paradise plants everywhere 

And this unique bottle tree!!

Chickens were everywhere too and I like this couple on the bench. 

Several lily ponds were also there with brilliant tall blue flowers 


Don’t you love the rain drops on this flower?

The tents in the background must have activities in them on weekends and evenings being all set up with tables and chairs 

The terminal 

Inside the very modern and clean library 

A few vendors in the terminal 




A happy bunch!! 

“ When overseas you learn more about your own country, than you do the place you’re visiting.”  Clint Borgen 

I think there is some truth to this…