Abby Defour Thursday, August 24 2006

Every visit to Tobago will fill the tourist with astonishment, including those who live mere minutes away, by plane ride.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Company (TDC) recently invited the local media to rediscover the charm and beauty of Tobago.

The day-long media tour corresponded with the hosting of the Tourism Park which opened on Friday and closes on Sunday at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

Tobago is the closest you can get to being at home and yet feel as though you are in a land far, far away. From the friendly faces to the absolutely picturesque beaches that greet you at every turn, Tobago exceeds all expectations.

The tour began with a bus ride through an island where the buildings are not allowed to stretch taller than the elegant coconut trees. Stops at several beaches and lookouts provided the ideal visual getaway for the spectator. Story-book clear waters and white sand renew your belief in paradise on earth.

First Castara, then Englishman’s Bay and then Parlatuvier lookout, — natural splendour on display.

A trek through the island’s award-winning rain forest laid bare the hidden treasures of a variety of plants and birds.

A 20-minutes hike through the Main Ridge Rain forest led by tour guide, Dexter James, proved informative and entertaining. The physical exertion of the hike produced hunger pangs that were satisfied by the bounty found on the tables of Jemma’s Tree Top Restaurant in Speyside. This sea-front eating place captured the raw elements of nature exquisitely.

Trees were not removed to erect the building instead, they ran through the restaurant undisturbed. Birds flew in and out of the establishment much to the delight of the eatery’s clients.

Breadfruit pie, stuffed eggplant and grilled fish caught fresh that day, wreaked havoc with waistlines as an unending stream of food made its way to our tables.

The inclement weather brought the tour to a premature end and prevented us from visiting Argyle Waterfalls.

However, the entire day’s activities were enough to satisfy the adventurous, the naturalist and the luxury seeker.

Just imagine what can be done if given a little more time.