[NB: ALL OF THE LINKS ARE DIRECT LINKS TO PICTURES (on Photobucket, so it is far easier to navigate through them than previously linked pictures). I ENCOURAGE YOU TO OPEN THEM, BUT IN A SEPARATE WINDOW. ALL OF THEM WERE TAKEN BY ME DURING THE TRIP.]
Shell took us away in his car that was awaiting his arrival at the port, but not before buying us some Gravol for our return trip to Trinidad.
I took pictures as we zoomed past everything.
Tobago is a like a more attractive, laid back Trinidad. It was as if nature had taken the more rural parts of Trinidad, and just spread it across an entire island. The only difference was that there were beaches everywhere. Sure, Trinidad is a tiny island as well, but you got to travel several miles before you find a proper beach. You’d quicker find harbours in Trinidad than you would find beaches. And almost everywhere you’d find coconut trees lining the roads. Hell, in Trinidad, you gotta go down Manzanilla for that. It was gorgeous.
Surely enough, we arrived at Shell’s house, where we stayed with him, his sister, his cousin, and his mother, for a few hours while Krys recovered. From the outside, it appeared to be a small house, but in fact it was quite spacious. Still, it was an old fashioned, cozy, wooden house, so if he intended to rape us, his family would have probably heard.
He did not rape us, though. He let us stay in his room while he went off to do some work around the house. While Krys slept on the bed, I roamed around to take pictures.
Shell’s house has a gorgeous view of the hills of Tobago. In fact, Tobago is one giant hill. Well, several hills. Tobago is probably one of the hilliest places I’ve ever known. I got to realise that further on in our stay.
Anyways, as I roamed through Shell’s yard, I realised it had an eco-system of its own, with its unique flora and fauna, from potted plants, to prickly ones. They even mind ducks.
A few hours later, Krys awoke, somewhat refreshed. Shell served us soup, (Keep in mind that this guy only met us today!) and then decided to take us to the beach while there was still light in the sky. He took us to Crowne Point beach – the beach we had originally intended to go.
We frolicked in the water for quite a bit, but I had to whip out my camera as the sun began to set over the water. It was one of the most beautiful things I ever saw. The way the sun’s last rays hit the resorts heading towards Pigeon Point beach, or burned the sand before darkness hit, was amazing.
After returning from the beach, we returned to Shell’s home, took a quick shower, then went off again. This time, we went on a night tour of Tobago. Apparently, Shell’s brother is a PTSC (Public Transport Service Corporation) worker – a bus driver to be clearer, and he invited us to go with him on his nightly rounds.
I have no pictures of this one because it was far too dark for my camera to make out anything. Did I mention that Tobago was so rural as to know little of street lights in certain areas?
And did I mention the hills?
Oh fuck. If you want to die of fright, or shit your pants, or both, take a bus ride on the steep, winding roads of Tobago at the dead and darkness of night. Goodness knows I nearly did. The hills are steep. The bus is not particularly steady. And the road knows no other turn but the hair pin turn. Actually, it’s an N. turn. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I saw signs, beaming in the headlights of the bus, warning that “N” turns were ahead. On a fucking hill.
I should mention though, that in the middle of the ride, I felt the need to pee. When the pressure in my bladder was too much to bear, I told Shell, who told his brother to stop at the next most “convenient” place so that I could urinate. And in case you were wondering, “convenient” does not mean “restroom”. “Convenient” means “corner dark enough so no-one would see you pissing”. Did I mention that Tobago was rural?
And there I was, squatting at a curve in the road, hidden by the overwhelming darkness and the body of the bus, with my pants around my ankles, pissing away.
Another Kodak Moment missed.
All in all, it was quite a fun ride. We went from one end of Tobago, to another, a two hour trip. By the time we got back, Krys and I could only crawl into bed before completely falling asleep.
