Since retiring here, I often get asked what it’s like living in Tobago. What is there to do all day? Don’t I get bored on this little island?
First of all, I have to point out that I am not on holiday, as my questioner often is. Time is usually consumed by everyday chores, like cooking, laundry, housework, shopping, etc., just like everyone who runs a home. Then, of course, there is dealing with services like the plumber, electrician, air-conditioner servicing, car servicing, doctors, and so on. Somehow, I used to manage all these things while working on a full-time job plus various extra-curricular activities. I think being younger helped. You retire for a reason!
I enjoy lazing in bed in the morning, playing a computer game while cuddling a purring pussy-cat. I’m a classic single, childless cat-lady and I’m the happiest I have ever been in my life. I am neither lonely nor bored. My idea of stress is organising a holiday to some exotic part of the world. No work deadlines, no staff conflicts, no cash-flow worries like when I owned a business.
My social life is too busy sometimes. Often, when Trini friends come over to Tobago and say “‘let’s go to the beach”, I reply “OK”. That’s probably the only time I do go to the beach. And there are so many lovely beaches close by. Then, of course, I meet friends for lunch or dinner. I have met loads of Trinis of all ages who are happily living in Tobago.
Then there are the overseas friends and family who come to stay with me for their vacation. I would take them to the various interesting experiences that Tobago has to offer. Click here for a list of some of them. There are many more that I have not written about yet.
A great way to meet people is to get involved in activities. Believe me, that can really fill up your days, whether it’s kite surfing or playing Bridge or exercising/yoga or learning pan or singing in a choir or archery or getting involved in animal rescue – there’s something for everyone. I have not come across cliques here that are difficult to break into, as I have elsewhere. Everyone seems open to meeting and including new friends. Maybe it is because the island is small. Yet I am constantly meeting new people who have lived here for many years.
There are limitations to living in Tobago, such as a dearth of entertainment options. It’s a treat if a play from Trinidad is staged at the fancy Shaw Park auditorium, or the Tobago Drama Guild puts on a local show. We got excited when DJ Elle hosted a disco at the Blue Haven Hotel once a month. Also, we form teams when Quizmaster Dev comes over from Trinidad and puts on a quiz night at different venues. The DJ evenings at Cafe Down Low on a Sunday, as well as Friday limes at Blu at the Crown Point Hotel and Shore Things Cafe are great fun. There are always the various cultural events, like Tobago Carnival, Tobago Heritage month, crab & goat racing, pan nights, and so on. We don’t do too badly after all, do we?
Actually, Tobago residents are victims of the love that Trinis have for this holiday paradise. We have learned to stay home on busy weekends like Easter, Carnival, other long weekends, and recently, the onslaught of drunk teenagers and crazy driving for Island Crashers weekend. At these times, it becomes impossible to get a last-minute flight or ferry to/from Trinidad, which can be frustrating.
One downside is that certain medical requirements may necessitate a visit to Trinidad, e.g., for a CT scan. For a few years, there were no working mammography machines on the island, but now there is one at Dr Tam’s clinic. I have found that medical specialists do come over from Trinidad once a week or month so you can usually get their services here, if needed. There is no private hospital here but I have heard very good reports by people who have been treated at the Scarborough Hospital, without the long wait periods experienced at the general hospitals in Trinidad. If necessary, they will send patients to Trinidad by helicopter (for free). I have found the local clinics to offer good service, all for free, including prescriptions.
Another issue is the lack of international flights serving Tobago. I have found a gem of a hotel at Piarco Airport, called the Grand Diamond which offers a free airport shuttle, even in the wee hours of the morning. So that is convenient if I have to transit via Trinidad. Maybe the beautiful new ANR Robinson Airport in Tobago might attract more international airlines.
Sometimes, there are shortages of certain food or pharmaceutical goods, but that happens in Trinidad too. However, we are at the mercy of the good functioning of the ferries and the good old Cabo Star, since all imports must come from Trinidad. This can be unreliable. I still have to travel to Trinidad every now and again to stock up on things I can’t get in Tobago, but that is always fun to get reacquainted with old friends and family over there.
It may not be for everyone, and ten years ago I would’ve scoffed at the idea, but living in Tobago is living in Paradise! Come join me.
