Just off the
northern coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago are often considered
the southernmost of the many Caribbean islands. While Tobago is more
tourist-oriented than its sister island, both offer opportunities for
holiday adventure.
A diverse range of accommodations are available in Tobago including
traditional hotels,
RCI Points resorts, and vacation villas and rentals.
Caribbean timeshare rentals are also available for those who want
to experience the enduring appeal of Tobago on an annual basis.
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Dear
Visitor, What’s on…in Tobago welcomes you to our Home Page. On
this website you will find cultural, sporting and leisure events
that happen in Tobago, plus a lot more information about the History,
the People and the natural beauty of the island. Take a deeper
look and enjoy it. Start with the Day-by-Day Guide and check out
the Main Events page for this period and the yearly Calendar page
– you’d be amazed at the staggering number of interesting things
to see and do to get the most out of your holiday. ENJOY!!
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"I
thought they spoke English here, but I couldn't
understand a word he said!"
Well
of course not, it may have an English base but Tobagonians
speak Tobagonian! This
is a language in its own right, a Creole language,
not a dialect.
None
of this is surprising if you take into account Tobago's
history. Firstly, this was a slave island for nearly
two hundred years with Africans from various areas
brought over as slaves and sold to estates all over
Tobago. There were 7 to 8 different African languages
being spoken. Next, African languages were banned
by slave masters, who expected slaves to speak English.
Thirdly, slave masters were mostly Scottish. And
there you have it, the English vocabulary used is
a Scottish version which has been placed on an African
language structure and then spoken with an accent
which is all Tobagonian. Here are a few examples
of Tobagonian Creole......
'Ah goin' by Joefield boat nah to sih if he ketch
anything dis marning'. 'I am going to Joefield's
boat to see if he caught anything this morning.'
The
present tense is always used, there is no past or
future tense, i.e. no - 'ed' 'stew fish' rather
than 'stewed fish'. This is directly from the West
African languages.
'Is she fault dat he lose he watch last week.'
'It is her fault that he lost his watch last week.'
There
is no 'him' and 'her', only 'he' and 'she'.
Listen
carefully and enjoy the language of Tobago! Excerpt
from Mark Puddy's Short Story.
Ex-British
teacher, Mark Puddy is Tobago's foremost hiking
and river walk specialist. Take a walk and enjoy
his dry wit as you go......
Tel:
792 0594 Email: puddy@tstt.net.tt
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Tobago's
had its fair share of exposure on Hollywood's silver
screen. Back in the 1950's, T&T featured in the
film 'Fire Down Below' starring great movie stars
Robert Mitchum, Rita Hayworth and Jack Lemmon. The
stars encamped at the picturesque Blue Haven Hotel
and photos of various scenes can still be seen in
the hotel bar and foyer.
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"Island
in the Sun" was another feature shot in T&T in the
same era and was a showcase for the Caribbean folk-music
singing sensation Harry Belafonte.
Roll camera to the 1960's when the movie 'Swiss
Family Robinson' was shot on this eco-isle. Starring
Hayley Mills, this classic, one of Disney's top
grossing films has had at least four re-issues before
being released on home video. This movie's 'Tree
House' is replicated at Disney Land's Theme Park.
Interestingly, the movie was based on imaginary
tales of the famous fictitious Tobago cast-away
- Robinson Crusoe.
The
latest incursion by Hollywood brings serious talent
to the Island in the person of Bill Cobbs, the well
known Hollywood actor (Cotton Club, The Bodyguard,
and Sly Stallone's Demolition Man) who stars in
'Happy-Sad'.
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Shot
in Tobago and written by Tobagonian Horace Wilson,
writer of the first ever long running T.V. series
in the region - 'Turn of the Tide'.
Look
out for 'Happy-Sad' at Tobago's Movie Towne -
(hopefully soon?)
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"Because
of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the
opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that
the Lobby is used for this purpose"………Swiss Hotel
"Ladies
are requested not to have children in the bar"……..
Hotel Bar, Norway
"Drop
your trousers here for best results"………..Hotel Laundry,
Thailand
"You
are expected to take advantage of the Chambermaid"………Far
East Hotel
"It
is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you
are not such person to do such thing, please do
not read notice"………Japanese Hotel
"Please
leave your values at the Front Desk"…….Paris Hotel
Elevator
"The
Manager has personally passed all the water served
here"…….California Hotel
"If
this is your first visit, you are welcome to it"……..On
Moscow Hotel Door
"After
the Main Course, we suggest you sample the tart
of the house"……Czech Hotel Restaurant
and
finally……………..
"We
take your bags and send them in all directions"………..Danish
Airport Sign
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For
masses of information about Tobago check out the definitive guide at
www.mytobago.info
Reciprocal
Links
UTUBE COMPETITION
- WIN A FREE WEEK IN TOBAGO FOR 4
CLICK ON THE BANNERLINK BELOW FOR DETAILS
Member of
the Tobago Hotel & Tourism Association
www.environmenttobago.net
Tobago
URL: http://www.caribean.de
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