A Slow Day in Castara

Saturday 09 Jan 2016

Tobago - Castara

The title says it all really!  Our neighbour's upstairs were up very early this morning, we think they drove to the airport to meet friends as they reappeared later in the day with another couple in tow.

As a result of their early start and wooden floors/ceilings, I was awake long before seven and sitting out here on the balcony watching birds by 0650! It was light but the sun hadn't risen. I'm on holiday. I should say, however, that I was in bed by ten with the light out last night.

Overnight, the bats had completely emptied the hummingbird feeder, which, incidentally is now renamed the bat feeder. This is on account that the bats use it at night and the hummingbirds don't use it in daytime. On the other hand, the Spectaculed Thrush was jealously guarding the remains of a watermelon and failing to notice the bananaquit that were nipping in for a quick bite. The Thrush was certainly seeing off the Blue Grey Tanagers, the Palm Tanagers and anything else that appeared. Then a Mot Mot flew in and a bit of a stand off occurred which the Mot Mot won. The Mot Mot is a beautiful bird. It has an iridescent blue head and a long tail that looks a bit like a tennis racquet.

We ate breakfast sitting outside and generally lazed around for a couple of hours. I then thought that I really ought to explore the local area. First, I walked slightly uphill to the turn-off to Depot Rd and then walked diwn a very steep hill to Little or Beautiful Bay. The bay is only about 200 metres wide with a pretty sandy beach flanked by low rocky cliffs either side. From here,  I walked back up,the hill and briefly checked out a fruit and vegetable shop before heading down the main road into the
village.

Here, I turned down the short road leading to Big Bay. This bay is several hundred metres wide and is home to the local fishing industry. Not only do they fish from boats, but also use seine nets from the shore. Whilst I was there, they were hauling in the net on the beach. Having checked out the restaurants down by the beach, I went to the small food store and bought bread and milk.

Clearly exhausted, I was forced to stop for a coffee at Cheno's on the main road. Suitably fortified, I headed back up,the hill to the fruit and veg shop I looked at earlier. Here I bought a pineapple and lettuce and butter.

Back at the apartment, I made a salmon salad for lunch. After a whilst, and after several showers, we
set off for Little Bay again. I was concerned that Lynn might have problems with the steep slope. I
needn't have worried we made it in one piece. The sea had got a little more lively than the mill pond
I'd seen earlier and after one false start when it started to rain again, we made it to the water. It was a

little hairy getting in, but I did managed to go snorkelling. The underwater visibility wasn't fantastic, but there were lots of tropical fish and coral to see.

As we got out it rained yet again! So we sat in the cafe, which was closed, until it stopped. Then we faced the hill! I would guess it is somewhere between 1:3 and 1:4, so rather steep. We both made it to the top encouraged by the idea that we'd get a reward I'd an ice cream at the top!

D'Pink sells icecream. Homemade ice cream. Ice cream made from coconut milk in several flavours. Enough said I think. Trust me, ginger and coconut and soursap and coconut go diwn extremely well.

We stopped briefly to pick up a couple of things I'd forgotten from the shop then came back to the
apartment and did some washing. It now looks like a Chinese laundry out the apartments.

At around 7, we walked back into the village, I hope you'll note all the exercise we've been getting, to get some dinner. Tonight we dined at D'Almond a small open air beachside eatery. After sharing some mango sauce chicken wings, I had grilled Kingfish whilst Lynn had chicken. Both came with fresh veg and salad and were delicious. From here there was only one option and that was to head back here.

Back on the balcony, the washing is drying and the bats have nearly emptied the bat feeder so I guess it is time for bed. What an exciting life we lead!