June 28, 2017

Tobago: Visit Scarborough; things to do + restaurant review

Visit SCARBOROUGH

Named after Scarborough in Yorkshire, England, this is the capital of Tobago--Trinidad's sister island--and is its second-largest city.  Expect traffic jams.  Ferry service arrives here from Port of Spain.

downtown Scarborough, Tobago
downtown Scarborough, Tobago


Fort King George  

Located up a steep back street, this 18th-century fortification named after King George III offers magnificent views.  It has a chapel, lighthouse cell block, and military cemetery, as well as the small Tobago Museum that displays historic and local archaeologic artifacts (including fossils), colonial relics, and military memorabilia.
 
entrance to Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago
entrance to Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago


cannon plus ocean view from Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago
cannon plus ocean view from Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago


lighthouse at Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago
lighthouse at Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago


building at Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago
building at Fort King George in Scarborough, Tobago


Scarborough Botanical Gardens  

868 675 7034.  More like a big city park than a botanical garden, this hilly 17-acre landscaped gardens opened in 1899.  It features flowers, plants, and trees indigenous to Tobago as well as a collection of liliaceous plants from Africa.  You’ll see avenues of royal palms and silk cotton trees as well as a beautiful Indian almond tree.  Benches permit staying a while and doing some bird watching.  Bring a picnic.

entrance gate to Scarborough Botanical Gardens in Scarborough, Tobago
entrance gate to Scarborough Botanical Gardens in Scarborough, Tobago


rows of royal palms at Scarborough Botanical Gardens in Scarborough, Tobago
rows of royal palms at Scarborough Botanical Gardens in Scarborough, Tobago


Indian almond tree at Scarborough Botanical Gardens in Scarborough, Tobago
Indian almond tree at Scarborough Botanical Gardens in Scarborough, Tobago


Scarborough Market  

On Carrington Street.  This untouristy market caters to locals, dispensing fresh fish and vegetables as well as household goods.  It is busiest on Saturdays.

produce at Scarborough Market in Scarborough, Tobago
produce at Scarborough Market in Scarborough, Tobago


kitchenware at Scarborough Market in Scarborough, Tobago
kitchenware at Scarborough Market in Scarborough, Tobago


cafe menu at Scarborough Market in Scarborough, Tobago
cafe menu at Scarborough Market in Scarborough, Tobago


Blue Crab Restaurant  

Robinson St. # 5, Scarborough, (868) 639-2737.  L Tu-F, D by reservation.  Afternoon tea.  
Tasty items you might encounter at this well-established restaurant--it’s been here 30 years--include Fried Flying Fish in a mild curry, Coal Pot Chicken, chicken grilled over coconut husks, grilled King Fish in Creole sauce, and fried plantains.  Husband Kenneth mans the kitchen while wife Alison, a frustrated clothing designer, plays the front of the house, kissing and hugging everyone so they feel super welcome. 
          This restaurant also operates Sandy’s Bed and Breakfast on premises.
 
tour guide Monica pitches in serving drinks at Blue Crab Restaurant in Scarborough, Tobago
tour guide Monica pitches in serving drinks at Blue Crab Restaurant
in Scarborough, Tobago


buffet lunch at Blue Crab Restaurant in Scarborough, Tobago
buffet lunch at Blue Crab Restaurant in Scarborough, Tobago


Alison emraces customer at Blue Crab Restaurant in Scarborough, Tobago
Alison emraces customer at Blue Crab Restaurant in Scarborough, Tobago


KFC  

is located beach front, in a central location.  At this branch of the popular chain, locals have nick-named it “Keep From Cooking” and “Keep Fat Coming.”




  
images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 


6 comments:

  1. We, too, loved Tobago, Carole. I would love to go back and continue exploring the island.

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  2. My aunt and uncle used to live in Trinidad so the one thing I was familiar with in your post were plantains! I never got to visit them down there but heard Trinidad and Tobago are beautiful....your photos prove it! The Scarborough Botanical Gardens would be perfect, as you say, for a picnic!

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  3. It seems very exotic to someone from the other side of the planet. I would love to visit there one day.

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  4. Those Botanical Gardens look very inviting - as does the food at the Blue Crab Restaurant!

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  5. I love the connection to Yorkshire, I had no idea! Tobago looks like a beautiful place to visit. I'd love to visit the botanical gardens and try some plantains.

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  6. What a beautiful location Tobago is; your photos are excellent!! Thank you for an interesting article!

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