Adventure Time!!!

Hey guys!!! Fun fact: Did you know the film Swiss Robinson Family- It was filmed in Tobago back in the early 60’s. The short film showcased various parts of the beautiful island of Tobago.

“Every kid has had dreams of living in a tree house,” said Walt Disney, “and the Swiss Family Robinson Tree house probably tops those dreams”

Swiss Family Robinson is an American Adventure film, a tale of a shipwrecked family building an island home, loosely based on the 1812 novel Der Schweizerische Robinson (translated as, The Swiss Robinson) by Johann David Wyss. The film was directed by Ken Annakin and shot in Tobago and Pinewood Studios outside London.

The wonderful tree house built by the shipwrecked Robinsons in the 1960 movie. Richmond Bay was featured prominently as the Robinsons beach (Richmond Island can often be seen in the background), while Mount Irvine Bay was used for the scene where the boys rescue Bertie from the pirates. The vine-swinging/waterfall scenes were filmed at the Craig Hall Waterfalls.  

The tree house was constructed in a 200-foot tall Saman tree in the Goldsborough Bay area. After filming, the local Tobagonians convinced Disney, who had intended to remove all evidence of filmmaking, to let the tree house remain. The tree house was listed for sale for $9,000, a fraction of its original cost, and later became a popular attraction among locals and tourists, however after hurricane Flora in September 1963, the structure was slightly damaged. However, the tree still remains.

So often, we let life and our history pass us by, with technology taking control of the minds of the younger generations,  gone are the days where kids loved to be outdoors and climb the fruit trees and pretend it was a fortress. I say “Bring Back the Old Time Days”. Come and lets rediscover the past and all the rich stories that a hidden there. 

Hidden Gems !!

Tobago's fascinating history is reflected in the island's rich and diverse heritage and culture. It changed hands more times than any other Caribbean island, with the English, French, Dutch and even Courlanders (Latvians) fighting for control.Now it's time for you to discover Tobago for yourselves.

On the leeward coast of Tobago, if you look carefully, you will find Batteaux Bay – a picturesque secluded beach which despite its lack of popularity among beach-goers is arguably Tobago’s most beautiful beach destination. Counted among the top 10 beaches in the Caribbean by many travel magazines and websites, this beach is indeed a diamond. The destination is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and camping. Chairs, umbrellas and snorkeling equipment can be rented. Accessible through a lovely drive through the paved streets of the Blue Waters Inn Hotel. 46 acres of lush tropical grounds backing charming Batteaux Bay, the Blue Waters Inn boasts one of the most beautiful locations on Tobago. Get the best of both worlds with the perfect hideaway, the hotel offers Tobago's finest hiking and bird-watching. Be awakened by a symphony of birds celebrating the birth of a new day.

Curious Manta Rays, richly overgrown coral reefs, hordes of friendly fish and highly impressive drift dives - Aquamarine Dive Limited, the on-site dive operation, offers easy access to Tobago's most unique dive adventures, with our finest sites only minutes from your doorstep.

Before you get to the beautiful Batteaux Bay, take in the rich scenic ruins of the one of the old sugar mill. The water wheel used to power the mill was erected in the late 18th or 19th century. The water wheels and related machinery were used to grind sugar and were fabricated in Scotland. With the collapse of the sugar industry in 1887, this and other mills became obsolete. It now stands as a reminder of the rich historical culture of Tobago's past.

Speyside is also the home to TripAdvisor's well known Jemma's Tree House. Stop by on the way and enjoy the local cuisine with a twist. Enjoy your meal in a carefully built restaurant in the trees over looking the beach, also giving you a clear view of the quaint island of Little Tobago. 

A Glimpse of the Horizon

"A sunset is the sun’s fiery kiss to the night" 

Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven.  

Mystery lies in the grains of sand

As they are washed upon the shore,

Life’s hourglass has turned the page

And the sun goes down once more.

I count the waves with Father Time

As we swap stories in the night,

We talk about the things to come

While looking for the morning light.

My mind went drifting off into space

When the moon told me his sorrow,

He sees the pain around the world

And prays we see tomorrow.

I saw a glimpse of Mother Nature

As a sea turtle surfed the tide,

Her soul was there to remind me

That life is a wonderful ride.

The eastern sky is about to break

And the horizon looks like gold,

So much power in the sunrise

Pure beauty waiting to unfold.

Whether your hopeless romantic like me, that lives for those special moments filled with beach blankets, a picnic basket filled with goodies and bottle of wine, or a artist looking for the best masterpiece to paint. This spot is the ideal place to take in the view of the horizon. A man made wall created to break the power of the waves, creates a gently filling pool deep enough to submerge yourself yet shallow enough for a toddler. This salt water pool is located in the quaint village of Black Rock.

Directions:

1. First Traffic light after the Lowlands Mall. Turn right unto Shirvan road.

2. Continue until you approach the Buccoo traffic lights

3. After passing the light continue on the main road, until you pass the scenic view of Old Grange Beach, followed by the Mt Irvine beach, continue until you pass the little village of Pleasant Prospect.

4. Once you are in the Black-rock village, drive past the Black Rock Community Center and Hard Court on the right of the first street on the left (New Road)

5. Turn left into New Road and continue until you come to the end of the street.

The "ART" of Things !!!

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see”- Edgar Degas

I found myself in a valley in Tobago, looking around to see if anyone from England, U.S.A. or Germany could see me, rested on a tall cedar tree against a cluster of breadfruit trees and began to carve 'Banana Lady' and that was when I first got inspired. The diminutive and eccentric German-born sculptress Luise Kimme fell in love with the form of Tobagonians and devoted her life to capturing them in her sculptures. 

Her pieces can exceed 12 feet in height and are often wonderfully whimsical. Much of her work is done in wood (none of it local), but there are many bronze pieces as well. Ms. Kimme passed away in 2013, but her work remains on permanent display at her former home. The museum itself is a turreted structure with a commanding view of the countryside. Most locals refer to it as "the Castle", overlooking Mt Irvine Golf Course. 

Her work was inspirational to many artists around the world. Tobago is a jewel of among the Caribbean Sea, not only does the island have the charm of its pristine beaches, there are many other hidden wonders on the island.

Directions to the museum:

1.      Turn off Shirvan Road toward the Mt. Irvine Hotel.

2.      Go pass the Hotel and proceed to drive up the hill, and turn into the 2nd corner on the right.

3.      Kimme Drive lies directly above and runs parallel to it.

4.      To reach Kimme Drive you keep going past Pine Hurst Drive, up the hill, keep strictly to the right, even when a little diversion appears on top of the hill, stick to the right and immediately there will appear a sharp turn to the right, facing down to the ocean, it is called Aurora Ave.

5.      By now you will see Kimme Drive, turn left. At the end of the short road is the Kimme Museum. See you there.

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