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Tobago (September 2011)

Tobago is the smaller of the two islands that that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the most beautiful and least spoiled of the two. Because of its amazing wildlife, Tobago has been called “The Galapagos of the West Indies.” It has the oldest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere, the Tobago Forest Reserve (or the Main Ridge Reserve). The British designated it as a reserve in 1776. Tobago is a birdwatcher’s paradise and is one of a few places where so many bird species can be seen in such a small area, many of them unique and rare. In addition to birds, Tobago has great biodiversity including mammals, frogs, (nonpoisonous) snakes, butterflies and other invertebrates. The island can also boast having pristine beaches, coral reefs and gorgeous sunsets. Tobago also has the advantage of lying outside the hurricane belt.
Tobago Photo Travelogue cover page.
Tobago Photo Travelogue cover page.		 Map of Trinidad and Tobago.
Map of Trinidad and Tobago.		 View of the beach at Grange Bay on the Caribbean Sea in Tobago.
View of the beach at Grange Bay on the Caribbean Sea in Tobago.		 Magnificent clouds over Grange Bay.
Magnificent clouds over Grange Bay.
Grafton Beach is another beautiful beach on Tobago's Caribbean coast.
Grafton Beach is another beautiful beach on Tobago's Caribbean coast.		 Grafton Beach was deserted that day.
Grafton Beach was deserted that day.		 The morning clouds portended the rain we got later in the afternoon.
The morning clouds portended the rain we got later in the afternoon.		 Fort James is one of the oldest colonial forts on Tobago. It overlooks Great Courland Bay.
Fort James is one of the oldest colonial forts on Tobago. It overlooks Great Courland Bay.
Fort James' original fortifications date back to the 1650s, and like Tobago, these fortifications have changed hands many times.
Fort James' original fortifications date back to the 1650s, and like Tobago, these fortifications have changed hands many times.		 The British built the current fort in the early 1800s after recapturing the island from the French for the final time.
The British built the current fort in the early 1800s after recapturing the island from the French for the final time.		 Shells and carvings that were for sale at Fort James.
Shells and carvings that were for sale at Fort James.		 The cannons still guard the Great Courland Bay as they were originally designed to do by the Courland settlers and soldiers.
The cannons still guard the Great Courland Bay as they were originally designed to do by the Courland settlers and soldiers.
View of Great Courland Bay, which the fort overlooks.
View of Great Courland Bay, which the fort overlooks.		 The current fort was built by the British in the 19th century.
The current fort was built by the British in the 19th century.		 Tropical plants at the fort. It was very hot in Tobago.
Tropical plants at the fort. It was very hot in Tobago.		 Close-up of the coral block construction of Fort James.
Close-up of the coral block construction of Fort James.
A contented-looking lamb that we passed along the road in Tobago.
A contented-looking lamb that we passed along the road in Tobago.		 Looking up at an ancient Kapok tree (also known as a Ceiba pentandra tree).
Looking up at an ancient Kapok tree (also known as a Ceiba pentandra tree).		 A Yellow-headed Caracara perched in a Tobago tree. Like many other birds of prey, the female is larger than the male.
A Yellow-headed Caracara perched in a Tobago tree. Like many other birds of prey, the female is larger than the male.		 View of Castara Bay and the town of Castara, Tobago.
View of Castara Bay and the town of Castara, Tobago.
Castara Bay is located on the Caribbean Sea.
Castara Bay is located on the Caribbean Sea.		 Pelicans landing in Catara Bay.
Pelicans landing in Catara Bay.		 Tobago is one of a few places where so many bird species can be seen in such a small area, many of them unique and rare.
Tobago is one of a few places where so many bird species can be seen in such a small area, many of them unique and rare.		 Pelicans flourishing in Tobago's pristine waters.
Pelicans flourishing in Tobago's pristine waters.
View of Englishman's Bay on the Caribbean Sea in Tobago, a secluded beach that is considered of the island's most beautiful.
View of Englishman's Bay on the Caribbean Sea in Tobago, a secluded beach that is considered of the island's most beautiful.		 A lone sailboat that was moored in Englishman's Bay.
A lone sailboat that was moored in Englishman's Bay.		 More Englishman's Bay views.
More Englishman's Bay views.		 The small fishing village at Parlatuvier Beach gives the crescent-shaped beach a charming and rustic appeal.
The small fishing village at Parlatuvier Beach gives the crescent-shaped beach a charming and rustic appeal.
Large rocks off the beach keep the bay closed off and the waters calm for swimming, while the rocks are popular for diving.
Large rocks off the beach keep the bay closed off and the waters calm for swimming, while the rocks are popular for diving.		 The Main Ridge Forest in Tobago is the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere and is famous for bird watching.
The Main Ridge Forest in Tobago is the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere and is famous for bird watching.		 A Southern Lapwing in the Main Ridge Forest. The head is particularly striking with grey with a black forehead and throat patch.
A Southern Lapwing in the Main Ridge Forest. The head is particularly striking with grey with a black forehead and throat patch.		 This male egret is another beautiful bird that we spotted in the Main Ridge Forest.
This male egret is another beautiful bird that we spotted in the Main Ridge Forest.
A Tropical Kingbird in the forest. They are tyrant flycatchers that observe their prey from a high open perch, usually a tree.
A Tropical Kingbird in the forest. They are tyrant flycatchers that observe their prey from a high open perch, usually a tree.		 Another view of the Tobago coastline from the rainforest.
Another view of the Tobago coastline from the rainforest.		 We stopped at Jemma's Sea View Kitchen Tree House for lunch.
We stopped at Jemma's Sea View Kitchen Tree House for lunch.		 View of Jemma's, which is painted bright yellow.
View of Jemma's, which is painted bright yellow.
As we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at Jemma's, there was a big tropical rain storm. Fortunately we were under cover!
As we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at Jemma's, there was a big tropical rain storm. Fortunately we were under cover!		 Moored off the Tobago's Atlantic coast from Jemmas, was this glass bottom tourist boat.
Moored off the Tobago's Atlantic coast from Jemmas, was this glass bottom tourist boat.		 Another tourist boat that we spotted as we ate lunch at Jemma's.
Another tourist boat that we spotted as we ate lunch at Jemma's.		 Another view of the Tobago coastline along the Atlantic coast.
Another view of the Tobago coastline along the Atlantic coast.
On Tobago's Atlantic coastline, we passed the Bird Watchers Restaurant and Bar.
On Tobago's Atlantic coastline, we passed the Bird Watchers Restaurant and Bar.		 These flags were in commemoration of Trinidad and Tobago's independence from the United Kingdom in 1962.
These flags were in commemoration of Trinidad and Tobago's independence from the United Kingdom in 1962.		 In July, 2012, Trinidad and Tobago will reach the milestone of 50 years of independence, and will celebrate accordingly.
In July, 2012, Trinidad and Tobago will reach the milestone of 50 years of independence, and will celebrate accordingly.		 My tour guide Peter, who was a fantastic guide, bird watcher and naturalist.
My tour guide Peter, who was a fantastic guide, bird watcher and naturalist.
We went to the Argyle Waterfall Riverdale Lodge. Admission to the waterfall is TT $30 including the cost of a guide.
We went to the Argyle Waterfall Riverdale Lodge. Admission to the waterfall is TT $30 including the cost of a guide.		 I snapped this photo of a Carib Lager sign at the lodge, since Carib is a Trinidad and Tobago beer.
I snapped this photo of a Carib Lager sign at the lodge, since Carib is a Trinidad and Tobago beer.		 The Argyle Waterfalls are Tobago's highest, tumbling 54 meters (175 feet) in a series of stepped cascades.
The Argyle Waterfalls are Tobago's highest, tumbling 54 meters (175 feet) in a series of stepped cascades.		 The water feels cold for the first 20 seconds, and then, it is blissfully refreshing!
The water feels cold for the first 20 seconds, and then, it is blissfully refreshing!
View at dusk of Coco Reef Resort and Spa in Crown Point, Tobago.
View at dusk of Coco Reef Resort and Spa in Crown Point, Tobago.		 Looking down at the beach from the hotel.
Looking down at the beach from the hotel.		 The beach at the hotel is beautiful.
The beach at the hotel is beautiful.		 Rear view of the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.
Rear view of the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.
Hotel statue at dusk.
Hotel statue at dusk.		 Poolside at the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.
Poolside at the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.		 Looking up at the hotel restaurant from below.
Looking up at the hotel restaurant from below.		 Entrance to the hotel restaurant.
Entrance to the hotel restaurant.
Ceiling fans overhead to keep the open air restaurant cool.
Ceiling fans overhead to keep the open air restaurant cool.		 The restaurant's atmosphere is accentuated by the tropical setting on the water.
The restaurant's atmosphere is accentuated by the tropical setting on the water.		 Lobby view of the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.
Lobby view of the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.		 One of the hotel staff taking a break at the end of the day.
One of the hotel staff taking a break at the end of the day.
Gorgeous Tobago sunset at the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.
Gorgeous Tobago sunset at the Coco Reef Resort and Spa.		 The tropical sun turned the sky a brilliant orange.
The tropical sun turned the sky a brilliant orange.

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