fiogf49gjkf0d SCARBOROUGH
, Tobago's raucous, hot and dusty capital (population 18,000), spills higgledy-piggledy down the hillside. The island's administrative centre and its main
port
, the flourishing town is devoid of touristic pretensions. Don't expect a very cosmopolitan atmosphere, though; the docking of the
ferry
from Trinidad is spectacle enough to draw crowds of onlookers.
As the commercial centre of the island, one of the town's main attractions is the shopping. The town's
market
, located opposite the docks, with its fruit and vegetables display, bargain crafts and excellent fast food, is a must; main trading days are Friday and Saturday. And the
Fort King George
complex perched on the lighthouse-topped hill contains a local craft centre (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm) with more unusual items. This complex, at the top of the well-signposted Fort Street, is free to enter and contains a landscaped
park
, the largest fortification in Tobago,
Fort King George
, and at 140m above sea level, excellent views. It is also the site of the unmissable
Tobago Museum
(Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; TT$5, children TT$1). Collated by the Tobago Trust, the small but fascinating collection includes Amerindian artefacts, satirical colonial prints from slavery days, African drums and notes on local culture.
Away from the commercial clamour, the peaceful
botanical gardens
(daily, daylight hours; free), opposite the bus station on Gardenside Street, offer respite from the traffic and steep climbs that can make Scarborough a bit of an ordeal; visiting on an overcast day makes sightseeing more comfortable. The nearby
orchid house
displays most of T&T's indigenous orchids as well as a few imported species.
As Scarborough is so small, there are no bus services within the town, but you can easily see all the sights by foot. For
information
, head to the tourism offices of the Tobago House of Assembly, on the third floor of the NIB Mall, behind the market (8am-4pm; tel 868/639-2125 or 4636, fax 639-3566,
tourbago@tstt.net.tt
). Free
parking
is available at the wharf lot on the corner of Carrington and Castries streets. Scarborough is the departure point for
route taxis
serving the whole of the island; ask a local to find the appropriate stand.
Maxis
to Charlotteville leave two or three times a day from outside James Park on Burnett Street (TT$12). Three good accommodation options, for Scarborough as well as a base for the rest of the island, are: the
Blue Haven
hotel for the well-heeled,
Hope Cottage
for those on a budget and
Mount Pelier Cottage
for those who like the personal eccentric touch.
Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections):
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