SCARBOROUGH, TOBAGO

Discover the natural beauty of Tobago on this tour into the virgin rainforest – a must for eco lovers. The northern part of the island boasts the oldest protected rainforest in the world.

Discover the natural beauty of Tobago on this tour into the virgin rainforest – a must for eco lovers. The northern part of the island boasts the oldest protected rainforest in the world. This is due to Stephen Hales, a scientist who convinced plantation owners that if they continued cutting down the forest, they would destroy the balance of nature and reduce the island to a barren desert: remarkably, he did this in 1776. Leaving our ship, we shall enjoy a scenic drive along the Windward Coast Road, travelling through places such as Mount St George, Goodwood, Pembroke, Glamorgan and Bell Garden. At Roxborough, our adventure begins.On our hike we should see bamboos (actually imported many, many years ago) with huge circumferences towering above our heads; spiny palms such as the ‘gru-gru’; bromeliad-covered cycads (tree ferns); lianas; and a great profusion of bromeliads adorning the tree branches of the canopy many metres overhead. We may also see plants and trees used for food and medicinal purposes. The bird and insect life is as diverse and fragile as the unique ecosystem in which they exist. After our exploration, we return to our ship.This tour involves a lot of walking – the hike lasts for approximately 1 ½ hours – and is therefore unsuitable for passengers with limited mobility. The terrain covered is mainly flat, but uneven; mud is likely to be encountered. Sensible, closed-in shoes or boots should be worn. It may be possible to hire wellington boots at a cost of around US$4 (correct at time of printing), but this cannot be guaranteed. (The same route is covered on the outward and return hike.) All creatures in their natural environment are unpredictable, therefore we are unable to guarantee sightings; binoculars may add to your enjoyment. We recommend wearing insect repellent. Please note that taxis are sometimes used for transportation, in which case our driver will also act as our guide, although knowledgeable local guides will take us around the rainforest trail. It is advisable to bring along a bottle of mineral water. A rucksack would enable you to walk without having to carry your belongings. For reference, it is unlikely that there will be toilet facilities for our use. It is also strongly recommended that passengers bring a rain jacket along with them.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2007 CARIBBEAN SEASON