Tobago October

Rainforest tour with Christian.

Tobago purportedly boasts having the last rainforests of the Caribbean. I had met up with Sherman and Judy from "Fairwinds" and Doug and Mica from "Banjo". Fairwinds was flying an aussie flag, something you don't see much of this far away from there.

Christian, originally from Austria, has been a rain forest tour guide in Tobago for many years, well travelled a former photo journalist and very knowledgeable on flora and fauna.  

Christian Tobago Rainforest Tours

Rainforest Tour troops

We were picked up at 0415am for the hours drive to Bloody Bay near Charlotteville. Many of the local tour guides prefer a more leisurely tour after breakfast. Only problem with that is the fauna have returned to bed to avoid the heat of the day. After a sandwich and a cup of coffee the 6 of us trooped off into the rain forest just on sun rise. The cacophony of sounds coming from the cicadas, birds and frogs was amazing. Christian talked about some of the local trees pointing out their various  medicinal benefits. 

Christian's knowledge of the fauna was impressive as he rattled off names of birds and butterflies that we glimpsed in the dense green foliage. The tour was well worth it. Christian's knowledge and safety considerations was invaluable. One does not want to get caught in the rainforest in a torrential downpour or you may end up stranded between swollen rivers for a long time.

The rain is indeed torrential at times. Quite often, preceding a rain front, there will be a splatter of large drops as a warning. Then it is as if a large bucket of water is thrown over the immediate area. The warning drops sometimes gives one enough time to close hatches on the boat or dash for cover when on land. The heavy downpour do not generally last for long - sometimes less than 10 minutes. On the upside I was not having to lug jerry cans of water to the boat.

I had not been able to complete the Kite Surfing course, that I had started many months before, due to a lack of wind or my being elsewhere when there was sufficient wind. I was hoping that the wind would pick up in October. The temperatures had dropped ever so slightly. However, with the rainfall the humidity had increased.

I spent some time with Gavin and Mandy on "Secret Smile" from Portsmouth. Gavin plays saxophone and on a few occasions has entertained a group of cruisers in Michianna's Bar. Otherwise, Gavin was heard serenading the anchorage with his daily practicing on the sax.