Three times a year, Tobagonians look forward to this favourite sport... goat racing!
Imagine walking down to the beach in the early morning and there are the goats with trainer going through their exercise routine with a trot down the path, on the sand and into the sea for a swim. The goats are trained first in walking on a lead with the speed increasing until they can race ahead of the trainer. The swimming routine is essential as is their diet for speed, muscle strength and endurance. Both male and female goats are used for racing with the females making better runners while the males live longer. The goats can live up to thirteen years. The goats are selected soon after birth. Trainers look for not just energy but intelligence and physical build. Selections are made from the various breeds of goats.
The Buccoo Goat Race Festival Committee has the goats divided into classifications for the races: First Year Runners – C2; Second year runners: C; Two year runners: B and A for the most experienced ones. Important also are the jockeys who must also have speed and endurance to keep up with their racers!
Goat racing came from the grassroots up, starting in 1925 in the village of Buccoo where it still reigns.At the Archives, records are kept and one can view photographs detailing the history.Originally held on the village streets, then at a location called the Battery, there's now a beautiful stadium built specifically for the goats, their trainers, owners, stakeholders and spectators. Its popularity is increasing - Mt. Pleasant, a neighbouring village has joined the sport by having one of their own.
The Tuesday after Easter heralds the largest meet while Post Carnival in February and the Heritage Weekend in August hold the other two major ones. Goat Race Day starts off with a parade; local crafts and refreshments are sold from roadside booths built for the day as well as from homes.
Tobago is three hundred sq. km is the size, sister island to Trinidad, which is set in the Caribbean Sea, south Atlantic Ocean – off the coast of Venezuela, South America.After many transfers of sovereign hands during periods of war, it was ceded along with Trinidad to Britain in 1814 at the Treaty of Paris. Both islands, under one government gained independent in 1962.
Almost 61,000 people, mostly of African descent live here. The pace of life in Tobago is slow, wonderfully slow and restful. Music plays a huge part of everyday life – so add lively to that mix!When on the island there are many activities such as snorkelling, diving, hiking the trails, ecotourism in all forms.Buccoo Reef is a specialty with its coral ridge offering an underwater garden like no other! Bird watching is another experience, whether it's as one casually explores the island or take a tour at the Grafton Caledonia Bird Sanctuary.
Tobago holds the date of the oldest legally protected forest in the Western World. April 13th 1776 is on record for Main Ridge Reserve (39.578 sq kms.) within the Tobago Forest Reserve, which covers 56.656 sq.km. Recognized by UNESCO for the value of its fauna and flora, it is the habitat of many rare species – including the oscellated gecko. This specie of gecko is only found in Tobago.
The island's hilly and volcanic terrain is abundant in waterfalls.Argyle Falls at Pigeon Peak (1,900ft) is the highest at 175 ft.You'll find this in the southwest area near Charlotteville.
There are some key times to visit in addition to being there for the goat races. In April - The Tobago Jazz Experience – 11 days of jazz, soca, R&B, salsa, Latin, reggae. The venues are spread across the island. Here is a short list: Speyside, Scarborough, Castara, Pigeon Point Heritage Park. In June - the Tobago Culinary Event at Pigeon Point – think cornmeal coo coo, plantain, cassava, callaloo, pigeon pea and rice pelaw, bread fruit oil down, stew chicken and yes, saltfish buljol and bake!
Lately, Tobago has joined the queue for Destination Weddings.
Tobago has a tropical climate.Two seasons: Dry – January to May. Rainy – June to December. The rainy season has more mosquitoes, so prepare for that with a mosquito net and bug repellent for the evenings and nights if that's the season you choose. Tobago is warm all year around.
Language: English.
Getting there:
A.N.R. Robinson Airport at Crown Point, Tobago is the destination. However there will be transfers either from Piarco International Airport on the sister island of Trinidad or via one of the other islands. The flight into A.N.R Robinson Airport at Crown Point, Tobago takes approximately twenty-five minutes from Trinidad - that includes time to take off and land. The descent can be exhilarating as the vision one experiences, is the plane heading directly for the sea waters and just as the hope that it is a seaplane that you boarded, the runway pops into view!
Places to stay:
Tobago has a varied selection of hotels and resorts with new ones cropping up. Golden Thistle Hotel and Crown Point Beach Hotel are within five minutes walking distance from the airport. Truly, just wheel your suitcase along. Further afield are Turtle Beach in Plymouth and Blue Haven in Bacolet Bay. Cuffie River Nature Retreat and Lodge is in Moriah. Check at the airport for car rentals if you haven't already booked yours. Tobago Auto United Rentals, TSHER Rentals, Hertz, Aviz, Alamo. Taxis are available.
And now to eat:
There are many choices. Pembois Restaurant and Terrace, King's Bay Café, Kali'na are just a few. High on the long list is Jemma's.Take in the views and drive to Speyside to Jemma's Seaview Kitchen Treehouse. You not only see the sea, but you hear and feel the breeze. Closed on Saturdays, this is a venue not to miss if you want real local food!