Tobago Airport Departure Changes For Ohana Villa Guests

Just back from Tobago with news about some very welcome changes to departures from Crown Point Airport Tobago

• Tobago Airport International arrival area into Immigration has now been made larger
• The tiny carousel of the past has now been made much longer so bags are now much more accessible to passengers, unlike the melee of the past
• After going through immigration and then customs in Tobago, you may now be requested to put your bags through a new scanner – Please remember that the Landing Document needs the back part filled out – so many passengers do not notice this, causing extra delay in immigration
• Passengers with Tickets for flights issued before May will still have to pay the TT$100 Departure Tax – however Departure Tax will no longer have to paid by Passengers with Tickets for flights from May onwards, as the tax will have already been paid for in the cost of the ticket
• Flights to and from Trinidad are now being facilitated in the new trellised building further along
• The little area once in the departure area that sold local pickles, sweets, etc seems to have disappeared so buy at Pennysavers supermarket prior to departure – for some reason the prices are much cheaper this way – even for liquor!
• One other change was noticed – if arriving with someone needing wheelchair assistance, only one person from a family will be fast-tracked with the disabled person – this seems a shame as even when the disabled person has been efficiently fast-tracked, he or she will still have to wait for any family or friends still going through immigration

I will keep you updated of any future changes, and how they may affect you when departing

Till then . . .

Comparing Guest Service In The Caribbean To Guest Service In The Far East

I recently overheard a conversation on a train which I have to admit I eavesdropped on throughout! Two couples were discussing and comparing the quality of service you get in the Caribbean, compared to the quality of service you might get in the Far East. And this of course got me thinking . . .

I once stayed at The Boat House Hotel in Phuket in Thailand which was an experience that I will never forget. When you check in they ask for your date of birth, and I thought nothing of it as it was on the general registration form. However I was taken totally by surprise on the second morning of our stay. As normal, after a delicious breakfast, we headed down to the beach in the back of the hotel. And not only had the entire sandy hotel beach been raked into a lovely pattern with Happy Birthday written in the sand, but in the middle of our sun-beds was a huge silver bucket packed full of the deepest red roses, ice cubes and our favourite beer with a little card wishing me Happy Birthday!

Other momentous and wonderfully surprising things happened at other similar type hotels in Bali, and in Lombok too, with the excellently trained staff that seem to take pleasure in seeing to your every wish. Have I had experience of this happening in the Caribbean? Well not exactly in the same way – and this may or may not be the reason why.

Many years ago my maternal grandfather employed many people in his various businesses in Trinidad, and he had a saying which I remembered him saying when I was a child – that saying was ‘massuh day done’. And as I was ever curious as a child, I asked him one day to explain to me exactly what that meant.

He explained that the past history of slavery on the islands, had perhaps created a genetic memory of enforced and violent slavery, which in it’s way, may have had the effect of making workers feel slightly aloof from both their employers and their jobs. The feeling maybe that their ancestors had had to put in 200% in, and now they themselves were never ever going to do that again!

And it may well be that you might pick-up a slight undertone of this aloofness in Tobago. However, I can say that if you take the time to go deeper, you will realise that there is a little modesty and shyness as well which is easy to label as indifference. All of our staff at Ohana are local born and bred in Tobago, and they are truly a warm, welcoming, friendly and hospitable bunch of people, full of integrity!

You will be looked after superbly, from the moment you are met at the airport by our House Manager, Rena Quow, right up and to the time that she and the rest of her crew sadly waves you off on your way home.

They will give you as much privacy as you require, whilst ensuring that the attendant staff like pool man and gardeners maintain the property and grounds to the high standards that you expect.

And some news for those of you who have grown to love Mac (Mackie to us) who was Security at the house from the beginning – and there are many of you.  This includes the many children he showed how to look for crabs and other sea-life down on the beach – the two brides that he gave away, having taken both the future husbands to the local barber first, someone called ‘Mr Conditioner’ who apparently wore wellington boots throughout.   He even joined them that night for the stag party down at a bar on the harbour!

He  was much older than any of you thought, and has now retired very happily. We all miss him very much as he was certainly part and parcel of Ohana, and like a loving grandfather to us all. However, we have the delightful ‘Shadow’ who has taken his place as Ohana security and from all accounts due to his charm and good manner, he is also fast becoming as well-loved by the guests as Mackie was.

So instead of comparing levels of service between the Caribbean and the Far East, what I can tell you is that in truth, the service may not be as servile or as robotic as in boutique hotels in the East.   However there is a willingness, sweetness and an innocence of character to the people of Tobago that you will soon find absolutely charming, once you get to know them.

Rena, Joy, Jennifer, Shadow and Beavan really do go the extra mile for our guests, seeing to all of your needs in every way possible. We can never wait to get back there to see those lovely welcoming smiles . . . and get some of that amazing food too of course.

We continue to take service at Ohana very seriously so that you can just get on with the serious business of relaxing during your stay at Ohana!

Until later . . .

Ohana Villa – Tobago Airport Departure Tips For Guests

As we know how hard it is to tear yourselves away from Ohana after a lovely vacation, here are some tips to help you make that procedure go as easily and effortlessly as possible.

• We ask that all guests check out by 11:00am on the day of departure. Rena will ask you all to check out of your bedrooms so that the staff may begin to prepare the villa for the next guests.

• As we appreciate that most guests usually want to squeeze every last second out of their stay with us, (the last swim in the little cove usually) Rena will provide a dedicated shower-room for your use, so leave out any special shampoo or moisturisers you may need. Cover yourself in some of Rena’s organic coconut oil whilst in the shower, just prior to coming out – then instead of rubbing dry, just blot all over. The coconut oil will help you to stay well moisturised in the dry atmosphere of the flight back – also helps your tan to not just fall off before you even arrive home!

• A good tip here is to pack your warmer items of clothing into your hand luggage, so that you can remain comfortably dressed for departure. Then as you are hit by the first cold blast of plane air on the flight home as you head on home to colder climes, you can pull out long trousers, socks and a fleecy jacket!

• For ease, do check with the local office of your airline, in case they are offering early check-ins. For example, Virgin offers an early check in (9:00am at the Hilton Hotel) however call in advance to verify, as circumstances do change.

• As early check-ins allow you to make the most of the time left on the island, keep your swimsuits and maybe spend some time soaking up those last rays of tropical sun a either Pigeon Point Beach or Store Bay. Pigeon Point is a little further of a walk from Tobago Airport, however you could return your hire car to the airport and take a leisurely short walk back to Store Bay, and quite easily spend the rest of your time there.

• There are also many local ladies selling excellent freshly cooked food there – our favourites are Miss Jean’s and Miss Esme. There is also a bar above where you can buy icy cold Carib beers, as well as an excellent shower facility ($1TT at last use) just behind the little stalls selling bits & bobs.

• However, if all that sounds like far too much exertion, do what we always do – just go to the little bar behind the main airport road and have your last Carib. The music can be a bit loud sometimes, and in that case take your drinks to the outside area, however they do show the big sports events, if there are any on.

• Rena will have the appropriate Departure Forms for your different airlines at the villa for you to fill out prior to leaving the villa. This is always a good idea as you will need one for each person and it really does help the check-in process down at the airport.

• As well, you will need $TT100 departure tax for each person – once you have checked in, make your way to the front of the airport – there is a sign, and a very unfriendly hole in some dark glass, where you hand your money and your boarding card through to the person behind the glass. They will attach your departure tax slip to your boarding pass, before handing it back, and you will need to show this and your passport upstairs as you go in to the departure lounge. Please note – you will not be allowed through security into the departure lounge until the departure tax is paid.

• Please also allow enough time – as on some days there are two planes leaving simultaneously, especially if you have to settle up for your Hire Car – the offices are all right opposite the airport. And be warned – patience is required as the line s-l-o-w-l-y makes it’s way up the stairs! As well for some reason the quality of the sound on the tannoid system is not great. Listen out as if one of the planes is leaving first, they will ask all remaining passengers for that flight to come forward, so as to board immediately.

• You will go through the usual security procedure as you get to the departure lounge – and if you have any special cigarette lighters, it is advisable to pack them in your hold luggage otherwise they will be definitely be confiscated.

• There are some duty free shops within the departure lounge, as well as a small area for drinks & a few snacks. However the best prices on the island for the excellent 1919 Rum is in the little duty free shop across from the airport on the little road facing the airport. The shopping on Tobago is somewhat limited, however the chutneys are excellent, and these can be bought cheaper at Pennysavers supermarket than in the departure lounge.

• Ask Rena for the directions to Shore Things, a lovely little lunch & tea place in Lambeau on the edge of the ocean, with an excellent book & gift shop. The hand-made, brightly painted wooden birds with wings that swoop up and down when you pull a tab are fabulous, and make great presents for children. The range of music CD’s are worth a look too, as you will certainly become addicted to the local sounds and want to take some home with you.

• The new Tobago Mall on the Claude Noel Highway is certainly up and coming with loads of parking and a cinema being built. Last time I was there I found a great luggage shop and another one selling all the latest Havaianas flip-flops in colours, and with slimmer straps than we seem to get in the UK, and cute ones with back straps for toddlers. There was also a shop with great swimwear, so check it out. The food mall is also good, and so far the only place I know to get a frosty chai latte on the island.

What more can we say . . . Rena, Joy, Jennifer, Shadow & Beavan will wish you well on your journey home, and wave you goodbye, and we all wish to see you back again soon – like the rest of our regulars – until the next time, Bon Voyage . . .

Ohana-Villa Tobago – Travel Check List Tips

As we are always looking for extra ways to ensure that guests coming to Ohana have everything necessary to ensure a peaceful and relaxing holiday with us, here are some tips to add to your own checklist: -

• A Visa if you are coming from a country where one will be necessary – please contact a local Trinidad & Tobago Embassy to verify prior to booking any flights

• A valid passport with at least 6 months of time from departure

• Adequate travel & medical insurance is always recommended for any trip

• Current Driving License and remember to discuss with us any extra insurance cover required for your hire car at time of booking

• Bring any regular prescription medication that may be necessary to last the trip – Rena will also have a list of recommended medical facilities & pharmacies near to Ohana

• Ohana will be ready for your arrival from 2:00pm onwards. Rena The Ohana House Manager & her team will have been busy in preparation for your arrival, especially if your arrival day, coincides with departing guests. However if for some reason you arrive a little bit early, please call Rena on 635-1040 and depending on her schedule, she may be able to accept you a little earlier, especially if she has no departing guests.

• Tobago is in the tropics, so you will need tropical strength mosquito repellent, as well as some high factor sunscreen. Don’t worry – you will still get a tan – it will just enable you to spend a little longer in the sun without you burning! And for those of you who don’t listen to Rena’s entreaties to ‘come out of de sun now’ – she has a bunch of aloe vera plants in her herb garden outside the kitchen. She will cut you some, peel the cactus-type leaves, and slather the raw aloe jelly inside all over your skin – naturally magic stuff that is so cooling and guaranteed to heal!

• You will find Tobago is wonderfully laid-back and casual so formal attire is not really necessary. However, most restaurants stipulate long trousers and shirts (no vests/open sandals), when dining at night for men – so if you have any rebels amongst your party, who will not follow these rules, do check – you will find there’s always 1 or 2!! Some places really do not mind too much! However, with the excellent cooks at Ohana, to be honest most guests just stay in and wear whatever they like!

• We advise that you do not wear dark colours, as for some reason dark colours seem to attract the mosquitoes. And even though Ohana is located on the Windward Coast, meaning less problems with mosquitoes, it is a good idea to stick to white/light colours especially at dawn, at night, and after any heavy showers of rain. There is also an amazing little gadget called a zanza-click – you put it against a bite and click for a few times. You get the most minute electrical pulse/shock on the skin and this causes the itching to stop – and as it is the itching that irritates and causes problems, this little tool is a boon. You can pick them up reasonably these days at airports.

• Ohana has WIFI facility, and so far favourite places in Ohana seem to be at the bar, down on the beach, under the gazebo, and in bed! Please ask Rena for help with logging on.

• Each room has a digital room safe, large enough to hold a normal size laptop computer, and all your other valuables

• The standard power supply in Tobago is 110v 60Hz with Type B (American 3-pin) plugs and sockets. This type of socket will automatically also take the standard two-pin-flat Type A (unearthed/ungrounded) plugs. As well and to confuse the issue, 220v/50Hz power is also available on Tobago. North American visitors do not need adapters, however, British and European travellers will require a standard international plug adapter.

• UK visitors will be able to use most electrical accessories with their adaptors, however you will find a hairdryer in each bedroom. And a tip for the ladies – due to the humidity of the tropics – it is an idea to leave the GHD hair straighteners at home and cultivate a more wavy organic approach! Don’t worry I promise you – after a couple of days at Ohana, absolutely everyone starts to look more and more sun-kissed and gorgeous!!!

• UK travellers, please also check that your electricity travel adaptor can take two-pin-round shaver plugs, as some do not have this facility.

• The Travel Smart adaptor is a good buy as it also protects against surges in power, and as these are very common in Tobago, this would protect your expensive equipment and prevent damage so well worth the £10-£15 investment.

• And when packing, really do thorough edit once you have packed that case and aim for a capsule wardrobe ie one that works with everything! I tell you that as someone who religiously takes far too much when I go to Ohana – even though I have been cutting down more and more over the years. There is a large sized washing & drying machine at Ohana and Rena can arrange with the Laundress to have your stuff washed and ironed at reasonable cost – so really – try not to take too much as you just won’t wear it and probably end up either giving yourself or the man in your life a lifelong shoulder or back problem . . .

You will be surprised to find that once the Ohana ‘magic’ starts to have its way with you – working on all your senses simultaneously – things that seemed so important just yesterday, begin now to have very little impact as your body slowly but surely begins it’s task of returning itself to a more natural balance

Hope this helps – Till later . . .

Tobago Airport – Landing Tips For Ohana-Villa Guests

As you land in Tobago, if it is still daylight, look out for lovely views of the sea on either side of the plane. For those of you arriving from the United Kingdom, Virgin Airlines is a direct flight and lands at lunch time, whilst the British Airways one lands in the evening.

We usually love this Virgin flight for just this reason, as it allows us to be at the house with time to enjoy the Ohana Welcome Cocktail of fresh watermelon juice with rum and lime – and for a quick swim in the sea before heading back in to enjoy a lovely lunch, pre-booked for us and lovingly cooked by the staff.

After an early morning start and a long flight with not very nutritious flight-food, we usually have something light, like a local fresh fish soup with a salad of feta cheese, watermelon, cucumber and mint – followed by one of Rena’s delicious tropical desserts.
After lunch, a massage with lovely essential and coconut oils works magic also to help you eliminate any potential jet-lag, and Rena will be happy to do this for you at a very reasonable cost.

Airport Tips:

• When you arrive at the airport you will find that the queue is long to get through immigration – however it seems to move along efficiently.

• You will need to fill out one of the landing forms on your flight (1 per family) – these will be given to you by the flight crew. It is a rather long one, and it does continue onto the back page – and signatures are required. Many people overlook this back page, and then have to fill out at the desk, causing further delays – so please ensure all fields are filled out prior to landing.

• The ‘carousel’ is absolute minute at the airport – what usually happens is that the ground staff will pull off the bags not immediately picked up, and put them on either sides of the carousel. This confused me on one flight as I stood there for ages looking on the carousel, when in fact, my bag had been put to one side, having come out earlier on, whilst I was still in immigration. The reason for this confusion is that the carousel is far too small to hold all the luggage from a large plane – so this has to happen. Unfortunately, no one alerts you to this fact, causing a lot of annoyance – not a good start to your holiday after a long and tiring flight!

• There are luggage trolleys by the carousel for your use

• Having collected your bags you will need to go through the customs area first showing your filled out form to the customs personnel – then turn right heading out a short way towards the barriers onto the airport road.

You will see Rena Quow the Ohana House Manager, and Shadow our security man, waiting for you – they will be holding up a sign which will have Ohana Villa and your name. If you have ordered a car, they will have the car waiting for you, and they will take your luggage and escort you back to Ohana.

The transfer from the airport to Ohana will take approximately 15 minutes – however if you would like to drop into the supermarket along the way, please let Rena know. She will show you where to go, as well as come in with you to show you the ropes for future visits.

There is also a Blue Machine (ATM) at the supermarket which you can use to get local currency ie the TT$. The exchange is usually approx $10TT to £1.

And remember – Tobago is a very beautiful island with lots to offer in terms of day trips and excursions: to the waterfalls, rainforest walks, boat trips and diving or fishing trips. Please speak to Rena as she will have the very best and reliable contacts for you to choose from. On the other hand – you could be like all the other Ohana guests who rarely ever want to leave the house once they get there – causing the staff to always say ‘why don’t de guests like to go out?’ . . .

For any other info re Landing in Tobago please email info@ohana-villa.com

Ohana Villa Tobago & Safe Harbour Trinidad Boat Yard Facilities

Lately we have been getting both enquiries and bookings from Yachties arriving & staying in the safe harbour boatyards in Trinidad and in search of a few days on dry land so as to regain their ‘landlegs’!

The only problem with this being, that the last lot of ‘Yachtie’ guests just prior to leaving Ohana to re-commence sailing, experienced somewhat of a ‘mutiny’ from some of the party!

As I have experienced personally – sailing in the Caribbean is one of the most exhilarating experiences – however even on boats with every conceivable luxury, you still somehow manage to end up missing some of the small conveniences of normal everyday land life.

The ‘mutiny’ was caused with the sailors having to tear themselves away, after the ever-attentive staff of Ohana have spoilt you silly in so many tiny little ways – in such little time, you have become seriously used to the sensual experience that is the Ohana mode of living.

I might add that it helps to have the panoramic wrap-round view of the Atlantic to behold at every moment during your stay at Ohana. This means that serious sailors can still stay in touch and commune with the power of that vast ocean from almost every single view of Ohana – right down to at the kitchen sink!

Whilst in the kitchen, just look through the demerara wooden shutters – your eyes will alight first of all on the breadfruit tree – and through the glossy dark green leaves of the tree, you will see clearly beyond to the little golden sandy cove just at the bottom of the garden. Pure magic!

And here is some general information for ‘Yachties’ who will find all this and much much more information about the Boatyard facilities of Trinidad on the excellent website of the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad & Tobago. On this website, both new and experienced sailors will soon become aware of the Trinidad & Tobago Advantage in so far as safe harbour is concerned.

The Yachting Services offered in Trinidad include the following:

• A selection of boatyards to chose from

• A large pool of highly skilled labour available at significantly cheaper rates than the neighbouring islands

• Trinidad is also located south of the 12° parallel, outside the active hurricane belt, resulting in reasonable insurance premiums throughout the year, significantly lower than other Caribbean locations

• Ready availability of high quality teak ideally suited for outfitting pleasure craft

• Duty-free concession for the importation of yacht in-transit parts and goods

• Excellent support services to cater to the needs of the yachting visitor – available in one location. Ninety percent of the services that a yachting visitor may require can be found in Chaguaramas ie Retailers/ Distributors/ Welding/Upholstering/ Surveyors/Shrink-wrapping/ shed building etc/ Woodworking/Sail Repairs/ Chandlers/Mechanics/Electricians/Ice services/ Battery repair/Varnishing/ Riggers/Canvas Work/Shipwrights/Electronic Waste Disposal/Machinists/ Painters/Security/Hotel & Accommodations/Transport Services, e.g. taxis, car rentals/Travel Agencies/Groceries

There is also a modern airport served by several major airlines providing excellent connections to the Caribbean, North America and Europe, e.g. American Airlines, Delta, Continental, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines.

Trinidad also offers picturesque surroundings, a wealth of tourist attractions and new experiences including the Caroni Swamp, Asa Wright Nature Centre, the magnificence and camaderie that is Carnival, beautiful flora and fauna, steel pan music and calypso, theatre, and great food that is a mix of every single ethnic group to have set foot on the island over the years of its history.

There are also some fun boating/yachting events where as well as the serious element of competition involved in the events, there is the undeniably fun and party element so inherently part and parcel of any Trinidadian event – so beware – make sure the rum doesn’t get in the way of your sailing competition! A Trini knows how to drink rum and stay focused! The rest of us need to learn this important skill!

For the annual marine events check out the website of The Caribbean’s Monthly Marine Magazine. The big dates on the sailing calendar are Angostura Sailing Week. Most of you will recognise Angostura as that stuff you put in a gin to make it a pink gin – yes that’s the one. The other events are obviously the Carnival period, The Great Race, and the Tobago Sailing Regatta, so check these out on the Marine Magazine’s events calendar.

And if you need any extra information re sailing, please contact Aries by e-mail (aries@ohana-villa.com) who has experience of sailing the islands with his father. If he does not know, he will definitely know someone who does.

Until next time . . .

Tobago Jazz Festival’08 – THE Exclusive Villa to Book!

Tobago welcomes all to the 4th Annual Plymouth Jazz Festival in Tobago, and we cannot think of another place that beats Ohana for being the sweetest place to lime with a group of your favourite people over the week of the festival – (lime is a local word which means to chill out or hang out).

Neysha Soodeen, the editor of Maco Magazine the top chic Caribbean Style Magazine stayed at Ohana with a party of friends for the 1st Tobago Jazz festival when Stevie Wonder was headlining , and by all reports had a ball!

One of the sponsors for the festival this year is 1919 Rum – and as it is our favourite tipple, we cannot think of anything else that would be so well matched with some great music over a period of 3 days!

How can you better being spoilt rotten by Rena and her staff: -

• from Shadow the nightwatchman welcoming you back home to Ohana, late, late, late after each hard night of partying
• as well as Rena, Joy & Jennifer feeding you healthy breakfasts capable of hitting hang-overs hard
• and for good measure how about a wonderful massage with coconut oil mixed with a zingy-type essential oil to bring you back from the brink?
• from experience we can also recommend an early morning swim before breakfast – yes it works! Something to do with the salty sea and all the ions in the water.

The promoters say that the weekend promises to be a weekend packed with live music, island fever & unforgettable performances! And judging by the line-up this year that sounds just about right.

The first day, Friday April 25th’08, kicks off with the likes of ; -

• Diana Ross
• Smokey Robinson
• Peabo Bryson
• James Ingram
• & Others to be announced

The second day, Saturday April 26th’08 features so far : -

• Shakira
• En Vogue
• Steel Pulse
• & Others to be announced

The third and final day, Sunday April 26th’08 brings you no less than : -

• Whitney Houston
• Rod Stewart who is headlining the Festival this year
• & Others still to be announced

Some friends of ours who go every year recommend the VIP Tickets as the only way to go.
The VIP Ticket is available for separate days and includes:

• Free alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
• Separate entrance from the general admission jazzfest visitors
• Closer proximity to the stage
• Exclusive food vending area

You can get a Weekend Party Pass for all 3 days (April 25th, 26th, & 27th) which is the best value deal.

Ticket Prices:
General admission for the 3 days: US$420/TT$2667
VIP admission for the 3 days US$700/TT$4445

Click here to Visit the Tobago Jazz Festival website where you can buy your tickets on-line and get further information as further artists are added to the bill.

Please Note: All ticket sales are final and there will be no refunds. So please take care to purchase the correct tickets on-line as there is no guarantee that your general admission ticket can be upgraded at the time of collection.

To book this unforgettable week at Ohana and learn to truly ‘lime’ & party like a local . . . visit the Ohana Villa Main Website . . .

Christmas At Ohana Villa Tobago

When visiting the island of Tobago at Christmas time, you are in for a treat or two! To begin with for the whole of december the radio plays Christmas songs and carols – both old and modern. Now listening to ’sleigh bells ring’ & ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire’ in the sun at first seems a bit absurd – however somehow it works on your subconscious – like a sort of drip-feed – getting you gently more and more in the mood for Christmas. At night the island also begins to look enchanted, as the stores and houses both big and small, all start to put up loads and loads of cheery Christmas lights – even the palm trees at the airport as you arrive are bedecked with pretty lights!

Behind the scenes in local houses the tradition is to paint the house, make and put up new curtains, clean the house from top to bottom – and that is just for starters. The local traditions for Christmas where food and drink are concerned are HUGE!

Special home made drinks are made – Sorrel which is a red drink made from the sorrel pods – (you can try this also as a shandy mixed with Carib beer) – fresh ginger beer is made – as is our own take on eggnog – which is called ponche creme – and this is delicious. Home made sweets are also made – check out the ladies at the airport who sell fresh sesame balls – and nut brittles and coconut sugarcakes.

Now the baking – most homes will bake their own bread and cakes and there is one cake that every home will definitely bake and that is a ‘black cake’. The name does not sound especially beguiling, but oh the taste! Most cooks will have been soaking fruit like raisins, currants, prunes, and other bits in a huge bottle full of local rum. The fruit gets positively drunk by the time it is ready to be added to the other cake ingredients and this is what makes it so special. So special in fact that it even gets it’s own special mention in the international US Gourmet Magazine.

By Diana Burrell, Globe Correspondent | December 13, 2006
The late Laurie Colwin, novelist and beloved food writer for “Gourmet” magazine, left her legions of fans with a cake recipe so intriguing, it inspires discussion whenever her name is mentioned. In the last essay of “Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen,” Colwin wrote, “Black Cake, like truffles and vintage Burgundy, is deep, complicated and intense. It has taste and aftertaste. It demands to be eaten in a slow, meditative way.”

How true! And we can give you a family secret to enhance the flavour even more – pour a little 1919 rum into the pretty little blue and gold Ohana glasses and serve up with each piece of cake – delicious! Rena usually has her bottle of rum and fruit somewhere hidden on the premises – so don’t worry she will have some of this delicious cake for you.

But to be honest – ever since we have been going to France for Christmas, and not using the house for ourselves, there have been ‘bunfights’ for the Christmas booking! We had the Christmas booking for 2008 made and confirmed in July of 2007. And so far we have had to disappoint many enquiring about 2008.

We have also been getting many bookings where the first week, was spent at another villa as we have been full – and whilst we are happy that both returning and new guests love Ohana as much as we do, we are always sad when guests are unable to book their particular dates. So we do advise that you contact us early on to avoid any disappointment. As well the flights at Christmas can get a bit scarce due to both nationals and island guests coming down for the holidays – so again, early booking of flights is advisable.

And as the Christmas booking usually runs on to the New Years – well here is what happens on the island. First of all New Year’s Eve is called ‘Old Years Night’ and it is party night with fireworks every where! And as all local festivals seem to be food related ‘Old Year’s Night’ always means black eye peas & rice – a delicious mix beans and rice and meats and herbs, using the baked ham bone for extra flavour – (at Ohana we always have a baked ham at Christmas). This is usually served with Rena’s stewed chicken with plenty of delicious gravy.

And at the stroke of 12 – Midnight – make sure you are in the gazebo – chilled champagne at the ready to welcome in the New year – and to see the beautiful fireworks starting from the Blue Haven right next door, right down the bay to the Hilton Hotel. Us girlies always run down to the beach for a paddle, lifting our long dresses up – the water is so warm at night! The men never join us for some reason – they just stand and stare down at us!

And the party goes on – with the help of the Ohana sound system, and not an ‘Old Year’s Night’ goes by without a bit of help from the Barry White CD – which reminds me – note to self – that particular CD is getting a bit worn out now from so many fun nights at Ohana and definitely needs replacing . . .

If you are interested in Christmas at Ohana please contact us through the main Ohana Website.

Tobago Curried Coconut Crab With Coconut Dumplings

One of the best things about being on a small island like Tobago is being able to take advantage of all the fresh ingredients available. It is all very local, either from Tobago itself, or fresh off the ferry from Trinidad. So make sure you try Curried Coconut Crab with Coconut Dumplings, which is the national dish of Tobago.

It is easy whilst staying at Ohana to forget which day is which, as each day starts and ends with paradise! However, when Rena comes in with a whole bunch of the local blue crabs, all still alive and tied up with raffia, we always know it is saturday! It is a saturday thing at Ohana, probably because it is the best day to buy them at the Scarborough market, hence Rena’s early morning market detour.

If you are especially nice to Rena, she may pass on her secret recipe. I usually like lots and lots of gravy. And for those who think eating fresh crab is a lot of work, for very little reward, ask Rena to throw in some fresh shrimps.

The coconut curried sauce is delicious, mildly spicy, and full of the local herbs. The tiny dumplings have fresh grated coconut included in the mixture, helping with the glycaemic index for all those worried about their waistlines! Whilst the local vegetables that come with it, yams, eddoes, green bananas, cassava, dasheen are an adventure in themselves. Dip the vegetables in the sauce and enjoy a delicious feast.

Be prepared to get down and dirty as you will get covered in crab stuff, and getting clean afterwards, will of course entail a swim in the sea, but it is all so worth it!

As well as crab, fish is obviously plentiful on the island, and it may well be that you will not recognise some of the names – and when Rena says you are having dolphin for dinner, it is definitely not ‘Flipper’ but a different type of local fish. I am learning myself, which ones are which, so these will feature in further posts.

And if you take a boat trip you may be lucky to see flying fish following your boat; They are a beautiful navy blue and silver colour, and it really seems like they fly over the water. Tobago is full of flying fish lately, so much so that plentiful amounts are being exported to Barbados as it is their national delicacy. A local fisherman told me that they like clean water, and were moving down to Tobago for that reason.

Get Rena to fry some up for you, and remember to drizzle some fresh lime juice over them!

The vegetables in Tobago taste like you remember them as a child, and you enjoy them more for that reason. I love the carrots and cucumber when I am there, yet wouldn’t go out of my way to eat them in Europe. Try a simple salad of cucumber, lettuce, shadow benne (a delicious local coriander) with a lime vinaigrette sauce and see what I mean ; the flavours are fresh pure and distinctive.

We have our special places to buy the best fish, meat and vegetables, and Rena will either tell you where to go, or if like some of our guests, you would prefer Rena to look after all of this for you, then please let us know.

I promise you – when Rena rings that bell to summon you for a meal, that bell can become quite Pavlovian.  Bell = delicious meals – not hard to get used to!

Is Breakfast The Most Popular Meal At Ohana

As past guests will have experienced, Ohana is undoubtedly the very best place to get a great breakfast on the island! And to be honest, it is really difficult to say, whether breakfast is the best Ohana meal, or is it lunch . . . . or is it dinner . . .?

It is hard to decide as you will be truly spoilt for choice with Rena in the kitchen. A firm family favourite and usually the one we always have on our first morning is saltfish buljol with coconut bake. The delicious mixture of tastes of salted cod, crunchy onions and fresh sweet peppers, tomatoes and mild chilli pepper, combined with the creamy taste of ripe buttery avocado, flavoured with fresh shadow benne (a type of local coriander) all drizzled over with virgin olive oil is something that you must try. Along with this comes a hot freshly baked coconut bake, which is a type of flatbread made with a mixture of wholemeal, white flour with an entire coconut grated made into a flat circle of about 2 inches thick . . . delicious!

But then you can choose smoked herring buljol, as above but with a much more strong and smokey flavour – or there is fried accra (tiny herby fishcakes) with fried bakes – or how about sada rotis, a type of indian flatbread with pumpkin choka?

Yes it all sounds a little exotic but you will be missing something very special if you did not try some! And we also have stacks of pumpkin pancakes with grilled bacon, or just plain old eggs & bacon just for a change!

And after you have had a morning swim, at the little sandy beach just at the bottom of the garden, when Rena rings the bell for breakfast, I can tell you, not only will you feel ravenous and as though you have been up for ages, but you will also feel like you have well and truly earned your breakfast! Be adventurous.