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 . . .

~ by ohanavilla on March 18, 2008.