A day with Animals and a Sweet End
[Advertising due to linking] On a sunny Friday morning we set off with our guide Katharina Dumas from TobagoTours (Tobagotours.de) towards Mason Hall. In the Corbin Local Wildlife we want to learn more about the diverse wildlife of Tobago. Many positive experience reports make us confident that we will not meet a typical “tourist zoo” there, but a natural facility in the sense of nature. Indeed, we will not be disappointed!
An important place for animals
The last meters to the park will be driven by jeep.
The site is a little outside the town and can be reached via a small road, which thanks to extensive construction work is now in a much better condition than a few weeks ago.
In front of the entrance we are expected and welcomed by Roy Corbin, eponym of the park. The last ones we drive finally with his jeep. This road will also be renovated so that visitors can drive directly to the entrance with their own car in the future.
Rescue, care, release – a great Concept
Das Gelände ist harmonisch in einen Regenwald-ähnlichen Bereich eingebettet und bietet seltenen oder verletzten Tieren eine Heimat. Den Besuchern werden informativ und kurzweilig die Bedeutung der Tierarten in der Natur erläutert. Darüber hinaus werden kranke oder ausgesetzte Tiere gepflegt und – sofern möglich – auf ihre Auswilderung vorbereitet. Bei seltenen und gefährdeten Arten wird eine Vermehrung und bei Erfolgt die Ansiedlung in der Wildnis angestrebt.
Preservation of flora and fauna as a life Task
After a short welcome and presentation of the concept Roy leads us to a small pond where interesting water lilies could be admired. Against the typical behavior, this type opens in the dark and closes at the extremely sunny midday. Historically important trees, such as the Tootchbrush Tree, also find a home here. These branches of this tree have served as toothbrushes in early years due to their texture.
Along the paths laid out by Roy and his partners themselves, they now went to various enclosures. Visible information boards along the paths ensure that visitors are provided with everything they need to know about the genera. Besides possum, aguti, snakes, lizards and turtles, the Chakalaka, Tobago’s national bird, could not be missing.
Roy also has an incredible knowledge of the flora and fauna of Tobago due to his former activity as a hunter. For each animal species, and often even for the individual animals, he gives us interesting background information on the way, so that gradually a complete picture of the connections results. Especially the explanation of the special roles as hunter or hunted in the wild gives us a good understanding of the importance of an intact system. In this way, especially locals are relieved of their concerns about certain species and their respect for the creatures is restored.
Enlightenment as a means against prejudice
A lack of knowledge in recent years has unfortunately led to some animal species on Tobago being almost exterminated by unfounded fear or as a supposedly exclusive supplier of meat. The facility thus not only offers tourists a fascinating insight into the wildlife of Tobago, but also contributes to social development.
Another pond on the site embodies the character of Corbin Wildlife in a special way. The area is not fenced in in the transition to the neighbouring forest, so that the caimans living there can choose their whereabouts at any time.
The park is a must for nature lovers
All friends of flora and fauna are highly recommended a visit. In addition to the many informations about the fauna and flora of Tobago, Roy takes the visitor with his friendly, open-minded manner into the world of the wilderness.
The entrance fee is 25 US$ or 150 TT$ per person and is therefore appropriate for a stay of 2-3 hours from our point of view. Please call +1 868 327-4182 to make an appointment with Roy so that he can take time for you.
Lunch with sea view
On the way back we stop for lunch at the Shore Things Cafe in Lambeau. In the last years this small restaurant was recommended to us again and again by different persons. So far we never had the opportunity to visit, now a stop finally fits perfectly to our route.
Nice service and tasty Food
The building is set back a little from the street and stands out pleasantly from its surroundings with a colourful façade. Small and large accessories give the house a wonderful Caribbean charm that continues inside. Handmade and typical products of the island are offered for sale in a small reception room before going into the actual restaurant. There are only a few places in the house, as the outdoor area with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean is the preferred place for visitors. Card The friendly service is a choice of homemade Callalou soup, a vegetarian lasagna and a garden salad. Until we have received the food, we simply let our eyes wander over the sea and learn many more things about Tobago from Katharina. It is incredible how much there is to learn about this small island again and again!
Welcome to the chocolate paradise
After lunch at the Shore Things Cafe we deliberately do without a dessert. The (justified) expectation to be able to enjoy very special delicacies shortly is too great. The same building as the restaurant is home to Tobago Chocolate Delights, a true chocolate paradise. Since 2014, Jean Claude Petit, a native of Trinidad and of French family origin, has been producing the finest chocolate here by hand. The raw materials from which he makes bars and truffles come from the award-winning Louis D’or plantation on Tobago.
The visitor feels the love for his profession and product
The small, well air-conditioned manufactory looks like a studio when entering. Glass showcases and cupboards with numerous chocolate products decorate the room. Behind a pane of glass are the tools with which Jean Claude carries out the work steps. After a friendly welcome, he briefly introduces us to the production process and the importance of high-quality raw materials. Meanwhile, a small roasting oven and a mill do their work and dip the room in a pleasant chocolate scent.
Delicious chocolate ideas as far as the eye can see
Another speciality of Jean Claude is the refinement of the chocolate with local fillings. In addition to various nut varieties, the range also includes guava, mango and passion fruit. Classics like Amaretto and Irish Cream should not be missing either. My personal favourite was the “caramel sea salt” mixture – the contrast between the two flavours has unfolded in the mouth to an extraordinary pleasure experience.
Chocolate not only pampers the palate
In addition to the large selection of chocolate varieties, other chocolate products are also offered for sale. Everything that makes the heart of a chocolate lover beat faster is offered in lovingly arranged showcases and cupboards. Especially interesting is handmade natural cosmetics and soap based on cocoa. The creams and wash pieces not only keep the skin healthy in a natural way, but also give it a very special scent. If you are concerned that chocolate will melt on its way to Europe, you will find perfect souvenirs and souvenirs here.
If you are looking for something very special, you should ask for custom-made products or chocolate workshops – Jean Claude also offers a variety of individual offers in addition to his shop.
A place with addictive potential
In addition to a “chocolate soap”, we also purchase a larger selection of truffles – the latter unfortunately never find their way to Buccoo, because we eat them directly on the way home. A good reason to visit Tobago Chocolate Delight again during our next Tobago holiday!
Corbin Local Wildlife
Admission: 25 US$ / 150 TT$
Duration: Approx. 2.5 hours, preferably in the morning or later afternoon.
Contact: +1 868-327-4182
Website: http://www.tobagowildlife.com/
Address: 68 Belmont Farm Road, Mason Hall, Tobago
GPS: Latitude : 11.204646 | Longitude : -60.703928
Shore Things Cafe & Craft
Contact: +1 868-635-1072
Website: https://www.facebook.com/shorethingstobago
Address: 25 Old Milford Road, Lambeau, Tobago
GPS: Latitude : 11.165592 | Longitude : -60.756809
Tobago Chocolate Delights
Entrance fee: –
Duration: depending on interest
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 12:30 – 16 o’clock
Contact: +1 868 370- 1907
Website: https://www.facebook.com/tobagochocolatedelights
Address: 25 Old Milford Road, Lambeau, Tobago
GPS: Latitude : 11.165592 | Longitude : -60.756809
TobagoTours
Contact: +1 868 756-0407
Website: www.tobagotours.de
