Wild Tobago

Pat Ganase is studying Dr Susan E Craig-James’ history of Tobago; and learning more about what makes Tobago so special.   Like many Tobagonians, Susan Craig went to high school in Trinidad, performing to bring credit to their families and providing markers of excellence for the whole nation. I am proud to say that Susan was Head Girl at Bishop Anstey High School when I was in fifth form. She was a role model and leader. I was not surprised to be able to acquire her history, The Changing Society of Tobago, 1838-1939 some 40+ years after BAHS. This two-volume work compiled by (now) Dr Susan E. Craig-James, was published in 2008 by the press which she founded in 1998, Cornerstone Press Limited. It is a work of art. All the values across the publishing process: research, writing, editing, layout and design and printing have been observed to the highest degree. It includes an index, extensive notes, old maps and several photographs. Here is a book that should be a watershed not onl...

At Carnival time, humans like to think that we can be masters of disguise and transformation: men dressed like women; and women like jamettes, or birds… But throughout the world there are plants and animals disguising and transforming to ensure their survival. What would an acacia tree do to prevent its leaves from being eaten? Or an insect living near flowers to get more food? Dr Anjani Ganase looks at some specific animals and plants   Plants that behave like Animals   Ti- Marie (Mary, Mary Shut your door or Touch Me Not!), also known as Mimosa pudica was always a memorable childhood introduction into more interesting plant life, precisely because it responded like an animal when touched. This reaction is an evolutionary strategy where the plant is able to retract its leaflets upon being touched. This response to touch is known as thigmotaxis. The mechanism of the folding results from a change in the turgidity in the “hinge” where the leaflets are attached to the ...

Gabriele De Gaetano, has been living in Tobago for over 30 years but he still speaks with large gestures; nor has he lost the accent or emotional responses of Italy where he was born. From his base at La Tartaruga restaurant in Buccoo, he roams Tobago, from ridges to waterfalls, uncovering water- and wind-mills, sugar factories, kilns, indigo pits and ruins on former plantations. Written by Pat Ganase and photos provided courtesy Gabriele De Gaetano and the Tobago Heritage Conservation Society Why Tobago? I have a great passion for outdoors, mountain biking, hiking and exploring what Tobago has to offer. The island is beautiful, colourful and what visitors also remember are the people of Tobago, their traditions, their warmth and how everybody will get to know you.  I was born in Milan, did extensive business travels where I met my wife who decided to return to Trinidad and Tobago and pursue the passion for good food and great cooking. We created La Tartaruga Italian Restaurant whi...

 In recent weeks, there have been a couple of shark attacks in St Martin and St Kitts and Nevis. Rather than try to convince readers how incredibly rare shark attacks are, Dr Anjani Ganase delves into why we fear sharks and what we can do to overcome the fear (if we wanted to). Hammerhead shark with free diver. Credit: Amanda Cotton/ Coral Reef Image Bank Why do we fear sharks? The fear of sharks that we have simply does not stem from the facts about shark attacks, as the risk is incredibly low. There are a few reasons for this fear. The first driver is evolution, where much of the fears is thought to be primal. On the most basic level, that idea of being eaten by a shark is horrifying, as no one wants to be a meal. It is a fear that dates back to our ancestors who had to protect themselves against predators. Add to this, the stories that surround shark attacks by seafarers. One well-known account came from the survivors of the USS Indianapolis who were torpedoed by the Japanese du...

How many shipwrecks lie beneath the calm waters of our Gulf of Paria, from the Venezuelan side and Trinidad’s industrial west coast? Dr Anjani Ganase speculates on the effects of disintegrating vessels. She asks for some system to register and regulate ships in our waters, especially those that are likely to be abandoned here.                       Derelict vessel in the Gulf of Paria. Photo by Anjani Ganase     When you take the passenger vessel to Tobago, you will be familiar with the views of Trinidad’s coastline from the north-western Peninsula and along the north coast. You will also see, especially in the calm Gulf, a number of old vessels anchored or partially submerged, as   the ferry cruises by. As a marine biologist, I imagine the sea below the listing ship, I imagine a seabed littered with boat parts, garbage and seeping chemical waste from the hull. Consider that this is only a small section ...

Hike the Main Ridge in Tobago. Take the Gilpin to Bloody Bay trail and immerse yourself in an authentic Tobago experience that allows insight into why the forested backbone is so vital to the health of the island. Dr Anjani Ganase follows some waterfalls to the sea.   The Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve was declared protected in 1776 for one reason – water. Guided by the findings of English scientist Stephen Hales, who noted the correlation between t rees and rainfall; Soame Jenyns, a member of the British Parliament, convinced the lawmakers that the main ridge traps the water so vital to Tobago’s fertility, climate and island ecology. Over two hundred years later the importance of the Tobago Main Ridge – more than ever – continues to hold true.                                                View of Bloody Bay at the...

Phill Diamond Williams is a Tobago entrepreneur, home grown and educated. He understands that what visitors want in Tobago is what Tobagonians want for themselves. One of the challenges is to validate the easy-going values-based Tobago way of life so that it remains the island offering that raises the bar in the tourism industry. He talks with Pat Ganase.   I grew up in Bon Accord. Both parents are from Bethel. I have one sister. My mother worked at the MK Hall School in Carnbee and I had lessons there. It was a model school and should never have closed.   At the age of 19 (2003), I went to Trinidad to the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) to work towards a business degree. I completed the Bachelor’s and went on to an MBA which I achieved in 2010. I stayed to work at the USC, moving into the accounting department before I left in 2015.   I wanted to return to Tobago and build my own business. I started selling cars, foreign used a...