Veronika Danzer La Fortune was born in Germany and became a professional equestrian performer in a travelling circus that traversed the European Continent with a herd of 65 horses. Consequently, she visited T&T and fell in love with the people (she married one) and especially with Tobago where she settled in Buccoo.

A fellow artist told her about a horse in Speyside that needed a loving home. Veronika walked the lonely horse from Speyside and so began her extraordinary journey in sharing the world of horses with the villagers, their children and also the island's visitors. They now have 5 horses stabled on the seaside edge of the village.

The sea has always been at the very heart of Buccoo Village life; the provision of fresh fish and having the famous Buccoo Reef on its doorstep as well as its long white sandy beach. It's an invigorating experience to take a horse ride in the shallow sea - good for horses and riders and a lovely sight to see.

With her cheerful, outgoing personality Veronika has expanded her vision to create a charitable arm 'Healing with Horses' that provides free horsemanship skills for the village kids as well as the establishment of an annual summer camp with creative activities for the youngsters.

Volunteers, both local and international have begun to be attracted to this unique project that teaches "True growth in horsemanship can parallel personal development, whereby wisdom, patience and courage increase through horse interactions and in turn improve them.
" RIDE ON…

To book a ride Tel: 868 - 639 0953
www.being-with-horses.com

Jan de Moor (a street near Carnbee Junct) was the Agent for the immensely wealthy Courteen Brothers, Dutch traders who operated from London. He was a merchant adventurer and later became a director of the Dutch West Indian Co., holding rights to bring settlers to Tobago.

Dutch Fort – This uphill street faces the Scarborough Port and

was so named due to the fort that was erected by the Dutch settlers in 1662 to protect their settlement at Rockly Bay, which they called Roodlyp Bay.

The British captured the fort in 1666, but one year later, after the French drove out the Brits, the Dutch erected a new township, Lower Scarborough, which they called Lampsiusburg, after the Lampsius brothers, the wealthy merchant financiers of their expedition.

In 1821, the foundation stone of the Court House and Admin. Building was laid by Governor Robinson (Robinson Street); it overlooked the Market Sq. now known as James Park (after A.P.T. James, Tobago’s charismatic rep. to Trinidad’s legislature), whose bust is displayed in the square.

The Caribbean region’s colonial architecture is characterized by the building styles of the four European nation occupiers.

Tobago favours the French influenced gingerbread fretwork aesthetic which filtered down to small homes from the flamboyant designs of the grand plantation houses. Dutch styles are found in St. Maarten and Curacao, where curved gables, tiled roofs and the startling use of colour combine as reminders of the ‘olde country’.

Spanish influences are found in Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico - ceramic filed floors, traditional arches and wrought iron details while the British Georgian style with its classical echoes prevailed in the islands of St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua and Barbados.

In December 1995 construction began on the first 'King of the Woods' villa, a unique concept in resort tourism - i.e. the creation of the Footprints Eco-Resort & Spa, which has been winning awards ever since. Great care was taken during construction and since, to protect and preserve the environment, which is part of an abandoned cocoa estate.

Currently there are numerous nature trails suitable for hiking or bird watching and the gardens are home to myriads of butterflies and birds on the 62 acre site with 700 ft. of sea frontage on the pristine Culloden Bay.

The placements of individual villas, including a Lovers Retreat and a block of 4 sea-front rooms have created a sense of one's own private space of peace and pleasure when entering the 'Footprints world', which includes a sea-view restaurant in the old cocoa house, jacuzzi, salt water pools, decks and a health spa.

Not content with resting on their many laurels, the owners being very keen environmentalists are continuing to fulfil their dreams of making our world a better place, with an exciting new phase of expansion and upgrading while operating its current facilities.

Their vision encompasses new one-acre villa sites, a luxury 30 room Boutique Hotel with a museum, library, bar and restaurant, multi-purpose meeting rooms and recreational facilities including a 3 hole golf course.

As usual, energy efficiency and environmental protection are their watch words.

Out & About

PLEASANT TIMES
AT PLEASANT PROSPECT

An interesting hang-out for both locals and visitors, which lives up to its name and lies between Grafton Beach and Mt. Irvine. It has always been a hub of activity, especially for Surfers from as far back as the 1970's when foreign and local Trini Surfers rented rooms in the village.
If you are looking for drinks with friends, or a meal in casual surroundings there are some good options in Pleasant Prospect. Ocean View Bar has a Friday BBQ and the best view of the Caribbean Sea; a good sunset and cold beers are always an option here.
For exotic cocktails, famous geera finger foods and a game of pool, one can go to the Signature Lounge, run by Morgan & Fred, upstairs the ATM machine.
Joanne's tasty home-style local food is perfect for take-away meals - a favourite for locals in the daytime on the forecourt of the supermarket, which has always been an essential resource in the area, selling beers, wines, cards, maps and groceries.
Pizza Boys & Rituals Coffee House provides covered tables outside for a relaxed snack break.
Popular and much loved hosts Erica and Fiacra (aka Irish) have moved from the Indigo and created the 'Fish Pot', bringing with them the same quality food. A la Carte dining and live music on Friday nights are both added to the mix. Most nights have some activity but Friday night live music at the Fish Pot is a treat when local musicians can come and jam together, creating a special atmosphere. If you are around on St. Patrick's night, join in the traditional celebrations - Caribbean style.
Moon over Water Bar is the heart-beat of the village, always a centre of activity for locals having a drink and playing pool.

Hypnotic reggae beats boom from Junior's aka 'Town Man' sound system, giving the village a real Caribbean Island holiday feeling. An eclectic bunch of artists, artisans and musicians gather in the village, the characters are too many to name - surfers, photographers, yoga teachers, and fisher-folk, people from all walks of life come together in this area and you're very likely to meet up with Skene Howie the renowned photographer or the organisers Tanya Clovis of Save our Sea Turtles and Sandra of World Children Unite. Then there's George who gives surfing lessons, while Eddie offers tours with his fun boat. Just ask around…………….
So, if you're looking to meet some interesting locals, food to eat, time-out during your day or just to relax under the stars, come to Pleasant Prospect, it will have something pleasant for you.

With Thanks to Eamon Healy-Singh
Eamon & Tanja - Quality Handmade Jewelry and Bike Tours
Tel: 332 5872 www.tobagomountainbike.com

Relax, sit back and take your eyes off the road while riding in air-conditioned comfort all for considerably less than the cost of a beer. The newly acquired fleet of Public Buses are a good safe bet to get from A to B. Like all transport services world-wide, the Public Transport system runs to a schedule.
The main routes from Scarborough and return are - The Windward Road to Charlotteville, going through Speyside, the Northside Road to L'anse Fourmi via Castara and Englishman's Bay, the Highway and Milford Road to Crown Point Airport and the Highway via Carnbee or Shirvan Rd, Mt. Irvine, Arnos Vale and on to Plymouth.
Other routes have been added recently - For the first time ever, here are some of them that give you a chance to explore the island's villages by bus......
Crown Pt to Plymouth via Shirvan Rd; Scarborough to Buccoo; Scarborough via Bacolet to Goodwood via Mt. St. George; Scarborough to Mt. Pleasant via Lambeau Old Rd and Lowlands; Scarborough to Patience Hill via Orange Hill Road; Scarborough to Mt. Gomery via Patience Hill and Bethel; Roxborough to L'Anse Fourmi and Roxborough to Charlotteville.

REMEMBER - NO CASH TAKEN ON THE BUS

Buy your tickets and pick up a Time-Table from the Bus Terminus

STAY SAFE

DON'T BE A MUG ON HOLIDAY

It's sad and it's a shame, but you will find some dishonest people anywhere you go in the world!!

• Don't let your actions or lack of precautions give the 'baddies' any opportunities…………use only licensed taxis with 'H' prefix number plates. Rent only from authorised Agencies
• Avoid the drug scene. Don't drink and drive.
• Use Licensed Tour Guides to visit the rain forest or when hiking. Avoid dark, lonely roads for romantic walks
• Use the hotel safe, don't leave valuables in your vehicles and avoid deserted beaches.
• Secure your rooms when leaving and when inside relaxing. Report any suspicious behavior to either Police or your accommodation provider.
• Don't pick up hitch-hikers or take strangers back to your room or villa.
• Be wise, be careful when using an ATM machine and don't accept help from strangers to access your funds.
• Don't isolate yourself, always carry a Mobile phone - rent one from your landlord or buy a local SIM card.

Don't make a mug of yourself; look after your loved ones and your property.It's your responsibility.

Some Emergency Numbers:
- POLICE 999 OR 555 OR 639 0200/1334,
- FIRE & AMBULANCE 990,
- LOCAL & OVERSEAS ASSISTANCE - Dial 0 for Operator,
- BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION 622 8960/1/2,
- GERMAN EMBASSY 628 1630/1/2. "

HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY

Betty Scott's father was a substantial member of the island's community and was President of the Governor's Council. A retired military man, he lived at Plymouth in a larger house than the Lt. Governor's residence at Orange Hill and was heartbroken when Betty died on 25th November 1783 as she was his favourite daughter. The distraught father buried his daughter in a corner of his garden. He erected a large tombstone which bore the above inscription………

Plymouth was a busy port and Betty met and married a boisterous sailor, Alexander Stiven, the son of the master mason who erected most of the original buildings at Fort King George. She became pregnant and died in childbirth - hence the first line of the verse. The second line cleverly tells the reader that Betty was a good wife in that she was not a 'nag' as some wives are wont to be and made allowances for her sailor husband's wanderings as he came and went. Her kind indulgences to him were the obvious outcome of her love for him.

And so Betty Stivens died at the early age of 23 - her unborn child lies buried with her.

Be sure to pay a visit to Betty's tombstone at Plymouth, overlooking the harbour.

Kind Courtesy - La Magdalena - From Island Investments 639 9901