Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2017 (#28)

shopping
Popular local souvenirs
Favourites like miniature steel pans, locally
made shoes, jewellery, fabric, sculptures, ceramics,
preserves, and cosmetics can be found
at beachside craft stalls including Store Bay
and Pigeon Point; the Scarborough Market; Batiki
Point (Buccoo); Shore Things (Lambeau);
Planet Ceramics (Pigeon Point); the Scarborough
Esplanade; Forro’s Homemade Delicacies
(Scarborough); at the airport; and at many resorts
and hotels.
Art & fashion
Some Tobago-born or -based visual artists
to look out for include Jim Armstrong, Kevin
Ayoung-Julien, Marcia Des Vignes, Edward
Hernandez, David Knott, Earl Manswell, Jason
Nedd, Michael Spencer, Rachael and Martin Superville
(of The Art Gallery in Lowlands), and the
late Luise Kimme (whose work is displayed at
the Kimme Museum aka The Castle in Bethel).
If you’re in the market for local fashion, check
out Cee Wee Designs, Ashley Christmas, Movement
Bago, Tobago Gyul, and Yesa Designs.
What not to buy
Please don’t buy anything made from
endangered or environmentally sensitive
species (eg coral, sea turtles, conch,
some snakes, some birds). If in doubt,
ask the vendor. If the answer is dodgy,
don’t buy it.
A Tobago Gyul design on the catwalk
Chocolate & sweets
Seek out products from the award-winning Tobago
Cocoa Estate (in Roxborough, and at some local
retailers), and Tobago Chocolate Delights, next
door to Shore Things in Lambeau. For traditional
Tobagonian treats, the vendors at the airport can
supply you with packages that travel well.
Groceries, markets,
& malls
For routine grocery items, there are Pennysavers
supermarkets in Canaan and Carnbee, while
the Scarborough Market is popular for fresh fish
and produce on Fridays and Saturdays. For specialty
and gourmet food items, head to Morshead
in Mt Pleasant. Gulf City Mall in Lowlands is
a one-stop shop for most retail items.
Jael Dirpaul of Lime.tt
110 discovertnt.com