Visitors make their way home after Tobago Carnival

Stephon Nicholas

Tobago Carnival may be over and visitors continue to make their way to the port to catch the boat back to Trinidad.

On Tuesday, Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) political leader Watson Duke shared a photograph showing traffic gridlock along Scarborough’s roads, as evidence of the number of visitors who travelled to Tobago for the celebrations.

Thousands of visitors were scheduled to leave the island via the seabridge yesterday, following three days of official celebrations. Five sailings were scheduled on passenger vessels, with the Golden Carrier cargo vessel making the final departure from Scarborough on Monday night.

While passengers praised the smooth operations at the port, with no long lines, some visitors arrived with no intention of leaving.

“Ah know somebody on the inside, so I hoping to see if I get through to change my ticket,” one man said.

Another man also requested a similar ticket change as a port official came outside to speak to a few passengers.

A Trinidadian woman told Guardian Media she was already suffering from Carnival tabanca.

She said: “I don’t wanna leave. Ah wish ah could stay longer. The carnival was really amazing, I will be back next year.”

Uriah Fonrose, who hails from Mayaro, said he arrived at the port around 7.30 am expecting long lines for the 11 am Buccoo Reef sailing.

“Ah surprised. The line was short, and we get through quick,” he said.

Asked about his favourite part of the carnival, he did not hesitate: “The women, and the rum.”

Tiffany Williams also praised port officials for the smooth flow of passengers, adding that the carnival was amazing.

Port vendors were smiling throughout the day as passengers grabbed their favourite Tobago treats before departing. Vendor Janae Mathews said she hired two additional workers to assist, but the post-Carnival traffic was still higher than she had anticipated.

Meanwhile, police described the carnival as safe and successful, with no serious incidents reported.

A man who was struck by a police car on Saturday on Wilson Road, Scarborough, was reportedly discharged from hospital with bumps and bruises, but no broken bones.

Police thanked all supporting agencies for providing technical and manpower support to cover land, aerial and maritime operations during the celebrations.