Carribean life – learning to ‘lime’ in Tobago

Liming, Tobago’s favourite pastime!

Do you lime? I had no idea what ‘liming’ was until I arrived on the Caribbean island of Tobago but soon found out how to fit in with the locals!

‘Limin’ or ‘liming’ means hanging out with friends or family. Chilling out – maybe with a beer or some food and catching up on what’s happening in the area.

I can see why the people of Tobago not only do it but also have their own term – when you visit all you want to do is chill out. The heat, scenery and ‘SoCa’ make you want to lime. ‘SoCa’ is ‘soul calypso’, and the beat will make you want to jiggle that booty! So grab a few friends, some rum and put on the SoCa and lime.💃

I carried out some of the best liming at ‘Sunday School’ which is held each week in Buccoo. When I heard we were going to “Sunday School” I was a bit apprehensive! 🤔 However, this was actually my kind of “Sunday School”. This is the name given to a free weekly Sunday night street party. Starting with a mellow steel band, I joined my fellow travellers in grabbing a Carib beer and chilling. This was just what I imagined the Caribbean to be like – laid back and relaxed.

As it got later in the evening, more locals joined us. A homemade rickety roulette table was set up to provide some further entertainment and a chance to win or lose some dollars. The steel band played some pop tunes for a while more, then gave way to a DJ playing some SoCa. 🎶🎵

A trip out on a glass bottom boat to see Buccoo Reef was another excuse for some liming. After seeing sea cucumbers and fish we set anchor at Nylon Pool for some water-based liming.

I could get used to this pastime!

For more on Tobago holidays, go to visittobago.gov.tt or book your trip at ba.com/tobago

Disclaimer: Mrs Foodie visited Tobago on a press trip and Fred sez his hoomin wiz well-looked after but insists she didn’t spend the whole trip liming!