“Well, we had no plans to come to Trinidad, but now that we have been here, we have actually enjoyed it,” Betty Karl told Caribbean Compass.

She added: “Seems to me that I have heard that comment numerous times in the past month or so.

“The comment is usually made by cruisers who had been involved in Hurricane Ivan, and had to come to Trinidad to get work done on their boats.

“When I asked why they hadn’t planned to come to Trinidad originally, I am more than likely told that they had been told there were crime, racial unrest, and other problems.

“In addition, they were told the same problems also exist in Venezuela, so that area should also be avoided.”

Karl continued: “I have been coming to Trinidad for five years now, and find it essentially no different from the first time I arrived in 1999.

“I feel safe getting around on the maxi taxis, and walking around Port of Spain alone to visit the dentist, the doctor or to shop.

“I take the usual ‘big city’ precautions that I would take anywhere.

“I do not carry credit cards, carry just enough cash to get me through the day, and I keep aware of my surroundings, and who is near me.

“I have never felt threatened or uncomfortable.”

Karl added: “Every place cruisers gather, they relate their experiences and opinions to other cruisers.

“Some stories are told third and fourth hand, and can get unbelievably blown out of proportion.

“Unknowingly, it can change a person’s opinion as to whether they should visit a certain destination or not.

“Many times, I have heard people tell other cruisers not to go to a place because of all the problems they are aware of – when in reality, that person has never been there himself, but is just relating what he has heard from other sources.”

Karl continued: “Just as there are places back in the (United) States where I wouldn’t walk down the street, there are lots of places in the islands I won’t go ...

“So, cruisers, make up your minds and don’t be influenced by people who haven’t been to the places they tell you to avoid.”

Rob Colbert, his wife, and their three sons recently left Chaguaramas (Trinidad) after spending 18 months doing extensive work on their boat, according to The Boca.

But after leaving Chaguaramas (Trinidad), they travelled to Magarita, and that is where they were robbed.

“Four young thieves, armed with pistols and knives, surprised us at midnight, rummaging while keeping us at bay for two hours,” said Colbert.

“They took all our cameras, GPS, computer, watches, dive gear and radios, valued at US$7,000.”

He said he reported the theft to the Magarita Police, but the cops only seemed interested in the description of the guns the thieves were carrying.

He then gave a low rating of the police ability to solve the crime, saying: “I doubt that anything will be recovered.”