In the early 1960s, a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) aircraft touched down at the Piarco International Airport from London. The stewardess on flight, Ginny Plumpton, described her first impression: "As the aircraft door opened after crossing the Atlantic, I was taken aback by the evocative smell of the heat."On a revisit to Trinidad, she was driven around the Queen's Park Savannah, where she enjoyed the peace and beauty of the landscape, the many beautiful trees as she confirmed, "the warmth of the atmosphere was real."At her home back in South East London, the Caribbean experience played on her mind while going through many careers and hobbies, finally settling on yoga and the teaching of the discipline as a career.
During those years, she heard a lot about Tobago as a destination for tourists; an island of beauty, serenity and the friendliness of its people.Prompted by that vision, she brought her yoga students to Tobago for a retreat in 2001. Plumpton smiled: "It was an enjoyable success. I revisited a couple of times that same year, after which I decided to stay here."The energy in Tobago was right and became even more energised when she encountered and fell in love with Trinbagonian, Kelly Almann; a vivacious and witty guy. I had the pleasure of seeing this couple on the dance floor.Some of her movements reflected the grace of a ballet dancer.She later confirmed: "I was trained in ballet and tap dancing, also contemporary and ballroom dance, but my love for singing and acting led to a career in musical theatre."I also had a period in repertory theatre, where you learn lines for the stage production, a real discipline!"Here in Tobago, it didn't take long to realise that I could relate to local dance. Rhythm comes naturally to me whether calypso, soca or chutney..."Kelly is a natural dancer and together, we seem to make magic on the floor."
Her theatre career started in London with performances, "playing principal girl to stars like Harry Socombe, Morcombe and Wise & Dusty Springfield, which led to my playing in My Fair Lady at Drury Lane, which also travelled on tours."With Plumpton's previous dance and training in the arts, it was an easy transition into yoga, where she instantly related to the many postures as being similar to the dance. She was mesmerised by the philosophy associated with yoga and readily confirmed her career in that field.Plumpton was inspired by some of the luminary yoga tutors in the UK, gaining the British Wheel of Yoga Diploma, which finally led her in conducting classes to health clubs, the US Embassy in London, the magistrates' court, adult classes and other private classes, before her advent to Tobago.