Grenadines Gift
The Caribbean Grenadines are a chain of small islands between St Vincent and Grenada. The two we visited belong to St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Bequia
Bequia means ‘island of the clouds’ in ancient Arawak (language spoken by former inhabitants of Bequia). Like most islands in this region it belonged sometimes to France, sometimes to Great Britain. Some historians believe that the famous pirate Edward Teach had his base in Bequia. He’s better known under his nickname Blackbeard. It’s also the place where Sir Francis Drake planned his attacks on the Spanish Admiralty.
The harbor of Bequia is filled with small and bigger boats. They are not meant for fishing but mainly for relaxing and enjoying. All vivid colors – this is a real Caribbean harbor.
Our small cruise ship is anchored in the harbor. We’re on the first boat that brings us ashore. We look around in the capital Port Elizabeth. To drive around, we hire a yellow sporty Jeep. We visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. The owner explains about the place and he is really motivated to save some of this beautiful animals.
At a nice place in Spring bay we lunch. Time for some snorkeling here also. Driving around we see a lot of beaches. One is named after Princess Margaret (late sister of Queen Elisabeth) who used to come here often.
Dinner time, we have a drink and dinner at Papa’s Bar & Restaurant, known as Papa’s. At Papa’s we meet a few nice local people and have some interesting conversations. Very late in the evening we are brought back to our cruise ship.
Mayreau
On our way to our next destination we pass Mustique. On this privately owned island celebrities like Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger live. Once David Bowie owned a villa here. He sold it because ‘the house was so tranquil and peaceful that he found it hard to get any work done’.
We get ashore on the island of Mayreau. It’s the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines. Only about 275 people live on this island. There is an unnamed village on Station Hill. Only one road on the island, which leads to Saltwhistle Bay. Some nice birds here. Only walking on Mayreau.
Stop for a drink at Robert’s. Owner Robert is not happy about cruise ships – even smaller ones like ours. That is because these ships have everything onboard when it concerns drinks and food. So guests from these boats seldom visit his bar.
Robert is a real Caribbean native. On his head he wears a big hat. I wonder why his hat is so big. ‘What’s in it?’ I ask. He looks at me. “My hair man, my hair!’.
This trip was made in 2010.
If you have any thoughts or questions feel free to leave a comment!
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