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). However, 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 for instance 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 painted in vivid colors – this certainly 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. Meanwhile we hire a yellow sporty Jeep. We visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. The owner explains about the place and more importantly he really is saving some of this beautiful animals!
At a nice place in Spring bay we take lunch. In addition we do a little snorkeling here. After that we drive around and see a lot of beaches. One is named after Princess Margaret (late sister of Queen Elisabeth) who used to come here often.
Further we drink and dine at Papa’s Bar & Restaurant, known as Papa’s. At Papa’s we meet a few nice local people and have some interesting conversations. Subsequently 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 however because ‘the house was so tranquil and peaceful that he found it hard to get any work done’.
Finally 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. The only road on the island leads to Saltwhistle Bay. We spot some nice birds along the way. For example a nice heron.
Obviously there are no cars on the island. Consequently transport on Mayreau is by feet only!
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. 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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