Jean & Dave's Website

St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Page 2

I don't think Denise and Jean were unpacked before they found the netting between the pontoons across the bow. And they rarely moved the entire trip. Kyle found the settee at the tip of each bow. Me? I found the helm. Afterall, I learned to drive a power boat long before I learned to sail. 

Admiralty Bay, Bequia

Bequia is a little more lively than the other Grenadines, helping our transition from city life to island life. Of course this was Sunday, so everything was dead except a couple of resort bars. After a hot walk through deserted streets, we rested on the beach at Frangipani's over several Frangi's Fevers. Ho Hum, another lazy afternoon in paradise.

Dinner at Gingerbread was outstanding. Samosa's (triangle filled pastry) with 4 different dipping sauces was followed by shrimp creole and curried shrimp. Live music and several cocktails finished the evening. "You are My Sunshine" and "Grandma's Feather Bed", both played Calypso style.  In retrospect, this wonderful meal would pale by comparison to what was to come.

A quick side note about Sunsail skippers. Most charter companies require the charterers to provide meals. Sunsail charges a per diem that includes meals. We thought this would be better, since we would not have to worry about Brian's tastes vs. ours. However, he did not bring any food. For a couple days, I did not know whether to feel guilty and feed him, or be mad that he would munch on whatever he could find every time we left the boat. Finally I decided to quit worrying about what was primarily my own ignorance of culture.

Our morning routine included a trip in the dinghy for more provisions. Note for next trip: order way more provisions at the beginning, as provisioning gets tougher once you leave the dock. You can always find fresh bread, even if you have to buy it from the restaurant. Also, the bank across from the Church has closed, but there is another one by the post office.

Brian had to take a break from vacation and play engineer for a few hours to figure out why the bilge was flooded. The filter on the fresh water pump was leaking. Did I say how much I like having a skipper? In Bequia, the water comes to you, on a boat, along with ice. 140 gallons later and we were on our way.

Mystique

After motoring around Moonhole and past Friendship Bay, we finally rolled out the red sail. Ok, so we only had 8-10 knots of wind and barely sailed in the 3's, but we were dying to sail. Not just me. Honest.

Mystique is the island of the rich and famous. Not that we saw anyone, but we could tell by the prices. We did watch them unload dirt from a boat to fill in around the foundation for Tommy Hilfiger's house. Mick Jaggar is supposed to have a house too, but we did not think Mick and the Boys were in town.