A Rescue (May 30th, 2014)
We’ve been “off the grid” for almost a week, but have
finally found WiFi at a small local bar on Mayreau Island …. I can now catch up
with you all!
As we were coming into Admiralty Bay on Bequia, late in the
afternoon after a 10 ½ hr. sail from St. Lucia; Gil noticed a fellow in his
dinghy far out from the harbour. He was frantically trying to restart his
outboard motor. We watched as he got out his oars and tried in vain to row
against the current and wind. He was adrift in his dinghy and headed out to sea! Gil diverted course to lend the fellow
a needed hand. He seemed so absorbed in his own problems that I think we
surprised him. He had the appearance of a pirate – long thick hair and an eye
patch! English was not his first language, but we were able to communicate
enough to offer him a tow back to his boat, which was way smaller than ours –
barely more than 20’. Unbelievable. I wished he spoke English, or we spoke his
language (which I couldn’t sort out), as he was obviously an adventurous
character. As it was, we rescued him, but never got to know even each others’
names. It was late in the afternoon, and we had to get our own boat anchored in
the bay.
Bequia (May 30th
– June 3rd, 2014)
Admiralty Bay on Bequia is a huge well protected bay with
Bequia’s town of Port Elizabeth at its’ head. Unfortunately, Gil’s back was
acting up, and he never left the boat! He had his nose in a book (James
Michener’s ‘Caribbean’) to pass the time. I made a few trips into town to clear
in with Customs, pick up a pizza J,
pick up some fresh produce at their market, and find WiFi to skype with the
kids.
Bequia's hillside homes
reading Michener's 'Caribbean'
big oops!!
Tobago Cays (June 3rd – 5th, 2014)
We’ve been following Guilloume & Gwen on Slow Waltz like
a puppy dog. When they decided to move on to the Tobago Cays, we decided to go
too.
The Tobago Cays are a group of small deserted islands protected from the
sea by Horseshoe Reef. To the east, there is nothing but ocean between them and
Africa! They are beautiful, with their clear turquoise waters and white sand
beaches.
anchored at the Tobago Cays
nothing but ocean, east to Africa!
One of the islands (Petit
Tabac) was used to film the final scene with Johny Depp and Kierra Knightely in
Pirates of the Caribbean.
Petit Tabac - setting used in Pirates of the Caribbean
this ship was also in the movie
Snorkeling was good, and we were able to swim with
Hawksbill sea turtles. We hiked on
the islands of Baradel and Petit Bateau, and saw many iguanas, and were
rewarded with spectacular views.
one of many on Baradel Island
visitors aboard Serenada
When the winds picked up and the anchorage at the Tobago
Cays became a bit ‘rolly,’ we chose to skip over to Mayreau Island; less than
an hour away. It has beautiful beaches,
reefs to snorkel, and trails to hike. It has a very small town with an
old quaint church, and one dwelling made from sticks and mud.
the beach at Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau Island
ditto
the setting sun over Salt Whistle Bay
hiking Mayreau with Glen & Dalyn and Alex & Dave
ditto
Mayreau's little church on the hill
a stick and mud dwelling
the small town on Mayreau Island
Through Guilloume and Gwen, we were introduced to a couple
of other Canadian boats: Banyan (Dave & Alex) and Amoray (Glen &
Dalyn), both who’ve been cruising for 2-3 years. Together, we had a 7:30am yoga
class on the beach. It was so much fun, we did it again the following morning,
though by then we’d moved to another bay (to get away from the ‘rollies’ again!).
yoga at Salt Whistle beach
My Gosh it looks beautiful there!
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