Bequia and Manhattan, Night and Day

After a fast paced day at the European Travel Commission yesterday, I was drawn to pictures I took down in St Vincent and the Grenadines last week. I wanted to relive the bare footing slow pace and breath the salty air, it doesn’t take me long to get nostalgic over a special place.

One of my favorite places down there was the Island of Bequia (“BEK-way”) just nine miles away from St Vincent, a perfect sail. Its main town is Port Elizabeth, a funky little place with great water views and small scale restaurants and shops. Amy’s Creole Grill was also where I had the best French fries I have ever tasted.It was almost like my lobster sandwich was the side dish. In keeping with the laid back Bequia way it is also a place to drop off a finished book and trade it in for a new one. A long way from the fast pace of Manhattan and people rushing around.

Sail More, Work Less

Sailing the Grenadine Islands

With some of the finest sailing in the Caribbean it is no wonder that Sail Fast, Live Slow and Sail More, Work Less tee shirts are found everywhere in St Vincent and the Grenadine Islands. After our trip I couldn’t agree more!

Pirates and Jumby on St Vincent Island

I am loving being in my sweet room at the Grenadine House after a tough day hiking the rain forest to the Trinity Falls. Hiking up and down steep trails was killer but so good to do. On the way we stopped at several fishing villages, it was like the Caribbean used to be years ago, not tarted up but real. The people friendly and life lived, no wonder why Depp's pirate films were made here. Tonight is Jumby Away night and I can see the fires and laterns in the grave yard across the hill. The people go to talk about the dead relatives and party, much like day of the dead in Mexico.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, First Visit

Another night in the Holiday Inn JFK and it seems like hundredth in recent years, but with Long Island traffic and an early flight well worth it. I head to St Vincent and the Grenadines in the AM, one of the sleepiest parts of the Caribbean. Sailors and the yachting set have long gone there but not many travelers. Besides St Vincent I will visit Bequia, Palm Island and Union Island by boat and small prop planes. As I have over recent visits to St Croix, Puerto Rico, Nevis and St Lucia, I am sitting in HI JFK wondering what new adventures await, I bet on many.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, Heading to Young's Island

I believe that I have just spent one of the longest periods home in the past five years. While it is always great, I am ready to again head out. I got my finalized itinerary today for my Halloween trip to St. Vincent & the Grenadines and it looks just fantastic! A lot of sailing, snorkeling and hiking in a place I haven’t been to before. The islands are supposedly laid back and beautiful as well as being in sailing heaven.

The itin also reminded us to pack light as a lot of our island hopping will be by boat and small prop planes as well as be on the move. One of my favorite parts of traveling is checking out lodgings and it appears that we have a winner with Young’s Island for my last two nights. Young’s is a 35 acre private island that is 600 feet off of St Vincent. As with all interesting lodgings it has its own legend, it was once where a Carib Indian chief kept his harem. He traded the island for a black stallion. I wonder what he did with the harem? I plan on contemplating that very question in a hammock under a thatched roof, if I get the time!