Bequia
The sun arose on the beautiful harbor of Admiralty Bay just off the village of Port Elizabeth Bequia at 6AM. There was a gentle breeze blowing from the land and I could almost smell the perfume of the flowers that grew on this beautiful island. Bequia is one of the Grenadines and is part of the nation of St. Vincent, which has approximately 8 inhabited islands of the many dozens of islets that comprise this island nation. Bequia gets its name from the original indigenous Caribs who lived here centuries ago. It means “Island in the Clouds.” Bequia is 13 degrees north latitude by 61 degrees west longitude. The island is quite mountainous and made its living, before tourism, principally by fishing. Fishing is now the number two industry after tourism. The natives of Bequia were whalers; they are still allowed to take from 1 to 5 whales a year. This harvest is strictly regulated and it appears that over a five-year period they average about three whales. The island is only 7 square miles. Its small size, plus the real lack of adequate water has made all but subsistence farming impossible. However, it is one of the most beautiful and certainly friendly islands one can visit. It is relatively unspoiled and is not visited by the largest of the cruise liners. The natives go about their daily business without so much of a look at the visitors. There is no hawking of goods and trinkets.
We took a Zodiac ashore and boarded the open-air pick up truck taxis for our first stop on the Atlantic side of the island to the turtle sanctuary in Sal Bay. Here Mr. King, a former fisherman, began a turtle sanctuary for the hawksbill turtle – the most endangered of the Caribbean turtles – some 13 years ago. He rescues turtles which would otherwise be killed, and raises them until they can manage to survive in the sea unaided. To date he has released 850 five year old turtles. We saw turtles from just a few weeks old to those who are about to be released. After visiting King’s turtle sanctuary we had a scenic drive of the area of Mt. Pleasant, one of the highest villages on the island, and certainly one of the best vantage places for a view of the neighboring islands. Some of us chose to go snorkeling and others decided to explore the attractive street of Port Elizabeth. The village has a very nice little bookshop in the middle of the town. It is always stocked with best sellers as well as a good selection of books on local history.
Later, the Captain put the swim platform down and a number of hardy souls swam off the starboard aft of the Sea Cloud. We sailed out of Admiralty Bay at 2 for Barbados. Tonight we had the Captain’s farewell dinner and good cheer and smiles were abundant. We began this trip as a gathering of like-minded individuals and we have ended it as a community.
The sun arose on the beautiful harbor of Admiralty Bay just off the village of Port Elizabeth Bequia at 6AM. There was a gentle breeze blowing from the land and I could almost smell the perfume of the flowers that grew on this beautiful island. Bequia is one of the Grenadines and is part of the nation of St. Vincent, which has approximately 8 inhabited islands of the many dozens of islets that comprise this island nation. Bequia gets its name from the original indigenous Caribs who lived here centuries ago. It means “Island in the Clouds.” Bequia is 13 degrees north latitude by 61 degrees west longitude. The island is quite mountainous and made its living, before tourism, principally by fishing. Fishing is now the number two industry after tourism. The natives of Bequia were whalers; they are still allowed to take from 1 to 5 whales a year. This harvest is strictly regulated and it appears that over a five-year period they average about three whales. The island is only 7 square miles. Its small size, plus the real lack of adequate water has made all but subsistence farming impossible. However, it is one of the most beautiful and certainly friendly islands one can visit. It is relatively unspoiled and is not visited by the largest of the cruise liners. The natives go about their daily business without so much of a look at the visitors. There is no hawking of goods and trinkets.
We took a Zodiac ashore and boarded the open-air pick up truck taxis for our first stop on the Atlantic side of the island to the turtle sanctuary in Sal Bay. Here Mr. King, a former fisherman, began a turtle sanctuary for the hawksbill turtle – the most endangered of the Caribbean turtles – some 13 years ago. He rescues turtles which would otherwise be killed, and raises them until they can manage to survive in the sea unaided. To date he has released 850 five year old turtles. We saw turtles from just a few weeks old to those who are about to be released. After visiting King’s turtle sanctuary we had a scenic drive of the area of Mt. Pleasant, one of the highest villages on the island, and certainly one of the best vantage places for a view of the neighboring islands. Some of us chose to go snorkeling and others decided to explore the attractive street of Port Elizabeth. The village has a very nice little bookshop in the middle of the town. It is always stocked with best sellers as well as a good selection of books on local history.
Later, the Captain put the swim platform down and a number of hardy souls swam off the starboard aft of the Sea Cloud. We sailed out of Admiralty Bay at 2 for Barbados. Tonight we had the Captain’s farewell dinner and good cheer and smiles were abundant. We began this trip as a gathering of like-minded individuals and we have ended it as a community.
