5/8/09 to 5/15/09

Makai laying at anchor in Admiralty Bay, Bequia

We had a great sail south & were fortunate enough to spot two large pods of dolphins fishing & frolicking off the northern coast of St. Vincent. Prior to crossing south to Bequia, we took a short detour to cruise through the anchorages around Young Island & the Blue Lagoon. Although both locations were picturesque, the mooring fields were a little too crowded for our liking.

Young Island & Cut

After clearing through Customs & Immigration the following morning, we decided to stretch our legs & walk over the hill towards Friendship Bay. As we approached Hilaire Point, we noted a local Work Boat Race underway offshore with four boats tacking upwind & rounding Petit Nevis. As the boats neared the finish, we stood among locals cheering on their favorite team. In the end, it was ‘Bequia’s Pride’ who took first place.

Friendship Bay

Work Boat Race & Bequia’s Pride

A Young Surfer-Dude look’in for the Big One

Since my ear problem had still not resolved, I decided an MD appointment was warranted. On a recommendation from Dede at Dive Bequia & the Bequia Tourist Office, we boarded the 1 PM ferry bound for Kingstown, St. Vincent to see Dr. St. Clair Thomas, an ENT. ‘Squeezed’ into his already full schedule, I was evaluated, diagnosed, new prescription filled & back aboard the 4:30 PM ferry for under $44 U.S. Amazing!

Kingstown, St. Vincent

Kentisha & her friend (two delightful girls who requested I take their photo)

Since I was still banned from the water, we decided to remain in Bequia until the end of the week. Fred scheduled a trip with Dive Bequia who had planned to dive the ‘Wall’. Unfortunately the conditions were too rough for that specific dive & the group was diverted to the ‘Middle Reef’, a sloping shelf of hard & soft corals, sponges & various sea creatures.

Underwater pictures (L to R: Arrow Crab, Coral Crab (trying to hide), Lettuce Sea Slug, an array of Sponges & Christmas Tree Tube Worms)

Prior to departing Bequia, we set off to explore Moonhole, an isolated community founded by the late American architect Tom Johnson. The community is a gathering of houses spread out along the island’s west end. The houses are set amongst rock formations & appear to grow directly out from the rock. Few of the houses had windows & none had electricity. It is said, the community was abandoned years ago when a boulder fell from the ceiling & crushed an empty bed. Relatively inaccessible by car or boat (no anchorages), this very private property can be easily viewed via dinghy in the right sea conditions (land tours are no longer offered.)

Moonhole