The famous Pitons are two volcanic plugs rising proudly from the Southern Tip of Saint Lucia. Named Gros Piton and Petit Piton, both are in the approximate vicinity of 2500 feet tall. And did you know that the local Saint Lucian Beer is appropriately called "Piton"?

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After a few days in the very lovely and calm Marigot Bay, it was time to think about leaving.



As with all passage-making days, we somehow always seem to wake up on the early side. A little nervous. A little eager. A little anxious but mostly a lot excited.

We raised our main in the windless sheltered bay and quickly dropped our mooring ball lines. The time on the clock was exactly 05:50.

"Ten minutes ahead of schedule" I told the Capt'n as I noted the timings for my log-book.

"Hmm..." he shook his head with a bit of a grimace, not quite sure which was worse, leaving ten minutes ahead of schedule, or ten minutes after stated Time of Departure.

The weather had finally calmed down enough for us to plan a beautiful sail in calm seas after weeks of unsettled and gusty winds due to the Tropical Waves.

Off in the distance you can't help but notice the two magnificent and mountainous Pitons emerging from the land and almost reaching up to touch the sky.



Looking up, we noticed the skies were a little overcast and grey, with definite rain activity behind us.

"Might even be some rain in our future" I commented.



as well as ahead of us.



At this point we're still about one to two hours away from the Pitons, yet look how majestically gigantesque they are.



Would you believe that Gros Piton, the higher of the two Pitons, is actually (reportedly) easier to climb than the little one?? The hikes, we have heard, can be challenging and anywhere between 3 to 6 hours one way.

We happily sailed along in the lee of the island, the current giving us an extra burst of speed as it pushed us along, the engine on idle revs to help with the water-making process.

The morning sun fought it's way out of the clouds, shining its triumph as its rays pierced through the greyness,



resulting in some amazing photo-ops of the majestic and lush peaks and valleys,



that make up the beautiful island of Saint Lucia.

We've never anchored between the Pitons, and today wasn't going to be that day either, yet somehow sailing by them one can't help but feel so small,



and rather insignificant. Look how small the sailboat sailing by is, just for a perspective.

Once past the tidal forces at the southern tip of Saint Lucia, we settled into a beautiful sailing rhythm, and speeded towards St Vincent.

She's a pretty island,



and about 6 hours later, once again in the lee of the island,



the winds allowed us to slow down a bit. Which had the Capt'N asking me,

"What's for Lunch?"

"You're having Leftover Spaghetti and meatballs" I replied with a smile, and before I was quite finished he replied in all honesty,

"Yum, my favourite!"

And I'm having egg salad lettuce-wiches (replacing the bread with lettuce leaves). My favourite too.

It wasn't long before we were leaving St Vincent behind, and back in the full force of the winds as the Bequia Blast blasted us into Admiralty Bay, Bequia



where we dropped the hook not even 9.5 hours later, and having covered 67.66 nm.

It was a FUN, FAST, and FURIOUS type of race. Just the way the Capt'N likes it. And you know what? I liked it too.