We spent two nights anchored in Saltwhistle Bay on the small island of Mayreau. It is a lovely bay with a small isthmus, which amazingly offers just enough protection from the open sea on the other side. Saltwhistle Bay is very popular with huge chartered catamarans full of young kite surfers that come to surf in the shallow windy waters the other side of the isthmus. The beach front has a ramshackle collection of bars and restaurants and vendors colourfully displaying their goods by hanging everything up on what looks like washing lines.
We decided on a walk and followed the road away from the beach up a very steep hill eventually coming to a lovely stone built Catholic Church. There was a sign on the outside of the church directing us round to the back. As we walked around the corner we caught sight for the first time of the amazingly beautiful turquoise waters of the Tobago Cays. After some picture snapping we continued along the road (now going downhill) towards Saline Bay on the other side.
I was looking out for Robert's bar as Maria and Allen from Lady Jane had given us the heads up that this was not to be missed. I was hovering outside a bar not too sure if this was the place when someone started talking. I couldn't see anyone so wasn't sure if the voice was directed at me but the voice told me to come in, not stand on the road? As I stepped inside and my eyes adjusted to the light I saw a man lying down on a bench and he introduced himself as Robert the Rasta (he never got up, life is just too laid back in the Caribbean). The bar was empty but Robert assured me this was the place to come for a cold beer and everyone would be here after 5pm. It was still mid afternoon so we said we would call in on the way back.
After a walk along Saline bay we walked back up the steep hill where Robert's bar is perfectly located at the top for catching your breath and getting a drink. It was now well after 4pm and other people (we assume other yachties) were beginning to fill up the bar. Robert after his afternoon rest was in full form entertaining everyone with his reggae drumming and singing. He was a real character and sure enough by the time we left the place was full.
We wandered back to the beach and booked ourselves a bbq'd lobster later on in the evening with Alyson the boat boy who had helped us anchor. It felt like everyone was on the beach that evening, there was certainly a huge number of dinghies lined up along the beach and after our delicious lobster meal everyone was in a party mood as the dancing soon broke out including some limbo! I had a go but the old body is not that flexible anymore, sadly!