Bequia is a beautiful Caribbean island. The harbor is full of sailboats. Last season, Suzanne the boat we have been sailing with spent two months here. It is that kind of place. The quaint slow paced island has not changed since I first sailed here nine years ago.
I have received a reputation by many of my crew that I am always the farthest boat out In the harbor since I do not want to infringe on another boat's privacy. Maybe I am just to chicken to weave my way through all of the other boats. No that can't be it. This time however, Lew from Suzanne is waving me forward.
"Come on get closer. It is deep all the way to shore."
Yes I have found that it is always deep until you run around next to shore. Ok, I keep going in and we drop the anchor closes enough to shore that we can actually swim in from the boat. Wow, what a concept. I send some photos to previous crew so they will believe it.
The next few days are filled with long hours at the coffee shop with good internet service, swimming, lounging on the beach, and just relaxing. Lew finds out about a hike with ten other cruisers and we invite ourselves along. John and Zoe are content on the beach.
I really enjoy getting off the boat and hiking the islands. I think that is why I enjoy Grenada so much. I have had such wonderful opportunities to hike in so many different places on that island alone.
Lew and I cram ourselves onto the open back mini Toyota truck that Bequia calls taxis. They are designed for eight maybe ten max so the twelve of us get very very cozy to take us to the trailhead. It is a beautiful day for a hike and we soon end up at the very eastern point of Bequia. From here we can see the oceans that we will travel tonight on our way to St. Lucia.
The bad weather has shortened our time window necessary for me to reach St. Lucia in time to catch my flight back to Colorado for Christmas. Lew and I have looked at the weather and decided that we should catch a little sleep, then start out at midnight for our twelve to sixteen hour sail. The winds are predicted to calm down but even then we are advised that this will be very salty sailing, not for the faint of heart. They were very right. The rogue waves drench us from head to toe. The waves crash completely over the boat with a wall of water that soaks the bimini and even fills up the dingy in the back of the boat. Lew on his catamaran was knocked completely out of his chair. As he watched his starboard pontoon completely lift out of the water, he was certain that he was going to flip completely over. Thank goodness that didn't happen. At least he didn't get all wet like we did.
Arriving safe and sound around one In the afternoon we motor to the safety of the dock for an excellent night of peace and quiet.
I arrive in time to catch my flight and I am off to Colorado and Wyoming to spend Christmas with family and friends.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may all your wishes come true in the new Year and may that dream or adventure that you have thought of become a reality.
Did I mention ukulele playing.