The crew spent the morning snorkeling and exploring Sandy Island. Lots of places in the Caribbean have a "Sandy Island" equivalent. Turks and Caicos has Big Sand Cay, the BVI has Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit, and Cariacou has Sandy Island. These "sandy" spots seem to be universally great places. This particular island has been getting smaller with each storm however and soon may be Sandy Bar.

There's a lot of coral built up on the north side of the island, presumably to protect the island from the north swell in the winter. The coral forms little pools that are connected to the ocean but only by small intricate channels. There are no real trees left living on the island but there are two good sized dead ones. The pelicans have requisitioned these and use them as a spotting platform for their hunting expeditions. The balance of the island is just beautiful white and pink sand.

Roq and I explored the island while Hideko, Razmig and Atsuko went snorkeling around the northeast point, which they rated as their favorite snorkeling spot of the trip. They found two lobsters on their exploration. Lobster season had just opened here September 1 but visitors are not allowed to take them. I was hoping that we would find a way to get Razmig and Atsuko in on a Lobster barbeque while they were here.

Razmig and Atsuko had to fly home on the 6th so we were really saving the best for last on this trip. We weighed anchor at just after noon and sailed over to Union Island on a moderate breeze. Razmig and I went to the airport to clear the boat in and to get plane tickets to Barbados for Atsuko and him. We tried to find a place to eat but low season had set in and few places were open and those that were only served lunch around noon.

We left Clifton harbor and sailed up the leeward coast of Mayreau for Salt Whistle Bay. Salt Whistle is one of the most beautiful anchorages you can find, but like most such anchorages, it has fallen victim to its own popularity. I secretly was hoping that the recent storms might have scared off all of the tourists.

As we came around the point I was pleasantly surprised, there were only four or five other boats. When we were here last folks were anchored out past the entrance of the bay. The contingent tonight consisted of a large sport fisher med moored to the beach, a small cruising boat from France and three Switch charter cats. Switch.fr is a French charter outfit and they seem to charter year round with no problem. The French are hard core sailors.

While we were setting the anchor a glass over plywood power boat came over. I always try to be nice to these guys but I am usually predisposed to avoid purchases. We really don't need much once we're out and about. We had fresh fruit from the market, Hideko catching fresh fish (although she's been striking out lately), we were set. We exchanged greetings, I said "yualright?", he said "gudgud", he gave me his pitch and I almost said, "thanks mon, we're good", but a car locked up the brakes in my head, jammed the shifter into reverse and floored it. He had just asked if we wanted to join in on a lobster beach barbeque. Whoa. I RSVPed for four. A perfect ending to a perfect day.