Aargh! Pirates of the Caribbean?
07 June 2009 | Wallilabou, St Vincent
Oye! Oye!! me hearties, via an overnight stop between the beautiful Pitons (again) which lie at the southern end of St Lucia, we were dropping the hook in Wallilabou on 22nd May.
This beautiful anchorage is in a small, protected bay with hills all around. It was used as the location for filming Pirates of the Caribbean, which happens to be an old favourite of ours. Some of the film set has been left standing and the hope had been that it would remain a tourist attraction. Unfortunately, with the lack of upkeep, along with a reputation for crime in the bay, there has not been as much benefit to the locals.
We spent a lovely few days here however, and walked to the village of Barrouallie in the next bay, went and bathed in a small freshwater pool, and ate twice at Rehobot, a restaurant run by a lovely local couple - Paul and Michelle. They are a very genuine, warm and friendly young couple and their food is excellent. We had very tasty meals at an incredibly cheap cost on both evenings and Fi was even able to check out emails and weather by plugging into Paul's internet. We promised to return to eat there if we ever pass that way again.
Rehobot had been recommended to us by Tony Edwards, who runs a bar on the beach. We visited him because Henk and Angela, our Dutch friends, asked us to go and say Hi from them as they had found him friendly but also committed to making the area a safer, more attractive place for visiting cruising folk. He has the right attitude and a good perception of what is required, but unfortunately is finding it a struggle to engage the cooperation of other people and businesses in the bay. We wish him success but think he has a long, uphill struggle on his hands. However, having said all that, we found Tony and other locals we met extremely friendly so, as always, there's only one or two rotten eggs in the basket.
Speaking of baskets, Fi bought a locally-made, little woven basket to keep her collection of sea beans in (see photos). So far, the collection amounts to one but she's optimistic...