Great Action Photo taken by Kenmore Henville as Banyan got blasted towards Bequia

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We left the peaceful charm that is Marigot Bay (Saint Lucia) our tummies still full from the amazing meal at the Rainforest Hideaway Cafe, just as the sun was rising in its usual gorgeous brilliance.



We got our sails ready (one reef in the main, and good slice of jib) and drank our morning coffee's as we scooted down the Saint Lucian coast, in the relative tranquility and calm seas, watching the fishermen out and about,



but it wasn't long before we smelled the sulphur. The Pitons, magnificent as always, and just gorgeous in the morning spectacle of sun.



Both Gros Piton and Petit Piton are volcanic plugs that loom overhead, rising impressively from the sea and instantly remind you of the power of Nature,



and we were glad we had timed our breakfast to be done, just as Banyan rocked and rolled a bit in the confused areas of riptides. Two currents that meet up with each other leave an area of washing machine type of turbulence.

Thankfully it wasn't long before we escaped and rounded the bend of land, and (once again) said "be back soon" to Saint Lucia.



Having cleared the current and land effects we were soon quickly sailing boisterously along in 20-28 knots of wind and 2 meter seas, easily reaching and even surpassing Banyan's hull speed of 7.8 knots.

There were a couple of times where the Capt'N was clearly enjoying himself by taking the wheel to give auto some relief,



or was it simply the competitive edge that was driving him to trim Banyan sails so perfectly so as to outrun the boats behind us.

"Let the main out"... and so I did.
"Bring it back in..." and so I did.
"Winch it in"... and so I did.
"Let it out..." and so on, and so on, and so on.

We sailed past Saint Vincent, where there was a bit of respite from the seas, but were quickly back out in the channel for another hour of adventure as we got blasted towards Bequia.

The pass of water between Saint Vincent and Bequia is open to the sea and this area is well known as the Bequia Blast, and sure enough, the winds were barrelling upon us once again.

Just before the entrance of Admiralty Bay we noticed a dinghy zooming towards us (in these seas is he crazy??), whistling to get our attention,



so we could smile for the perfect photo ops,



in 2 meter seas and gusting to 30 knots of wind !! Dave was comfortable enough to let go and smile. I not so much, which I deeply regretted after having seen the photos, after all, you only live once, right?

Bequia is the second largest island of the chain of islands known as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and from the old Arawak language, it translates to mean "island of the clouds".

Sure enough, just after having dropped anchor, and toasting our safe passage with an arrival beer, the skies clouded over and we got a bit of a shower that washed some of the voyage salties of the newly waxed hulls of our home. Nice !!

We are anchored by Princess Margaret Beach, and this beach is indeed named after Princess Margaret. Bequia is also one of the very few places in the world where Bequians are allowed to whale (up to four humpback whales per year) but using only traditional hunting methods.

First order of business, a swim to get rid of the day's heat,



check the anchor, and hope to the Dear Universe that there are no jellyfish in these blue waters.

No doubt about it, not even 9 hours to cover the barely 60 nm to get here, it was indeed a good Blast of a Time !!