The stark black frying pan shaped fish with bright yellow iridescent strips swims below me. It sees me and heads for a rock at the bottom to hide under. The fan coral explodes from the seafloor. Easily three feet high with a deeply colored purple base rising upward to show off the day glow green edge reaching for the sun.

Its another day of snorkeling in natures underwater paradise.

We arrived in Bequia just time to enjoy some music with the annual Bequa music festival going on. I found someone who guaranteed he could fix my fridge and get it back to working status. The only downside is he didn’t say how long it would take him and what his level of working it would be. After five days of trying this part and then that part he finally found a combination that kinda of worked. It will get down to 50 degree but no lower. Welcome to paradise.

One part of the cruising lifestyle that makes it so special is running into other cruisers that I have sailed with before. In Bequia I was able to connect with a couple and we decided to do some buddy boating together. Hiking, snorkeling, listening to music, enjoying food and each others company make for a wonderful time.

We sail north from Bequia to Cumberland bay in St. Vincent. St. Vincent is one of the most rugged countries in the Caribbean. Tall volcanic mountains rise straight out of the sea forming sharp knife edge peaks. Very dramatic and makes for very slow taxi rides going up and down and round and round. The potential for motion sickness is greater on the car ride than actually sailing in big seas.

A beautiful day sail lands us in Soufrie St. Lucia where the wonderful snorkeling was. A short sail up to Rodney bay and time for change of crew. Beth who sailed with me for 3 weeks is headed back to California and three good friends from Colorado will join me for two weeks. Watch out, the boys are back in town.