Hello again from Hullabaloo. Since our last journal update we have cruised from St Lucia South through St Vincent and the Grenadines to Grenada which is not very far but the area has lots of islands and plenty to see.
The islands from St Vincent South are very close with at most only a few hours sail between them. This part of the trip has been typified by scenic anchorages with long sandy palm lined beaches and some fantastic snorkelling. Most of the islands are inhabited by friendly local people along with a few up market holiday resorts. For us the islands of Mustique and Tobago Cays were highlights.
Mustique is a privately owned island with only 90 houses owned by the extremely rich and famous such as Mick Jagger, David Bowie and some Royals. There is also one or 2 low key resorts although they are hard to find. The island is managed and maintained by a private company who have ensured that the environment is protected and most of the island is in its` natural state, unspoilt by development. The only tourists on the island are in the small resorts or those from visiting yachts who are not allowed to anchor and are restricted to a limited number of mooring buoys provided by the management company. The result is that you wander around the island and hardly see a soul once you leave the bay where the yachts are moored. The houses which are huge impressive mansions, mainly sympathetic with the environment, seem to be unoccupied or their owners if they are in residence are ensconsed in their luxurious private hideaway. Most of the beaches and bays are deserted so you get the feeling that you are the only people on the island. You pretty much have the place to yourself which is amazing.
Tobago Cays consist of a few small uninhabitated islands surrounded by reef which creates a natural protected anchorage with great snorkelling including and area which is teeming with large turtles that you can swim with and admire. It is a major destination for yachts so the anchorage is packed with all kinds of boats and dinghies ferrying their occupants out amongst the reef for some snorkelling before the afternoon drinks back on board, settling in for another sunset viewing.
One of the strangest and enjoyable sunsets we have had was in a quiet anchorage in the island of Mayreau, about halfway between St Lucia and Grenada. There were only about 8 boats in the anchorage. We had some friends from another yacht on board enjoying a few drinks and around half an hour before sunset a bloke scrambles on to the bow of his boat with a set of bagpipes and starts belting out some good old Scottish numbers for the next half hour as the sun sunk into the sea.....brilliant.
The local steel bands here in the islands are classic. They consist of a bunch of local characters playing on mostly home made drums and when we say drums we mean drums in more than one sense. Many of them are made out of 44 gallon drums modified to become a musical instrument with quite a good sound. When they all get going it is really quite good. Sometimes if the makeshift stage is not big enough some hang around the edges playing in tune with the band. You are not really sure whether they are members or hopefuls.
We are basing ourselves here in Grenada for a couple of weeks before heading to the ABC islands off the coast of Venezuela and then on to Columbia and Panama. Since we have slowed down quite a bit we will not have time for the Pacific before Julie is due back at work in early July, so we will haul Hullabaloo out and store her ashore in Panama before returning to Oz.
We have loaded a few more pics for those that are interested.
Hope you are all keeping well. Cheers for now,
Craig and Julie
