A Bulletin from the Ministry of Cheese.
A Bulletin from The Ministry of Cheese
Hopper Here. I’m taking over blog duties from the venerable Heather, who will now be able to concentrate on photography and nurse her addiction to fresh raspberries. Guide John Stevens and I flew down from Boston yesterday, where it was gray, windy, sleety, and cold, but hope was in the air for a decent Red Sox season.
Flying in for week 2 is kind of cheating, as by the time we arrive the crew already has the boat re-provisioned and they’re basically just ready to relax with a beer and some local food, which we did. It was deckhand Zack’s birthday, so we gave him a good sendup at Patrick’s Restaurant near the marina.
The people that own Patrick’s make the most delicious down-home Grenadian food that oozes with the love they have for this place. Our chef-picked courses included stewed pumpkin, crab fritters, local greens, and callaloo stew. The rum punch was strong, the beers, cold. Our waitress Antonia, who remembered the crew from last week, had bought a bottle of wine especially for Zack’s birthday. This special woman is a true angel, with a smile that could end wars. Zack was given some local firewater, which looked quite painful as it went down the hatch. We all made it back to the yacht, somehow.
At breakfast this morning, we were discussing the speed of service (or lack thereof) in many of the beautiful places we visit. It’s often referred to as “Island time”, and it extends to other quirky stuff, too. Captain Richie told us a story about how one time at a restaurant in Vanuatu, everyone he was with had received their meals except for him. When he asked the server where his food was, she replied “the guy that puts the cheese on the cheeseburgers is on break”. This led us to further discussing how some former colonial powers left the parting gift of bureaucracy when they abandoned their territories. Which led Chef Ali to ponder if Vanuatu had a Ministry of Cheese. Much laughter ensued.
Time to greet our guests! We showed Rob and Chess, sisters Mackenzi and Amanda, Kevin and Jane, Mary, and Laura to the yacht and got them settled in. Some are new friends, some are old friends. Laura is here on assignment from USMS Swimmer Magazine to write an article about open water swimming vacations. Rob and Chess are SV alums who hail from Maine, but we haven’t seen them aboard since 2010! Kevin and Jane were recruited by guide John via his work for personal training company Purple Patch. Mary returns to us for her second trip - her first was in 2012! Amanda and Mackenzie are brand new to us and we can’t wait to get to know them.
A few briefings later and we motored out of the Harbor, bound for Halifax Bay. Along the way we spied a large flock of gulls and boobies, likely feeding on a bait ball just beneath the water. Swirling life. We love seeing wildlife thriving in the places we travel. Lovely salads for lunch, and more briefings, damnit. We tell them about The Ultimate Power of the Guide, where they basically have to do what we say while in the water. In return, we do whatever they ask on the yacht. It works.
The water here in Halifax Bay is clear, with a slight green tinge from the Orinoco River all the way over in South America! We planned a little swim around the bay, kind of a get-to-know you swim for all of us. Nice fan coral here. Heather took some stroke video for later analysis. The group splintered a bit on the way back to the yacht, something I made a mental note of for future swims.
Amanda was wowed by this beautiful table coral specimen.
The wildlife in Halifax Bay did not disappoint today. This lizard fish sat beautifully in the light for me! - HP
Kevin (above) loves to work on his stroke technique and has been coached by John for a few years.
Back on the yacht for Grenadian sparklers (rum, sugar, prosecco), and hors devours of deviled eggs and a nice cheese plate. Dinner was a fabulous fish stew, with a clear broth, wahoo, pumpkin, carrots, and plantains. Dessert was a spice cake with raspberries and cream that was very popular.
Early to bed with this group, including the crew! Zack’s birthday celebrations and catching a new group of guests had tapped us, so we let the waves rock us to sleep.
Hopper
We thought this gang might be a late night crowd, but just a few minutes after this photo, they all ambled off to bed! The crew was not far behind! - HP