Wednesday giving props.

Waking at Bequia Island, we plotted a swim at a long, skinny part of the island with a nice reef and some very dramatic cliffs. This group is hitting their stride in the water now, and we are all swimming generally in the right direction. We stop once in a while and re-group, taking care not to take off immediately when the last swimmer arrives. That happens to me on every group mountain bike ride I’ve ever been on, and I refuse to put my guests through that particular torture. 

The wildlife has been somewhat shy this trip, but we’ve seen some pretty cool creatures. Spotted Eagle Rays, Southern Rays, Porcupine fish, Jacks, turtles, lots of reef fish including rock beauties and the uncommon spotted drum.

The cliffs became more dramatic above us, covered in vines and agave plants just barely hanging on. At the end of the swim there's a resort with a kind of post-apocalyptic look to it, including an abandoned house under an arch. As we climbed aboard, Captain Jason told us that we’d lost a propeller. There are usually 2 on this catamaran, and this tub is a lot more difficult to maneuver with just 1. Jason made plans to meet up with a delivery boat from the charter company down in the Tobago Cays, our next stop. 

We purposefully spent an extra day up here close to St. Vincent, with so many new places to check out. As a result, we’re running a bit behind on our schedule which puts us back in Grenada on Friday night, and required a long sail today. 

The sun was getting low as we pulled into the Tobago Cays, a collection of islands that is a marine park and turtle sanctuary. The water was a milky blue, and the little island off our bow had a stunning white sand beach, which we swam to. The sun dipped below a cloud bank on the horizon, and it was time to exit the pool.

Catharine and I had been talking about Aperol Spritzers during the long sail, so I mixed up a trial glass for tasting. We didn’t have any Prosecco left, so I substituted Lambrusco. I wanted Catherine’s approval, but she was still in the water just behind the yacht. I handed it to her, cap and goggles still on, and she approved. 

Maya put out a delicious Chicken Alfredo pasta dish, followed by cinnamon rum cake. A card game came out. Laughter. The lines banged on the mast, the stars and planets on full display. I think I’ll sleep under those stars tonight and hope for no rain. 

Hopper