A Proclamation from the Ministry of Citrus.

Due to the lack of rainfall and subsequent loss of our citrus crop, we hereby institute a prohibition on the frivolous use of limes. Allowed uses include only juicing for drinks and confections. Any use as a garnish or for other decorative purposes is strictly prohibited. 

Sourus L. Peel, Minister

St. George, Grenada April 4, 2023

One of our favorite things to do as swimming guides is to plan a somewhat complicated adventure swim. We did just that this morning, with a plan for 2 different groups of swimmers, a lap around the bay, then a long downwind swim away from the yacht, requiring our captain to move said vessel to do a “live” pickup at the end of our swim at the southern point of Isle de Ronde. I’m proud to say we pulled it off, and our guests showed some grit and focus in completing it. I swam a good deal of the route near Kevin, who I see gaining more comfort in the open water every swim. Amanda was a tad reluctant to do this swim, but she charged through it with determination. 

Hopper started our swim with a quick guide tip about swimming in “weather”.

Our home for the week, and for all of our water-based trips, is a catamaran sailboat. The 2 hulls make for a really smooth and stable ride, but that was put to the test for an hour or so after our swim as we sailed up into the wind and some pretty big waves. I’m really prone to seasickness (making my choosing a career working on boats rather questionable), so I gulped down ½ a dramamine with a slug of ginger beer and strapped in for the ride, staring at the sometimes-disappearing horizon. 

As we cruised north, Captain Richie spotted a whale, which distracted guide John, which left no weight on a cushion, which flew overboard. “Cushion Overboard!!!”, we yelled, and everyone snapped into action, simulating a Man Overboard drill, as we were taught on day 1 of this trip. Guests pointed at the wayward seat as it quickly bobbed away from us, 500 yards in just a minute. Cap’n Richie turned around and Zack gaffed the offender. The cushion, not John.

We pulled up to Sandy Isle, just off the island of Carriacou. It looks like a Corona Beer commercial, with bright white sand and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Scrumptious peanut needles for lunch. How does chef Ali do it in this tiny galley? I’m dumbfounded.

The Mutiny and lime-free Palomas

In a SwimVacation first, the guests staged a mutiny. Rather than an afternoon swim, they decided to dog paddle over to Sandy Island with a cooler of beer. I love this spirit. Many checked out the nearby reef, which is some of the healthiest around.

At the end of this video is a blissful minute of a spotted eagle ray. Please indulge me and watch to the end. - HP

When they got back, Zack and I made some Carriacou Palomas. Due to the lack of limes in these islands, we made them with tequila, cointreau, grapefruit juice, topped with a lemon lime soda and bitters, garnished with a squeezed Seville Orange (very bitter, replaced the lime nicely) and dusted with fresh grated nutmeg, on the rocks. Sometimes I go overboard on the cocktail creations, but this is my company and I’ll make crazy cocktails as I please, damnit.  

It’s Taco Tuesday all over the world, and we observed it with gusto. There must have been 20 toppings on the table. I thought this group was going to be full of night owls, but they're off to sleep early once again. 

Hopper