Caribbean Calling

I’ve been working, cruising, diving and swimming in the Caribbean for just over 30 years. So of course, I can be a little jaded. And still, as my plane left Miami and flew over the chain of isles between there and St. Vincent, I felt a flutter in my heart. I travel and swim so many cool places, and yet the Caribbean still calls, and still makes me a little giddy. You can’t argue with turquoise from 30,000 feet in the air. It’s something to see. 

This is our first year running exclusively in St. Vincent (the last two years we started and ended in Grenada with a turnaround here), and having loved our brief time here the last two years, we are pretty excited to get to know her shores a little better. This was actually my first time flying into this island, and the approach didn’t disappoint. The little local airport is full of typical Caribbean colors - pale pinks and light greens and soft yellows - I walk through the pastel gauntlet of the arrival hall and can’t help but smile. Classic Caribbean. It’s familiar, this palette, this scent, this heat. It’s where I learned I love the Ocean.

I arrived on my own and immediately made friends in my taxi with Sophia (driving) and her cousin Kerry (visiting). Lots of story talking and laughing as we cruised down the winding island roads here. Big hugs on drop off. I love this about islanders.

I went out for a little solo adventure last night which turned out to be more of a misadventure ending with a walk down the side of a shoulderless very dangerous road back to the Blue Lagoon Marina hotel. My heart was beating so fast by the time I got back here I had to have an ice cream to calm down. A marina cat joined me for a bit. We had a good chat. He recommended I not walk on that road at night again. I agreed.

In addition to the ice cream, I did something you have never seen me do - I had a beer. This was for our dear brother, Richie Rome, who left us less than a month ago. His funeral was today back in England, and I promised Lisa I’d join them for a beer. To Romesie. I love you.

We have new crew for the next two weeks. Canyon Duncan is the owner of Nirvana Yacht Charters here in St. Vincent. He’s giving us a new (to us) level of service. It’s concierge bare boating - he and his top notch chef Mallika - handled just about everything today, and it was the first bareboat Saturday that the only thing I carried down the dock were my own bags. Incredible. I did do a little running around in a taxi (Hi again Sophie!!) looking for an ATM that would work so I could give Mallika cash for the incredible produce on offer in stalls all over town (It’s not a trip to the Caribbean unless you try several ATMs, mostly in vain). Mallika (also called Mal) is a trained chef with lots of resort and yacht experience. Five minutes with her this morning and I knew we are in great culinary hands. Canyon, Mal and I spent time chatting this afternoon getting to know one another and we hit it off instantly. I’m really excited to work with these two St. Vincentians. 

You won’t believe this but through a series of unfortunate circumstances we have had a few 11th hour cancellations and this week we have only 1 guest. This is Tracy’s 4th trip with us, and tomorrow we will be ready to give her a great week of swimming and maybe even a little hiking and great meals and catch up chats. Hopper had some things to take care of at home and will join us on Tuesday night.

For now, this boat is nearly ready to go and I can’t wait to dive into these waters. St. Vincent has some of the most healthy marine life left in the Caribbean so I know we will have some special sightings in our time here.

Goodnight from the Caribbean which always feels a little like home,

Heather