The Tobago Cays are among nature’s most perfect places. Beautiful islands ringed with white sand beaches lined with coconut palms dot the area, and almost nobody lives there. We anchor behind a protecting reef but are otherwise exposed to the trade-winds that keep the day balmy. […]
Mustique is known as a haven for British royalty and rock stars. Mick Jagger has a place here and performs most years in the annual blues festival at the local, and only, bar. The island shops are well stocked with high priced gourmet items and fine wines to supply its residents. Because we are there out of season, the place is nearly deserted.
At the island of Bequia, we go ashore for supplies and a bit of shopping but otherwise leave the place unmolested.
Our next stop is the island of St Vincent and it is at its south end that we go ashore and put into action one of the more foolhardy ideas that has ever popped into my frequently off camber mind. A guide book of the island says that it’s possible to climb an active volcano, called Mt. Soufries (Mount Sulfur in English, the name a hint what lies ahead), using one of two paths, called harder and easier by the author. […]
We then made uneventful stops at Martinique and St. Lucia. At St. Lucia, in a waterfront tourist bar, all of us were nearly poisoned to death by rum drinks made from some god-awful concoction of witches brew. The next day the entire contingent on board was ill from the effects. Enough to make you give up drinking altogether, almost.