Industry Bay, Bequia

It's 2001, and we are on a charter from St. Lucia to the Grenadines. The group has been to the Grenadines in the past, so we know of a few places we want to see again. Captain Don likes to keep us moving, he likes to squeeze the most out of a vacation. The boats we charter will never get a whole lot of rest. It is fun to see a lot of places, but then again, when you find a great spot it is nice to soak it in for more than a few hours. Such was the case with Bequia.

On this trip the crew decided that we wanted to stay a day in Bequia. We wanted to explore the island in a little greater detail. As such, we decided to rent a few jeeps from Andy's Rentals. We packed everyone into the jeeps and headed out to explore the Island. First we headed South to see what was on that end of the island. There were a few little bays, with small villages to explore. The villages were typical of a small island, very cute and oriented to the bay. We got to the very south end of the Island where the Airport was located, and had a Guiness at the "First Stop" Bar.

Next we headed back up toward the North end of the Island. There was a Turtle Sanctuary at this end of the Island that Lisa wanted to see. On our way up toward "Old Heg" turtle sanctuary, we passed a very picturesque beach at Industry Bay. There were a lot of "Wow, is that Beautiful" going around the Jeep. We took the jeeps to the very northern end of the island past "Old Heg" and captured a few pictures on the little mountain top.

On our way back down the mountain top, we stopped at "Old Heg" to pay tribute to the little Turtles. Then we started back toward Admiralty Bay (where the Stargazer was anchored). On our way we were passing by Industry Bay. We saw a quaint little resort nestled into the bay. Everyone decided it would be a great idea to stop and admire the beach. There was a little bar at the resort, and lots of empty recliners along the beach. This ended up being one of the best decisions we made on the trip. The beach, and the resort, were almost deserted. This was absolutely amazing, because the beach was fabulous. It has a fantastic crescent shaped beach which the resort is practically the only thing on it. There was a protective reef to stop the heavy waves from crashing along the beach. A very gentle swell allowed you to walk in the sea without the waves crashing and soaking your shorts. The resort was remote, but very cool. Here is the link: http://www.bequia.net/eden/crescentbeachinn.htm There were little villas that - since they were empty - we were able to walk through and see what they were like. They are right on the beach, and have a fantastic view. The resort has a little bar/restaurant. And a ton of chairs, grass umbrellas, and recliners. We took up residence for at least two hours. Everyone was reluctant to leave. What a fantastic little slice of heaven. If you ever want to find a remote resort with the perfect - quiet beach, this IS the place. Un-believably romantic setting. Disappear for as long as you can afford to!

Captain Pete!

Ok, does anyone find it ironic that the Captain's license that Pete acquired yesterday is called the "6 Pack"? No, Really. I'm not kidding!

For all of you land lubbers that did not know, Pete spent the last two weeks in Cape Coral taking a Captain's course. Low and behold, he passed in flying colors (only 1 missed question). We now have two captains in our midst. SkippyofBVI, and Cap'nPush!

Another coincidence - the two captains spent several days last week in Fort Myers preparing for the drinking portion of the test. Apparently you have to consume a bottle of rum all by your onesies.

Kudos to Captain Push! May he sail straight and true! He's going to have to switch to rum now, we will see if that takes...

Help a Brother out!

I have added a link to my "Favorite Links" section on the Blog site. It is the "Beer and a Stuben Boats and Crews List". This takes you to a page that lists all of our trips, the boats, and the crews. Please review the list and GET BACK TO ME on any changes that I should incorporate into this list. There are several "blank" spots in my memory. Some of it is easy to explain (I was no on the specific trip - therefore have no memeory of it), some of it I write off to either alzheimers or alcohol.

To get to the link you need to be on the actual web site, so remember to click the link to the web site on this e-mail (below).

Wet pants times two!

Ok, I have heard many people say "stop or I'll wet my pants" when you really get them laughing, but I have only seen one person actually do it...

We were in St. Johns at Cruz Bay. There are a lot of shops and restaurants near the dinghy dock. Everyone had awakened early, showered (not a custom on these trips in the morning) and we all headed in to the pier so that we could shop and eat. Everyone was having a great time. Girls were in their glory with the shopping, boys were happy with the bloody mary's and the screwdrivers. It had the makings of a fantastic day in paradise.

The girls finished their shopping and decided that they wanted to drop off the loot on the boat before exploring the town a little bit. As we all walk toward the dinghy, Mauler trips on a deck cleat and falls face first into the fuel and seaweed littered dinghy area! We all start laughing because it was so sudden - and Mauler looked like a drowned rat. Lisa, however, laughed so hard that she both wet her pants, and was involuntarily drooling. Which, of course, added to the moment rather nicely.

The men headed back to the dock side bar while the ladies went back to the boat for another shower and change of clothes.

Life comes at ya fast, don't forget to enjoy it all!

Room w/a view at Trembling Hills

Yes, Steven J. Lehner always has sage advice.

The first few years of our bareboat charter trips I always wondered why my older cousin took a 10th day of vacation. The end of the trip would come around, and he would always be talking about Monday on the couch. He would joke about checking himself into a room at Trembling Hills. Detox with a view!

Years went by, and I got older. Suddenly I did not enjoy that first day back at work, having just returned at 1 AM in the morning from a solid 9 days of "breakfast cylinders", rum runners, and 2AM beer & a Stuben. In fact, most of my Monday at work revolved around me - face down on the desk - sweating and hoping that I did not get a lot of phone calls. Praying for the day to end so that I could go home and collapse on the couch in the fetal position. I would spend the day wondering why I did not take Monday off - that critical 10th day of recovery.

Here is to you Steven J. Lehner, and the critical 10th day of vacation. I plan to make my reservation for a room w/a view at Trembling Hills in advance of our next trip! Or you can just book it for me when you place your reservations!

Re-visiting Transylvania Ave

Here is evidence of Pete, then Stub and Vinnie, re-visiting our long lost trail.

Swimming with the sharks?

One of my favorite places in the world is The Bitter End Yacht Club. I cannot picture a more perfect resort - anywhere. There is a little for everyone. Sailing, dancing, relaxing, diving, snorkeling, the baths a short distance away, the list goes on. We seem to always end up here whenever in the BVI's for a few days. It is very relaxing, and there is a little island (Saba Rock) that used to be a very cool bar/band area easily reached by a dinghy from the moorings in the bay. We could have dinner at Bitter end, then either catch a band at the yacht club, or motor over to Saba Rock for some fun.

One night after much entertainment at the yacht club, we were headed back to the boat. It had been limbo night, and we were well lubricated to compete in the event. On the way back to the dinghy you pass a shark tank. It has a short little railing all the way around it. Stub thought it would be funny to give the group a scare. He ran up the the rail/fence and mocked jumping in. To his surprise the railing gave was slightly. He rotated over his hip on the railing and was all of a sudden hanging upside down above the tank - feet pointing directly at the moon. Someone grabbed his shoes and pulled him back to earth. I believe that is the only time I have ever seen a look of fear/shock on Stub's face. The guy seems to take almost anything in stride.

It did not take long for the jokes to start rolling in. Mauler was wondering what she would have told her sister if her son had ended up swimming with the sharks. I told Mauler that the nurse sharks would have had a hard time "gumming" him to death. The fall on his head might have done him some good too!