Only two hours to our next destination. We again troll along the drop off as we go, but we have no luck.
Bequia is renowned at Easter for an annual sailing regatta. When we enter admiralty bay we sight a shipwreck on the first point, then a group of abandoned houses that look like a scene from Disneyland's pirates of the Caribbean.
At the head of this large bay is Port Elizabeth the only town on the island. The bay is jam packed with yachts of all sizes. It is hard to find a spot to drop anchor, and harder to get the anchor to hold, it is blowing 25+ knots and the bottom is fairly rocky.
We get dropped off on the sandy beach and walk a couple of Kms to town. On the way we pass crowds of locals assembled on the hills overlooking the bay watching the yacht races that are underway. They are very interested in their local yachts, which are gaff rigged, Bequia Whalers. The people of the Island are allowed to hunt four whales per year, but as the expertise of the elder people is lost, it is harder to achieve results. However, they tell us two were caught this year. Their sailing boats are great, double ended like canoes with large gaff rigged sails. They are very skilful in handling these in strong winds.
The place is colourful and in a holiday mood. As it is Good Friday holiday most things including bars are open. A lot of the locals are enjoying a rum.
We find our church St. Michael's and enjoy a very spiritual service led by he local bishop. We then stroll back to town visiting 'Sergeant's Model Boat Shop'. Here She, one of the model makers show us the renowned models of the Bequia Whalers. These models are exact replica's of the boats we saw racing today. Bequia was famous for boatbuilding in the 17 th and 18 th centuries. Scottish immigrants were the boat builders and their descendants are still building boats today. They use very good timbers grown on the island. We catch up with Paul who is keen to buy a model, at $300-$600 US, it makes us think twice.
So, we head off to the Flamingo Bar for our daily Rum. Due to the regatta Mt. Gay are giving away free rum with cranberry juice. The bar is a real party with all the yachties enjoying free drinks and waiting for the trophy presentation.
Back on board Barry has been fishing off the transom at the aft and has caught a small squid and medium size snapper. He then hooks up a Moray Eel. We have no idea what to do with this sea creature which fortunately breaks off the line back into the water.
Barry is having a ball. Captain Paul and MB are catching Garfish in the net.
Saturday we do our yoga session then paddle the surf ski to the beach, which is quiet difficult as it is fairly windy.
We venture to the market with Christy.
There is very good fruit and vegetables. We buy a few Rasta hats and T-shirts.
Back on board we enjoy many of the yacht races taking place. As we are anchored almost at the finishing line we enjoy very exciting finishes.
We were due to leave for Barbados on Sunday night but the forecast is for strengthening winds and rising seas. The anchor is not holding. MB suggests to Paul we leave today and Paul agrees.
Before we pack up JB, Paul and MB head back to the model boat shop to bargain hard for a boat each. They acquire two for $250 each.
Well really enjoyed Bequia as it was a lively,friendly, colourful place. As usual the beaches and water were beautiful and the Regatta made it a lot of fun.
We are now on our way to Barbados some 90 nautical miles to the east. So far the weather is not too bad. We are enjoying our French red and a fish snack dinner as everything is stowed away and no cooking. We arrive in Barbados in the early am.
JB and Mick