12 OCTOBER 2005
The big news, of course, is that I have found a great property on the main port side of Bequia. The contract is
formalized and I am just awaiting the approval of my application for Alien Land Holders License. It is a beautifully
planted lot with a structure consisting of (3) full one bedroom apartments, all with a large deck and garden, bay and
sunset views. I just met with the selling representative and I actually may get to move in prior to my closing, as it is
vacant as of this past weekend and neither the seller nor I wish the property to sit vacant for very long. With a fresh
coat of paint, some scrubbing and minor electrical work, it is move in ready, for the most part. There are mature
banana, citrus, aloe, mango trees on site and an area to develop an herb and vegetable garden. I plan to have a pool
/ gym area and new insulating roof installed to get through the high season this year. As I gain more insight to the
conditions on the property (sun, breeze, rain, noise etc…) I will start plans to add additional guest rooms, outdoor
yoga/fitness deck, possible food service facility, etc. on the land above the existing structure.
As I await the Land Holders approval, my days roll by in the typical island pace. I am trying to take hour long walks in
the morning before the sun gets too high then a 20-30 minute strength work out, shower and into “town” to run
errands, check in at the internet café (I finally found one that is open fairly consistently!). Occasionally a quick trip out
to check on Jeremy’s boat; (Saturday I commenced kayak training and tossed Jeremy’s kayak over the side of the boat
to start paddling around a bit.) Between 1:30 and 3, many of the “regular” ex-pats begin to gather at “the office” – they
have priority seating at the one table under the ceiling fan in the middle of the small dive bar known as the New York
Bar. Beers are all of $4EC (about $1.50) and on some Friday afternoons, 2 beers for $5 EC. Occasionally the bets
begin for raucous pool games in the ‘back room’ – not even large enough to use full pool cues from every angle! Fun
none the less – my place is on the window sill, keeping a watch over the players’ cocktails, sunglasses, etc.
Around 5 – 6 pm the crowd starts to wane and upon arrival home, an evening swim in the pool is a must (just at dusk
the bats start dive bombing the pool!). Jeremy, being quite the chef, has been enjoying having a kitchen to cook in,
larger than his galley on the boat, so I have been enjoying the various recipes he comes up with.
A few weeks ago (yes, island sun has effected my recall of exactly when…) we sailed down to the Tobago Keys, the
next day we awoke and realized we only one of seven boats there (during high season, there can be upwards of 80-
100 at any given time). We took the dinghy to one of the outer keys, where we were the only ones there – walked the
beach, collected shells and snorkeled. On the way back, we stopped at one of the inner keys to take the short hike to
the top where we took pictures of the beautiful view of the Keys and nearby islands – Mayreau, Canouan, and south to
Union Island and beyond to Carriacou. That evening we were invited to friends’ boat for dinner, arriving barefoot with
cocktails in hand, we enjoyed a fabulous dinner of freshly caught fish and some new recipes Judy was trying out. As we
arrived back to Fortitude (Jeremy’s boat) with a ‘just past’ full moon, it was time for a midnight swim – like being in a
swimming pool. The next morning some squalls came through, allowing us a good excuse to have a “movie Morning”
viewing a couple a movies from Jeremy’s vast collection. As the skies cleared, we were now one of TWO boats
anchored – us and the friends we had had dinner with. Talk about paradise! Well, that afternoon brought the good
news from my attorney that the property contract was signed & returned by the bank. …An afternoon of snorkeling
(sting ray and nurse shark sightings) then over for cocktails on Dream Catcher and celebration of the recent good
news. (Any excuse for cocktails seems to work around here!!) The following morning we heading out to sail back to
Bequia. Within an hour Jeremy had caught (2) large fish – (1) a barracuda which we had for dinner the next couple
nights, the other he released. To and from Bequia we saw whales, dolphin and any number of other large fish.
Where Sundays are typically spent on Lower Bay, we have had a few exceptions to the rule – one a barbeque we
through where I am staying – casual afternoon for about 13-14 people with drinks, piles of “stuff” on the grill, and
miscellaneous appetizers we were trying out. Another Sunday we were invited to Moonhole (the funky homes built out
of rock and concrete, at the point of the island). The original builder’s son and his wife now live there (Jim & Sheena)
so we had a first hand tour of their home and enjoyed an afternoon of drinks and appetizers and saw photos from the
initial stages of development, etc…it is like living in a contemporary cave – VERY cool stuff – all open air, no power,
open air shower, AMAZING views, just unlike anything you can imagine. AND they live there full time! On a more recent
Sunday, Bob, of Dive Bequia (where any of you who want to dive, will be directed…) invited a boat full of people to
cruise out to a near by uninhabited island – Isle Quattre, where we dropped a few off on the beach to tend to starting a
fire, joining the beach barbeque area frequented on weekends by a handful of locals, cooking up food and playing
games; the rest of us went out for diving and snorkeling until the divers caught a sufficient number of fish (and a
lobster). Upon return to the beach, a big barbeque fire was well underway. Fish, chicken and of course, Jeremy’s stand
by of sausages, were all cooked up. Beers, rum and of all things, SAKI!!, were abundant. Backgammon, dominoes and
food & drink for a couple hours before loading the boat back up and heading home. …A really fun “local” Sunday.
OK…enough writing for the day. And likely, more than enough reading for a day!!
Signing off – must be time for another beer!
© 2006 AQUA on Bequia