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Becquia was a small, quiet island. We went ashore and watched the ship builders and boat carvers for which Becquia is famous. A few passengers chose to purchase a "real" shore excursion to a turtle farm, and a few others took a catamaran to Mustique. Most of us just explored the island. We then sailed to Mayreau and had a picnic on the beach and did some snorkeling after lunch. Late that afternoon, we pulled up the anchor at Mayreau for a 2-hour late afternoon sail to Palm Island.
Palm Island is now a luxury resort, but at the time we were there it was owned by the late John Caldwell.


The history of this island is fascinating. John purchased the small island in the 1960's, and planted over 1000 palm trees. In addition to the gorgeous palms, the island was circled by "Highway 90"--a trail/walking path named by Mr. Caldwell because he hoped to live to be 90 years old. While we were anchored at Palm Island, we rendezvoused with the Amazing Grace, Windjammer's supply ship. We had a big barbeque on shore that night, and set sail late the next afternoon for Union Island.

We didn't go ashore at Union Island, but anchored offshore and had our crab races and costume night. Both of these activities are Windjammer traditions. Some of the crew captured some small hermit crabs, which are then "raced". Betting is encouraged, although the handicapping is not quite as scientific as at the tracks back home. Most passengers dress up in some type of garb or costume, and we all danced to the soca music on the deck under the stars. To say the least, the whole evening was a lot of fun!

The last day was spent at Carriacou Island.

Compared to our other stops, it was almost a metropolis. Another afternoon of spectacular snorkeling, and another amazing sunset. Although we were starting to get waterlogged, none of us was ready to be back in Grenada the next day. But, we were back the next day. We woke up in the harbor at St. George's. It was like the whole week had been a wonderful dream. We looked around us and there was the S/V Mandalay. It had come into the harbor from the south, sailing from Venezuela. For most of the passengers on the Yankee Clipper, it was time to say goodbye and fly back to the real world. For a few of us lucky ones, we packed up our bags, and gave them to the crew for transfer to the Mandalay. But that's another story for another day.