Day 6-St Vincent

This is an island we visited 25 years ago on a sailing holiday with Lynn and Phil so we are looking forward to seeing it again although we are sure it will be very different.

But back to last night.  The panto thing was a bit of nothing really but we had a nice glass of wine whilst watching and waiting for our table. The table didn’t take long even though we’d asked for a table for two. And oh thank goodness, the meal standard was up to what we expected. We “cheated” with two starters each - a lovely old fashioned prawn cocktail for both then onion soup for Steve and lamb bon bon for me followed by pork for Steve and beef medallions for me. All delicious!  Then we were so tired after a hard day doing nothing, we went straight to bed.

We woke early this morning and went to Horizon for breakfast as soon as it opened. Steve bought the Costa coffees to the restaurant. After a decent breakfast we got ready for our morning of kayaking and snorkelling. This was due to start at 9.00 but we set off a few minutes late. We were in two minibuses. The traffic through Kingstown was horrendous - thousands of vehicles down narrow streets with little care for anyone else or what they were doing - everyone wanted to be first - no traffic lights so just the police directing traffic. It was chaotic. The island is volcanic and very mountainous so the journey out of Kingstown wasn’t much easier as we climbed and climbed and were constantly overtaken by faster vehicles in totally unsafe places. But the scenery was wonderful and we weren’t driving 😀.

The bay we set out kayaking from was Buccament Bay where the Sandals resort is based. Half the sand is black volcanic sand, which is the natural sand, and half is white, which Sandals ships in for the tourists.

Once again we got kitted out and listened to the instructions/safety briefing. There were mainly two person kayaks so we were sharing. The first part of the kayak trip was to go through Bat Cave - not as in the comic series but real bats. The cave was about 60ft long by about 3-4ft wide. You went in one end and out the other and only one kayak could go in at a time. When in the cave you had to ship your oars and work your way through by pulling on the cave sides with your hands. If you capsized you were to float on out then swim to the safety boat and the crew on the kayaks would rescue your kayak.

We were about one third of the way down the queue of boats to go in. We manoeuvred our way to the entrance and had to wait until the people before us pulled themselves out the other side. Whilst waiting our eyes became accustomed to the dark and we could see all the bats above us. Then it was time to go. It wasn’t easy. The swell picked up whilst we were inside and we had to work hard to get sufficient purchase on the rocks to pull ourselves through. Just before the end there is a huge stalactite where you have to fold in half forwards in order to get by. It was hard work but fun. We paddled away from the cave to await the rest of our group. But then we saw two little heads bobbing their way out of the cave minus a kayak and yes, sure enough, they had to swim to the safety boat as it couldn’t get too close to the rocks. Unfortunately, after that no one else could go through as there was too much sell and it was too dangerous.

We then kayaked into Bayhaut Bay, a small secluded and protected cove. There we dumped the kayaks for a while and snorkelled around the bay. The water was much clearer than in Antigua so we did see some fish, but not too many. But nevertheless it was fun to be snorkelling.

After a short break it was back in to the kayaks to return to Buccament Bay. Sadly those who hadn’t been able to go through the cave on the way out still couldn’t go in on the way back as the conditions were still too dangerous.

Steve and I picked up a great rhythm and headed back at breakneck speed (😂) to the bay. Over 70’s Olympics next!  But joking aside, we did well and really enjoyed it. Not so sure the arms will think the same tomorrow.

We then had rum or fruit punch at the shack by the sea.

I don’t mention that the day had started with rain and we had had a few showers through the morning, but whilst we were in the shack the heavens opened and a true tropical storm hit us with full force. Oh my goodness it was heavy. But then, like all tropical storms, it passed over, we got back on the bus and headed back to Kingstown.

On the way we asked our guide for food recommendations as we felt like trying something local. She gave us a couple but first we headed back to the shop to dump our wet stuff and have a quick change. It was already gone 2 so no time for a shower.

We stopped off at the local supermarket to go to the ATM and get some Eastern Caribbean dollars which are about 0.37 of an American dollar. We then went in search of one of the places to eat and to our surprise we found it.  We had asked for a local place and were told about the Pirate Bar which sounded more touristy than local. But how very wrong we were, it couldn’t have been more local. It was down a side alley you would never have gone down if you hadn’t been told and there wasn’t a single tourist in the place. It was just a small bar with stools and a couple of rum kegs as tables seating a few locals. We ordered fried fish, chips and two local beers. We didn’t have to wait long and what a reward!  It wasn’t a huge plate but there was plenty and it was just what we needed. The fish was gorgeous and we topped it off with local spicy sauce.  Steve asked what the fish was - barracuda- another first. The beers were good too. The price for all of that was ECD51 or £19!!!!

Then back to the boat to collapse. We had actually forgotten that we are booked into the Limelight tonight which is a cabaret plus meal so having decided we would eat a bit later, we are actually eating a bit earlier. So a little bit more collapsing and then showers and hair washing, ready for the show.