St Vincent and the Grenadines is an archipelago in the South Caribbean, with St Vincent as the largest island and numerous small islands to the south with beautiful anchor and snorkel spots. We find this one of the most beautiful areas of the Caribbean. When we made the plan for this trip, there were a number of places in the Caribbean that we wanted to visit at least because we had fantastic memories of them. These places were the Tobago keys (beautiful behind the reef, wind through the rigging, beautiful snorkeling), Petit Sint Vincent (beautiful resort and great food), Mustique (special island, great food in Cotton House hotel) and Byahaut bay on Sint Vincent (small bay, beautifully situated in the jungle with one restaurant in it and nothing else). These weeks are all about keeping this promise; we have indulged ourselves with beautiful bays, swimming, snorkeling and delicious food in top restaurants.

We start at Pt St Vincent, the southernmost small island. It is a very paradisiacal place with only a resort on the island itself. On Saturday evening we have a nice dinner there. We expected it to be very busy, but they are suffering from the recession and we are having dinner alone, except for one couple. The food and wine taste no less. On Sunday morning after breakfast (with our own baked brown bread and a boiled egg, the famous recipe) we go to the beach and look for a deserted spot with beach chairs and a hammock. No better place to spend a Sunday morning!
In the afternoon we sail to the Tobago Keys, that's where the Barbarossa is located and on the way we hear via the radio that the Jonathan and Valentine are also on their way there. It is a very pleasant reunion; an unexpected and unplanned reunion; those are the best! We celebrate this with a BBQ on the beach organized by a 'local'. A wonderful evening for the children as well as for us as adults. With roasted lobster, vegetables and peanuts and finally a limbo dance with the French neighbors where especially Marinthe is very good at.

The next morning the Barbarossa leaves and we go further on directly behind the reef. You then overlook the ocean but are still sheltered behind the reef. In azure blue water with swimming sea turtles around the boat. One of the Carieb's most beautiful anchorages. We decide to stay a day longer than planned, partly because it is traditionally pleasant with the Valentine and Jonathan. Locals are sailing around in boats selling baguettes, t-shirts and tuna. In the morning we just do school and in the afternoon we snorkel. Sometimes quite difficult because of the strong currents and waves. But the girls don't turn their hands for this. It's also very nice to do this with the four of us.

The second evening we really say goodbye with a drink and tuna shasimi. Very nice with the Valentine and Jonathan and also Kees and Martha van de Pjotter! Birthday presents and reading books are exchanged. The next morning when we sail away we are waved goodbye; we will see each other again in 5 months time in the Azores! The trip to Mustique can be sailed in 3 hours maximum high on the wind with a big seaway in one go. Yeah, and we fall in the repetition, but this is a paradise again! A quiet anchorage (at moorings) with azure blue water without currents and waves; that immediately invites you to swim. Mustique is a private island owned by the Mustique Company which was founded by the rich people of the earth who have a second (or third or fourth) house here. Besides these residents (and a lot of servants) there are only a few sailors. A very special place and atmosphere. When we arrive there appears to be a blues festival in Basil's Bar; this bar is situated at the harbour and is the meeting place for all islanders and sailors. For the connoisseurs: Hans Theessink and Joe Louis Walker seem to be quite famous in the blues world.d. It is very nice and cozy, together with Kees and Martha van de Pjotter we enjoy this very much.
The next day we rent a Mule (kind of big golf cart) and drive across the island. Eline and Marinthe both get their first driving lesson on a deserted area ... On the way we stop on some beautiful and deserted beaches. So far we notice very little of the dreaded crowds in the Caribbean.

In the afternoon we have a nice swim around the boat and get ready to eat at the Cotton House while enjoying the music of Blöf. One of the most beautiful hotels and restaurants that we know, with special previous experiences 10 and 12 years ago. We have a great dinner with delicious wines and also Eline and Marinthe eat a complete adult dish. Fantastic that the four of us can do this together!

Today on the road to Saint Vincent, Byahaut Bay and tomorrow Wallibabou Bay, the bay in which the Pirates of the Caribean are included. To be well prepared, the four of us are going to watch the film this afternoon.