No we did not beach Spacegrazer anywhere, luckily. But we did go to the beach a lot, and when we did, we beached our dinghy. So there you have it: the island of Bequia (pronounced Beck-way) is good for that. Beaching it baby!
I had actually never heard of Bequia before sailing to it. Reading the sailing guides, I found out that many a sailor has stayed on this island for longer than expected, some even settling down here. So, we just had to find out why that is…
The tiny walkway 
The big anchorage 
The prettiest Pizza Hut 
Free range kids!
We did not get off to the best start: we tried to anchor in the big, busy bay but our anchor just would not set. Apparently there are some areas where only a thin layer of sand lies atop rock. However, we were determined and got it in the end… Time to explore onshore! We picked up some fresh fruits and veggies from the colourful stalls on the seafront, and finished up by eating delicious fish and chips at the stall next door. When we asked the chef what fish he used, to our surprise he said dolphin. We must have turned green because he burst out laughing and quickly added that the islanders call mahi-mahi dolphin. I hope that was true!
Exploring the island
The next day, we set off on an exploration of the island together with friends on 3 other boats: Mrs Chippy, Bazo, and Nikau. We took a couple of open-air taxis and headed for the Old Hegg turtle sanctuary.
Sharing an open taxi van with Mrs Chippy 
The baby turtles in their own tank 
We were not allowed to touch the turtles or the water… 
since our bacteria could make them ill or damage their eyes
These guys are bigger… 
and older, and wiser… 
The sanctuary is a private initiative. The owner is a former fisherman from the island, who noticed a decline in the number of turtles on the island. He decided to capture newly-hatched turtles and raise them in this sanctuary, to try to increase the number of turtles that reach maturity. Then the turtles are released onto the same beaches. It is hard to tell how successful this is, since he has “only” been doing this for 25 years, and it takes about 25 years for a turtle to start breeding! So time will tell…
Firefly Plantation
Next up was the Firefly plantation. We decided to walk there from Old Hegg. It took us longer than expected, with little legs getting distracted by the amazingly soft, bouncy grass along the way. The kids enjoyed it too 🙂
Off we go 
Bouncing off the squidgy grass 
This villa… 
with this view 
The Firefly plantation is an old estate, which has been converted into a boutique hotel. The estate is still a working plantation, growing sugar cane, all sorts of tropical fruits, and producing sea salt. We got a lovely tour around the grounds, where we had chance to touch, taste, feel and smell all the delicious things that grow here.
The amazing weather forecasting coconut 
Chopping sugar cane 
We all got a little piece to suck on 
Then we got to sample some sugar cane juice 
Kai decided to just dive under the sugar cane juicer! 
Zoe liked the dogs 
Making sea salt 
Zoe with her favourite coconut! 
Beautiful caterpillars 
Swings! 
Group photo! 
The golf course! Shoes and shirts are optional here 
You are never too old for the swings 
After the tour we taxied back to the bay to grab ourselves a pizza lunch. Some days are just pretty good.
I have some sugar cane growing, will have to learn what to do with it!
Like Kai’s idea!
The kids must be learning so much…… wonderful education.
Keep up the good work , basis for a book one day…. xxx