We were
initially going to anchor in Petite Martinique, however, it looked like an
extremely uncomfortable anchorage so we went across to Petit St-Vincent
instead. Petit St-Vincent is a private
Island owned by a Texan. On the Island,
there’s an exclusive high end resort where guests have their own bungalow. If they require something, all they have to
do is raise a flag outside their bungalow and here comes a butler. There is no wifi on this island. We went for a walk on the beach past the “Do
not go any further sign” and saw a nicely set up dinner table for 2 on the
beach with lanterns. It was something
like out of the Bachelorette TV show. It
looked very romantic indeed.
The next
day, we dinghied over to Petite Martinique since we’d never been there
before. It was Sunday so of course,
everything was closed but that was ok with us.
We walked the only road until there was no more then continued on a dirt
path. Along the way we many goats and
sheep then we heard a young kitten meowing.
We gave it some water for which it drank in it’s entirety. For a split moment I wanted to adopt it
but….I just can’t justify an animal on a boat, not me.
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| WE DON'T SEE PIGS THAT OFTEN |
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| WE ALSO DON'T SEE BILLY GOATS TOO OFTEN |
A little
further up we came upon a beautiful meadow with one house that had a most
beautiful view. It was a breathtaking
area. We met a local who was building a
garden not far away and he encouraged us to climb to the top of the
island. So, we did. The view of our boat at Petit St-Vincent made
it worthwhile.
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| OUR BOAT ANCHORED AT PETIT ST-VINCENT, VIEW FROM PETITE MARTINIQUE |
The only
unfortunately thing about this island is that its beach is not anything to
write home about. In fact, it’s one of
the ugliest beaches I’ve seen. Well,
there really isn’t any tourists that stay on this island other than a day trip
like we did.
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| THE ONLY MAIN ROAD ON PETITE MARTINIQUE |
There are only
approximately 200 inhabitants on the little island of Mayreau. Water
here is scares therefore cultivation and livestock pose some difficulty. Fish is a huge part of the local diet. Every drop of drinkable water is caught and
conserved. The drum is very popular
and present in many celebrations including a type of rhythm just for a ‘rain
dance’. About 20 years ago, there was
no electricity on this island. Mayreau
is only 1.5 square miles and has 1
main road.
For years,
this tiny island was owned by one family, the St-Hillaires whose relationship
with the inhabitants was feudal. The
workers did not own the land until the 70s when the people were able to
change their houses to concrete structures.
Finally, in 1986, the inhabitants were able to purchase their
plots.
Mayreau
was settled by Europeans and was then deforested and exploited. Slave labor was used to cultivate the land
for the cash crop of cotton and fuel in the production of lime (a form of
cement made from burning the coral of surrounding reefs). Mayreau was initially claimed by the French
who let the island to tenants. Legend
has it that the master was killed by his workers because he was particularly
cruel and harsh.
Today,
crime is nonexistent apart from petty theft and there is no police
station. There was a ‘Luxury hotel’ where the
cottages are still standing but it is no longer operational.
Ahhhhh,
Salt Whistle Bay in Mayreau is a most beautiful, picture postcard island
beach. Since we have a shallow draft
we can anchor really close to the beach.
From this vantage point, we can see both the leeward and windward side
of the island.
 
It’s a
little walk over the hill to Saline Bay on Mayreau. It’s a much bigger bay than Salt Whistle
bay and very beautiful also with more full time cruisers versus the bareboat
charters in Salt Whistle Bay.
The Tobago Cays are made up of 4 little islands
called Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal and Sandy. There is a turtle sanctuary where you can
snorkel with the turtles however they do ask you to ‘give them space’. Beyond the islands is Horseshoe Reef where
the snorkeling is fantastic. There can
be a strong current so beware. I spotted a ray and watched it swim, what luck !
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