| There is no place further removed from the stress of | | | | her predecessor, Preussen, was launched at the |
| every day life than a sail boat trip through the | | | | beginning of the last century. |
| Grenadines. This archipelago of over 600 islands and | | | | Flagship slices lazily into the channel of the Tobago |
| cays, stretching from St. Vincent in the north to | | | | Cays for a much anticipated lunch. Protected by a |
| Grenada in the south, is still largely unspoiled by | | | | horseshoe shaped reef nearly 5 miles long, this is a |
| development. We recently joined several of our great | | | | place you already sense that you don't want to leave. |
| friends, along with several now new dear friends, | | | | The inviting white sand and crystal clear waters are a |
| aboard the sailing vessel Flagship under the command | | | | snorkeler's heaven. A feeling of sun-drugged hypnosis |
| of legendary Captain Roger Bagga. Along with the | | | | prevails that is strangely calming. Visions of quitting |
| ever-efficient first mate, Coastman, and the aptly | | | | everything and making this the escape you've always |
| named galley mate Angel (pronounced Ahn-jel) whose | | | | wanted gives way to yet another ice cold beverage |
| delicious fare is still a topic of discussion amongst our | | | | from the reliable Coastman. |
| group, we were well looked after for the entire day. | | | | Lunch is announced and today's epicurean feast |
| Our party of ten left Barbados via a private plane for | | | | includes fresh local spiny lobster, West Indian style |
| the 100 mile, 50 minute flight to Union Island (population | | | | spicy barbequed chicken and dolphin marinated in |
| 3000) which is located at the Southern end of the | | | | herbs and spices alongside breadfruit and plantains, |
| Grenadines island chain. The plane flies at a mere | | | | accompanied by a delicious assortment of fresh |
| 10,000 feet providing breathtaking photo ops from the | | | | salads, breads and fruits. Captain Bagga took the |
| window. Known as the crossroads of the Grenadines, | | | | launch over to a nearby deserted islet and grilled the |
| the air strip at Union Island's tiny airport is a thrill | | | | still moving crustaceans himself. Several wonderful |
| seekers delight when the plane swoops around a high | | | | bottles of white burgundy made it all the more special. |
| rocky crag before descending roller coaster style onto | | | | With sybaritic glee, we dig in to the sumptuous lunch |
| the sometimes goat maintained runway. Clearing | | | | display while anchored just off Petit Tabac. We are so |
| immigration and Customs is a "hello and welcome to | | | | close that you could almost hear Captain Jack |
| "Union Island". We were taken on a 2 minute motorized | | | | Sparrow bellowing from the Black Pearl. Alas, no |
| tram (think Fantasy Island without Tattoo) ride to the | | | | sightings of either Johnny or Keira. Petit Tabac was |
| dock for a warm greeting by Captain Bagga ---- | | | | the setting for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. |
| Bagga or Roger to his friends ---- and champagne on | | | | And there is a reason why St Vincent and the |
| ice. We breakfast on freshly baked banana, mango | | | | Grenadines was chosen as the surroundings send the |
| and coconut breads, local fruit and juices, with tea and | | | | senses reeling, pinging the mind searching for just the |
| coffee. My good mate hears the champagne calling | | | | right description of the water's color....blue topaz, no, |
| and barely two Bucks Fizz to our UK hosts, or | | | | aqua marine, maybe powder blue...If you cannot relax |
| Mimosas to the Americans, later the Flagship is under | | | | here you most certainly need a maximum dose of |
| sail towards our first destination, Mayreau. Settling in on | | | | statins. This is the raw Caribbean without re-touched |
| the spacious deck under a sky streaked with | | | | photos or cruise ship soldiers invading a different port |
| rainbows, there is Happy Island off the port side, a | | | | each day. |
| you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it man made island. Local | | | | After lunch, our group decides to pay a visit to Mopion. |
| legend has it that a determined fellow named Shanti | | | | Almost an editorial cartoon caricature in real life, we |
| spent well over a year dumping palm fronds, rocks, | | | | set foot on what looks like a sand bar in the middle of |
| conch shells and boat load upon tiny boatload of sand | | | | the sea with its one man made palm tree. Not a bad |
| in order to create his own little untaxed piece of | | | | location to be marooned for the day if the company is |
| paradise. Beer and rum is sold daily to passing | | | | right. You can hear Tom Hanks... WILSON! WILSON! |
| watercraft assuming Shanti has decided to open that | | | | Mopion is made up of the most incredible "soft sand" |
| particular day for business. | | | | which more than one visitor has commented that it |
| Mayreau and its Salt Whistle Bay is our first anchor. | | | | should be bottled and sold on some late night |
| There is not much there save for a small 10 room inn | | | | infomercial as a miracle elixir. Really; grab a handful of |
| called Salt Whistle Club and sailing yachts flying flags | | | | the sand at the water's edge and exfoliate to your |
| from around the world. The Salt Whistle Club is owned | | | | heart's delight while standing atop this tiny dollop of |
| by the Canadian Potter family who some 30 years | | | | sand surrounded by gently lapping surf breaking over |
| ago decided everyday concerns like wearing shoes, | | | | the protective reef.. |
| traffic, and the concept of hurry should be options | | | | Time seems to have passed slowly. After enjoying |
| rather than requirements. 250 residents inhabit this | | | | our afternoon tea onboard it was time to head back |
| island with no general electricity, a single, unnamed | | | | to Union Island for the return trip to Barbados. There |
| village and, only 2 or 3 motor vehicles depending on | | | | was no need to rush: it was our plane after all, and |
| who is telling the story. After a refreshing swim to | | | | although we passed through a metal detector for |
| shore and a brief tour of the 1 ½ square mile | | | | security, the informal and friendly inspection is |
| island, we signal Flagship that it's time for a ride back to | | | | performed with one for the road, er, sky in hand. And |
| the boat in Coastman's launch. One of our guests | | | | we were number 1 and the only 1 for takeoff. |
| thought she saw what vaguely resembled the | | | | It was an uneventful trip back to Bim, or The Rock, as |
| Professor and Mary Ann but we attributed her | | | | locals refer to Barbados. During the short flight, we |
| bemusing notion to Captain Bagga's rum punch. | | | | exchanged cameras to view and comment on the |
| Several local Hairoun beers later, we set sail for the | | | | digital images, usually to spontaneous laughter, |
| Tobago Cays, passing along the way a magnificent | | | | promising to email one another the downloaded files. |
| five- masted, 42 sail goliath of a sailing vessel, the Star | | | | Our pre-arranged mini coach was waiting for us |
| Clipper's Royal Clipper which originates in Barbados | | | | curbside outside the arrivals hall. It was over. A great |
| and other islands for trips throughout the Caribbean. | | | | day, with great company. It is often said amongst the |
| The Royal Clipper has the proud distinction of being | | | | locals, that the worst Caribbean day is the best day in |
| the largest and only five-masted sailing ship built since | | | | the rest of the world. We wholeheartedly agree. |