Barbados; Tobago Cays; Grenadines; Grenada

Greetings from the southern extremes of the Caribbean Sea; the Eastern Caribbean countries of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Grenada.

(Left: Morning in Tobago Cays)

I am writing from the fantail of the MY (Motor Yacht) Hanco once again. We were actually allowed back on board by our generous hosts, John and Sandi Moore. As I sit here right now, I am looking at 14 yachts, ranging from a single-handed sailboat to a huge catamaran. Cats are very popular here, more so than mono-hulled sailboats and motorized vessels such as Hanco.

The Tobago Cays are approximately 100 miles due west of Barbados (our point of arrival) and 8 miles from Union Island's airport. It is a marine park with strict guidelines for anchorage and enjoyment. This is where turtles reign supreme. Speed limits are enforced and turtles cannot be ridden by adult or child, or chased. Spotted Eagle Rays glide under the boat which is in about 10 feet of water; turtles come up for air and swim around; Manta's come to the surface and feed on the sprats when the fantail lights are on at night while we barbecue. Or they came for the chicken. Last night we had 4-6 rays swimming and feeding on the surface.

(Right: Landing at Union Island)

But getting here isn't all that easy, regardless of how well planned you make it.

We left Fresno for LAX on Thursday morning at 6 am (required a 3:30 am wake up). We got to LA on time, had some breakfast and boarded our 767 for Miami, having used miles to get a First Class upgrade. Worth every mile and penny to do that as the seats go flat. You'll see where I am going with this soon. We get to Miami way ahead of schedule, confident we'll get our Barbados flight 2 hours later and land in Barbados at 10 pm. Taxi to our hotel, the Butterfly Lodge on the southern coast; while away the morning then catch Air Mustique at 12:30 pm to be captured by our Captain and hauled off to crew the Hanco.

Not.

Thank goodness for 767 First Class seats or we'd have died of broken butt disease.

We got to South Florida only to start circling for an hour off the Everglades. Seems storms were over Miami and the airport was not receiving. Finally we were diverted to Tampa for fuel which turned into several hours more. We were assured that a plane right near us was the very plane destined for Barbados so we were all in the same kettle of fish. Right. Our 4:30 pm arrival turned into a 9:45 pm arrival and the Barbados flight left for Barbados 20 minutes before we pulled up to the gate.

We were given a discount voucher for the nearby Wyndham, had a very late dinner and had new boarding passes for the 10 am Barbados flight. No Barbados breakfast; change flights to late afternoon; try to get hold of our Captain, etc.. Fortunately we had some basics just in case, but that just meant a toothbrush, comb and such. Basic, very basic.

Air Mustique, which combines with other airlines for the Grenadines Air Alliance, took us through the connecting passenger's route and collected our luggage from American to bring to us for onward travel to the other country, the Grenadines. Barbados is a separate country.

(Left: The Tabago Cays where Hanco was anchored)

As we waited in the bar with our little backpacks, Barry from the airline found us, imagine finding us in the bar, to advise us we had no luggage. Seems American did not put it on our flight but he felt it would be on the next AA 618 hopefully coming in that evening as planned. We left for the boat in our now 36 hour old clothes.

We arrived as re-planned, on time at 5pm on Friday, had a cold beer (just step up and say "local please") before boarding the Hanco tender, and started the luggage vigil. Let me say, to make this part short, Air Mustique is one of the best airlines I have ever dealt with. Professional, courteous and honest.

(Right: Our first ice cold "local". Below: the kids love to show

their diving skills)

Saturday, I called to see if our luggage came in, and they were looking right at it. Unfortunately, the Barbados Air Traffic Controllers went on strike without notice and shut down the control tower, thus no flights by Air Mustique and others were allowed in or out. That was resolved long enough Sunday for Air Mustique to get our luggage to Union Island on the first flight.

Thank you, thank you. Kudos to you for your professional and kind service. I am told Air Mustique has been voted one of the best air carriers in the Caribbean and I can understand why. Special thanks to the Barbados ground personnel and to Cynthia Mills Ashton (below right) of the Union Island Grenadine Air Alliance. She had me and our bags in and out of Customs within moments of the plane landing. Thank you.

It is now Wednesday, I sit in fresh clothing yet again, and look out over the Tobago Cays. A cat is gliding out for a new location, its' sail set. Soon we will be firing up the engines and departing for another location. By middle of next week we will be in Grenada, doing some day tripping, rum tasting, food tasting, and boat hanging out.

Life is a bitch, but someone has to live it. More in a few days.