St. Vincent — our experience!
While I do see the value in learning from others’ mistakes, when it comes to cruising destinations, in our opinion it pays to form your own conclusions rather than relying on reports which are frequently comprised only of third-party hearsay. St. Vincent has had a checkered past when it comes to security. We even have friends who themselves had a security-related incident in the recent past, obviously coloring their opinion of the island. Our experience couldn’t be more different. Coming from St. Lucia, an island where we found too many locals to be pushy and aggressive, it is an extreme pleasure to be in a place where the opposite is true. We’ve met and interacted with business owners and boat boys, fishermen and farmers. Each of them have spoken to us with kindness and without the undertone of an ulterior motive. Yes, some people are selling things to make a living but even when they are, they have been anything but pushy. We are ever so happy that we made the time to visit St. Vincent before we continued south towards Grenada. We would have surely missed out had we not.
It’s not too often that we seriously underestimate the length of a hike but that is exactly what happened yesterday. As I mentioned in our last post, reports on trips like this are often riddled with holes and inconsistencies. Additionally, our info on the trip to Trinity Falls may have been clouded by our reading about others’ excursions to the closer Dark View Falls. Regardless, we did make it, after a long bus ride and an even longer walk. Even the farmer we met while walking, who was heading to the hills to tend to his “herbal garden,” said that we had a LONG way to go.
The trip was well worth the effort though and the falls are spectacular, especially given the previous week’s heavy rainfall. Officially the falls are closed to the public and it’s obvious to see why. The trail which descends to the falls is very sketchy, having largely been washed away, and thick brush covers the path in many places. We’ve also heard that the falls have been the cause of multiple deaths and one look at the powerful, fast-moving water leaves no doubt as to why!
Fortunately our trip back was expedited by our securing a ride in the back of a construction truck but even so, we didn’t make it back to the boat until 5:30 PM, an hour shy of sunset. We’ll be sure to add all the dirty details, including the shortcut that our farmer friend shared with us, in our eBook. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the pics!
Looks like a beautiful hike … so lush and green! Sounds like a great idea to write about your hikes … valuable information!
The scenery on the hike almost made me forget how tiring it was. Almost!
That is some of the most wonderful scenery you have shared with us yet.
Thanks Kathy. It was spectacular!
Mike,
The idea of the hiking eBook is fantastic. Without a doubt I’ll get my hands on it eagerly.
Here’s a request for you: as you write it, keep in mind that some of us will be hiking with kids (in particular, our kids will be 8 and 5 when we cruise the Caribbean). Even though our kids already love a good hike, they do have physical boundaries that are somewhat limiting.
And thanks for my daily dose of ZTC!
Definitely Ernesto. I guarantee all the hikes in the book won’t be like Petit Piton!
Thanks!
This is off topic from hiking or maybe not, but if you and Rebecca look at your own relationship since being in Canada and getting underway….communication, getting along, sex (yes I said sex), arguments, being bored, etc., how has your relationship become better, stronger or worse since cruising?
You mean do we now sleep in different hulls of the cat?
I am sure there are nights or close to those nights, but overall, have you guys become closer as friends, husband and wife, etc. while cruising or not much as changed for you guys whether on land or on sea…
My words, not Rebecca’s: The two of us have always had an extremely close relationship which is why our transition to living in such a confined space has been a lot smoother than many others’ has. We have always enjoyed spending our days together, both at work and at play. These days it’s not much different except that we fill our days with different activities.
Dont forget to wish Rebecca Happy Mothers Day!!!
I would never forget!
Hi Mike,
As soon as you have something written down about directions for this one it would be nice to share it. We will be coming that way in a few weeks time.
Leaving Antigua this weekend for Guadelope.
Hi Hakan
I’ll email or message you on FB. Have a nice sail!
Mike
I seem to be in a philisophical place these days. Re: John’s question about your relationship. After three years in close space with Al, I just think, when and if you are with Your person, it just works, because you make it work and fit the day. Its called compromise and flexibility.
We are faced with a potential serious health issue with Al right now and I’m scared shitless, and I’m no stranger to this. Because I’m feeling a tad emotional these days I’d like to share this quote “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, its greener where its watered.”
Thanks for sharing your journey/life.
LOVE the quote!
Two things:
1. Love the quote and your philosophy!
2. Please give Al our best. I obviously don’t know the details but I hope that the serious issue turns out to be not quite so serious and that everything works out OK!
Mikes last post plus one!!!
I needed to sit down for a rest just from looking at that climb! You two are an adventure a day.
Great pics.
Not every day, unless you call drifting around in the dinghy this afternoon (unsuccessfully) trying to catch a fish an adventure.
You could be drifting around in a conference room on an ergonomically correct chair trying to find errors in an accounting system! 😛 You are NEVER allowed to even joke about a day’s fishing being bad. 😛 😛 😛
Sorry. My bad. 🙂
You rule, the Caribbean Blog scene! At least in my humble little world!
I look forward to receiving the trophy. 🙂