Yesterday morning we got to swim with the turtles at Tobago Cays (pronounced keys). The Tobago Cays are a group of uninhabited islands with a protected area for turtles. The turtles naturally like being in this area as the turtle grass grows here and buoys have been placed to keep boats from anchoring to close to them. You can however snorkel all over this area. We were very excited when after some swimming we saw the first large turtle and soon I counted up to 12 turtles which we spotted but it cold have easily been more. They were not bothered by us and went about their business enjoying their turtle grass breakfast.
Afterwards we moved on to Union Island where we went ashore to get supplies and have a look around. The stray dog in the picture started following us and would wait outside each shop we went in before continuing to follow us around.
Andre decided to wait on the boat while we all went ashore to practise tying special boat nots which he mastered by the time we returned. Colleen and my dad bought him a pair of shorts as we've been teasing him that he only ever wears his green shorts. They managed to find a pair to match his 'uniform' of red and grey!
We arrived at Mustique yesterday afternoon. Mustique is a private island with houses of the rich and famous such as Mick Jagger, Shania Twain and Bryan Adams to name a few. Princess Margaret was the first to be given a plot on the island. Apparently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent a holiday there in February this year. While they allow public on the island you are not allowed to photograph any of the residents on the islands or any of the private houses. About half the houses are for rent per week including staff to cater to your needs.
We went for cocktails on Mustique yesterday evening, first at Basil's bar right on the water then to Firefly, a 5star boutique hotel up high on a hill. It would have been quite a walk if we didn't get a lift from a friendly passing golf cart belonging to one of the villas. We were the only people in the Firefly bar/ restaurant at that time and enjoyed snapping photos all over, especially of the stunning view.
We're now on our way, sailing to Tobago Cays. The guys have the fishing line out hoping to catch us some fresh fish on the way.
Next day and I can tell you now that they did catch fish yesterday! First a barracuda and then a tuna which Colleen prepared for lunch. It was delicious. So fresh, not an hour after catching it and it was on our plates. Simone, our party planner also organised a surprise early birthday party for Andre. She decorated the boat again, this time with birthday balloons and a banner.
Andre loves the tv show Duck Dynasty so Simone and Dave brought him some gifts from there.
Yesterday evening my dad and Colleen organised a special birthday dinner which we had on the beach. One of the locals, Romeo, barbecued fish on the beach for us. It was delicious and there was so much food! Definitely one to remember.
This morning after breakfast we're going snorkelling again, hopefully to find some turtles.
We've spent the past two nights here in Bequia, which is part of the Grenadines. The divers have been diving every day, yesterday at a dive site called Moonhole and the day before they did a wreck dive. The snorkellers have been snorkelling several times a day every day. Jumping off the back of the boat there are rocks with loads of fish to explore with a very pretty beach to swim or walk along. We've seen lots of eel, flying gunhards, big ugly scorpion fish and yesterday a juvenile spotted drum fish.
Yesterday afternoon we also went to visit a turtle sanctuary here on the island. A taxi ride in an open truck took us across the hilly island to the other side of the island where the sanctuary is. It was lovely seeing some of the island which is beautiful and so green. At the sanctuary the owner showed us around and told us all about turtles and what he does there. We were lucky enough to see baby turtles who were not even a full day old yet. So cute. If I remember correctly he said there were over 80 of them swimming around in that particular pool. Then there were some who were a week old and also one of 18 years old with others of various ages under 5. The big one was injured or deformed and is not able to swim properly so lives at the sanctuary. The other turtles are all released when they're five years old. He hopes that by doing this they will have a better chance of survival. In nature only 1% of hatched turtles survive while he has a 15% survival rate. They attack each other even there where they're protected but won't live on their own in separate pools to avoid this. They are only separated when injured in order to recover. He also works at educating the local children about turtles becoming extinct and that they shouldn't be captured.
After another long snorkel to the rocks and all along the beach after lunch yesterday, Andre, Colleen and I came back to the boat decorated for a party! All in pink, lots of balloons and other decorations, it was a surprise baby shower for me! Turns out everyone knew about it but me! In true Simone style there were decorations everywhere and I got to wear a mommy to be sash and badge. I had my own special alcohol free sparkling wine too. I got so many lovely gifts for baby. Lots of the cutest clothes, a big fluffy pink dog which we named Madiba and who will be moving straight into baby's cot when we get home, a baby sign language book which we'll start studying, cute hair clips and the cutest little pink swimming costume. I can't wait for her to try it all on! The father to be even got a gift too, a nappy changing survival kit containing gloves, nose peg, tongs and safety goggles!! Colleen also made my favourite key lime pie, complete in pink with butterflies and daisies on. Very appropriate as baby has been nicknamed Daisy right from the start.
This morning we will be going into town, I don't expect it will be town as we know it but there are some shops and a market which we will go and explore. Very important to Andre we also need to collect the dive tanks which were left at the dive shop to be filled yesterday, ready for the next dive. I don't think Andre will ever tire of diving!
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