Bequia

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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