Christmas Day in a Tropical Paradise
South Friars Bay, St. Kitts
Under clear skies with a stiff breeze from the NE, we left our protected overnight anchorage off Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts, and made our way south along the western coast of the island in search of a quiet beach where we might spend a leisurely sun-drenched Christmas Day.
As we followed the outline of the lush green island, Frigate birds glided by not far from the ship. After some careful exploration of the sea, the Captain found a perfect anchorage opposite a very typical Caribbean beach in a cove called South Friars Bay. One knows one is in the Caribbean when a strip of beach is bordered by green hills and occupied by a weathered shack selling exotic rum drinks. On the seaward side, the shack had a crooked hand-painted sign identifying it as the “Shipwreck” but it happened to be closed for the holiday. However, the black market for beach chairs being rather depressed these days, the owner had all his chairs comfortably arranged along the strip of sand and some clustered under small thatch shelters. So, with a good supply of cold drinks brought over from the Sea Cloud II, comfortable seats, beach towels, a bright tropical sun and a clear turquoise sea, the afternoon could not have been more idyllic.
A number of very friendly and sun-baked locals had also ventured onto this beach which seemed to be a well-known local watering hole. Disappointed in its being closed, they nevertheless regaled us with stories of life on the island, the latest on the movie stars building houses on the green hillsides, and the plans for a world-class golf course somewhere toward the east.
The brilliant blue sea was a perfect cool temperature and just to the north of our Zodiac landing there was a small reef where snorkeling paid off, although we were warned not to trample the reef and to avoid stepping on the numerous sea urchins.
From the beach we could see a booby swoop by close to the water looking for dinner. A Blue Heron was seen overhead, presumably returning home to a swampy pond behind the western hills. Up on the hillside behind the beach, Tom, our Expedition Leader, sighted a Vervet (Green) Monkey in the trees, but it was quickly frightened away by a dog which spotted it almost at the same time. Vervets were introduced onto the island as pets from Africa and present sort of a nuisance because they tend to eat fruit and cause mischief in gardens and fields.
As the sun sank lower behind the Sea Cloud II we gathered up our drinks, towels and flippers and made our way back to the ship. Just as the last Zodiac shoved off, a dark blue storm cloud appeared from the East and drenched us with a warm tropical rain. It was the perfect end to a perfect day and certainly preferable to the snows of the north.
South Friars Bay, St. Kitts
Under clear skies with a stiff breeze from the NE, we left our protected overnight anchorage off Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts, and made our way south along the western coast of the island in search of a quiet beach where we might spend a leisurely sun-drenched Christmas Day.
As we followed the outline of the lush green island, Frigate birds glided by not far from the ship. After some careful exploration of the sea, the Captain found a perfect anchorage opposite a very typical Caribbean beach in a cove called South Friars Bay. One knows one is in the Caribbean when a strip of beach is bordered by green hills and occupied by a weathered shack selling exotic rum drinks. On the seaward side, the shack had a crooked hand-painted sign identifying it as the “Shipwreck” but it happened to be closed for the holiday. However, the black market for beach chairs being rather depressed these days, the owner had all his chairs comfortably arranged along the strip of sand and some clustered under small thatch shelters. So, with a good supply of cold drinks brought over from the Sea Cloud II, comfortable seats, beach towels, a bright tropical sun and a clear turquoise sea, the afternoon could not have been more idyllic.
A number of very friendly and sun-baked locals had also ventured onto this beach which seemed to be a well-known local watering hole. Disappointed in its being closed, they nevertheless regaled us with stories of life on the island, the latest on the movie stars building houses on the green hillsides, and the plans for a world-class golf course somewhere toward the east.
The brilliant blue sea was a perfect cool temperature and just to the north of our Zodiac landing there was a small reef where snorkeling paid off, although we were warned not to trample the reef and to avoid stepping on the numerous sea urchins.
From the beach we could see a booby swoop by close to the water looking for dinner. A Blue Heron was seen overhead, presumably returning home to a swampy pond behind the western hills. Up on the hillside behind the beach, Tom, our Expedition Leader, sighted a Vervet (Green) Monkey in the trees, but it was quickly frightened away by a dog which spotted it almost at the same time. Vervets were introduced onto the island as pets from Africa and present sort of a nuisance because they tend to eat fruit and cause mischief in gardens and fields.
As the sun sank lower behind the Sea Cloud II we gathered up our drinks, towels and flippers and made our way back to the ship. Just as the last Zodiac shoved off, a dark blue storm cloud appeared from the East and drenched us with a warm tropical rain. It was the perfect end to a perfect day and certainly preferable to the snows of the north.
