Tobago Cays
Early this morning the crew went aloft and sails were unfurled for a morning under sail as near to perfection as might be imagined. We passed in the lee of Bequia and on through the Grenadines. Our Expedition Leader offered a comprehensive stem-to-stern tour of the rigging, an opportunity to “learn the ropes.” The standing rigging of shrouds, stays and braces was examined first before we moved on to the running rigging, explained at the fife rail, and starboard pinrails - the clewlines, buntlines, sheets and halyards. Once “clewed up,” and having progressed from the jib to the mizzenmast, it was time for a presentation from our Naturalist on coral reef ecology, a sobering story in the case of the Caribbean where the effects of global warming have been calamitous.
The afternoon's activities gave us an opportunity to interact with the marine environment in more ways than one. There was optional snorkeling from a catamaran and swimming from a secluded beach, both activities affected by torrential rain from passing squalls. In the water was the best place to be, with good swimming and snorkeling, including sightings of green turtles. For those who remained above water, a liberal supply of distilled sunshine in the form of rum punch more than made up for deficiencies in the weather.
There was no lack of tropical warmth either in the performance of Bequia's Kings of Strings later in the evening, even though the unseasonal weather had necessitated moving the deck barbecue from the open deck into the dining room.
Early this morning the crew went aloft and sails were unfurled for a morning under sail as near to perfection as might be imagined. We passed in the lee of Bequia and on through the Grenadines. Our Expedition Leader offered a comprehensive stem-to-stern tour of the rigging, an opportunity to “learn the ropes.” The standing rigging of shrouds, stays and braces was examined first before we moved on to the running rigging, explained at the fife rail, and starboard pinrails - the clewlines, buntlines, sheets and halyards. Once “clewed up,” and having progressed from the jib to the mizzenmast, it was time for a presentation from our Naturalist on coral reef ecology, a sobering story in the case of the Caribbean where the effects of global warming have been calamitous.
The afternoon's activities gave us an opportunity to interact with the marine environment in more ways than one. There was optional snorkeling from a catamaran and swimming from a secluded beach, both activities affected by torrential rain from passing squalls. In the water was the best place to be, with good swimming and snorkeling, including sightings of green turtles. For those who remained above water, a liberal supply of distilled sunshine in the form of rum punch more than made up for deficiencies in the weather.
There was no lack of tropical warmth either in the performance of Bequia's Kings of Strings later in the evening, even though the unseasonal weather had necessitated moving the deck barbecue from the open deck into the dining room.
