What is it about deserted islands that attracts us so much? Is it the untouched beauty? The escape from civilization? Maybe it’s the dream of being an explorer and claiming an island for yourself? How about all of the above. Sandy Island, just off the coast of Carriacou, is a place that can make any deserted island fantasy come true.

We sailed north on the Diamant to the island of Carriacou to check out of Grenadian waters. While doing so we anchored next to this little crescent shaped sliver of sand. At the time there were nearly a dozen other boats all anchored there with people tendering up to this little island. I remember thinking what a perfect little place to just hang out. The captain came back after checking us out of customs and we pulled anchor and headed north to the Grenadine Islands. Little did I know that we’d be back and able to set foot on this little paradise.

We spent a glorious week sailing the Grenadines and now it was time to return to Grenada. We sailed back into Carriacou to check into customs and again anchored just off of Sandy Island. But this time would be different. Captain Matt gave us the low down on Sandy Island, how it’s now protected, was once almost destroyed by a hurricane and is now a tropical paradise. Oh, and that we will be going ashore!

Here is this week’s Island Lime Video, shot on the pinkish sand of Sandy Island.

This little island really was a deserted island paradise, it had soft pinkish sand, gin clear water and pretty good snorkeling. It was 99% perfect. Not 100%? Yeah…there was this little oddity of a naked boy walking around with his father. This was a little kid, not a baby, he was a 11-12 year old boy. No pants. No trunks. Naked. The boat they came in on was flying a French flag, so I guess that just about explains it.

Anyways, we spent the good part of the day limin’ on Sandy Island with a cooler full of Ting and Carib. It was one of those days when the world felt perfect. If I would have been crushed by a falling space rock at that very moment, I would have been okay with it. At that point in time I couldn’t have been any happier.

Have you been to Sandy Island? Tell me about your trip!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Heads out of the gutter people. The lady I’m speaking of is a majestic tall ship, the Diamant. This Island Windjammers vessel has class and comfort, at a relatively small size of 101ft., this schooner offers amenities that you can only find on much larger boats. I’m going to introduce you to this fine lady, giving you a photo tour of what it’s like to be aboard this mistress of the sea.

Diamant – French For Diamond

Island Windjammers - The Diamant

The Diamant was our home for a week, and what a week it was. Island hopping around the Grenadine Islands and Grenada, every second spent aboard was special and I think of the memories made often. When I say home I mean it. The crew and other passengers almost become like family. It’s a small ship with room for only 12 passengers, this intimate environment is different than anything you’re going to experience on larger vessels.

My Cabin Aboard the Diamant

Cabins are double bunked and rather large considering the size of the boat. Each cabin has its own air conditioning which is a HUGE amenity.

The Head

Each cabin has its own head and from what I’m told they are extremely large and have lots of features that other ships just don’t have.

The Diamant

Anchored off the shore of Anse La Roche on Carriacou. Looks like Troy and Aubrey are preparing to dinghy (tender) some people ashore.

A Caribbean Sunset

Wine & Cheese Party Aboard The Diamant

The food aboard the Diamant was out of this world. People love to eat well when on vacation, but being on a small ship like this you might not expect fine dining. Let me put that myth to sleep right now. It was amazing what our chef Philbert could produce from such a small kitchen. Passengers are served 3 meals a day plus Hors o’dourves during swizzle time.

Swizzle Time

Swizzle Time is the happy hour aboard the Diamant. Every day around 4pm, we would all gather on the aft deck for a new rum concoction that Brandon would whip up. Swizzle Time put everyone in the perfect mood, stories would be shared, Buffett would be playing in the background and the sun would slowly fall from the sky. Probably my favorite part of each day.

Tendering In From The Diamant At The Tobago Cays

Foredeck Of The Diamant

The foredeck is where we would organize to hear Captain Matt talk about the day’s itinerary or do group activities like crab races. I’ll save the story about the crab racing for another time. It was a quarky good time and deserves it’s own story.

Liming Away The Day

Diamant Achored Off Carriacou and Sandy Cay

The Diamand Docked At Port Louis On Grenada

A Pretty Pretty Lady

This sailing trip around Grenada and through the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was an amazing adventure. Cruising on the big boats of Carnival and the Royal Caribbean just doesn’t give you a true Caribbean sailing experience. There’s nothing quite like turning off the motors and raising the canvas while Amazing Grace is playing over the loud speakers. This lady gives you a little taste of what real Caribbean sailing is all about. It’s just you, the rolling sea and the constant trade winds propelling you to the next island on the horizon. And like most ladies who tease, one can’t help but be tempted to experience the magic over and over again. I know I long to be teased by the Diamant again.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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After checking out of Grenada waters on Carriacou, Captain Matt wanted to stop at a special slice of paradise before we headed north to Union Island to anchor for the night. The slice of paradise? Anse La Roche. He slowed the Diamant and pulled her into a calm cove that was surrounded by lush green hills that transitioned into a secluded beach before meeting the sea. It was time to dinghy to the beach, camera gear and a cooler full of cold Carib in tow. Life was perfect.

Anse La Roche and Carriacou are the stars of this episode of Island Lime Videos. You’ll see several different angles of the beach and be relaxed by the rhythmic sound of the Caribbean sea spilling up onto the sand. No fancy graphics, no bald guy rambling about lord knows what, just the sound of the waves. If it were any more real you’d be there.

Anse La Roche, Carriacou Grenada

Walking up and down the beach looking for the perfect spots to set up is hard work. Constantly dodging crab holes and random rocks can be tricky and wear a Castaway out. It was soon time to join my new Diamant friends in the water with a cold Carib and soak up the naked natural beauty of Anse La Roche.

Have you been to Anse La Roche or Carriacou? I would love to know what you thought.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

NOTE
Don’t forget to sign up for the Castaway Winter Beach Bash! This break from the cold will take place January 20 – 23, 2012 at the beautiful Bolongo Bay Resort on St. Thomas in the USVI.

The fun will be hosted by yours truly and will include a rum tasting, a complimentary bottle of Cruzan Rum in your room, a sunset sail, a rum snorkel scavenger hunt, nightly entertainment and Castaway room discounts. Take a break from the Winter and come lime Castaway style in the US Virgin Islands! Click here for booking and details. Can’t wait to hangout with everyone on the warm sands of St. Thomas!

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I can’t wait to start digging into the stories, photos and videos from the trip. I’ll start by giving you a look at our sailing itinerary board the Diamant. We visited quite a few islands. The days, the beaches and the lush green hill sides seem to blend together, but not so much so that I’d ever forget the personalities and the people I met on them.

Day 1

Sunday was a travel and boarding day at Port Louis, Grenada. I boarded the Diamant around 10:30pm and enjoyed a nightcap rum drink with my new friend Blaise. I can’t wait to tell you more about him, this gentleman of 82 years was a wealth of knowledge and had stories that could rival that of any explorer.

Day 2

Anse La Roche Beach, Carriacou

Left Grenada before sunrise and headed north to Carriacou to check out of Grenadian waters. Spent some time on a picture perfect beach that we had completely to ourselves. Left the beach for “Swizzle Time” (rum cocktails), and sailed up to Chatham Bay on Union Island to anchor for the night.

Day 3

Admiralty Bay - Port Elizabeth, Bequia

Pulled anchor around 4:30am for a long sail north to beautiful Bequia. Spent the day touring the island, exploring the town of Port Elizabeth and sinking into the sands of Princess Margaret Beach.

Day 4

Tobago Cays, Grenadines

Early sail to Tobago Cays, one of the most beautiful little cluster of islands in the Caribbean. Spent the day liming on Petit Bateau, hiking and sea turtle snorkeling on Baradol. Sailed to the island of Mayreau to anchor in Saline Bay for the night. Took part in the Cultural Crawl on Mayreau.

Day 5

Mayreau, Grenadines

Spent the day exploring Mayreau and enjoying post card perfect Salt Whistle Bay.

Day 6

Clifton, Union Island

Early sail to Union Island. Had amazing rum drinks and lots of smiles at Happy Island and then explored the quaint town of Clifton. Sailed to Carriacou to anchor for the night.

Day 7

Sandy Cay

Checked back into Grenadian waters and spent the day liming on Sandy Cay, a sliver of pink sand, blue water and lush fona. Sailed south back along the lee coast of Grenada and docked in Port Louis. Had a great captains dinner. Meet up with our friends Mike and Rebecca from Zero to Cruising and hit a couple Grenada hot spots.

That was the cliff notes version of daily events. I will of course be diving into the happens of each day, telling you about the great group of other passengers, and the stellar captain and crew that made the trip aboard the Diamant such a grand and sublime experience. An experience that could inspire anyone to write magical lyrics and create their own salty song.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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This is what the pirates did back in the golden age of the Caribbean. If you think about it, it really isn’t that far off from what the modern day cruiser does. Yes I am a pirate, 200 years to late.

The Caribbean is full of beautiful harbors and ports of call, some more beautiful than others though. These harbors/harbours act as hubs for the islands, a place where first time seafaring visitors first fall in love with the island. A love that will surely have them coming back time and time again. A mistress is never satisfied.

5 Most Beautiful Caribbean Harbors

1. Willemstad, Curaçao

Willemstad, Curacao - Photo by ISLANDS Magazine

Willemstad, Curacao - Photo by Curacao Visitors Center

This lively port is one of six UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Caribbean, joining the ranks of Old Havana, Old San Juan, and Colonial Santo Domingo.

The Punda District – once fortified and walled – along with its neighboring districts of Otrobanda, Pietermaai, Scharloo, preserve some 765 buildings as national monuments. Chief among these are Fort Amsterdam, the Governor’s Palace, Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue and the colorful Penha building on the waterfront.

2. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas USVI - Photo by Rob.Wiss via Flickr

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - Photo by Scott Moran via Flickr

Charlotte Amalie on the island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, is nestled on the mountainous slopes of a large natural harbor that accommodates several large cruise ships each day. The city has been declared as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean.

3. Gustavia, St. Bart/St. Barths

Gustavia Harbour, St. Barths - Photo by Fred911 via Flickr

Gustavia Harbour, St. Barths - Photo by Hole-in-one via Flickr

Gustavia Harbour, St. Barths - Photo by digidug via Flickr

Most cruise ships anchor outside sheltered Gustavia Harbour and tender guests to Port de Pleasance, past all the mega-yachts. Gustavia, the island’s charming capital city is a slice of France in the Caribbean. Surrounded by elegant designer boutiques, topless beaches, vibrant nightlife and waterfront bistros, the French vibe wraps around you like the warm blue sea.

4. English Harbour, Antigua

English Harbour, Antigua

English Harbour, Antigua

English Harbour is a center of boating, especially yachting. There are two sheltered deepwater harbours nearby; English Harbour itself and Falmouth Harbour.

English Harbour is best known for Nelson’s Dockyard, which occupies the site of the British Navy base. It displays restored buildings and other historical artifacts from the colonial period of the dockyard, especially the time it was commanded by Horatio Nelson. (Info from wikipedia)

5. St. Georges Harbour, Grenada

St. Georges Harbour, Grenada - Photo by MMayson via Flickr

St. George's Harbour, Grenada - Photo by Scaglifr via Flickr

St. Georges is the capital of Grenada and it’s also the largest harbor and city on the island. The city extends for miles in every direction from St. George’s Harbor, and ashore are more facilities than most can ever see in a single visit. Entering the harbor is easy, as the approaches from north or south are deep, wide, and easy to navigate, even for deep-draft boats.

6. San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico

San Juan Harbour, Puerto Rico - Photo by Scottograph via Flickr

San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico - Photo by Yosemitewe56 via Flickr

Shoehorned onto a tiny islet that guards the entrance to San Juan harbor, the atmospheric ‘Old San Juan‘, with its historical authenticity and pulsating modern energy, this seven-square-block grid of streets that was inaugurated almost a century before the Mayflower laid anchor in present day Massachusetts. Surreal sounds and exotic sights resonate everywhere.

7. Havana Harbor, Cuba

Havana Harbor, Cuba - Photo by Badly Drawn Dad via Flickr

Havana Harbor, Cuba - Photo by Dermoidhome via Flickr

Havana Harbour, Cuba - Photo by Boxley via Flickr

A view across the harbor in Havana, with a monument to Jose Marti in the Plaza de la Revolucion visible centre right. The monument was constructed between 1953 and 1959, just in time for the more recent revolution.

Which harbor is your favorite? Did I leave any off the list? Leave a comment below if you think you have a more beautiful Caribbean Harbor. My favorite? Going off of these photos, I’d have to say…St. Georges, Grenada. Simple, beautiful and old school Caribbean.

Cheers to the weekend Castaways!
RumShopRyan

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Grenada’s True Blue Bay Resort is the perfect place to have your Caribbean adventure vacation. Commanding an exquisite view of the South Coast of Grenada where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet, this Caribbean boutique hotel is set among tropical gardens sloping down to the sparkling blue waters of True Blue Bay.

Grenada’s Dodgy Dock Webcam

Dodgy Dock – Image is live

The newly opened Dodgy Dock Restaurant & Lounge Bar designed by the well-known local architect Brian Bullen is a great spot for drinks, lunch, snacks or dinner as its trendy contemporary design lets you enjoy a 270′ degree view of the bay. Their unique “Dodgy Style Bites” menu available all day long offers a delicious combination of healthy salads, sea foods and contemporary versions of some old local recipes. The Bar is a locals favorite as the bartenders seem to dream-up Caribbean-created cocktails that keep guests and locals alike coming back for more.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Grenada is a well kept secret vacation spot.  It is not one of the over crowded vacation sites filled with throngs of tourists.  This island is still filled with unique activities that are true to its culture.  It is not a high night life island with the activity that brings many tourists swarming.  Instead it is a quiet and quaint island with picturesque beaches and small towns.

Nutmeg

Grenada is a mountainous island with rolling hills.  It is known for its unique fragrance.  Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and cocoa trees cover the island creating delicious and intoxicating smells throughout the entire island.  Grenada West Indies Island is a volcanic island filled with cascading waterfalls and lush rain forests.  Grenada features one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the world.

This island nation consists of the island of Grenada as well as six other small islands in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea.  The Capital of the Island is St George’s.  The city capital of St George’s is considered to be the most beautiful in the Caribbean.  The history over the ownership of this island displays much struggle and battle over their independence including violent coups.  In 1983, a communist regime took over Grenada and everyone on the island was informed that they must remain indoors or they would be shot.  President Reagan was concerned for 800 American students enrolled in medical school in St George’s.  The Unites States along with other nations, overthrew the regime.  The Grenadian Constitution was again put in authority and peace was restored.

Beautiful Waterfall in the hills of Grenada

Grenada is a volcanic island and has rich and healthy soil. The flag has a nutmeg on it, demonstrating the industry of spices.  The climate is humid and hot during a rainy season and cooled by winds during the dry season.  Grenada is just beginning to focus on tourism.  The culture of the land can still be felt and tasted.  Enjoy the island’s world renowned, Grand Anse Beach.  This beautiful island will take your breath away with its extraordinary beauty and grace.  Visit the Spice of the Caribbean and enjoy the intoxicating smell and beauty of Grenada West Indies.

Grand anse Beach, Grenada

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Stiles

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This week’s boat drink recipe comes from True Blue Bay Hotel on the lush island of Grenada. The bartenders at the hotel’s bar, the Dodgy Dock, have come up with a signature drink called Blue Jeans. Don’t ask me where the name came from. I tried to get an answer on that question but came up empty. They must have been on island time. Let’s make up our own then shall we.

It’s named Blue Jeans because when in Grenada, Blue Jeans will be the furthest thing from your mind.  What do you think, will that work? Works for me.

Blue Jeans Cocktail Recipe

• 1 oz. Blue Curacao
• 1 oz Gin
• 3 oz Champagne
• Lime Juice
• Syrup

Mix ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake. Strain drink into martini glass. Garnish with lime and cherry. Raise glass and toast.

Pretty simple right? Again, I’m not a gin fan so I will not be mixing this boat drink up for personal consumption. Let me know if you do and what you think.

Cheers Castaways!

RumShopRyan

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This is a serious competition that features some of the fastest most high-tech racing yachts on the high seas.  The 2009 race was won by the trimaran Horizon Region Guadeloupe which shattered the race course record, slashing more than an hour off the previous record by crossing the finish line with an elapsed time of 3 hours, 54 minutes and 2 seconds. This new sailing record raises the bar of competition for the 2010 GRIR and poses an exciting challenge for boats everywhere. As such, the Grenada South Coast Yacht Club has responded by creating a prestigious prize for any vessel that breaks the record, upping the stakes.

In addition to top quality sailing competition, the 2010 GRIR weekend from March 12-14 will bring a wide range of entertainment to the shores of Grenada’s spectacular Grand Anse Beach. High points of the weekend will include A Taste of Grenada food festival, the youth sailing exhibition, the ever-popular and quirky Crazy Craft Bathtub Derby, and more events to be announced. The Grenada South Coast Yacht Club and 2010 Race Committee are working to continue the GRIR’s tradition of promoting sailing excellence while also providing an exciting lineup of events that celebrate Grenadian culture.

The pinnacle of the race weekend, however, will undoubtedly be the post-race party where the awards ceremony will reveal if any yachts were able to successfully take a crack at the course record. With bragging rights on the table, the 2010 GRIR promises to be one of the most exciting sailing events of 2010!

So if you are Grenadian or in that part of the Caribbean be sure to enjoy the festivities!  See me some photos of the events and I’ll be sure to post them and write a wrap up.

Cheers to the Salt Life,

RumShopRyan

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