If you’ve been to the town of Clifton on Union Island and gazed out into the harbor you probably saw an little spit of land. That little spit is Happy Island. The happiest place in the Grenadines? It’s possible, when the rum drinks start flowing and RumShopRyan is the house, happy times are a certainty. Just ask the Bama Babes!

The story of Happy Island is a fascinating one. Created by one man, Janti, Happy Island started out as just a pile of conch shells (lambi) put out into a shallow area in Clifton Harbor. Over the years Janit continued to add conch shells and sand until he had a mound big enough to put up a small bar. People loved the idea and Janti continued to grow his island. During our visit Janti gave us a tour and it’s quite amazing to see what has been created. Happy Island has growing coconut palms, sand floors, dinghy landing areas, inside and outside sitting areas, working refrigerator and enough Caribbean rum to sauce even the most experienced of sailors. Pretty amazing what a little concrete, conch shells and some hard work can do.  Janti now lives on Happy Island, he has built living quarters and all electricity is created right on site.

History of Happy Island

Okay, so the man has created his own island, a pretty impressive accomplishment, but can he make a top notch rum punch? Yes, yes he can. The Diamant gang ordered a few rounds of Happy Island rum punch, sat outside and limed away the minutes. My only complaint, I wish I had more time there. Hmmm, maybe a move to Union Island would fix that problem. Totally could happen.

Janti mixing up some rum punch.

Janti and the Diamant Gang. Who's the fool pointing?

If you ever find you’re self vacationing or adrift in the Grenadine Islands, make your way to Clifton on Union Island. Dinghy up to Happy Island and tell Janti that Mr. RumShopRyan said this place was a must see. He won’t remember me, but I will make me feel special. In fact it’s not just a must see if you’re in the Grenadines, I would say that it’s a must see in all the Caribbean. Honestly, there’s nothing else like quite like it.

Have been to Happy Island? I would love to hear about your happy happy good time.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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Bequia is a gem in the Grenadine Islands and one of the things that make it shine is Princess Margaret Beach. Today’s Island Lime Video deposits you onto the sands of this natural beach. If it were anymore real, you’d have sand on your feet.

Activity on Bequia has always been centered around the deep water harbor and protected shores of Admiralty Bay, there are a number of other locations and communities on the island, all of which are charming in their own right, but Port Elizabeth in Admiralty Bay is the main hub of activity and the location of Princess Margaret Beach.

Just beyond the Belmont Walkway and up and over a small hill is the beautiful, secluded and as yet totally unspoiled Princess Margaret beach. Named after the British Royal Princess Margaret whom once visited Bequia and swam at this beach. The only access at present is by water or down a steep road/trail off the main road. The beach is lush with tropical plants and now buildings except for a high-end beach bar/restaurant named Jack’s.

Enough talk, here is your time to lime on Princess Margaret Beach.

Have you had the pleasure of spending time on Princess Margaret Beach? If so, I would love to hear your story.

Have a great weekend Castaways!
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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Today’s video was shot in the Tobago Cays on the island of Baradal. Part of St. Vincent and the Greneadines, the Tobago cays are a national marine park and are completely free of man’s commercial footprint of concrete and flashing signs. The only thing you’ll find in the Tobago Cays are pristine sand, brilliantly blue water and some dinosaur throwbacks.

Dinosaur throwbacks? Yes, Baradal had a healthy population of large iguanas that weren’t afraid of people at all. Baradal was a little island with a lot going on, but I’ll save the stories for another time. Today is about island limin’.

Tobago Cays, Baradal – Island Lime Video

To view the other Island Lime Video shot in the Tobago Cays click here.

Have you been to the Tobago Cays?

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

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The Tobago Cays are a national marine park in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Many visitors have said that this small, reef protected cluster of islands is the most beautiful place in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is home to thousands of beautiful islands, though after spending a day in the Tobago Cays it’s hard to argue with this statement. Gin clear water, gentle calm seas, swaying palms and not a building or sign of civilization in sight. It’s just you, the sea, a few deserted islands and a hand full of anchored boats, doesn’t get a whole lot better than that. Well, toss in a cooler of cold Carib and even a great tropical paradise can improve just a tad.

The star of this Island Lime Video episode is the island of Petit Bateau. It’s one of the 5 islands that make up the Tobago Cays. It’s hard to put into words the feeling that fills you while walking the white sand of this small island. The salty air blowing across your face, the waves kissing your ankles and a tidal wave of contentment washing across your soul, a definite pinch me setting. Again, words don’t do the Tobago Cays justice. I’m going to shut-up and let this Island Lime Video say what I can’t.

Petit Bateau, Tobago Cays – St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Have you been to the Tobago Cays? Did you walk the shore of this very island? I would love to hear your story.

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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Little over a month ago I wrote a post about Mac’s Pizza on Bequia, how I kept reading all these stunning reviews and something about a legendary lobster pizza. I asked those of you who had been to Mac’s if all this Hype was worth it. Everyone I heard from confirmed the praise. Well like any good journalist, I needed to do a little first hand research. So when our ship, the Diamant, dropped anchor in Admiralty Harbour off Bequia, you can be sure that Mac’s was on my “research” list.

DINNER TIME!

After a day of touring Bequia our group had worked up quite an appetite. I had seeded everyone’s mind with stories of the famous lobster pizza, so when it came time to hop in the dinghy and head to shore for dinner our destination was not in question.

The Diamant group ready for some lobster pizza

Our dining group included the 4 bama babes, Crystal, Sandy, myself and we were able to talk Aubrey and Troy of the Diamant crew into joining us. We climbed the stairs to reach Mac’s open air dining room, sat at the table reserved for the Diamant group and quickly order up a round cold Caribs.

We tell our lovely waitress that we’ve heard stories about the legendary lobster pizza and that we had to see if all the hype was for real. She gave us an all knowing smile and headed back to the kitchen to relay our order. I was able to sneak back to the kitchen and snap a few shots of the pizzas being prepared. There’s no skimping on lobster for on these bad boys. These pies are completely loaded up with the delicious crustacean!

Loading up the Lobster!

THE VERDICT

The pizzas arrived and the group was giddy with excitement. I remember hearing groans of satisfaction from around the table after people sunk their teeth into the slices. I can’t speak for everyone in our group but I thought the lobster pizza was fantastic and totally lived up to the hype. I wish I was sitting at a Mac’s table right now, throwing back a few Caribs and devouring some of that famous pie with my fellow Diamant passengers.

Just look at those chunks of juciy lobster!

I’d like to thank Judy, the owner of Mac’s, for my personal pizza. I’m sorry we weren’t able to meet Judy, I guess I’ll just have to make a return trip to Bequia! Who’s with me?

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 said this before, Mayreau really surprised me. At only 1.5 square miles and a population of around 300, Mayreau really packs in the fun and island beauty. Not only is it home to Salt Whistle Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Grenadines if not the Caribbean, it’s also home to the famous Cultural Crawl.

What is the Mayreau Cultural Crawl? The small village on Mayreau contains a handful of restaurants and bar, each uniquely different with it’s own personality and charismatic owner. It’s an amazing density of bars for such a small island. The village and bar owners rely on the boater and cruise ship passengers that anchor off Mayreau for their lively hoods. If you’re coming on a cruise ship don’t just go to the beach, take a walk up the hill and explore this interesting little place. You’ll be glad you did.

Mayreau, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Half way through our week long cruise aboard the Diamant we found ourselves anchored off the lee side of Mayreau. After another wonderful dinner on the aft deck under the nearly full moon, a few of us were planning our nights entertainment. Two of the Bama Babes, Crystal, Captain Matt and myself decided to drag our sea legs ashore and take part in the well known Mayreau bar crawl.

We dinghy up to the concrete jetty and march up the steep hill to get to the village. The hike up the hill takes about 8 minutes and I guarantee you you’ll be sucking wind by the time you reach the first level ground where the bars start. Makes that first drink taste all that much sweeter!

Dennis' Hideaway, Mayreau

Our first stop was a fantastic place called Dennis’ Hideaway. This place had it all, a pool, restaurant, observation tower, guest rooms and a bar with good good rum. We were greeted by Dennis who was happy to tell us about his place. It seemed like Dennis and Captain Matt were good friends, which made for good conversation. Nothing quite like a smooth drink, and good intimate company on a Caribbean island.

Dennis' Bar, Mayreau

Pool and Observation tower at Dennis'

After saying goodbye to Dennis, we continued our Cultural Crawl up the hill to what was to become my favorite stop on the crawl. Our next stop was a place you could smell before you could see it. Up the hill and around the corner sat a colorful rasta bar called Robert Righteous & de Youths Seafood Restaurant & Bar. I’ll let you figure out what smell was oozing from this “interesting” place.

Robert Righteous & de Youths Restaurant and Bar

We were greeted with a big smile by the owner Robert. Robert is a tall slender gentleman who is happy to serve up good drinks and entertain is customers. Our Diamant group ordered pina coladas and wandered the eclectic bar taking in all the photos, Bob Marley art and random graffiti. We hit Robert with a ton of questions about is establishment and he eagerly answered with some great stories. We noticed an old torn Magic Johnson poster on the wall and asked Robert about it. He informed us that he just heard that Magic had gotten the AIDS virus. We all look at each other with a puzzled look and let Robert know that the Magic Johnson announcement happened about 20 years ago. We all had a great laugh and continued to suck down our frozen boat drinks. I guess it does take awhile for news to travel to the far reaches of the Caribbean.

Robert

Robert gets up to turn the stereo on for us. We all expect some Bob Marley or other reggae beats, but Robert surprises us again. He flips the switch and turns up the volume on some old school Celine Dion. What! Celine Dion blasting in a rasta bar! Yup, Robert has a huge crush on Celine and proudly plays and sings right along with her music.

One of the Youths

Our next and final stop on the Cultural Crawl is at a place up the hill a little more called Island Paradise. It was a quiet laid back place with a great view down the hill and out over the Caribbean towards Union Island. We order up a round of rum punch and talk about the amazing trip we’ve had so far and that we never want it to end. I’m sure every Diamant passenger speaks the same scripted words when they reflect on the amazing trip.

Island Paradise Bay and Restaurant, Mayreau

We end our crawl here and make our way down the dark street towards our waiting dinghy. We passed several other bars in the village but our group was feeling the day spent in the sun at the Tobago Cays. It was time to climb back aboard the Diamant and find our way to our comfortable cabins. The gentle sway of the ship quickly sends us all into a deep sleep, ready for the next day of sailing the high seas.

If you’ve been to Mayreau and have done the “Cultural Crawl” let us know. I would love to hear about the bars you hit and the fun you had!

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.

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Maybe Mayreau’s most notable feature is Salt Whistle Bay. Even from the water you can tell Salt Whistle is a special place. Flanked on both sides by protective hills and lined with rows and rows of coconut palms, Salt Whistle Bay is a classic Caribbean beach paradise. I wrote a little bit about Salt Whistle Bay earlier in the week when I posted about Black Boy and Debbie’s, the only beach bar there.

This week’s Island Lime Video was shot at the famous Salt Whistle Bay. Watch as the waves slowly toss themselves onto the sand and how life seems to slow. It’s true, life does slow down in the Caribbean, maybe that’s our little reward so that we have enough time to take in all the beauty of places like Salt Whistle Bay.

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Have you been to Salt Whistle Bay? I would love to hear your stories. Hope you enjoyed the video and that it either took you to a place you haven’t been or brought you back to a place you long to be.

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.

Cheers and have a great weekend!
RumShopRyan

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Getting to Salt Whistle from our anchorage in Saline Bay on Mayreau is a story I’m going to tell later. Let’s just say the strenuous journey was well worth the effort, because when you first emerge from the palms and set eyes on this crescent shaped paradise, you’d swear you’d just stepped into heaven.

Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau

When I first emerged from the palms and pivoted my head from side to side, I noticed a small beach shack on the south end of the beach. Its waving flags and brightly colored paint job screamed beach bar, and after the long walk getting to Salt Whistle I could sure could use a cold beer to cool down. It’s 10am? Who cares! It’s vacation mon!

I walked into the humble beach bar and took a look around. Constructed of just plywood, scrap wood, aluminum and a sand floor, I knew I had come to the right place. The name of this Salt Whistle Bay beach bar is Black Boy & Debbie’s.

The owner Debbie was smoothing the sand floor with an old broom, clearing out the drunken footstops that called this beach bar home the night before. I felt bad for stepping on where she had just smoothed it out, but not that bad, I was thirsty. I ordered a Hairoun, the main beer of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, sat down to change out my memory card and took in the spectacular views.

I was soon joined by my shipmates, the Bama Babes. They found the baby! Yes, that’s what they called me the entire trip because I was the youngest aboard. When sailing on a relatively small ship such as the Diamant, you can’t help but become friends with everyone aboard. It’s a much more intimate and fun environment than a large cruise line. One that I will take ever time.

A Castaway In Paradise

Anyways, the Bama Babes walked in and were thirsty for rum punch. Our young bartender sadly spilled the news that they didn’t have any ice for the punch. Okay, then how about a round of beers? Again the young bartender looked sheepishly into our eyes and said the beers weren’t cold because they had no ice, but that he could send someone down the road to fetch some cold Hairoun.

I wasn’t going to wait, I had exploring to do, photos to take and videos to shoot. I was happy that I got the last cold beer, I grabbed my gear and set out to learn more about Salt Whistle.

I’m not going to hold the fact that Black Boy & Debbie’s didn’t have ice for rum punch or cold beer against them. It was early in the morning and it’s the Caribbean, these things happen. You take it with a smile, say thank you and move on. Now if this were to happen here in the states, all hell would be raised for sure. Hell it might even end up in the newspaper. Here in the Caribbean you just go with the slow flow of life and be thankful that you get to enjoy one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Black Boy & Debbie’s is the only beach bar at Salt Whistle Bay. The beach is home to a nice hotel that does have a bar set back into the trees, but I wouldn’t call that a real beach bar. Only Black Boy & Dibbie’s fits that bill on this sandy paradise.

Have you been to Salt Whistle Bay and enjoyed drinks at Black Boy & Debbie’s? We would love to hear about your experience.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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