Mayreau in the Grenadines

This one is a small private island amongst the Grenadines in the Caribbean sea between Grenada and St Vincent.  It has a population of 300, one unnamed village, one road, and numerous, almost "shanty" bars.  It has an almost desert like feel, including the cacti, and is very, very hot.  According to one local, it only rains in August.  The real beauty of this place is the green blue sea, the beaches and the surrounding islands.
The first problem for the crew was to get people from the ship to the local catamarans for the tours. The swell of the sea was so bad that the tenders were lifting a good few feet up and down against the ship's platform, making it difficult for even the sure footed to get on. The ship's staff decided it wasn't a good idea to continue, so as soon as they got the touring passengers off, they moved the ship to somewhere more sheltered and with less swell.  This did mean that the rest of us had to wait a while before we were able to go over to the island.

Eventually we got across, and walked straight off the pier to a beautiful white sand beach.  The water here was really, really clear, blue green and inviting. We'd decided to walk the single road, up to the top of the hill to see what there was to see before we went swimming. To be honest, there wasn't much.  As I said, numerous bars and "boutiques" on the roadside, many of them closed.  The houses are typical of the Caribbean, wooden and colourful. At the top of the hill is a delightful little church and a wonderful view of Tobago Cays.

Then we walked down again to take advantage of that glorious beach, spending ages in the cool, clear water.  We were warned to watch out for sea urchins, but the only thing I saw were beautiful white fish in the shallows. 
This place is paradise for those who like yachting and diving, sun, sand, sea and a Caribbean bar.  For us, it was a chance to get sunburnt and enjoy a cold drink in the shade of a tree.

Our fellow passengers returned from their tours, and many of them joined us for a swim.  One or two of them were not quite able to though.  No breakfast and then underestimating the very potent rum punch handed out freely on the tours had a very detrimental effect.  It was funny for onlookers, but maybe not for the wives as these guys were completely out of it, unable to move, speak or focus.  "Chairlift" for me will now forever mean four men carrying a plastic garden chair containing a comatose over-indulger and scuttling as fast as they can towards the tender boats.  Remember the swell problems?  Oh my!  Apparently the crew handled these passengers remarkably well, lifting them straight in and out of the tenders without mishap?  Makes you wonder if they are used to that sort thing?
The ship left Mayreau at about 3 o'clock.  Tomorrow is Antigua and homeward bound. I'm a little bit sad about it.  Did someone say something about snow.........?