Dec--Bequia

Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Dec 22-31, 2008

Click on the above thumbnail for a map during this time period

When we arrived in Bequia we noticed in shop windows posters (in Norwegian) announcing the renowned reception hosted by Mariann at her home each Christmas Eve from 1 pm to 3 pm. All with some connection to Scandinavia were welcome. We figured that having a boat with a Norwegian name probably sufficed, if being able to read the poster wasn't enough. Bring a bottle of red wine, the posters said, and some money that will be given to a charity. The wine would be added to the spiced gløgg that is a Scandinavian tradition. And then we noticed that the posters had been modified with Norwegian text written vertically in the margin: Mariann was ill and not on the island, but all were still welcome since her son would host the party. We expected to see tons of people at the taxi area near the dinghy dock, but there was surprisingly little activity. Surprising, because there were lots of Norwegian vessels in the anchorage, and because Mariann's web accounts of former parties mentioned attendance in the multiple hundreds. We engaged a taxi and arrived to a very quiet residence. Just as we were approaching the front door, a couple of men exited. We asked about the "Norwegian party" and learned we were speaking to the son. Mariann had taken for a turn for the worse, the party was cancelled, and her son was on his way to the airport in order to fly to her bedside. By that time our taxi had departed, but just then another taxi -- this one a pickup with seats in the back -- arrived loaded with Norwegians from Bergen. We were able to squeeze in and thereby got a ride back to the dock. We learned later that there had been a cancellation announcement on the VHF that we missed. Sorry to say, we have not heard anything about Mariann's condition.

We attended a Christmas program at a local church on Christmas Eve, and had dinner on Christmas with Paul and Maggie (Island Time). Delicious, of course, and as always it was great to spend some time with the fun-loving couple. The wind blew like hell while we were in Bequia, and so we decided to stay on through New Years, when there was to be a bodacious fireworks display in the harbor. Meanwhile, we hosted a cocktail party aboard Tusen Takk II, with guests Paul and Maggie (Island Time), Chris and Barbara (Moon Sail), Mike and Jacky (Gypsy Dancer), Fred and Kathy (Makai). I also attempted to varnish the cap rails. One should not be varnishing in such strong winds, especially when they are accompanied by occasional episodes of rain.

As it turned out, we were presented with a slight weather window on December 31, and so we left Bequia and made our way up to Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, where we were to be joined by friends Tom and Phyllis who would be flying in from Canada. But that, dear readers, is another story for another web page.