This is Mayreau, The Grenadines. This is the big day of the wedding and also the party for Jutta and Jochem. The boats from the ARC are really starting to gather here again to be a part of all the celebrations. This is a lively island filled with little bars and restaurants build right off the back or side of their homes. Dennis's Hideaway is a quiet little place (except for the bleating goats and chickens) with a pool and a view that is spectacular. The walk up the hill is a killer but you have to remember you are going to take a dip in the pool and see the sights and it makes it okay.
We met a wonderful couple from Michigan , Deb and Neil, who offered to help in the wedding any way they could. They run a restaurant back home and have certainly gotten sucked into the joy of the celebration. Deb offered to do hair and decorations. They will come to the wedding as will all the island ,I think.
So since we have been here on Sunday we have gotten to climb up the hill to see the church which has this magnificent 360 degree view of the ocean the Tobago Cays and all the other islands surrounding it. You can see the reefs all around us as well. The color of the water is so blue it must be only from this place there is such a color. I am sure after the wedding we will have time to snorkel those reefs.
Matt and friends have already dove around a ferry wreck off the island and have snorkeled around the end of the island
off the beach. Anna said the reef is beginning to grow again and many different corals are beginning to grow again and she spotted many fish which she listed with perfection. She has quite a lot of experience with diving and marine life so she sees quite hopeful and excited for the underwater life here. The island and the Tobago Cays are all in the national park so you can't go fishing in these waters in just any place.
Last night we had a lobster grill off the beach which was prepared by Patrick. He also runs the launch from here to Union. The people have to know many things to make a living off this island even though it looks to be quite the paradise. We have discovered this is the same from many of the other people who live on island around the world. We will probably stay on this island a couple more days then head up northward to Bequia. I know many of the folks are expecting to do some diving in Bequia since it is known for this. From the photos in our Sailor's Guide it looks quite beautiful as I am discovering paradise in our own back yard of the Caribbean. Mustique is another island we have never heard of and it has many homes of well know people from the states and Europe. They have strict rule here to not photo any of the "knowns "here and to stick to the main roads and beaches. That all just makes one a little curious to go
there- doesn't it?
So we continue to explore this island and others as we make our way up to St. Lucia. Bill , Matt , and I have our specific jobs for the wedding so we will be busy today with that and of course helping to celebrate a much awaited event. Then there is the party for Jutta and Jochem. I think we will have to come home to take a break from all these celebrations. These last few weeks are packed with lots of emotion and awe and not wanting this all to end.
Of course we all want to come home to see everyone but there is surely a sadness quite the same as we all felt when we left home to start on this journey and left our family and friends.
Rosemary, Bill, Matt, and Anna