13:10.26N 61:16.400W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Mon 10 Dec 2012 00:28
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"Union Island - 8th December"
Roderick, our boat boy, collected us as we
approached the entrance to the reef protecting Clifton Bay on Union
Island. We could have been taken to a mooring in the turquoise waters
behind the reef, but the boys wanted to be nearer to the town so that we
could take a walk ashore and also we needed to check out of the French
Grenadines before arriving at Grenada and its islands.
Roderick assured us that we would not be troubled
by anyone, having negotiated a price for the mooring, marked by a selection of
various sized plastic bottles. We arranged for him to pick us up at lunch
time, he went off to make arrangements with his Grandmother so that we could
have lunch at her place. Our water taxi arrived on time and took us the
short distance to the fuel dock next to several enormous piles of empty conch
shells. We found our way to "Alice's Bar & Restaurant", a rather
colourful slightly dilapidated wooden building on the other side of the main
street opposite the recycling yard we had just walked through. Inside the
building was a small bar, tables and chairs set out for dining, a huge white
portable screen was at one end next to the small screened off kitchen. On
the other side were various groups f large homemade looking speakers, amplifiers
and an ancient computer screen, clearly this bar provided various
entertainment. We enjoyed our local meal of tuna and rice but we didn't
get to meet Granny as it was her day off, however, we did meet Roderick's
uncle.
Next we set off to find the Immigration Office at
the small airport only 15 minutes walk away from the town. The formality
of clearing immigration and customs necessitated completing various forms, to
taken to the next officer for stamping and fee payment. After visiting
three official desks our formalities were complete and we are now free to move
on south towards Grenada.
Roderick collected as at 6.30pm, as promised to
ferry us to a restaurant called the West Indies, owned by a French couple but
serving Caribbean cuisine. We landed on their pontoon in the dark and
crept along it, taking care not to put or feet down any holes in the
planks. The restaurant was quite elegant, all tables laid with colourful
tablecloths, with a candle centre piece, napkins etc. Although the decor
was quite Caribbean with fruit decorations, local artists paintings of tropical
fish, parrots, tropical islands and even a cricket match scene, restaurant had a
distinct French elegance about it. This was even more apparent when the
slender, elderly and exquisitely dress proprietress appeared to inquire if we
had enjoyed our meal. She was delighted hen we expressed our delight and
thanked us for visiting them. We hope that we shall return, it is a
restaurant to be recommended.
Our water taxi was waiting for us but just as we
were about to leave yet another squall came through and the heavens
opened. Once it had passed we found our way in the darkness to Roderick's
launch. All previous taxi rides had been very sedate but this time he took
as all completely by surprise by opening up the throttle and hurtling us into
the dark night, spray everywhere. All very exciting until we arrived close
to Whisper and the engine cut out. The bow line had fallen overboard and
wrapped itself around the propeller. We were told not to worry as he lent
over the stern, his head and chest disappearing under water. He shortly
reappeared soaking wet and laughing as he jumped along the thwarts to pull the
released bow line inboard, shouting "It is not so easy for you guys in your
boat!". That is for sure! Bow line retrieved he rushed back to the
stern and restarted the engine and we were safely delivered without further
mishap.
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