Grenadines and More Part One
It is vacation time and it is the Christmas holidays. These two events don’t always go hand in hand. Unfortunately this is one of the few times that we can all travel together due to the kids busy schedules. We will make the best of the crowds and the hassle of traveling during the holidays. Our destination is the Grenadines in the Caribbean. Our venture to our destination was the typical holiday hassles....late flights, missed flights and grumpy people. We relax exactly two days at our destination when the children become restless.
Attempted to entertain kids and spouse today with journey to the nearby island of Bequia. There is supposed to be a fabulous turtle farm there and a quaint little town. Just the thing for my little savages. Our resort island has no television, no phone and very limited internet access. Kids are going crazy after 2 days. Let spouse know we must up the ante but he says they have the entire ocean to play in with dilapidated water toys.
Make arrangements to go on private boat after hearing about the scrum we will have to go through to get on the ferry. Concierge looks askance at me and says the seas are very rough; assure her that we are all good sailors. Not to worry. Conner decides to come only after I tell him about the world renowned turtle expert. He says it better be good, in the Christmas spirit of things.
We make it to the island on the 18 foot craft. Craig became my human water shield as we are soaked in the stern of the boat. Things do not bode well from there. The boat captains advise us to take a hike to the nearby town. Not a long jaunt but very hot. Stop in all boutiques to take advantage of air conditioning. Craig and boys too stupid to figure this out and swelter in the heat outside. Ask Craig several times for money for small purchases. He becomes increasingly crabby as I did not bring money or a credit card. Tell him I have no pockets and did bring sunscreen and camera. He remains grumpy. We make it to boat museum but it is a bust. Begin the trudge home, Craig begins rebelling and chomping at the bit. He is too big a man to take this infernal heat. What do I think he is? A camel? No one should be made to walk in this hell hole. Gently remind him to get a stiff upper lip as he is bringing everyone down and being a bad sport. Boys tell him to “man up”. This is one of Craig’s favorite phrases and he does not appreciate the comment used.
Return to original destination where we are to meet taxi. Wait approximately one hour with no sight of taxi. Tell boat drivers that we will take one of the many taxis down the road. They insist that this is the best driver and he will be here in ten minutes. They said that three ten minutes ago. Anyway the taxi driver shows up.
We leave for the turtle farm. Lovely drive on the way however the turtle farm is also a bust. Kids in good spirits and ask many turtle related questions. Craig paces like a wild animal. He says he is hungry. We are all hungry. This is not a good thing to bring up and tell him so. He says the turtle guy has another thing coming if he thinks these poor turtles can survive in the wild after living in captivity with kibbles for food. Kids and I tell him he is full of malarkey.
We are driven back to boat. All of us insist that we must leave now as weather is looking dicey. Craig overrules everyone when I am in bathroom and I find him sitting in restaurant with a beer. He wants a cheeseburger. I believe his next words were; “Those boat captains don't know anything, the weather is fine.” Scarf down burger and run to boat.
Fight raging seas on way back, swells 8 feet high. Kids in high form and leap at each wave. Craig moves to back with me. After sleeping on his stone tablet last night his back hurts. Notice his karma has become very bad as lamp fell on his head this a.m. while he was sleeping.
