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Today the S/V Mandalay visited and the Grenadines.net Internet Cafe was busy.
People checking e-mail, reporting lost credit cards, socializing over cool, refreshing drinks
and enjoying the breeze from the Back Porch Bar. I now have an assortment of 30
different plants and flowers in pots - all dug up from around the island.
Going for the "island oasis" look, you know.
The Mandalay will overnight the weekend in Grenada and return here to Carriacou next Tuesday.

It was a sunny, Saturday morning when Tom stopped by my Back Porch. I hopped onto the back of his motorcycle and off we went to Hermitage and his hilltop hideaway. Tom must be pushing age 70 yet he handles his cycle with ease and consideration as we bounce along the road south from Hillsborough moving along Hillsborough Bay, past lovely little Sandy Island and on to the Lauriston International Airport. There is no aircraft landing right now so the road passes through an open gate and crosses over the airport landing strip, thru another open gate on the other side and then on to Paradise beach.  Nestled happily on the beach is the Hardwood Bar where cold drink, socializing and cheap transport via speedboat is possible to Sandy Island. No helmuts on to lessen the fun as we bounce along the road thru L'Esterre Village, past the Elementary School where children have class while sitting outside on folding chairs under the shade of a large tree. Tourists love our roads - that are, shall we say "quaint." Perfect really on a small cylinder cycle. We make the turn at L'Esterre Crossing, give a wave to "Uncle Tom" and head down the straight stretch past Garvey's Bar and The Blue Marlin Apartments. A minute later we enter Harvey Vale Village that faces Carriacou's dream anchorage for visiting yachts, Tyrrel Bay. We pass Al's Snackbar, The New Studio Bar, the Alexis Supermarket/Guesthouse, The French Restaurant, Lizzy's Seaside Fountain, Rico's Cottage and Scraper's Restaurant/Bar and Cottages. In the old days, that's pre Hurricane Lenny's Sea Surge, the road continued along the Bay into Hermitage and my destination at Tom's Hideaway. But the road got washed away and now we make a turn at Scrapers, pass the le Petit Conch Shell Restuarant and head up toward the Harvey Vale Government School to find a turn to the right that brings us to a dirt road that brings us back along the Bay at The Old Rum Shop where Robertina bakes a great chicken BBQ. We pass The Lambi Queen Bar/Restaurant, Turtle Dove Restaurant/Bar, Fitzroy's Cottage and still we climb higher on Tom's reliable and surprisingly powerful motorcycle. I see the Carriacou Yacht Club way down the hillside on the waterfront. Then Tom makes a quick left turn and we're heading up steeply on what looks like a goat path running behind someone's house. I choose to step off the cycle and walk the hundred yards or so to Tom's Hideaway.

Imagine a labyrinth or a caribbean castle sitting on a mountaintop. Tom has created his Hideaway with small, private rooms at the end of tiny walkways and around the corner or up the stairs or around the back from where you first started. The accomodation is simple perhaps reflecting Tom's Danish history. Simple yet very attentive to guest needs and requirements... writing tables, mirrors, mosquito netting canopied over firm beds, small porches found here, there and everywhere always available for group socializing or individual retreat, and, of course, window jealousies opening to the sky or to the lush, tropical plantings visible everywhere I look.

And look I must.
From this position I see Cassada Bay, White Island and the Cays and further as the outline of Grenada is visible. The panorama continues toward Tyrrel Bay, Harvey Vale and on past L'Esterre to Hillsborough and The Southern Grenadines. The German's have a saying for such views... über Alles! "Over All."  If you like hilltop living, looking out windows into treetops, and air conditioned by the cooling tradewinds then Tom's Hideaway is the place for you.
Did I mention that his rooms rent for just US$15-35/night?!!

I added an assortment of 21 plants and flowers available here on Carriacou to the Back Porch of the Internet Cafe. I'm going to let them go wild and in a month or so the Porch should become "the jungle." Check it out when next on Carriacou.

7 March 2000 - Tuesday
High Temperature 92ºF - Low Temperature 83ºF
A beautiful sunny day with blue skies and a few, puffy white clouds

 

The Carriacou Carnival Year 2000 has finished.
The Parade of the Bands has passed down Main Street and back up Victoria Street, the sun has set, and the people are jamin' until Midnight at Hillsborough's Market Square to the loud music from boom-boom street speakers. Four flatbed trucks pass by the office loaded down with generators and equipment required to blast the sounds to the joy of the following folk all dressed in colorful costume. From tiny tots to "Golden Girls."  The Grenadines.net Cafe was a perfect spot to catch all the action from it's Main Street windows and Victoria Street Back Porch. And, wasn't that Tanki dressed in "Male Queen" drag leading the Band from L'Esterre? Never saw you look soooooo sweeeeet, Tanki! Well done!
This year's celebration included lots of dancing in the streets, a queen show, a soca monarch competition, and....  I noticed not as many "games of chance" (happily) nor as many handicraft  and local, island food vendors (sadly).  I saw a LOT of families out together having fun.

The S/V Mandalay altered her schedule and allowed the guests on their way for a 2-week charter thru The Grenadines to Antigua a chance to enjoy the final festivities. While the crew and a few passengers checked their e-mail, I saw lots of photo-taking by the visitors wandering the streets enjoying our lively little Carnival's final day.
 

Just before sunset I saw a large dark brown donkey quietly munching grass along Victoria Street just a few minutes after the passing of the Parade of Bands.
Ah.... Carriacou.  Another Day in Paradise!

Carriacou now has Mountain Bikes!

The air service between Grenada, Carriacou and Union Island had
a schedule change effective 01MAR00.
Service on Tuesdays and Saturdays has been reduced.
Click HERE for the up-dated schedule.

    
Carriacou's Roundhouse Cottages & Restaurant/Bar

I have added three new 2-bedroom Villas here on Carriacou to the website:
Villa Limin'
A simple hideaway with inviting plunge pool
Villa las Tortugas
Spanish/Caribbean style attached to the hillside just steps from Paradise Beach
Villa les Trois Tours
Nestled quietly on a wooded hillside with fantastic panoramic view
And...
don't forget those hideaway private villas on Palm Island....
 

    


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