| Palm
Island, Grenadines
I vividly recall my first time ashore on this
idyllic getaway about mid-way down the Grenadines chain. It nestles between the
larger islands of St. Vincent to the north and Grenada to the south. I had arrived
by a Moorings sailboat, along with five friends, and we were attracted to this
tiny jewel largely because of the pearl white beaches and numerous palm trees
scattered over its flat landscape.
There
is no town here, and there probably never will be, and life centers around the
Palm Island Resort, the creation of John and Mary Caldwell, who sailed from Australia
to the Caribbean in the early 1960s, eventually signing a 198-year lease for the
island, then called "Prune Island." Caldwell
changed that by planting thousands of palms, à la Johnny Appleseed, then
built the resort that the two jointly owned until 1998, when Caldwell died and
Antigua Resorts bought the property and spent nearly $4 million in renovations.
There are about 45 cottages at the resort and a maximum of 80 guests. It was the
perfect place to kick back then, and still is. We lolled on the beach, sipping
the infamous rum punches called "Sunset" because, it is said, just one
and you'll never see the sun set! Though we were only there for the day, it was
my passion to return, and I did, several times, finding each time more delightful,
more spectacular than the last. Mustique
 I
have never stayed on Mustique, but rather arrived on several occasions by charter
yacht, anchoring in Britannia Bay about mid-point down the 1400-acre private enclave
that is located about 18 miles south of St. Vincent and in the Grenadines chain.
The island is an exclusive retreat for the rich and famous, with noted celebrities
such as Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger counted among the villa residents. Most
of the luxury villas were converted from original sugar or cotton plantations,
and are couched among the hillsides above the beaches. The only property that
is classified as a hotel is the elegantly appointed Cotton House, with just 20
guestrooms. For me, even a brief visit made an impression. Perhaps it's also the
name…Mustique…it has a certain mystique!
There
is one tiny town a few hundred yards inland from Britannia Bay, with a couple
of brightly colored boutiques and not much else. The best spot is Basil's Bar,
right on the beach. It's the quintessential island hangout, with a great menu
of local West Indian dishes and to die for homemade ice cream! Friday nights there
is usually a "jump up," and rumors are Jagger has attended on more than
one occasion when he was "on island," as have other celebrities. (CONTINUE...)
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