The Usual Suspects - Destination: The Grenadines

15.	Bequia Island Tour. Having just made the statement that the best experiences are not what you see, the #15 spot belongs to an experience that is just that - something to see. But hey, it is my story. Spending a half day being escorted around the beautiful island of Bequia is an experience in itself. The views of the surrounding islands and bays from the top of Mount Pleasant are simply stunning. Visiting the turtle sanctuary, whaling museum, pottery shop, and just generally driving around makes for a most enjoyable outing. It is certainly better than being in the office.
14.	Mopion. If you have always wanted a photo of yourself on your own deserted island, this is it. A patch of sand barely one hundred feet around, with a single thatched hut make this the quintessential Caribbean photo op. Anchor the boat for a few hours, go ashore with a cooler and have a picnic. Bring plenty of film. Send photos to friends. Gloat.
13.	Best Pizza in the Caribbean. One would never expect to enjoy a great pizza in the Caribbean , but yes, there is such a place - Macs Pizzeria in Bequia. Great ambiance mixed with great food puts this experience on the list for 2003. In season, be sure to try their lobster or Guyanese shrimp pizza. Try ordering that back home!!!
12.	*Mustique Martini Club. By night, The Firefly* is magical. By day, it is spectacular. So, if you’re not doing anything one sunny afternoon, head up for a mid-afternoon martini and join the Mustique Martini Club. Obtain a passport and have it stamped for each of the recipes you try. Keith, the bartender is a licensed professional and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Transportation down the hill can be arranged should Keith’s expertise prove too successful.
11.	Swim at dawn. The Caribbean has a way of rearranging your natural clock, so you will be awake early, regardless of the number of Rummers consumed the night before. Go for a swim off the stern of the boat just as the sun comes up and you will see what I mean. Best experienced at Salt Whistle Bay Mayreau or Britannia Bay Mustique, although a swim at dawn in the Tobago Cays also has the desired effect. (Arnis Budrevics photo)
10.	Partying, Caribbean Style. Caribbean music really gets you in the mood, whether it is Soca, Calypso, or Reggae. There is no better place to enjoy it than with Robert “Righteous” at his bar in the village on Mayreau. When this place is packed, it is the place to hang out. (Danny McAlear photo)
9.	Cruiser Happy Hour. No sailing trip to the Caribbean is complete without finding other sailors to exchange lies with. Sunday afternoons at De Reef in Lower Bay Bequia is the perfect place to do this. Arrange for a water taxi to drop you off and pick you up – disembarking and boarding in the surf on the beach is an experience in itself. The rum punches are deadly, so if you plan to have more than three, cancel your dinner reservations because you won’t make it. This place attracts a strange mix of charterers, long-term cruisers, as well as locals, so this could be your big chance to hone your storytelling skills.
8.	The conch roti lunch. The conch in the Caribbean is spectacular. It is even more spectacular when added to a roti, and most spectacular when enjoyed on a picnic table at the Green Boley in Bequia with a cold Hairoun. This is a most casual spot, perfect for just watching the world go by. You will want to repeat this experience every day you are in Bequia.
7.	Beach BBQ. There is something to be said for a lobster barbecue on an uninhabited island in the Caribbean, with nothing between you and Africa but the Horseshoe Reef, the Milky Way shining brightly above, and your yacht anchored nearby. This unique experience can only be done in the Tobago Cays and can be arranged by your favorite Boat Boy. (Arnis Budrevics photo)
6.	Lobster dinner on board. Everybody loves grilled Caribbean lobster. Everybody loves sailing in the Caribbean. Why not combine the two and enjoy a grilled lobster dinner on your boat, which is conveniently anchored in the Tobago Cays or Salt Whistle Bay. You could barbecue them yourself, but why bother? A Boat Boy will be more than happy to grill them to perfection for you and deliver them right to your boat. Try getting that kind of service back home! (Arnis Budrevics photo)
5.	Lazy day at Beach. It would be a crime to waste all those white sand beaches - so don’t! Pack a cooler full of beverages and a picnic lunch, gather up some towels and some sunscreen, and get a taxi to drop you off for the day at Macaroni Beach, Mustique. This beach does not get crowded so you can expect to have most of it to yourself. There are hammocks under shade trees should you require a nap. The taxi will come for you at the end of what will be a most perfect day.
4.	Fine Dining. You must dress up in your best parrot shirt and go fine dining at least once on your trip. There is no better atmosphere for that than The Firefly in Mustique. Perched in the hills surrounding Britannia Bay, your table overlooks the yachts at anchor below. The soft lighting enhances the ambiance and sets the stage for a magical evening out. Stay for a beverage at the bar later and let Patrick pour you your favorite – you never know who might turn up! (Mustique Firefly photo)
3.	Lazy day on the boat. Pick a day and do nothing. That’s right, nothing. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen, make sure your beer is covered with ice, there is plenty of mix, and that the liquor cabinet is fully charged. Put on your favorite tunes, pour yourself a cold one, pull out a good book, and let the sun do the rest. Enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. Maybe swim in to shore. Maybe not. The protected anchorages of Salt Whistle Bay Mayreau and Britannia Bay Mustique guarantee the best results.
2.	Snorkeling in the Tobago Cays. The Horseshow Reef is a spectacular snorkeling spot and one that should not be missed. The crystal water, the coral formations, the multicolored fish, the white sand, the turquoise. Come and hang out with Nemo for a while. Repeat experience as necessary.
	And finally, The Usual Suspects choice as the best experience in The Grenadines for 2003 is...
1.	Sundowners in Britannia Bay Mustique. This anchorage is a magical place and you really have to be there at then end of a day’s sail with an ice-cold beverage in your hand in the company of good friends to really understand. The turquoise water, the white sand, the mega-mansions peering out from the vegetation in the surrounding hills, the sun going down to end a spectacular day – it just doesn’t get any better than this. Experience it during cocktail hour on your boat, or at Basil’s Bar right on the water. You might even see the green flash if you are lucky.