The pretty harbour town of Port Elizabeth
Stocking up in Bequia Island ferries to St. Vincent are usually very punctual – you can set your clock by them (you will find ferry schedules on page 18, or you can check at the Bequia Tourism Office). Both The Admiralty and Bequia Express ferries offer regular sailings every day, to and from St. Vincent, in the comfort of air-conditioned lounges or up on deck in the fresh sea breeze. The Jaden Sun is a ‘fast ferry’ which operates between St. Vincent, Bequia and the southern Grenadine islands – a comfortable, reliable and fast way to explore the other islands. Next to the jetty is the Bequia Tourism Association office, so if your first stop is for information, their staff will be pleased to help you. Along Front Street the yellow Government building houses the Revenue Office and Post Office, Harbour Master, Customs and Immigration. Enquire here about yachting and mooring regulations. For banking, the Bank of SVG off Back Street, opens Monday to Thursday from 8am-2pm and Fridays from 8-4pm; there are also two ATMs for your convenience. Note that US$ travellers cheques and cash are accepted by most establishments. Credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and boutiques, but be sure to check first before you shop or dine! As the gateway to the beautiful sailing grounds of the Grenadine isles, Bequia offers a full range of services and supplies to the marine traveller. There are a number of skilled craftsmen at boatyards around
82 Shopping 82 MAYREAU
in Bequia
Photo: Wilfred Dederer
the harbour offering services from minor repairs, to a custom-built boat. Marine outfitters and chandleries stock all you will need for boat repairs and maintenance, from hardware and electrical, to paints and outboard engines. Some chandlers offer duty-free prices to visitors, as do suppliers of all your fishing and diving needs such as Lulley’s Tackle Shop. Whatever your tastes, Port Elizabeth is your onestop harbour for all you will need to provision your yacht or stock your kitchen for a self-catering holiday. Supermarkets offer baked, canned and dried goods, a good selection of frozen foods and a variety of drinks, wines and spirits. Many residents and regular visitors to Bequia shop at Doris’ Fresh Food located on Back Street. Doris’s smiling face is always there to welcome customers and the shop is well-stocked with fresh local produce, an impressive range of imported cheeses, patés and international delicatessen selections, fine wines and a tempting array of specialty items including smoked fish, pesto and even a full range of sushi ingredients. It seems there’s never a shortage of fresh produce in Bequia. Much of it comes directly from the fertile farms in St. Vincent and local kitchen gardens in Bequia, so you can be sure of its freshness. All along Front Street you’ll see colourful stalls with a wide variety of farm fresh vegetables, fruit and fragrant herbs.