The Island of Bequia |
|
|
|
|
Visitors are often surprised that on an island of only seven square miles there is such an abundance of natural beauty. While exploring, there is a visual feast to be discovered around every corner. Port Elizabeth is built along the waterfront of Admiralty Bay and into the rising hills surrounding it a number of brightly coloured shops, houses, restaurants, small hotels and guest-houses complete the captivating scene. While strolling around the harbour, look out for the "House of Parliament" the name given to the benched area under the almond trees, where the taxis and dollar vans assemble to collect and deposit their passengers. Guarding the harbour at the opposite end of the bay and offering stunning vistas, is the site of Hamilton Fort, built in the late 18th century. Other spectacular views of the island can be enjoyed from Cinnamon Garden and Mount Pleasant. Just west of Friendship Bay is the peak that locals sometimes call "The Mountain". This nearly 900ft hill offers an invigating hike to the reward of a panoramic view of St. Vincent to the north and the Grenadines to the south. Further along is the quaint and colourful fishing community of Paget Farm. Moonhole, the extraordinary creation of American, the late Tom Johnston, is about a mile past the airport. A private development of over twenty imaginatively built, "free-form" homes that cling to the natural curves of the hillside. There are no windows, no doors -just openings! The ceilings and walls tend to go their own way - no straight lines - some even have trees growing right in the living room! The Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary is located at Park Beach. Here, Brother King nurtures over 200 endangered Hawksbill turtles, of all sizes, until they are able to fend for themselves in the "wide blue yonder". |