Caribbean Jewel

St. Vincent and the Grenadines or, as the locals call it, SVG is a picturesque Caribbean jewel. Located between Grenada and St. Lucia, SVG is made up of dozens of islands, islets, and cays. The larger island is home to most of SVG's 107,600-plus residences, its capital, Kingstown, and the ET Joshua Airport. Strategically nestled between two hilly promontories is a very small yet bustling city. A walking tour can be completed within two hours because downtown is literally a city block long. Also akin to Kingstown are the one-lane roads with goats, people, and cars that travel in opposite directions.

The undisturbed beaches, rugged mountain terrain, lush forests, and blue sailing waters draw in tourists who visit St. Vincent. Bequia, Petit, and Young islands are among the more popular spots for millionaires and others looking for a unique hideaway. Bequia has the most tranquil beaches while Petit is known for its private resort and cottages (Forbes FYI, 2003). Young Island was made popular by the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (AJC, 2003). The entire movie was filmed on location.

I visited St. Vincent for the first time with my grandfather, now a 91 year-old native Vincentian. While there, I found adventure in researching family documents at the courthouse records office, visiting the general hospital, and attending Carnival activities. An extended tour allowed family and friends to explore major attractions, which included Bequia, the seaport, a small zoo, the western hemisphere's oldest botanical garden (1765), and Fort Charlotte. The most notable attraction, La Soufriére is a 4,048-foot volcano which locals admonished takes "more than a little energy" to climb.

SVG is a refreshing and inviting place. The cuisine is appetizing and the people are as warming as their culture. The view from Fort Charlotte is breathtaking and the boat ride to Bequia is a must!

For more information on St. Vincent and the Grenadines visit http://www.svgtourism.com