Union Island

Following a fantastic few days on the incredibly beautiful yet disappointingly busy Tobago Cays the crew of Rafiki (Pete, Clo, Adam, Kate, Jim and myself) left for Union Island. Jim took the helm for the short but difficult journey to union island that would see us navigate reefs, the island of Mayreau an approach past a light airfield and the then a difficult entry into Union Island Harbour which is surrounded by a large reef and is the only harbour we have come across with a one way system. We dingyed in to The Anchor Yacht club, a boutique hotel and bar run by the enthusiastic Nat an Italian ex pat with a good sense of humour and a talent for the ukulele.

Union island is dominated by a colourful and vibrant town with a mix of visiting yachtsmen, kite surfers, locals and a smattering of tourists thrown in. From a large open town square with small colourful shacks selling local goods the town stretches down to the Anchor yacht club Hotel and is connected by a harbour front walk way lined with restaurants, Patisseries and bars all in a very Caribbean style. In front of the buildings is a path that separates from the shore too form small ponds, one of which is used as a dingy dock that has to entered trough an archway only large enough for dinghies and only advisable when sober.

For the most part our time was spent relaxing in the Yacht club and after the nearly T total Tobago Cays catching up on a couple of boozy nights out. Nat the hotelier encouraged us to come to his surf and turf BBQ event being run by him and his friend/partner in crime Roberto (another handsome Italian gent with a mysterious back story, a beautiful yacht and rib too powerful for just day to day pottering around). The two of them made us feel most welcome and after Pete caught sight of a gloss white piano standing unused in the corner an impromptu sing-along started with Pete tickling the ivories and Nat playing the ukulele the evening escalated into a full on drinking session. SHOTS FOR ALL! Was the call from Nat to his barman, after a bit of gentle prompting from Clo, Peter (the barman) promptly poured out 8 shots and lined them up on the bar. What was to follow was probably the strongest shot I have ever drunk. “Sunset Rum” falls into the bracket of Caribbean rums that are not allowed on international flights due to their ability to burst into flames, at 80% volume it is not for any sane person. Also in this category is Riverview Rum which I’m sure will feature in a later blog. This was all unbeknown to us and the reactions were varied, Clo retched up in the bushes screaming that she could breath, Pete spat his back into the glass and the rest of us were a mix of coughing and trying not to throw up. It turns out that this is for seasoned rum drinkers and is always sipped with a glass of water, we know for next time!