Get away on a yachtArchaeological Museum: Housed in the Old Public Library Building, the Museum houses a magnificent collection of stone tools and artifacts. In front of it are planted shrubs which might have been found in the compound of an early Carib Indian house. The displays are good, and there are a lot of stone and pottery artifacts. The great bathead pot rest with its ferocious teeth is particularly well displayed, and reminds one of the curved prow of a Polynesian war canoe.

Arrowroot Mills at Owia: A long established crop on St. Vincent, arrowroot has recently enjoyed a considerable restoration of its fortunes, being used as a fine dressing for computer paper - a far cry from being one of grandma's favored baby foods and sauce thickening agents. St. Vincent is the world's biggest supplier. You can visit the processing factory at Owia.

The Big Drum Dance: Usually performed in a festive manner, this dance is a special feature of Union Island in the Grenadines. It is derived from a mixture of the French and African traditions and is performed in times of disaster and on joyous occasions like the launching of vessels and wedding festivals.

Black Point Tunnel: This tunnel is about 300 feet long and links Grand Sable with Byrea Bay. The tunnel was constructed by the British with the help of Slave Labour about 1815 to provide an access route for sugar exports. The estates north of Byrea were distributed to British settlers after the end of the Second Carib War in 1796 for the cultivation of sugar cane. The tunnel was a master piece of engineering skill for its time.

Botanical Gardens: Located on 20 acres of land, on the outskirts of Kingstown, the Botanical Gardens are the oldest in the Western hemisphere. Among St. Vincent's wide variety of tropical trees and shrubs is a breadfruit tree from the original plant brought by Captain Bligh (of the Bounty fame) in 1793. There is also a Spachea Perforata (the Soufriere Tree - the National flower) a species not found in the wild since 1812. Conservation of rare species of plants has been practised since the gardens were founded in 1765. Other conservation work involves the endangered St. Vincent parrot, Aniazona Guildingii, the National Bird. These parrots can be found in the wild in the Buccament and Cumberland Valleys. An aviary, originally containing birds confiscated from illegal captors, now holds twenty four parrots. There is legislation to preserve the majority of the island's birds, animals and reptiles, and carries stiff penalties for infringements.

Carib Picture Rock: Petroglyphs, rock carvings and carib work stone.

Dive rocks, Caves, Walls, Wrecks
Carnival: Taking place in the beginning of July, St. Vincent Carnival is totally spectacular, with costumes, shows, calypsos, parades, music and parties everywhere. A must!

Falls Of Baleine: The Falls of Baleine are among St. Vincent's finest natural wonders. A single stage fall, the sparkling waters plunge about sixty feet into a swimmable rock enclosed fresh water pool.

Fort Charlotte: Completed in 1806, the fort is on a ridge 600ft. above the sea giving a magnificent view across Kingstown and down the Grenadines. There are interesting paintings of the Black Caribs' history by Lindsay Prescott in what used to be the officers' quarters in the fort, only a few minutes' drive from Kingstown.

Fort Duvernette: Adjoining Young Island, the fort was built about 1800 on a massive rock 195 feet above the sea to defend Calliaqua Bay, then an important anchorage. There are two batteries, one about 40ft. from the top of the rock and a second on the summit. Both contain twenty four pound guns and an eight inch mortar, the entire armament is still complete. Admission to the fort can be arranged with Young Island Hotel.

The Grenadines: These unspoiled islands are a must for the visitor wanting to have the ultimate in peaceful vacations. Fishing, sailing, swimming and snorkeling are at their best in these enchanting islands, which have some of the finest beaches in the world. There are ferries travelling daily to Bequia, and three days a week to Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island. Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union all possess air-strips for light aircraft.

Bequia: lies 9 miles south of St. Vincent and is the largest of the Grenadines. It is an island oriented to the sea, retaining the age old traditions of boat building, whaling and fishing. Admiralty Bay, the island's natural harbour, is a favourite anchoring spot for yachtsmen from all over the world. The quaint waterfront of Port Elizabeth is lined with bars, restaurants and craft shops. Bequia is encircled by gold sand beaches, many of which disappear into coves, excellent for sailing, scuba and snorkeling. Lodgings vary from luxurious resort cottages to small simple West Indian inns and much of the nightlife centers around the hotels beachside barbecues and steel bands.

Canouan: measures 3 1/2 miles by 1 1/4 miles and claims some of the best beaches in the Caribbean - long ribbons of powder white sands, wide shallows and coral.

Mayreau: lies east of the Tobago Cays and is one of the smaller Grenadines - 1.5 square miles. Privately owned with few residents, it can be reached by boat from Union Island. Salt Whistle Bay Resort is the major hotel, Dennis' Hideaway is a guest house and restaurant.

Mustique: is a gem of an island measuring 3 by 1.5 miles and is privately owned with a landscape as genteel as its lifestyle - green hills roll into soft white sand beaches and turquoise waters. This Grenadine isle has long attracted the elite of the world, including British royalty. Cotton House, a sprawling l8th century plantation house, has been converted into the island's only resort. The public rooms of the Main House are beautifully decorated with antiques and afternoon tea is served on the verandas. Many attractive villas, including those owned by celebrities, are available for rental through the Mustique Company. Firefly is a charming exclusive Hotel.

Palm Island: is a private island resort with a very casual ambiance - 24 beach front stone cottages, open air dining and all watersports off wide, white shores.

Petit St. Vincent: the southern most Grenadine island governed by St. Vincent, is a 113 acre resort set on several rolling hills. The entire island is ringed by white beaches, and the foliage is luxuriant. Guests can enjoy the ultimate in luxury and seclusion, in private cottages with private patios and seaside vistas and a wide range of sporting and marine activities.

The Tobago Cays: are numerous islets and coves south of Canouan, guarded by some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world. You can sail, snorkel, beachcomb in complete seclusion - a rare tropical paradise that can be reached only by yacht. A National Marine Park is being developed here.

Union Island: is a 2,100 acre mountainous island is fringed by superb beaches and is the stopping-off point for yachtsmen and visitors heading to some of the smaller Grenadines. Mt. Parnassus soars 900 feet from the sea - a summit guarding entry to the southern Grenadines. Clifton Harbour, the main town is small and commercial. There are several beach front inns, all with a simple, relaxed lifestyle.

Young Island: is 200 yards off St. Vincent and comprises one resort. There are spectacular white sand beaches for snorkeling and scuba diving, a freshwater pool and tennis courts. Adjoining Young Island is the 18th century Fort Duvemette sculpted from an enormous rock, 200 feet above the sea.

La Soufreire
La Soufriere: St. Vincent's La Soufriere shares with Mount St. Helen (USA) the fame of being the most studied volcano, and is the same explosive type. La Soufriere is a smaller version of Mt. St. Helen. It rises majestically to over 4,000ft. and last erupted in April, 1979. A tour to the La Soufriere volcano takes you along the picturesque windward coast of St. Vincent, through banana and coconut plantations to where the foot trail begins, which leads you along steep volcanic ridges verdant with bamboo and other tropical trees. This is a day's journey for energetic hikers, who should leave early in the morning, as the ascent to the crater is about 3 1/4 miles but is well worth it. The expedition can continue down the west side trail and terminate 10 or 12 miles later in Chateaubelair on the leeward (west) side.

Leeward Highway: Steep ridges coming down to sea, and lush valleys make this a most intriguing and dramatic drive. Small towns and villages such as Questelles, Layou, Barrouallie, and Chateaubelair, with charmingly designed little houses, add to the interest and pleasure. There are several good black sand beaches with safe bathing; inland spots up in the valleys are excellent for picnics. Fishermen at Barrouallie still fish for black fish from small boats. There are also interesting Government experimental and development estates and banana collecting and boxing stations at Vermont, Spring Village and Richmond.

Trinity Falls
Mesopotamia Valley: The panoramic view offered here is probably unsurpassed in the Caribbean. The richly fertile valley is thickly planted with banana, nutmeg, cocoa, coconut, breadfruit and root crops - eddoe, tannia and dasheen. Mountain ridges rise all around, Grand Bonhomme dominating at 3,181ft. Rivers and streams come together at Mesopotamia to tumble down to the sea over the rocks of the Yambou Gorge.

Night Life: There are various places to go at night in the Islands. Around Christmas and Carnival, there is plenty of music and dancing everywhere. Hotels offer restaurants, bars, music and/or a show. Other night places with music are:

St. Vincent: Level 3,The Attic, Aquatic Club, Philo's, and Touch Entertainment Centre, Vee Jay's Rooftop, Harbour View Restaurant.

Bequia: Hotels and Crescent Beach.

Mustique: Basil's Bar.

Owia Salt Pond: The Owia Salt Pond is located on the north eastern coast of St. Vincent close to the Carib village of Owia, a two hour drive along the scenic eastern coast of St. Vincent. Along the way you can see the Rabacca Dry River, (ash flow from the 1902 eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano), Black Point Tunnel dug by the British in 1815 using slave labour and some of the best black sand beaches in the world. Owia is home for many of the indigenous people of St. Vincent. Be sure to take a dip in the famous Salt Pond.

Petroglyphs and Rock Carvings: There are interesting excised drawings on rocks by pre-Columbian people, probably Ciboneys, but maybe later Arawaks and Caribs. The best known and most easily accessible are near the pretty fishing town of Layou, by a river about a quarter of a mile from the main road.

Queen's Drive, Dorsetshire Hill: Starting from Amos Vale, by the airport, Queen's Drive climbs to the high point of Dorsetshire Hill and then comes out down Sion Hill giving quite sensational views over Kingstown, the harbour, Fort Charlotte and over the intensively cultivated ridges and valleys all around on the landward sides.

Rabacca Farms: Located near the base of Soufriere, this is one of the largest single coconut estates in the world (3,200 acres). It is also a considerable producer of bananas, citrus fruits, spices, cola nuts, and aubergines.

Shopping: Kingstown Centre comprises twelve small blocks, easy to walk and perfect for browsing. Shops and stores range from simple to sophisticated, selling local crafts, cameras, binoculars, Swiss watches and clocks, perfumes, crystal and bone china, gold and silver jewelry, Sea Island Cotton, Batik, hand painted T-shirts, etc. Along the streets and beaches, you will find craftsmen with their carvings and other crafts. There is a wide variety of fresh produce available at the markets.

St.George's cathedral: The architects, Buisseret and Clarke said: "The nave and at least the lower stages of the tower date from 1820 and the galleried interior is a charming example of the late Georgian architecture". 'Mere are some beautiful stained glass windows, three on the east by Kempe and a large one on the south of Munich glass.

St. Mary's R.C. Cathedral, School And Presbytery, Kingstown: The original was built in 1823, enlarged in 1877 and 1891, then renovated in the early 1940s by Dom Charles Verbeke. There are several styles of architecture involved, the dominant being Romanesque. The interior of the cathedral is richly ornamental.

St. Vincent Craftsmen's Centre: Just a short walk from central Kingstown, a wide and colourful variety of handicraft items made on the island can be seen. At the shop you can browse among a variety of objects crafted from straw, clays, coconut, wood, barnboo and available metals. The craftsmen are also famous for their beautiful handmade West Indian dolls.

Trinity Falls: This waterfall is set in a deep volcanic canyon about four miles from Richmond Vale Academy, a two hour drive from Kingstown along the Leeward coast to Richmond. A twenty minute hike through lush rain forest take you to the Falls, said to be the most beautiful in St. Vincent.

The Orchid
Vermont Mature Trails: The trails start near the top of Buccament Valley and lead through tropical rain forest where there is a chance of seeing (or hearing) the St. Vincent Parrot (Amazona Guildingii) and the Whistling Warbler both unique to St. Vincent and strictly protected nationally and internationally. This is the habitat for the Black Hawk, Cocoa Thrush, the Crested Hummingbird, Red-capped Green Tanager, Green Heron and several other interesting species.

Whaling in Bequia: It begun in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Two whales each year are allowed to be caught by employing the original long standing traditional technique of harpooning.

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