Holiday Bequia 2016 Edition

Sightseeing
Frangipani, Belmont Walkway
Port Elizabeth
Pick up an island map from the BTA Office
at the end of the main jetty and set out to
discover the delights of Bequia.
Wander along the quaint waterfront
at Port Elizabeth with its bars, cafés and
fascinating shops spread out along the coastal
main street. Watch a fabulous sunset from a
beachside bar or café.
Just a few minutes stroll from the centre is
the lovely St. Mary’s Anglican Church built of
local limestone and imported ballast bricks.
The church was erected in 1829 on the site
of an earlier structure which was destroyed
by a hurricane in 1798, and houses intriguing
memorial tablets recording the lives of some
of Bequia’s earliest settlers.
Continuing on, you will find the meandering
waterfront Belmont Walkway, which has
recently been restored through the fund
raising efforts of the group, Action Bequia.
The next fund raising goal is to extend the
walkway into a coastal trail to Princess
Margaret Beach. An interesting and cool
stroll along this edge of Admiralty Bay will
reward you with more unusual shops, dive
shops, bars, cafés and excellent restaurants.
In the opposite direction, taking the main
road north out of Port Elizabeth past the
Revenue Office and Post Office, covered
t-shirt market, vegetable market and small
shops, you will come to Bequia’s two Model
Boat-Builders’ Workshops. Watch these
craftsmen continuing your own boat on
commission and have shipped it to you.
A few yards before the Hairoun Beer
Depot, one block in from the main road, is
the Bequia Maritime Museum. Opened by
Lawson Sargeant of Sargeant Bros. Model
Boats, and son of one of the great Bequia
boatbuilding families, it details the peak
period of ship building in Bequia with old
photos, boatbuilding families’ memorabilia,
and replicas of some of the great schooners
built on the island.
Continuing along this road, on Admiralty
Bay’s north shore and through the village of
Hamilton, you will come to the site of the
18th century Hamilton Battery, located
high above Admiralty Bay, which guarded
the harbour from attack. From this elevated
lookout point there are wonderful views of
the harbour and across the bay. Enjoy the
nature trail around the point and spot native
birds and reptiles.
If you would rather not walk or hike in such
tropical climes, you can always rent a jeep, or
arrange a taxi tour with one of the open back
vans under the Almond Tree and explore the
island at your leisure. There is much more
than just the beautiful scenery to discover.
Ask at the BTA office for more information
including fares.
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