Living on ….ISH Time
Aboard the S/V Mandalay in the Grenadines
Original Post | 2016
Writer’s Update 2023 | From Windjammer Sailing Adventures Facebook page | “My name is Charles J. Kropke, the new CEO of Windjammer Sailing Adventures and complete owner of the SV Mandalay. Reviving the Windjammer spirit of travel was always my dream. That dream was aborted by a bad partnership many years ago. Now, myself and fellow entrepreneurs Zachary Luttrell, Owner of Roaring Riot and Captain James Papagno, Owner of Bombarda Rums, are restoring the Mandalay and commencing on a new cruiseline that will revive adventure cruising the Windjammer way. But none of this would have happened without the diligent advocacy of Melodie Bair. She has been my eyes and ears, cheerleader and resource for the past two years. I owe her a gratitude that can never be repaid. She is the reason that the Mandalay will be saved. Thank you for all that you have done, Melodie. I will see you aboard on the maiden voyage.”
The COVID pandemic took its toll on the S/V Mandalay, and 2020 was the last year it was a commercial passenger vessel. It thrills me that the Windjammer Sailing Adventures and the team are restoring it to its former glory. Rest assured, Len and I will be on the maiden voyage when it takes to the waters again.
Even on Sunday morning in a church down south, the melody of Amazing Grace never sounded so good. Each day, as the sails were hoisted and the spiritual anthem echoed throughout the ship, the S/V Mandalay prepared to sail. No matter where he was, each passenger made his way to the upper deck to watch six or more burly men pull and tug ropes until the nine (or less depending on wind need) sails stood at attention. We watched, head uplifted, mouth dropped in awe of the stamina and power it took to get the grand old lady under way. The melody proclaimed we were moving, to another island, to another port. We had no clue of the time of day, just the fact that in the middle of the Southern Caribbean, we were changing course and what would happen between now and then didn't even matter. We had wind whipping through our hair, a bloody mary in hand, and we were open to anything. We were living on . . . ish time.
Ansa La Roche Carriacou, Chatham Bay Union Island
Bequia
Climbing the steep streets of Bequia on our way to Fort Hamilton. People are on the move or tucked inside buildings and homes working and watching.
Canouan Island
Tobago Cays, Mayreau
Carriacou and Sandy Island
Afraid of water? That’s me, and here’s what this experience taught me. Read “The Caribbean boat trip that cured my fear of water on BBC Travel.