What does the name Grenadines conjure up for you? Exotic islands? Of course. Long, sandy beaches and the deep blue sea? That, too. In the early 90s, you’d also find deserted islands. Sailing along, there they were – beaches so white it hurt your eyes, and not a soul in sight. So utterly romantic.
That was then. I suspect the chance of finding deserted islands in the Grenadines now might be somewhat slimmer. But then again, you might stumble upon Johnny Depp, which isn’t a bad trade-off.
Pirates of the Caribbean (The Curse of the Black Pearl) was filmed here. Not that these islands aren’t used to pirates. A few centuries ago, they were among the last bastions of the Caribe Indians, as more and more Caribbean islands were taken over by the French and the British.
Contrary to what one might think, the 32 islands of the Grenadines do not belong to Grenada. Rather, they form part of the neighbouring country St Vincent and the Grenadines. Back then, we never reached St Vincent. Sailing among the Grenadines, particularly the Tobago Cays, was enough. No further exploration felt necessary. Who knows – perhaps treasures are buried beneath the sand here… I didn’t search. The beach, the sapphire sea, the sail boat and everything on it was more than enough.
The island-hopping days of my youth are long gone, but the Grenadines remain firmly rooted in my mind’s eye.
I’ve played with Aviary again, flickr’s new, extremely easy-to-use photo editing tool. For these photos, I particularly liked this green vintage effect. Want more travel photo fun? Then visitTravel Photo Thursday at Budget Travers Sandbox.
Have explored most of the Caribbean, but haven’t got to the Grenadines and a few others in the south…Great pics!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Starbucks Around The World
Thanks, Deej.
Sounds like a perfect dream, so now you’ve got me curious and I’ll have to find out how big those islands actually are, how many inhabitants they’ve got, and whether they’ll be swarmed by tourists by the time my savings allow a transatlantic flight:)
ItalianNotes recently posted..Carpi behind the facade
Well, the country has about 111 000 people today, but most of them live on St Vincent. I expect you’ll find a few more tourists now, but probably just as beautiful islands.
I wish!!!!
I do love the Flickr filter too. It creates such a wonderful mood.
Denise recently posted..Down in the Mekong Delta
Yes, I liked that effect, too.
What a beautiful, scenic island shots! Sadly, we haven’t been to the Grenadines. I think most cruise ships bypass them. I love the vintage feel you gave to these pictures.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Amsterdam’s Bicycle Culture
I think you’re right, it’s not a major cruise ship destination, more for laid back Caribbean sailing holidays.
I see you’ve been having loads of fun playing around with Aviary. Grenadines look great. I wouldn’t mind some company on those beaches.
Easy Hiker recently posted..Confessions Of A Hiking Blogger
So long as there’s the company of just a few…
wooo, I did not know flickr has that new tool….now I am going to try it! (Love your third photo btw, it looks like a photo from the clothing or perfume magazine ad)
Annie – FootTracker recently posted..[Restaurant] PortaBella of Carmel
Why thank you, Annie.
Beautiful islands – and, if I may say so, beautiful man!
Right on both counts
Long, sandy and EMPTY beaches, that is what I love
Vi recently posted..Travel Photo Monday. Outback road in Western Australia
Not so easily found anymore, those beautiful, empty beaches…
Gorgeous shots. I haven’t tried Flickr’s new photo editing software. I’ll have to give it a go.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — May 17, 2012 — Daejeon’s National Cemetery
It’s fun to play around with.
When I see the word Grenadine, I think of a cool cocktail.
Bob R recently posted..Trains and Stations – A Fetish in Fifteen Photos
There’s that, too
Haven’t been to the Grenadines but your pics certainly make the islands look beautiful. Love the use of the filter – I really need to take some time and learn how to use an editing program.
Lisa recently posted..The Broken Chair
This one is incredibly easy – and relatively fast, a huge improvement over flickr’s old one.
Beautiful shots – with and without filters. Makes me want to head to the beach – one of my favorite places.
Jackie Smith recently posted..TPThursday: Mexico’s Men of the Sea
Thanks, Jackie
I wish I was on that sail boat or one of the gorgeous beaches!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Above it all on Mt. Pilatus
I wouldn’t mind going back either
I had no idea pirates was filmed here. So beautiful!
Sabrina recently posted..Caverns in Texas: A Walk Through the Caverns of Sonora
Yeah, Pirates have brought in quite a few visitors, I think.
What a fun way to give your old photos a new look.
And no I haven’t been to the Grenadines; as I get older I prefer moderately warm not hot weather and I’m less and less of a beach person – except of course at sunset.
Leigh recently posted..What Summer Looks Like on Prince Edward Island
I usually say I’m easily bored on the beach, but when I think about it, that’s mostly true of crowded beaches.
Planning to head there later this year, will let you know what the beaches are like now. The sailing looks like fun.
InsideJourneys recently posted..The Awesome Splendor of Kingston’s Holy Trinity Cathedral
Looking forward to hearing about the Grenadines of 2012.
Love the photo editing you’ve been doing. I’m tempted to try it myself. Haven’t been to the Grenadines, but love the Caribbean!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: A Slice of Chicago
Have a go; it’s fun and easy.
Gorgeous shots, Sophie! You are making me wish I was on a boat on vacation right now!
jade recently posted..Falling in Love with Cadaques
Wouldn’t mind being on a sail boat right now, myself.
Gorgeous photos and a unique back story as always!! Happy Friday!
Becca@R We There Yet Mom? recently posted..Friday Daydreamin’: Theme Parks
Thanks, Becca
Very cool. I’m glad you put the map there….I wasn’t exactly sure where the Grenadines were!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Top 10: Things To Do in Venice, Italy
You’re probably not alone
I’m trying to remember what photos looked like before Instagram…
(Actually I’m just jealous)
Alex Jones recently posted..Madagascar Holidays
Haha, yes, it’s easy to carried away with photo editing tools these days.
Sailed in the BVI during February about 25 years ago. 15-18 knots of wind, 75-85 degrees, day and night, sailing in T-shirts and shorts. Perfect sailing.
We’re into “summer” here on San Francisco Bay: 20-25 knots of wind, 55-65 degrees with the wind chill, wearing your “foulies” as spray shoots over the bow, rail down, every directions seems to be “to weather” instead of downwind. Perfect sailing of another kind.
Dick Jordan recently posted..A Virtual Visit to Yosemite National Park
Ooh, I do love a bit of rough weather sailing, too. That’s how it usually is up here, as well.
This place is breathtaking! I’ve never been here but I’m surely going to put this on my bucket list. Nice photos by the way.
Thanks.
No, I haven’t been, but your pictures definitely have me craving a trip there! I like that the beaches look pristine and not built up with touristy infrastructure!
Wanderplex recently posted..To gondola or not to gondola?
Definitely not many tourists back then. Perhaps a few more now…
Lovely pictures and lovely editing! What a paradise this looks to be
Angela recently posted..Photo Essay: Carried away by the view of Beirut’s azure sea
It really was (and probably still is
)