BEQUIA BLUES FESTIVAL with charter yacht MAKAYABELLA

Charter Makayabella, a 62-foot sloop, for the 2012 Bequia Blues Festival.

Charter Yacht Makayabella - Caribbean Crewed Yacht Charters - Sailing Vacations in the Grenadines

Book MAKAYABELLA for this year's Bequia Mount Gay Music Festival (January 26-29, 2012) and they will provide complimentary tickets to both the Friday and Saturday night shows!!

Outstanding performances by local, regional and international artists has made this music festival one of the “must see” fixtures on the season’s calendar.

Based around Dana Gillespie and her London Blues Band’s “One Night Only” performance on Friday night, this event, now extended on Bequia to four days, has been receiving increasingly rave reviews since its conception and is a foretaste of the Mustique Blues Festival which continues for a further two weeks.

The main venue is at De Reef, right on the beach in Lower Bay, Bequia, with the big performances on Friday and Saturday night followed by lazy Sunday afternoon “limin’” music to finish off the weekend.

Makayabella has taken guests to this event for the last few years and everyone (guests & crew alike) have really enjoyed it. They feel it is a great event and very much worth promoting as a focal point of a charter in the Grenadines.

Charter yacht MAKAYABELLA is a 65-foot Naval Chantier sloop, owned & operated by the British couple of John Nicholson & Susan Bruce. While having four guest cabins, Makayabella limits charter groups to a maximum of six guests (choose 3 of the 4). All guest cabins have private, ensuite heads. Two cabins have double berths, while the other two guest cabins have twin bunks (upper/lower).

View previous posts about Makayabella. View their eBrochure.

RATES: All inclusive except for one dinner ashore at guests' expense, bar/beverages, cruising fees...

Winter 2011-12:

• 2 guests=$9,000/week
• 4 guests=$10,500/week
• 6 guests=$12,000/week

Summer 2012:

• 2 guests=$7,000/week
• 4 guests=$8,500/week
• 6 guests=$10,000/week

This sounds perfect for a music loving group of up to six guests aboard Makayabella. The charter can either start with the festival or end with it.

Makayabella suggests flights be booked either into St Vincent or Canouan or via Barbados (local flights available into St Vincent or directly into Bequia). For a group of more than four people, it can be cheaper – and much more convenient – to charter a plane privately from Barbados! Visit www.svgair.com for more details.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book MAKAYABELLA
View Makayabella's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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Charter Yacht MAKAYABELLA Updates

John & Susan, owner-operators of the charter yacht Makayabella, sent us some news this week...

In keeping with our annual upgrades and to ensure that our yacht is maintained to the highest standard, Makayabella has begun the 2011 season with a smart new spray hood, centre cockpit sunshade, stern cockpit bimini and a new set of centre cockpit cushion backs.

These were all custom made and fitted by the highly renown team of Dave and Jane Royce of The Canvas Shop in Grenada.

Our dinghy also looks like new as well after we had the tubes replaced in St Lucia last November.

Although we know and love the Grenadines as a chartering destination, we are also familiar with and happy to sail throughout the Windward and Leeward Islands.   We are pleased to see business picking up and would like you to know that we will be as accommodating and flexible as possible for any last minute charters or special requests. 

MAKAYABELLA is a 65-foot Naval Chantier sloop, owned & operated by the British couple of John Nicholson & Susan Bruce. While having four guest cabins, Makayabella limits charter groups to a maximum of six guests (choose 3 of the 4). All guest cabins have private, ensuite heads. Two cabins have double berths, while the other two guest cabins have twin bunks (upper/lower).

John & Susan also included comments from recent guests:

• "We were made to feel very welcome as soon as we climbed aboard!  I was very relaxed at the end of week and was not looking forward to cooking when I got back as I knew I would have a hard job to match the delights that we were served by Sue—she needs to write a cook book!"
• "Both John and Sue have gone the extra mile to make it one to remember!  On the first day I was wary of snorkeling.  Today I am relaxed and enjoying thanks to John’s encouragement."
• "I thoroughly enjoyed the week, especially the company Sue and John gave us.  The highlight of the week had to be the snorkeling and being so close to the turtles."
• "I had a wonderful week aboard with John and Sue.  My highlight was mastering the kneeboard.  The snorkeling was fantastic with John and Sue pointing out the brilliant wildlife, especially the Stingray!"

RATES: All inclusive except for one dinner ashore at guests' expense, bar/beverages, cruising fees...

• Winter 2010-11: 2 guests=$9,000 / 4 guests=$10,500 / 6 guests=$12,000
• Summer 2011: 2 guests=$8,000 / 4 guests=$9,500 / 6 guests=$11,000

Come join MAKAYABELLA on a Snorkeling Safari and explore the underwater world of the Caribbean!

Guests on Makayabella love John and Sue's personally guided safaris! They enjoy sharing their knowledge of the coral reefs and know just where to find unusual sea creatures.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book MAKAYABELLA
View Makayabella's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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Charter MAKAYABELLA and SAVE 10%

MAKAYABELLA

has a special offer of a 10% discount for
new Summer 2009 bookings confirmed before May 31, 2009

Makayabella is a 62-foot Naval Chantier sloop, owned and operated by John Nicholson & Susan Bruce. Makayabella is based in the Grenadines and accommodates up to 6 guests in your choice of 3 of the 4 cabins.

SPECIAL RATES: Summer 2009 (Prices after 10% discount)

• $7,200/wk for 2 guests
• $8,550/wk for 4 guests
• $9,900/wk for 6 guests

Rates inclusive except 1 dinner ashore, bar/beverages, local cruising taxes/fees, dockage and communications. Charters must be confirmed by May 31, 2009 to guarantee these prices.

SNORKELING SAFARIS ON MAKAYABELLA
ARE A BIG HIT!

Guests on Makayabella love John and Sue's personally guided safaris! They enjoy sharing their knowledge of the coral reefs and know just where to find unusual sea creatures.

Using the yacht's underwater digital camera, guests snap about 200 pictures and take home a CD momento.

"An awesome experience of a lifetime to enjoy the underwater world and then to take home the memories on a CD tops it all."

• Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book Makayabella
• View Makayabella's online brochure
• View other posts about Makayabella
• Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Come join MAKAYABELLA on a Snorkeling Safari and explore the underwater world of the Caribbean!

Charter MAKAYABELLA in the Grenadines - News

We have received this bit of news from the charter yacht MAKAYABELLA, a 65-foot sloop based in the Grenadines, owned and operated by John & Susan.

We are thankful to be having a good charter season, due to so many repeat charter guests. We understand that business is off due to the global economy but we wanted to share with you some uplifting news from the Grenadines!

GRENADINE GREEN TURTLES

Besides the totally breathtaking beauty of the Tobago Cays here in the gorgeous Grenadines, we have a unique and touching experience that we always share with our charter guests.

Over the past few years, the once scarce Green Turtles are now to be found in increasing numbers grazing on turtle grass in the shallow crystal clear water off Baradel Island in the Cays. In many cases the turtles have become trusting enough to be approached gingerly by snorkelers allowing, an incredibly close encounter with these graceful wild creatures.

One of us will always accompany our guests on an encounter with the Green Turtles and we offer them the use of our underwater digital camera for a great photographic memento of the turtles, and their holiday on MAKAYABELLA. It is such an uplifting and moving experience which we never tire of sharing.

Back on board MAKAYABELLA we so enjoy watching the pleasure that our guests receive from viewing their photographs, and then their delight upon receiving a CD with copies of the photos to take home and share with family and friends. It is truly rewarding for us and our guests to share this unique and memorable experience. The two photos above were taken by recent charter guests.

We look forward to continuing to offer charter guests on board MAKAYABELLA a wonderful and truly memorable sailing holiday.

Sincerely, John Nicholson & Susan Bruce, s/y MAKAYABELLA

• Contact Paradise Connections to begin planning your sailing vacation
• View Makayabella's online brochure
• Visit our website: http://www.paradiseconnections.com

Try out the Grenadines next time!

Dessert Recipe from the Caribbean Charter Yacht Makayabella in the Grenadines

Sue and John from the 65-foot charter yacht, Makaybella, have sent us this superb dessert recipe and we'd like to share it with you...

HOT PASSION PINA COLADA'S (serves 4)

• 2 ripe passion fruits
• 4 tbsp icing sugar
• 4 pineapple slices (rind cut off)
• Rum of your choice to taste (Malibu coconut rum is our favourite)
• Coconut ice cream to serve

Slice the passion fruit in half and scoop out the seeds.

Sift the icing sugar onto a plate and press the pineapple slices into it on both sides.

Heat a non stick frying pan. When hot, caramelise the slices in the pan. This will take a few minutes, be patient and they will turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Serve immediately on individual plates, drizzled with rum or Malibu. Top with a scoop of coconut ice cream and the passion fruit pulp.

Serves 4

MAKAYABELLA is a 65-foot Naval Chantier sloop, owned & operated by the British couple of John Nicholson & Susan Bruce. While having four guest cabins, Makayabella charters a maximum of six guests. They are available for crewed yacht charters / sailing vacations in the Grenadines.

• View Makayabella's online brochure
• Contact Paradise Connections for more info on yacht charters

Let us know how you liked the recipe!

GETTING TO THE GRENADINES - Advice from Charter Yacht Makayabella

What is the best way to get to the GRENADINES?

Captain John Nicholson of MAKAYABELLA passes along this very helpful information for the easiest way to get to your charter yacht in the Grenadines.

1. Fly to Barbados. There are many flights from the UK and USA.
2. Charter a private plane for the 40 minute flight to any of the Grenadine Islands. A plane with 6 or 8 seats is approximately US$1,200 to $1,300 one way. Cost for a party of 6 is comparable to commercial flights.

Why is this the best way?

1. No connection worries. The chartered plane will wait if the international flight is delayed.
2. Go straight through a transit lounge and on to the plane within 30 minutes of arriving.
3. More flexible ports mean more time on the islands guests want to see . Example: Start in Bequia and return from Union.
4. Customs and immigration are far quicker and easier than St. Vincent.
5. For departure, check in 30 minutes before take-off - NOT 2 HOURS!

Note: Guests must travel with carry-on luggage only. Makayabella will provide all the toiletry items that are no longer allowed on planes - just add it to the preferences.

Web sites for charter flights:

• www.grenadineairways.com
• www.svair.com
• www.mustique.com

We'd like to thank Makayabella this tip!



Makayabella is a 62-foot owner-operated sloop that accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 cabins, each with ensuite heads. Two cabins have double berths, while the other two guest cabins have twin bunks (upper/lower).

View MAKAYABELLA's brochure: CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections: CLICK HERE

View our web site: http://www.paradiseconnections.com