Mustique has long been an upscale hideaway for the rich and famous, a tropical paradise with a love of fun, and the fact it is extremely private. This three mile long and one and half mile wide island is a secluded Caribbean haven. There's breathtaking beaches with warm, turquoise water to enjoy, state of the art tennis courts, blue lagoons, stables and if you wish, discreet and impeccable service. From a chef to a butler to a ladies maid, Mustique can be a relaxed tropical Downton Abbey if you'd like. Most importantly for those who don't wish to be recognised, the paparazzi are banned.
Mustique was founded by larger than life British aristocrat
Colin Tennant, who bought the island in 1958 for £45,000. The island was in an appauling state, and Tennant briefly doubted his decision to purchase the land but he was determined to Mustique into a fully functioning slice of paradise. Tennant planted coconut palms, developed the fisheries, built roads and tried to convince people to buy plots of land.
The island really gained momentum when in 1960, Colin gifted his close friend HRH Princess Margaret and her husband a plot of land as a wedding gift. When Tennant wasn't looking Princess Margaret moved her boundary stakes, but once Tennant noticed he immediately changed them back. This went on for some time until they reached a compromise and Princess Margaret built
Les Jolies Eaux.
Another early tenant was Mick Jagger who still has a house here as does Bryan Adams, Tommy Hilfiger and until his death earlier this year, English publisher Felix Dennis. The island is infamous for late night kareoke at Basil's Bar, secret business deals and of course Royal love stories.
In the last few years I've come to learn about the island from a different, more intimate perspective. Mustique is a place which holds extremely happy memories for T and his family. T's Grannie and her husband bought a plot of land on Mustique around 50 years ago, they were part of a group known as the Pioneers. The original homeowner's who loved this island for it's nature and beautiful tropical surroundings. T holidayed here with his family from the age of 1 to 15 and which is where he met his friend R, whose 30th birthday we celebrated here this week.
We have been lucky to have been guests of R and his family. They are wonderful people and are loved on this island. It's also been fun hearing about the boys tales from their teenage years, from pool hopping, to mule racing to which girls they kissed behind Basil's.
However the stories I've loved the most are the stories about T's Grannie. As soon as people heard T was her grandson they'd wrap him up in a big Caribbean embrace and start to tell us stories about her and her husband. We've learnt she always wore the most beautiful shoes to the excellent drinks parties she'd throw, to her generous nature with the locals but most of all what an excellent, fun loving couple her and her husband were. Always happy, always smiling and always ready for a new adventure (they'd go diving everyday).
When T's Grannie passed away a plaque was put in up in her memory at the majestic Macaroni Beach. On our first morning here we were really eager to go and visit the plaque but were disappointed to discover it had been moved. Although it wasn't by the sea that she dearly loved we did visit another memorial spot that has been put up and dedicated to those who loved this island first, many years ago before it became famous for celebrity homes. They loved it because of the stunning vistas and the happy nature that oozes from the local Caribbean people. That's what I've fallen in love with too, Mustique you are just gorgeous.
It's taking me longer to type up some posts than I originally thought because I've just had the
most wonderful time. Snorkelling in the sea, riding big waves, rescuing tortoises from the road, catching falling coconuts and drinking the water. Keep checking out the blog for updates later in the week, I hope you'll fall in love with this place too.
All the above photos are taken from
Pinterest.
Labels: Family, Mustique, Mustique Company, TRAVEL
