This past weekend, I temporarily joined the fraternity of “yachties” and explored the Caribbean Sea like I’ve never before: in a yacht, of course.

One of my friends encouraged me to join her family on a cruise of the Grenadines. Admittedly I was a bit reluctant because not only was I the “fifth wheel” based on who had confirmed, but it would postpone my heavy post-holiday work burden.

However, she convinced me to take the plunge, literally and metaphorically, and now that I am back on land, I don’t regret any bit of it.

We set sail from St Lucia to the island of Bequia in the Grenadines where we anchored and took a leisurely stroll in the town, sampling local Mauby, beer and ice cream, being led all the way by our experienced and affable Bajan skipper Captain Sam Alleyne, who recalled being one of my scoutmasters in the First Barbados Sea Scouts. At 59, his memory is clearly much better than mine!

St. Lucia-based Barbadian Captain Sam Alleyne.

Day Two of sailing took us to the beautiful island of Mayreau where we once again set anchor and enjoyed some scrumptious on-board cuisine prepared by acclaimed Caribbean chef Richardson Skinner of the Ti Bananne Caribbean Bistro and Bar in St Lucia who catered to our culinary needs in grand style throughout the entire trip.

Picture perfect conditions in the Tobago Cays.

From Caribbean pelau to barbecue spare ribs, chicken, pig tail (each flavoured with a guava jelly-infused sauce) and lasagna, Richardson outdid himself from Bequia to Mayreau and in our final stop in the Tobago Cays, one of the most picturesque locations on the planet. I don’t think I have ever recalled casting my eyes on such pristine, turquoise sea waters anywhere in the world except in a postcard, and that alone made the trip such an enjoyable experience.

The Grenadines have so much to offer and it was heartening to witness the park rangers moving around par pirogue to ensure that the yachtsmen did not disturb the natural environment, including the swimming sea turtles.

As I sit at Chef Richardson’s restaurant at the popular Coco Palm hotel on my return here in St Lucia and prepare to catch up with all that postponed work and other commitments, I recall the marketing slogan that “Life Needs the Caribbean”

It can be so easy to go, go, go and watch life go swiftly past us without even enjoying a bit of it, or taking care of our temples.

Thanks to my friends, 2010 has started differently for me. And while I do plan to sail fast – after all I do live in North America – on my return voyages to the region, you can trust me that I will be living slow.

Bevan Springer, a New York Amsterdam News columnist who writes frequently on travel and tourism issues.