1-19-10 Happy 70th Bill!! We put together a wonderful birthday day. This morning was Ken, Cal and Bill to the dump. Then it was Bill and Ken for fuel, water at the marina dock and clean up the boat. Ken and Francie took us to lunch at Staniel Cay Marina. Of course, Skipper was there too. Then Bill and Ken had to dive to get a line that was wrapped around Release's prop. Francie and I hiked around the outskirts of the island. It was just beautiful - all sandstone ledges and caves dropping into the ocean. We met Ken and Bill on the other side and snokeled off the beach. The snokeling just gets better and better every day. The reality of island life has hit us. Water was available here at $.40 per gallon (like gold really); but no diesel and no gas; they have it but can't pump it. The power boats are lining up. The fuel boat came in this morning and filled the tanks, but there is a problem with some gasket and they can't pump fuel. Island life. Get it when you can. We are all set with diesel and water. Gas is a little iffy, but we will move on to Black Point Cay tomorrow AM. We can row if necessary. I am content that I've seen Staniel and happy to move on now. This has been a beautiful visit.
1-20-10 Well the joke is on us. Yesterday (we thought was the 20th, but Bill's watch did not roll over properly at the end of the month) was not Bill's birthday but that just gives him one more day to celebrate. With the lack of communication and the days and weeks flying by, we always have to figure out what day it is. The word is there is gas and diesel available this morning, so Bill and the rest of the Staniel boat world have taken the containers and gone to the pumps. No weight lifting necessary on this cruise. The water is shallow so it is necessary to hand carry the fuel and boat water by dinghy. Water and any byproducts like laundry is from now on expensive. Two loads of laundry was $18 in Bimini. One load was $20 here. The upside is we can now live in our bathing suits as it is so warm, and we are always playing in the water.
1-22-10 We explored Black Point yesterday on Great Guana Cay. The island people are very enterprising and the children amazingly uninhibited. We did laundry and watched the supply boat come in. We are moving on to Farmers Cay this afternoon to get more protection from westerly winds coming in tonight, tomorrow. We are in an Internet cafe now having a cold Kalik Bahama Island beer and having fun reading our email and pictures from come along with our blog comments. We are just having the best time on our cruise. We agree island living is the best.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
1-9-10 Yesterday, Thursday, was an eventful day or at least start of the day. We planned to leave at 7:30 am with other boats bound for Nassau, a 125 mile run with an overnight anchorage on the Great Bahama Bank. We had two anchors out and the secondary anchor we discovered after much pulling and maneuvering was caught on a 75 lb anchor chain that was calcified, coralized and very antique. In the process of using the dinghy to lift this hunk of junk off our anchor a secondary tow line we secured to the dinghy as a precaution flew loose and of course the prop picked it right up. Not good. We were in an anchor field with many boats and drifting like crazy. Bill dropped the anchor AGAIN. A fellow boater went under and released the prop from its tanglement. So, bottom line, 8 am we set out for Nassau, quite exhausted. There were two contingencies, smaller boats taking the southern route and larger boats taking the northern (deeper water) route. The rest of the day went fine, and we motor sailed to the Great Bahama Bank and anchored at 8 pm. Long day but the sky couldn't have been more beautiful. The stars and moon were so bright (no light pollution). This morning we hauled the anchor at 6 am. I have taken pictures of the most beautiful sunrise ever. We have another 50 mile day - 10 hours more or less - to Nassau. Bimini was cold the few days before we left as was Miami and a lot of the rest of the world we understand. Nassau will be warmer - already is here - and then we plan to head for the Exumas. Our Vermont friends who because of the dogs had sailed the northern route straight through heard us clear Harbor Control upon entering Nassau Harbor and directed us to their anchorage. We joined them and after some fraternizing and story telling, we hit the sack, exhausted.
1-10-10 This morning we see there are also three Montreal boats whom we have met along the way and other acquaintances from Ft. Lauderdale. Just great to make so many new friends. The best part is the neighborhood keeps changing. This harbor is partyville. Cruise boats going by all the time. We did some boat stuff and then took the dinghy into Nassau and looked around. We replenished the provisions and then had lunch in one of the local places, Daphneys. Snapper with crab rice (really good), cold slaw and grilled plantain (sp?). Delicious. We also found a salon and got hair cuts. Boy does that feel good! We made it back to the boat before a storm hit, windy with heavy rain. Hopefully we will get to see Paradise Island tomorrow.
1-14-10 Yesterday, the weather finally calming down, we pulled anchor at 9 am and sailed to Highbourne Cay. It was a beautiful day and our trip was uneventful, sunny and nice. We anchored on the West side of the cay and immediately put our motor on the dinghy, picked up our adopted dog, and headed for the beach. Skipper had a great time finding birds in the bushes and we enjoyed the beautiful sand and water. You can look down and see our anchor in 15 ft of water. On our sail over I practiced watching the water from the bow. Need to know how to recognize the coral, sand, grass, etc. We rocked and rolled all night, like sleeping in Gosport. I think today we will be going down to Norman Cay, apprx 12 nm. There has been no communication from the boat since we left Bimini, and it seems telephone calls to the US in any form is very expensive. Our new antenna helps when there is wifi to pirate, but there is nothing around here.
1/15-10 We motored sailed to Shroud Cay yesterday. It is part of the Bahama National Park, and it was beautiful. The beaches were breathtaking, and the coral reefs met the sand swamps and Mangroves. We hiked and found wells and more beaches. We dinghied to many more beaches and beautiful mangroves. We swam and met more cruisers doing the same thing. I would have liked to have spent more time here, but we need ice by Friday and Stanciel is the next place to provision. Stanciel sounds like fun. Lots of snokeling areas and fun ashore with the locals. I am ready for that. Today we started out for Piper Island around noon time after morning meeting with other cruisers and a bath in the beautiful waters. We tried our initial thought for anchor, but found shoaling in the channel that was uncharted. Turned around just in time to avoid grounding (although we did dig our our channel to get out) and warned our fellow followers of the problem. We then headed for another charted anchorage, and found it to be just great. We dinghied into the beach and walked around before the sun set. The wind gave us a good sail into Piper. It is still blowing as we eat dinner. Hopefully we can make Stanciel tomorrow which is only a short distance before the storm that is predicted for Saturday-Sunday hits. In case you haven't noticed, we have been overwhelmed with bad weather. Everyone says it is record breaking. I am complaining because it is interfering with my sleep. This rocking and rolling and beating and shuttering of the anchor lines has grown tiresome.
1-17-10 We sailed from Piper to Saniel yesterday and have anchored where we hope to have protection from the storm that is starting to show itself this morning with high winds. We had a little more practice reading the waters coming into the anchorage. Again, did an about turn as we got into rocky grassy areas. After we anchored yesterday about noon time we joined fellow cruisers in their dog walk and sought out a local store to purchase a wifi card. Last night we dined at the Staniel Yacht Club on the porch with friends. That was fun. Love the local people and food. We had fish and conch and homemade Bahamian bread. The conch was to die for. The water is so beautiful here in the Exumas and there are white sandy beaches everywhere. Today we'll check out the dump (because it is free and Bill thinks it will be fun) and the village.
1-19-10 Yesterday we sent snorkeling along the coral reefs not far from our anchorage. What beautiful fish and reefs. Today we are going to check out Thunderball grotto. It's the cave used to photo the James Bond movie Thunderball. Then after some provisioning we probably will be moving down the Exumas. Our weather has been wonderful. Finally, the islands!
1-10-10 This morning we see there are also three Montreal boats whom we have met along the way and other acquaintances from Ft. Lauderdale. Just great to make so many new friends. The best part is the neighborhood keeps changing. This harbor is partyville. Cruise boats going by all the time. We did some boat stuff and then took the dinghy into Nassau and looked around. We replenished the provisions and then had lunch in one of the local places, Daphneys. Snapper with crab rice (really good), cold slaw and grilled plantain (sp?). Delicious. We also found a salon and got hair cuts. Boy does that feel good! We made it back to the boat before a storm hit, windy with heavy rain. Hopefully we will get to see Paradise Island tomorrow.
1-14-10 Yesterday, the weather finally calming down, we pulled anchor at 9 am and sailed to Highbourne Cay. It was a beautiful day and our trip was uneventful, sunny and nice. We anchored on the West side of the cay and immediately put our motor on the dinghy, picked up our adopted dog, and headed for the beach. Skipper had a great time finding birds in the bushes and we enjoyed the beautiful sand and water. You can look down and see our anchor in 15 ft of water. On our sail over I practiced watching the water from the bow. Need to know how to recognize the coral, sand, grass, etc. We rocked and rolled all night, like sleeping in Gosport. I think today we will be going down to Norman Cay, apprx 12 nm. There has been no communication from the boat since we left Bimini, and it seems telephone calls to the US in any form is very expensive. Our new antenna helps when there is wifi to pirate, but there is nothing around here.
1/15-10 We motored sailed to Shroud Cay yesterday. It is part of the Bahama National Park, and it was beautiful. The beaches were breathtaking, and the coral reefs met the sand swamps and Mangroves. We hiked and found wells and more beaches. We dinghied to many more beaches and beautiful mangroves. We swam and met more cruisers doing the same thing. I would have liked to have spent more time here, but we need ice by Friday and Stanciel is the next place to provision. Stanciel sounds like fun. Lots of snokeling areas and fun ashore with the locals. I am ready for that. Today we started out for Piper Island around noon time after morning meeting with other cruisers and a bath in the beautiful waters. We tried our initial thought for anchor, but found shoaling in the channel that was uncharted. Turned around just in time to avoid grounding (although we did dig our our channel to get out) and warned our fellow followers of the problem. We then headed for another charted anchorage, and found it to be just great. We dinghied into the beach and walked around before the sun set. The wind gave us a good sail into Piper. It is still blowing as we eat dinner. Hopefully we can make Stanciel tomorrow which is only a short distance before the storm that is predicted for Saturday-Sunday hits. In case you haven't noticed, we have been overwhelmed with bad weather. Everyone says it is record breaking. I am complaining because it is interfering with my sleep. This rocking and rolling and beating and shuttering of the anchor lines has grown tiresome.
1-17-10 We sailed from Piper to Saniel yesterday and have anchored where we hope to have protection from the storm that is starting to show itself this morning with high winds. We had a little more practice reading the waters coming into the anchorage. Again, did an about turn as we got into rocky grassy areas. After we anchored yesterday about noon time we joined fellow cruisers in their dog walk and sought out a local store to purchase a wifi card. Last night we dined at the Staniel Yacht Club on the porch with friends. That was fun. Love the local people and food. We had fish and conch and homemade Bahamian bread. The conch was to die for. The water is so beautiful here in the Exumas and there are white sandy beaches everywhere. Today we'll check out the dump (because it is free and Bill thinks it will be fun) and the village.
1-19-10 Yesterday we sent snorkeling along the coral reefs not far from our anchorage. What beautiful fish and reefs. Today we are going to check out Thunderball grotto. It's the cave used to photo the James Bond movie Thunderball. Then after some provisioning we probably will be moving down the Exumas. Our weather has been wonderful. Finally, the islands!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Nassau - Cold!!!
1-9-10 Yesterday, Thursday, was an eventful day or at least start of the day. We planned to leave at 7:30 am with other boats bound for Nassau, a 125 mile run with an overnight anchorage on the Great Bahama Bank. We had two anchors out and the secondary anchor we discovered after much pulling and maneuvering was caught on a 75 lb anchor chain that was calcified, coralized and very antique. In the process of using the dinghy to lift this hunk of junk off our anchor a secondary tow line we secured to the dinghy as a precaution flew loose and of course the prop picked it right up. Not good. We were in an anchor field with many boats and drifting like crazy. Bill dropped the anchor AGAIN. A fellow boater went under and released the prop from its tanglement. So, bottom line, 8 am we set out for Nassau, quite exhausted. There were two contingencies, smaller boats taking the southern route and larger boats taking the northern (deeper water) route. The rest of the day went fine, and we motor sailed to the Great Bahama Bank and anchored at 8 pm. Long day but the sky couldn't have been more beautiful. The stars and moon were so bright (no light pollution). This morning we hauled the anchor at 6 am. I have taken pictures of the most beautiful sunrise ever. We have another 50 mile day - 10 hours more or less - to Nassau. Bimini was cold the few days before we left as was Miami and a lot of the rest of the world we understand. Nassau will be warmer - already is here - and then we plan to head for the Exumas. Our Vermont friends who because of the dogs had sailed the northern route straight through heard us clear Harbor Control upon entering Nassau Harbor and directed us to their anchorage. We joined them and after some fraternizing and story telling, we hit the sack, exhausted.
1-10-10 This morning we see there are also three Montreal boats whom we have met along the way and other acquaintances from Ft. Lauderdale. Just great to make so many new friends. The best part is the neighborhood keeps changing. This harbor is partyville. Cruise boats going by all the time. We did some boat stuff and then took the dinghy into Nassau and looked around. We replenished the provisions and then had lunch in one of the local places, Daphneys. Snapper with crab rice (really good), cold slaw and grilled plantain (sp?). Delicious. We also found a salon and got hair cuts. Boy does that feel good! We made it back to the boat before a storm hit, windy with heavy rain. Hopefully we will get to see Paradise Island tomorrow.
1-11-10 Wild night; high winds and rain. We rocked and rolled. The day is party sunny now, but winds continue and it is cold. The front is now supposed to stall and pass through tomorrow. We dragged other boaters to our local lunch find. They also loved the snapper. Too cold to do much walking around. We are talking about moving on in a few days.
1-10-10 This morning we see there are also three Montreal boats whom we have met along the way and other acquaintances from Ft. Lauderdale. Just great to make so many new friends. The best part is the neighborhood keeps changing. This harbor is partyville. Cruise boats going by all the time. We did some boat stuff and then took the dinghy into Nassau and looked around. We replenished the provisions and then had lunch in one of the local places, Daphneys. Snapper with crab rice (really good), cold slaw and grilled plantain (sp?). Delicious. We also found a salon and got hair cuts. Boy does that feel good! We made it back to the boat before a storm hit, windy with heavy rain. Hopefully we will get to see Paradise Island tomorrow.
1-11-10 Wild night; high winds and rain. We rocked and rolled. The day is party sunny now, but winds continue and it is cold. The front is now supposed to stall and pass through tomorrow. We dragged other boaters to our local lunch find. They also loved the snapper. Too cold to do much walking around. We are talking about moving on in a few days.
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