Monday, February 8, 2010
Emerald Bay Cay
We rock and rolled in good sized seas into Emerald Bay Marina last Friday to sit out another weather system. And so it keeps going, the weather that is. Life is tough here, showers, beautiful facility, walking the beach and drinking coconut w/rum. The cruisers got together last night for a Super Bowl feast. It was wonderful. We are still on Great Exuma and will head north up the Exuma cays tomorrow to take in everything we missed on the way down. We have the inside word now on the must see places. I talked with Jim today to hear that Mom had a blood infection, hospitalized for a few days, but is back in the Gorham House now and doing fine. However, Matt who in Alaska with Andrew, is scheduled to have heart surgery today. Brenda has flown out to be with him. Our thoughts are with him. Love to all.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
2-3=10 I finally found a wifi cafe in George Town that has Internet up and working. We enjoyed the comments!!! It is a beautiful, warm day with little wind. Thus the ride across the harbor in the dinghy was relatively dry. Yeah! Yes, we have come to living in our bathing suits and relaxing in the island life. We can't believe it is February!! Love to all our followers and thanks for caring.
1-23-09 This morning we hauled anchor from Black Point on Great Giuana Cay, Exuma, and sailed to Little Farmers Cay. I say sail, but even though we pulled the main sail the wind diminished and we ended up motoring. Shallow water, but we were the test boat for the big guys who followed us in as they draw more water than we do. We took the dinghy to some of the beaches that surround us. They are just beautiful. We are back in the sandstone area. We swam and cooled off. The tracks we saw in the sand look like pig or goats are on the island, but we never did see one. We then went into the government pier. Fishermen were cleaning their catch. We met other boaters and did happy hour with them. There are many,many Canadiens cruising. Maybe the dollar value??? The story is old, but once again there is a weather system that will keep us here, rocking and rolling, for a couple of days. We are watching the anchor for any drag. Sleep is difficult the last few days. However, if you have to be stalled, let it be in the Bahamas, Exuimas. It is warm and the people are wonderful and the water is to die for.
1-25-10 Yesterday we couldn't leave the boat for the wind and sea. This morning is a repeat although we understand this is to be the last day of this system. Sleep isn't easy with this rock and roll. Bill changed some filters and did some other engine maintenance yesterday and worked on the bright work. I waxed the cockpit and cleaned it up and polished the chrome. Water is premium so the boat hasn't been washed since the mainland. It is starting to look it. However, we have to do what we can to maintain our traditional image. We are starting to dig into our backup provisions now - canned goods, boxed milk, rice, etc. I am hoping to be able to reprovision in George Town. We are also running out of cash. There have been no banks since Nassau. George Town does have a bank. You can't live with a credit card on these islands. Signs posted read: Mr./Mrs. Credit have died. As I write, the wind is starting to calm and a few dinghies with dogs are headed into the mainland. We'll go in today for water and ice and to tour the island. I am sure weather permitting tomorrow we head for George Town.
1-27-10 Yesterday when we got up in the morning we listened to the VHF Bahama weather lwith Chris Parker. It predicted the only day in the next week to sail was yesterday. So we started out of Little Farmers Cay Cut and were followed by a flotilla (yes, we are the smaller boat with the lesser draw) of six other boats behind us. The wind was good but the seas were high, following seas, so we just pulled the jib and headed for George Town. We need cash, water and provisions. We stayed in contact with the other cruisers and pulled into anchorage under the monument. I have no idea what the monument is, but we'll investigate. Today, we ran out of water in the AM and took the dinghy and water cans into George Town. The water was free at the Exuma Markets pier so we filled up 28 gallons of containers (some borrowered from Release) and headed for the Snow Goose. Well, the winds are still blowing at 20 plus or minus. The gas that we purchased at Staniel had water in it. The outboard lasted about one-third our trip back to the Snow Goose and then quit. A French couple gave us a tow back into the "pond" at George Town. We got the outboard going again and started out with our water supply to the Snow Goose. We again made it about one third the way when the motor quit again. Now, if I have forgotten to mention, the winds going into George Town are blowing the sea in a favorable direction. However, going back to the Snow Goose anchorage, not so good. We are now wet from top to bottom and factor in the wind really Cold. Now we have to row back into George Town, Barb first up but Bill taking over to get rid of his by then ill temper. We decide we need to get rid of water in the gas. So we ride around and around the "pond"" in George Town until we use up all the gas in the outboard, many, many times. Then we walk to the Esso station with the gas can. The owner has Bill dump all but the very bottom of the can into his Dodge pickup and the rest into a dumpster (so much of fuel recycling) Then we buy a container of dry gas and fill up the gas can, emply it into the outboard and head out once again. By now we are both very wet and have been for a number of hours. We make it across to the Snow Goose!!! We fill our water tanks from the six containers we have carried over, change clothes, wash off the salt water and collapse until happy hour at the beach in front of our anchorage. We go over, meet a lot of fellow cruisers. However, the happy hour turns out to be no rum, no cups and no $1 bills, and no hamburgers. We will try to provision up tomorrow.
1-30-10 We have taken the nature trail hike on Stocking Cay where we are anchored. Stocking Cay is the island across from Great Exuma and George Town. We are anchored under the monument and we wanted to hike up to the monument. The nature trail was a surprise. The trail was labeled with the various trees and bushes and wildlife. There were water containers to fill the bird baths along the way. And on the other side of Stocking Cay was the most beautiful beach. It is still very windy, so we can't snokel yet, but we will come back to do just that. We continued our hike up to the monument which is a way point for sailors. The view is truly incredible. The colors of the ocean range from sage to green to a blue green and then a navy blue. Because the water is shallow, you can see the reefs and where they drop off. We had to do laundry today, so we once again braved it into George Town against the wind raged seas. It is about three miles by dinghy. We have now solved our water in the gas problem though - even bought a new gas can with a better spout. So our trip was uneventful albeit wet (we wore our foul weather gear across and Barb has learned to stand up and hold onto the bow line). Laundry was found and done. Water and power is expensive so laundry is expensive, but you can only go so long with salt washed clothing. We did find a store that sells beer at $1.75 a bottle and a restaurant that had Red Snapper a salad and Kalik at a vey reasonable price. That was lunch. George Town is a settlement where many cruisers come and stay all winter, and thus they have developed this social network. Bill and I have decided it is more like a trailer park - not for us. We want to travel back down the Exumas toward Nassau and take in what we missed on our way down to George Town. The beyond is very shallow unless you intend to go to the Dominican Republic, and we have still too much to see here. Again, with Renee's expertise, and Internet availability I will try to post some pictures of George Town. Yesterday we came across a Bahamian cracking a coconut; cutting up a Grouper; and opening up Conch; all of which they had just brought into government dock. So wonderful to meet the people.
2-3-10 The last few days we have spent exploring the islands and trails, laying around and being beach bums. Yesterday we were invited for a sail on the Release. It was fun not to have a time-destination deadline and just sail around the harbor. There is a storm system headed our way, so tomorrow we will haul the anchor and head for shelter from the northerly winds in Red Shank Cay - not very far from here. I again today am going to try to get WiFi.
1-25-10 Yesterday we couldn't leave the boat for the wind and sea. This morning is a repeat although we understand this is to be the last day of this system. Sleep isn't easy with this rock and roll. Bill changed some filters and did some other engine maintenance yesterday and worked on the bright work. I waxed the cockpit and cleaned it up and polished the chrome. Water is premium so the boat hasn't been washed since the mainland. It is starting to look it. However, we have to do what we can to maintain our traditional image. We are starting to dig into our backup provisions now - canned goods, boxed milk, rice, etc. I am hoping to be able to reprovision in George Town. We are also running out of cash. There have been no banks since Nassau. George Town does have a bank. You can't live with a credit card on these islands. Signs posted read: Mr./Mrs. Credit have died. As I write, the wind is starting to calm and a few dinghies with dogs are headed into the mainland. We'll go in today for water and ice and to tour the island. I am sure weather permitting tomorrow we head for George Town.
1-27-10 Yesterday when we got up in the morning we listened to the VHF Bahama weather lwith Chris Parker. It predicted the only day in the next week to sail was yesterday. So we started out of Little Farmers Cay Cut and were followed by a flotilla (yes, we are the smaller boat with the lesser draw) of six other boats behind us. The wind was good but the seas were high, following seas, so we just pulled the jib and headed for George Town. We need cash, water and provisions. We stayed in contact with the other cruisers and pulled into anchorage under the monument. I have no idea what the monument is, but we'll investigate. Today, we ran out of water in the AM and took the dinghy and water cans into George Town. The water was free at the Exuma Markets pier so we filled up 28 gallons of containers (some borrowered from Release) and headed for the Snow Goose. Well, the winds are still blowing at 20 plus or minus. The gas that we purchased at Staniel had water in it. The outboard lasted about one-third our trip back to the Snow Goose and then quit. A French couple gave us a tow back into the "pond" at George Town. We got the outboard going again and started out with our water supply to the Snow Goose. We again made it about one third the way when the motor quit again. Now, if I have forgotten to mention, the winds going into George Town are blowing the sea in a favorable direction. However, going back to the Snow Goose anchorage, not so good. We are now wet from top to bottom and factor in the wind really Cold. Now we have to row back into George Town, Barb first up but Bill taking over to get rid of his by then ill temper. We decide we need to get rid of water in the gas. So we ride around and around the "pond"" in George Town until we use up all the gas in the outboard, many, many times. Then we walk to the Esso station with the gas can. The owner has Bill dump all but the very bottom of the can into his Dodge pickup and the rest into a dumpster (so much of fuel recycling) Then we buy a container of dry gas and fill up the gas can, emply it into the outboard and head out once again. By now we are both very wet and have been for a number of hours. We make it across to the Snow Goose!!! We fill our water tanks from the six containers we have carried over, change clothes, wash off the salt water and collapse until happy hour at the beach in front of our anchorage. We go over, meet a lot of fellow cruisers. However, the happy hour turns out to be no rum, no cups and no $1 bills, and no hamburgers. We will try to provision up tomorrow.
1-30-10 We have taken the nature trail hike on Stocking Cay where we are anchored. Stocking Cay is the island across from Great Exuma and George Town. We are anchored under the monument and we wanted to hike up to the monument. The nature trail was a surprise. The trail was labeled with the various trees and bushes and wildlife. There were water containers to fill the bird baths along the way. And on the other side of Stocking Cay was the most beautiful beach. It is still very windy, so we can't snokel yet, but we will come back to do just that. We continued our hike up to the monument which is a way point for sailors. The view is truly incredible. The colors of the ocean range from sage to green to a blue green and then a navy blue. Because the water is shallow, you can see the reefs and where they drop off. We had to do laundry today, so we once again braved it into George Town against the wind raged seas. It is about three miles by dinghy. We have now solved our water in the gas problem though - even bought a new gas can with a better spout. So our trip was uneventful albeit wet (we wore our foul weather gear across and Barb has learned to stand up and hold onto the bow line). Laundry was found and done. Water and power is expensive so laundry is expensive, but you can only go so long with salt washed clothing. We did find a store that sells beer at $1.75 a bottle and a restaurant that had Red Snapper a salad and Kalik at a vey reasonable price. That was lunch. George Town is a settlement where many cruisers come and stay all winter, and thus they have developed this social network. Bill and I have decided it is more like a trailer park - not for us. We want to travel back down the Exumas toward Nassau and take in what we missed on our way down to George Town. The beyond is very shallow unless you intend to go to the Dominican Republic, and we have still too much to see here. Again, with Renee's expertise, and Internet availability I will try to post some pictures of George Town. Yesterday we came across a Bahamian cracking a coconut; cutting up a Grouper; and opening up Conch; all of which they had just brought into government dock. So wonderful to meet the people.
2-3-10 The last few days we have spent exploring the islands and trails, laying around and being beach bums. Yesterday we were invited for a sail on the Release. It was fun not to have a time-destination deadline and just sail around the harbor. There is a storm system headed our way, so tomorrow we will haul the anchor and head for shelter from the northerly winds in Red Shank Cay - not very far from here. I again today am going to try to get WiFi.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Black Point
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.
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.
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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