Amulet underway

Noticing that the wind was about to pipe up in earnest, we had the foresight to make reservations for a couple of nights at Highbourne Cay, which is 20 miles north of the Park. Leaving the Land and Sea Park, we sailed north, close hauled in 25 knots of wind, arriving at 1600. Highborne Cay is a very small marina on a private island, with an upper crust clientele- we barely qualified. The marina maintains three beaches with landscaping, free kayaks, Hobie cats and paddle boards available, as well as great groundskeeping, and gazebo vistas at various parts of the island. We rented a golf cart the day following our arrival and explored the possibilities, finally arriving at a remote beach and spending the afternoon on Tuesday, April 11th. At 0900 on Thursday, April 12th, we departed for the north end of the island of Eleuthera, and the town (actually located on the adjacent island of St. George's) of Spanish Wells.

We beat up the Exuma lagoon 40 miles in 25 knots of wind and 12 feet of water, dodging "bommies" (coral heads), and passing through Fleeming Pass at 1500, arriving at Spanish Wells at 1630. We were hoping to tie up to a mooring buoy run by a local "Bandit", but it turned out the buoys were all full of people like us, wanting a secure mooring to wait out the pending wind storm, so we called the only marina in the area, Yacht Haven, 5 minutes before the office closed, and it turned out they had a space for us. So we braved the 7 foot channel entrance, and only touched ground once, on our way into the moorage.

The following morning anticipating the coming crew change, we cleaned the boat in the morning, and then mid-afternoon, rented a golf cart and went the entire length of the island, and also the adjacent island (there's a bridge between), Russell Island. Spanish Wells is a community founded by Eutherians in 1640, who were seeking religious freedom. Not much has happened with the local population since then, it is mostly white, conservative, and very religious. Only in the last few years has liquor been allowed to be served. Needless to say, everything runs well. There is also a tremendous lack of water. The marina charged 52 cents/gallon for water. This makes you think twice before hosing off the boat. Melinda and I had dinner at the Shipwreck restaurant where we were chatted up by a couple from New York City.

On Friday, April 14th, we toured a nearby island, Harbor Island, which was a more genuine Bahamian experience. We walked the town, sat on the beach, and had lunch at a resort as most of the restaurants were closed for Easter weekend, which in the case of this heavily religious area, ran from Good Friday clear through Monday. To get to Harbor Island, you have to take a water taxi, a 10 minute taxi ride, then another water taxi. Still, very picturesque, and worth the effort.

On Saturday the 15th Melinda had to leave for home to attend Claire's senior project fashion show, and Gary Nolan, rejoined the boat for his 7th tour of duty during our travels. Our destination was the Abacos Islands, 55 miles to the north.

Picture is of "Amulet" from inside the cave at SOS beach.....