04/05/2007, Conception Island
Conception Island is an uninhabited, tropical paradise - part of the Bahamas National Park and Trust. We had the island nearly all to ourselves - sparkling turquoise water, gorgeous reefs and beaches, and inland mangrove ponds and rivers for kayaking.
We saw all types of sealife, birds, and huge sea turtles poking up their shy heads.
What an unforgettable spot and a fitting place to have as our turning point. Reflecting back, we've come a long, long way from New England. We feel very, very grateful and blessed to have been able to make this remarkable voyage!
This is one of a group of fish that came out to greet us as we anchored. This picture was taken from the cockpit of the boat - can you believe how clear the water is? 22 feet deep here.
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04/01/2007, Little Farmer's Cay, Exumas
Happy Birthday, Tim!!
We're on our way to Georgetown and pulled into this little settlement for the night's anchorage. Usually, we try to anchor by about 4:00 so we can still have time to get in a couple of hours exploring time with Leksi.
Little Farmer's Cay is a tiny island and settlement where the children came running out to meet Leks and play with her. She was psyched! Here's a picture of me calling Mom and Dad in the States with my Batelco card. Can you see the chickens in the background?
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03/30/2007, Great Guana Cay, Exumas
Ever since Bimini, we'd been hearing from fellow cruisers about the cordial, friendly people of Black Point on Great Guana Cay, Exumas, where residents still rely on farming, fishing and plaiting for their living. And Lorene's Café is there.
Saturday after anchoring, we dinghied over to the laudromat with our piles of laundry. While waiting for the dryer, we strolled around the small town. We happened upon Lorene's and found out that she was preparing a Bahamian buffet for dinner that night - conch fritters, barbequed chicken, bbq spareribs, cracked conch, fried grouper, peas and rice, mac and cheese, and coleslaw. Lorene directed me out back to her mom's home for bread. There her mom was just finishing up a batch of her coconut bread, spreading a layer of fresh grated coconut and sugars and spices across the dough and then spiral wrapping it into loaves. Yum
Jeff and Leksi were across the street talking to Van, who was working on one of his Bahamian sloops in preparation for the annual Regatta of these gorgeous, traditional working boats. Kevin - Black Point's only policeman and the pastor at the other church in town - pulled up in his car to say that his boys wanted our dog! And could we come by sometime to show Leksi off to his kids.... I'm describing all this to give some idea of the openness and warmth of the residents of this great little town. Oh, and I can't forget Willie Rolle and his Garden of Eden...
Well, we went to Lorene's for dinner and sat family-style with cruisers from Second Wind and Blue Pelican. It was one of those extraordinary nights when everyone just had an awesome fun time. In fact, Bill and Laura invited all of us back the following night on their ketch for a sunset winetasting where friends from Mandate and Manana joined us for two amazing parties in a row.
Sunday, we took up Van and Lorene's Mom on their invitation to come to church. What a joyous, thrilling, uplifting time!! Tambourines, drums, guitar and all these strong, full voices singing and dancing and praising God! An unforgettable weekend....we feel so blessed to be here.
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