How do you best explore an island that's 80 miles long and 4 miles across at its widest point? Why, by renting a car of course, perhaps one of these, that sit just by the car rental sign?

****

It was first named Yuma, by the Lucayan Indians, then when discovered by Columbus, he promptly renamed it Fernandina, and then, perhaps by some sailor, perhaps someone just like us who was getting a tad frustrated as he sailed by it, for forever and then a bit longer, and who renamed it Long Island.

"I'd like to rename it The Island That Never Ends" I teased as we sailed by it, and then said it again, after our two day Adventure Tour A-Long it.

We were anchored in Thompson Bay (Salt Pond) which is sort of centrally located in the middle of Long Island. And sorry to learn that the Resort, a great Cruiser Happy Hour hangout, with laundry facilities, existed no more.

The dinghy dock was being repaired by the various cruisers around lending a helping hand, and the morning net run by Fair Haven, had indeed seen there were some new hulls in the anchorage as she queried the new arrivals.

It was great fun to be greeted by longtime Banyan followers, Sarah and George (SV Mirador) and we delayed their departure as we stopped by for a too brief a chat, as they were prepping to leave for new adventures South.

They told us that the best way to visit an 80 mile long island, when travelling by car, is to book it for around noon and do one end one day, and the other end the other day. And so the plans were hatched. The car was booked and then we were especially pleased to see our friends Sue and Mal of Team Kool Kat arrive and opt to join in our Adventurings.

What's your first stop when you rent a car and leave at noon? The Tourist Bureau? Or Lunch?

"How about both" we said with Tummies A-Rumbling.

Max's Conch Shack in Hamilton came highly recommended.





with The Chef out back prepping up some delicacies, no doubt.



We had the Cracked Conch, and it was Two Thumbs Up, as was their Rum Punch.

There is one main road on Long Island, called the Queen's Highway, originally intended for carriage style type of traffic and it was a very Long Road, just like a Country Type song, you could drive along it forever, or at the top of a little hill, watch it disappear for a very long time.





Next stop? Dean's Blue Hole in Clarencetown.



It is the world's deepest salt water blue hole below sea level,



and where the annual freediving competitions take place.

We climbed up the rocky edges behind it to try and get some photos,





and were rewarded with this



Gorgeous isn't it?

Back down and with snorkel gear on, we waded into the warm waters and then slowly neared the edges, the steep sandy drop visible in the crystal clear waters, making you feel rather uneasy as you neared yourself to the edge, not sure if the depths would suck you in, like some giant vortex of the unknown.

Once immersed and snorkelling gingerly along the steep sides, we saw some schools of fish keeping us company. We eased ourselves nearer the ever increased deepness of blue, crossing the deepest 663 foot depth and stopping at the white wooden dock positioned in the middle, where the line that the divers used to repeal themselves downwards slowly disappeared downwards.

We both took a breath and tried going down, one hand over the other, ears popping, and lasted a few minutes. Or maybe it was seconds.

The record I think was 22 minutes!!

We kept driving Southwards, the dry low lying cactus type shrub keeping us company, with the occasional house, or some cement ruins,



the Churches in ClarenceTown quite spectacular.



and a stop at Flying Fish Marina with signs such as this,



did reward us with this,



and this,



We went as far South as Dunmore, to try and find the Dunmore Plantation but without directions, or signs to help us along, we didn't find them.

Back to Hamilton to pick up our laundry, and to try and find the Hamilton Caves. A stop at the local grocery store to ask for directions.

"Ask the last house on the left" was her reply. "They be on private property, and you can get lost and they would never find you" when I queried if we could do it ourselves.

We found what might be the last house on the left, and when I stepped out of the car in her backyard, a lady came out.

"My husband do the tours" She said, "he's gone with the children".

The tours are on private property, and cost $10 per person.

It was getting dark and we wanted to stop by the famous



and the long bumpy narrow road led us through this,



and we eventually found Pierre



in a beautiful stop with a view. His pizza's and pasta's were featured on the menu, but it'd been a long day, and we opted to head back home, and get ourselves rested and ready for more Adventurings Part North.