We now have left the Jumentos Cays and Ragged Islands behind, but we intend to return some day. Although the cruising guides (rightly) warn cruisers not to go there unless they are prepared for bad weather, no ready supplies, and limited anchorages, we thoroughly enjoyed the islands for their isolation, serene beauty, and unspoiled splendor. Other cruisers had told us how special the islands are, but we had to try them ourselves to learn first hand how right they were. In a chain of islands almost 90 miles long, we often were the only or one of a very few boats. The most boats with which we shared an anchorage was 35 at Hog Cay for the Valentines Day party, and the next day that number dropped by about a third when 12 boats departed. In contrast, George Town can have upwards of 300 boats (the maximum a few years ago was something over 500) and it is replete with activities and scheduled events.

Folks who like the Raggeds and Jumentos tend not to like George Town and avoid it and its organized ways. The first day we went ashore at Hog Cay, Van placed a bag at an empty table and asked if that would violate anyone's rules or space. The response: "there are no rules here, this is not George Town", whereupon the woman who made the remark faked a slap across her face as if to say "bad girl". We now understand the sentiment and the attraction of these islands.

Although we had intended to head back up to George Town where we have friends and to reprovision, etc., we decided instead to divert to Long Island for a couple days to ease back into civilization. We can do the shopping and acquire the supplies we need without having to contend with hundreds of other folks just yet.