That is what it feels like at times in the Bahamas. The water is so clear that when you look down it feels like you are in a swimming pool.
We recovered from the night I previously wrote about by going to Powell Cay, which is a deserted island with pristine white sand beaches, huge starfish and great shelling. We were the only ones in the anchorage so it was a perfect way to unwind and relax. The kids could swim off of the boat and have free run of the island while ashore. I read a book and O scrubbed the dinghy...all of us relaxing in our own way.
After three days we left for Turtle Cay. Turtle was nice, but the beaches were only ok so we set off for Marsh Harbour the following day. '
Marsh harbour is a little bahamian town. Actually it is one of the 'hubs' of the Bahamas, but it is still small. We had to get the sail repaired and the SSB looked at since we have been without email or weather(in no particular order). Neither was accomplished. The sailmaker is in Man O'War Cay and the electronics guy told us over the radio it was a software problem(without looking at it). Another reason we came here was because we will be provisioning here for the Exumas which are pretty isolated.
Ben and I trotted around town hitting all of the grocery stores and I worked myself into a FRENZY! I provisioned in the states but seeing the prices here made me panic that I should have done more, and stuck stuff in every conceivable space. Here are some sample prices: case of Kalik(local) beer 36.50, that is the cheapest I could find, gallon of milk $9.00, case of bounty paper towels 40.00, box of mac and chz 2.00. So, if you are coming across provision, provision, provision.
We postponed Thanksgiving until Friday as we didn't want to be in Marsh Harbour. We went to Man o"War Cay to drop the sail off to be repaired and stayed for our little Thanksgiving. We bought fresh Hog fish and conch ceviche in Marsh Harbour so we grilled the fish and sat out under the full moon while kicking back, enjoying 'floating in our pool'.
Man O'War Cay was settled by loyalists during the revolutionary war and I got the impression that some of the people were still loyal top the cause. It was a beautiful island, don't get me wrong, but the people were not all that friendly. They just looked past you. If you entered a store(grocery, souvenir, etc) they didn't acknowledge you or even stop talking. There was a little playground so the kids played while O and watched, people went back and forth but nobody said hello or even acknowledged us. It had an eerie feeling, like they were brainwashed..kind of a stepford person place. Oh well, the island is beautiful and spotless. And maybe they were all having an off day.
We left there and went in search of another Powellesque Cay but to no avail.
Oh, I forgot to mention!!! We have friends coming tomorrow! Jeff, Jody and Eliza Spear are coming tomorrow for a week. We are all very much looking forward to it. It will be fun to go exploring, beaching and relaxing with them. They are bringing us stuff we didn't get before leaving...like my GSM phone and more xmas stuff for the kids. I thought I could get some cool stuff for the kids here but have had no luck and had a panic about it. Anyway, I think we may go to the Exumas with them. We have heard the Exumas are stunningly beautiful. The Spears family seems to be game for anything so I think exploring we will go. I can't wait to see them.
O and I have started potty training sam which has been going better than we expected. However, he now HATES to wear a diaper and is nowhere near the diaperless stage. However in true Sammy form, he at the ripe old age of 23 months knows best...of course.
Ben read his first book yesterday!!! We are all very proud of him. I cannot believe he is going to be FIVE soon..sometimes I wish i could stop time.
The weather has been glorious. It is so much easier living on the boat when it is nice and warm. I am excited about the travels ahead.