Marsh Harbor
05 December 2007
We are back in Marsh Harbor where we dropped off the Spears family after a week of fun in the sun. We had a great time cruising around the different islands in the Abacos. We decided to stay in the area and enjoy what we have in front of us as opposed to always chasing the next thing.
On Manjack Cay we saw a HUGE manta-ray just cruising along the beach. Ben snorkeled!!! I wasn't on the beach for the first experience, but he has fully embraced it. He and Eliza played together really well. It was nice to see him having a kid his age to pal around with. Eliza picked up swimming right away and declared it her favorite thing to do. A good time was had by all.
We ran into Someday Came while in Manjack! We hadn't seen them since Charleston, although we have been emailing. They came over for sundowners and adult conversation one night. It was so good to see them and finally connect.
For those that don't remember, we had met them in Annapolis briefly and the families got together in Charleston, where everyone hit it off. Kathy and Shannon also plan on going around the world and have two children! They have Caroline who is ten and Violet, two and a half. Ben looks up to Caroline and told me the other day he thought she "looked like a princess". It broke my heart. She is an incredibly bright and compassionate girl. Violet, gives Sam a run for his money. It is the first time he is not 'the bull', which I think is good for him. He is learning a little humility at the hands of Violet.
Someday Came are in Marsh Harbor with us at the moment. I really enjoy Kathy's company. We are very similar and I have a sneaking suspicion that Kathy will become my new partner in crime. Otis and Shannon clicked right away as well. They are a lot of fun to be around and I hope we see a lot of them throughout the next couple of years.
We all got together the other night at a local restaurant where an overindulgence of the local rum drinks occurred. I now remember why I don't drink rum....ugh. I thought I was going to die yesterday and at times would have welcomed it. The kids met other kids from a boat so there were seven kids running around. They had a blast! They climbed a coconut tree and knocked down the coconuts which they opened and ate, had races and traded kid stories. The best part was that there was a thirteen year old that LOVED Sam. She babysits, so she followed him around keeping him entertained almost the entire night. It was fun.
We are going back and forth about whether we beat feet and make for the canal in April or take our time cruising the Carribean for the winter and hole up in Venezula for the summer. We need to make a decision soon. Our thinking is that it might be easier to do the long distance traveling with Sam when he is a year older. Plus, I feel like we have been going, going, going and it would be nice to relax and take our time. Venezuela is suppose to be cheap and easy cruising. I think we are leaning toward that option. One of the things I have to keep in mind is that we are not on a schedule, we have to do what is best for the family. I would rather we take our time and enjoy ourselves, maybe only making it as far as Australia then rush, rush, rush and not have as good a time.
Today we make up for the lost day yesterday and leave here tomorrow. I have to put O up the mast for some repairs, grocery shop and would like to do a super clean(which will last about 10 minutes).
Ben's birthday is next week and I think we will be in Nassau where there is plenty to do. It kills me that he is going to be five.
I am going to try and post more photos soon. I did add some more summer photos....better late than never.