A vision altered...
22 April 2013 | Treasure Cay
Merry
Treasure Cay has one of the worlds’ most gorgeous beaches and we were excited to be able to spend some time here after leaving Guana Cay. Envision white powdery sand that goes on for miles, shallow light aquamarine waters that extend out, bright yellow and palm beach umbrellas, a beach volleyball court, swaying palm trees, and a restaurant on the beach On our first trip to Treasure Cay we were only able to stay a couple of days because we were heading back home and so were eager to have more time to truly enjoy this beautiful Cay.
After a glorious first day in Treasure Cay - we anchored in the harbor and paid our $10.00 a day for the next three days which allowed us full access to the pool, showers, bar, and nearby beach. What a fantastic deal. We excitedly ran across to the beach to begin to “take in all in”! Wiley swam without his wetsuit though it was a bit chilly.
However, we would not end up “treasuring” our nine day stay.
The next morning upon waking up I had a respiratory attack and could barely catch my breath. It felt like an asthma attack - but after resting for a short time we thought some time on the beach would be just what I needed. I went for a brief snorkel and Wiley swam. The water was its usual beautiful aquamarine even though the visibility was poor. We checked out the local stores and the bakery.
The following night a strong storm was predicted to come through, the air was calm, hot, and humid. Everything in the boat felt damp and sticky. This is when Wiley’s thermostat and mine do not align. I want constant fresh air blowing around me and he keeps saying that it is not too hot - and if your hot just jump in the water! The man truly has gills and loves being wet - sticky saltwater and all. While he is jumping into the water I am on turtle and dolphin watch after showering with fresh water on the boat.
At around 4 am the storm came through and the boat was closed up - once again I had a tremendous amount of difficulty breathing and felt panicky as I grabbed at our battery operated fans to get air. There had been a prediction of possible 75 mph gusts during the storm and frightened by this prospect, not being able to breathe, and being closed up in the boat all caused great anxiety on my part. We had debated whether to try to come into the marina or stay at anchor and felt that it might be worse to be blown into pilings rather than be at anchor. During the storm, I kept asking Wiley if we were going to be okay and he lovingly sat with me holding my hand while I gasped to breathe as the strong winds blew our little boat all around. The storms winds never got to the 75 mph gust - but instead gusts went to 32mph - which was plenty. There was thunder, lightening, and we were swinging around on the hook like a yo-yo held by the end of string. It finally calmed down as well as my ability to breath - though a nasty cough began to develop.
We attempted once again to spend time at the beautiful 3 mile white powdery beach. Wiley went back to the boat to get his wetsuit to swim but upon his return I told him that I felt so lousy that I wanted to go to the marina office and find a doctor or pharmacy. They referred me to the wonderful clinic a short walk from the marina. I saw a nurse practitioner was prescribed prednisone and an antibiotic.
We returned to the boat and I immediately took the medicine ... to make a long story longer....I had an allergic reaction to the prednisone and turned an itchy and lovely shade of reddish purple. After loosing three nights of sleep, I knew I would not get better staying on the boat . If I could not sleep then this meant (in our little boat) Wiley would not be sleeping either. So, the next morning I dragged my old weary reddish hacking body over to the hotel and signed in. I stopped the prednisone and kept on the antibiotics and spent 3 days/nights at the hotel watching television and sleeping. Wiley wanted me to fly home immediately upon seeing that I had become ill but the idea of flying, leaving him with the boat, and all that this would entail seemed like a nightmare. I must say, I am spoiled - having access to wonderful medical care at home and it is scary to be sick and in another country - even one as close as the Bahamas.
As expected as each day past I felt a little better and one night they had pizza and live music at the marina restaurant. People come from all over for this Thursday fun and there was a long line of about 25 people ordering pizza and all of the tables were filled. You can imagine Chicagoans’ craving pizza - so we went for it! We discovered it was as Wiley said, “Twice as expensive as pizza back home and 1/2 as good!” However, since Wiley was “bacheloring” on the boat (sardine sandwiches, canned chili, etc.) while I in the hotel had pretty much lost my appetite the pizza tasted pretty good.
So, our vision of a great time at Treasure Cay was not so this time and once again we hope that on our way back we will be able to truly enjoy this beautiful spot. We decided that after nine nights in Treasure Cay it was time to ‘sail on’ and our next stop would be in Marsh Harbor where we could stock up on groceries and other necessities.