Bahamas Part 2
09 December 2009
Beautiful water and beaches.
12-3 We left Nassau and headed NE to Eluthera. We spent a night in Royal harbor with about 8 other boats. The wind that we had expected did not appear so we left the next morning and went to Spanish Wells. What a beautiful little island. There is no crime, no litter and no alcohol sold on this island. Every house is painted a pastel color and flowering shrubs are everywhere. We met some wonderful people, Tom and Jean, that run a book exchange. They used to cruise on a Tayana just like ours so we took our chart books with us and over for cocktails. They shared their many years of experience by marking passages and anchorages that we will have accesses to. Much of the Bahamas is very shallow and we need to be sure our 6 foot draft can get in and out without grounding. We also met several other cruising couples that we going in the same direction as us and spent a few days traveling together.
12-9 This morning we pulled anchor and set sail for the Exumas. Everyone seams to thinks they are some of the best cruising grounds anywhere and I am anxious to see if I agree. We will try to meet up again with Ed and Benia on Sea Angel. They are heading to the V.I. about the same time we are and it would be wonderful to buddy up for the most challenging part of our journey. From the Turks and Caicos to Dominica you need to cross a turbulent stretch ..... Which can be harrowing!
12-10 We crossed the Exuma Sound and spent the first night in a protected park at Warderick Wells , it was magnificent. It is part of an expansive Exuma Keys Land and Sea Park. I know the pictures will not do justice to the breathtaking beauty. We tried snorkeling in several areas but the current was just too strong. We did see a lion fish, spotted eagle rays and a sunken plane that went down in the 80's. From there we moves south to Cambridge Cay (also in the park) and it turned out to be another little bit of paradise. We have really been taking our time and going just a short distance each day so that we can explore the islands and water around them.
12-11 I do not know how days keep getting better and better, but they do. We are anchored in a bay with another perfect beach. However, there are monstrous hairy pigs that roam the beach and run to the water and even swim to meet an approaching dingy to hopefully receive a bit of food. Yes. I did say swimming pigs. We went back again to get video but the dingy was too rough for a good shot.
Next we explored a Grotto where you can snorkel through caves (if one was brave). This was used to shoot some scenes for the James Bond movie Thunderball ( or something close). As soon as we were in the water, we were accosted by a school of fish that were nibbling on us! Really! Evidently they are used to being fed by snorkelers. What a day this has been.
12-18 We arrived in Georgetown on Great Exuma two days ago. This is a large hangout for cruisers, some stay for the entire winter here. We ran into a couple we met at the SSCA GAM in Punta Gorda when we first started out. They are heading to the V.I. as well, we are still trying to decide which route we will be taking to get there. All the cruisers are very friendly here and there are several get together events going on every day. Today on the 'Net' they announced a snow blower clinic on the beach. Yes - most events involve an excuse to have a beverage or two!
I hung the Christmas lights and the boat looks very festive after dark. I have a good assortment of Caribbean Christmas music and there are party's planned on the beach. We actually hope to be gone early next week and heading south but we will see. Bad weather is expected today and tomorrow with squalls up to 50 knots.
Cooking has been very interesting and I try to keep the menu varied. Torillas have been hard to find so I have been making them. I finally figured out the tricks to baking on the grill and have been making breads very successfully. I am thinking of a way to start a cruisers recipe exchange.
As you can see - we named our dingy WeGo. The big red letters are for a theft deterent. A brand new dingy and motor is very $$$$$. Remember the Yugo? Well 'WeGo' to shore, to other boats, to the bar, etc!
12 - 20 We are still in Georgetown, Great Exuma. Fortunately, the bad weather that we had expected did not live up to the prediction. We had steady wind for 3 days but not the gusts and squalls. Mail is slow and we are waiting for the arrival of a pack from our mail forwarding service, that and the windy weather is making us think we may want to just stay here for Christmas and put together a dinner with friends. Ed and Benia are a wonderful couple we met about 2 weeks ago and we have enjoyed spending time with them in various harbors. We have met several other couples from all over the US and Canada.
The daily 'Net' is a get together on the VHF radio where information is shared. Several popular cruising harbors have them. I suggested a recipe exchange and received positive feedback so we gather on the beach tomorrow afternoon for that event. Cooking on a boat is not much different from cooking in a real kitchen but instead of planning a menu and then making a grocery list, I have look at what I have available. We have only found one real supermarket in the Bahamas and that was in Nassau.
Junkanoo is a traditional Bahamian Christmas Holiday event and there will even be a parade in this little town. We are looking forward to the evening of color and tradition. One of the things I have always enjoyed about traveling through the islands is sampling the various cultures.
12-31
We have been having a great time here in Georgetown but it is time to leave. The only sad part is leaving Ed and Benia, we have enjoyed the time we spent with them and they will be missed! We weigh the anchor at dawn and will sail to Mayaguna, about a 40 hour sail. While you are looking for something to do on New Years think about us crossing the Tropic of Cancer. We have a great weather window with strong wind from the north so we will fly the jib for a broad reach.