We spent the week at Black Point, the second largest settlement in Exuma. The settlement is 7 hours by mailboat from Nassau. That's significant because that's where most of the locals get their groceries, do their banking, and send their teenagers to school
The mailboat arrives weekly in Black Point from Nassau, sometime Wednesday afternoonish. Before she leaves Nassau, Black Pointers (some who now live in Nassau) pack up bags of groceries and write the destination family name on the bags. The arrival of the Wednesday mailboat Captain C is a major event in Black Point life, especially when she's late - which she always is! In addition to personal groceries, she brings freight and, oh yeah, the mail. She continues south to northern Great Exuma and on to the Ragged Islands before returning to Black Point on Friday. You'll see the government dock lined with propane tanks to ship to Nassau where they are refilled and returned on the Wednesday run. The local women send their eight fathom (about fifty feet) rolls of plaiting (woven strip) to Nassau on Friday and get money or groceries back on Wednesday. Oh, yeah, and the mail goes OUT on Friday. The Friday we arrived, all the town teenagers were boarding to head back to Nassau after Easter break. The local school is primary only, so the kids must LIVE in Nassau while attending high school.
Some folks, such as Lorraine Rolle, proprietor of Lorraine's Caf�, fly to Nassau to save the travel time. Lorraine makes the trip once a month or so to do her banking. And you thought ATM fees were high, try a $200 round trip ticket!
It's a different way to live!
We made several trips to the Exuma Sound beaches. The sea glass finds were amazing. In one day we collected nearly 200 pieces, half of which are very nice quality. At low tide, we walked along the sand flats on Exuma Banks side. Lots of life there including live sand dollars and crabs.
This is probably one of the friendliest settlements in the Bahamas. People are always stopping the cruisers to chat. The community is easy to visit even if you're not living on a sailboat. The mailboat, which is $100 round trip, includes a bunk, a shower, and meals. A cottage with kitchen and laundry rents for $850/week. In addition to enjoying the people and shores of this settlement, it's an easy hop to snorkeling and fishing areas.
Any takers? If you're coming, do like the locals do and pack your own food!
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