Yesterday we had a quiet day, just walking around the small community (it's not large enough to be called a village) of Salt Pond. But there is a store that is surprisingly well stocked. And today the mail boat, which brings fresh groceries weekly, is in, so this afternoon we went shopping as we are never sure when we will have access to a store again. We also walked across the island to the Exuma Sound side, and walked the deserted beach for a while. Then in the evening someone organized a small get-together (drinks and appetizers) on the beach. It was fun, and we had the chance to talk to a few other cruisers.
Last night, coming back from a walk, we had a good view of the bay and counted 28 boats, but I think 2 or 3 came in later, so there were about 30 here last night. And with the coming and going, it seems to be about the same today. Now we are deciding where to go next. Today, we were astonished to learn that there was a car rental firm just ashore from the anchorage, so we shared it with Cav and Debi, who we sailed over with and saw the rest of the Island.
We picked up the car just before noon and headed south, planning to head north tomorrow morning. Since they drive on the left side of the road, there were no volunteers for driver, so we voted Debbie driver and set off. Jeannie had planned out our itinerary and first up was a trip to a Blue Hole (a limestone sink hole in the water that is vibrantly blue). It was a difficult find but we did locate it, and it was worth it. Although we hadn't brought our bathing suits (and regretted it) we found it staggeringly beautiful. Located in a tiny cove protected from the ocean swell, it was a magical place with its brilliant shades of blue. It took us some time to find it, a few wrong turns down sandy lanes, but it was well worth it. Then off for lunch to Max's road bar, for his famous conch salad. And it was worthy of the reputation. For only $4.00 each, we had a large conch salad, a great bargain.
Then we headed off further south (Long Island is about 60 miles long in total and we had started from just above mid-way). There is one town (sort of), Clarence Town, and it has two famous churches, one Anglican, one Catholic, built by the same missionary. He came out as an Anglican and built the first one, then somehow converted himself to Catholicism and built the second. We toured them both and marveled at their size and condition in such a small community.
We climbed the tower in the Catholic church and had a beautiful view. With no one around, both churches were wide open. Vandalism and petty crime do not exist here. We never lock the boat or the dinghy, nor does anyone else, and we have never heard of a problem. Although we did stop to look at the remains of a small plane that had crashed, a reminder that the drug trade is not altogether gone in spite of the US Coast Guard and US DEA helicopter flights up and down the cays daily.
After the churches, we went to another restaurant for Mango Duff, another Bahamian speciality, at The Waterfront Restaurant in Clarence Town. A final stop at a bakery, a stop at a fish wholesaler for lobster tails, and we were back home ready to rest up for our tour north tomorrow.
The weather seems to be settling down again, so we will either head west to the Jumentos or east to Conception Island, both of which are uninhabited. We will talk to a few boats going to each and decide, and probably leve Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather forecast. Further and further off the beaten track!