EP 41 Soak Up The Sun
26 November 2024 | Ocean Reef Club
Bill Bernaerts | Awesome!

We're starting to get into the Bahamas time management plan or, in other words, taking it easy.
https://youtu.be/KIYiGA_rIls?si=l8JEOZWPkO_Q2kDz
Lynn and Larry invited us to go on a cruise of the Grand Lucayan Waterway canal on their trawler yesterday. It's a manmade 13 km long canal that cuts through the middle of Grand Bahama Island. It was intended to be a short cut to get to the northern Abacos Island chain vs. going around the eastern end of the island. Unfortunately there are 2 bridges to go under with 27' of clearance so sailboats are SOL. The canal was the largest engineering project in Bahamian History at the time it was started and was under construction from 19671978. Most of it is at least 8' deep with concrete shorelines and dozens of side channels that were intended for waterfront homes. There are a few nice homes in the waterway, a lot of partially built or abandoned storm damaged homes but mostly vacant land along the waterway. There is also a pretty large hotel that was constructed but never finished. The water off the cost of the island drops off very quickly to well over 1000' but it's crystal clear and quite easy to see the bottom even in 60' of water.
This link has a good summary of the waterway with photos:
http://coolchange-eva.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-grand-lucayan-waterway-5162015.html
We've had people ask what we do all day and it not a lot different than our routine at home although the surroundings are a lot different. We get out for some exercise in the morning hand have gone for a couple of long walks. There aren't many sidewalks here so we have to walk along the road. The weird thing here is that they drive on the left side of the road but have both left and right hand drive cars. We walk facing traffic but when you hear a car coming up from behind we instinctively think it is coming on our side of the road so it's taking a bit of relearning, especially when crossing a roadway!
https://youtu.be/NwBzR3NiUAo?si=SlllihZnQSTWZaxQ
In the afternoon we either go for a dinghy ride to snorkel or to the beach and then hit the pool and hot tub. We also have to adjust our side shades as the sun moves into the afternoon so we don get too hot in the cockpit if we sitting there reading. ( I know, but it’s an activity)
After dinner we read and watch something on Netflix. Next day, rinse and repeat!
The marina is starting to fill up with more Canadian boats showing up. Earlier this week had excellent crossing conditions so people are starting to show up for the winter. We're seeing some different fish under our boat now as there is more cover for them with the other boats that are now here. I have seen some large angel fish and a pretty big barracuda just hanging around and today a very small, cool looking jelly fish. We also hit the beach this afternoon and Sam spotted a stingray on the bottom. Luckily we were in the dinghy so no stepping on him hazard.
It appears that Grand Bahamas Island's best days are behind it as thee are many abandoned homes in various states of construction or ruin. Hurricane Dorian hit in 2019 and did significant damage to the islands and then 2 years of Covid knocked the country on its butt. Hopefully they can rebuild and get their tourism industry back to its former level.
Today's photo is us coming in from snorkelling the other day. And yes, the water really is that colour! It was like boating in a swimming pool.