Meow
15 March 2009 | Cat Island
Sunday we sailed to Cat Island. It was a long sail 80 miles or so, but the winds and waves were at our back so it was not too uncomfortable. Almost caught another huge mahi, but he BENT THE HOOK and swam away to be caught by someone else another day. We anchored at New Bight. In the Bahamas everything is closed on Sundays. We walked up te highest peak in the Bahamas (a whooping 205 feet) to The Hermitage where Father Jerome spent his last years. Father Jerome was a church architect and is fairly famous in the islands. He started his religious career with the Church of England then converted to Catholism and traveled all over the islands converting others. The Hermitage sits high atop a hill and has a magnificent view 360 degrees around Cat Island. From the water the place looks like a huge stone castle. As you trudge up the steep and narrow steps, without benefit f a railing you have to pay close attention to your feet. When you reach the apex you realize the "castle" is actually the size of an elaborate playhouse. I could not stand straight inside the hallways. The chapel was built for one, the sleeping quarters were smaller than a half bath. He showered outside and drew water from a deep well. He spent his retirement in solitude and simply with a gorgeous view of all of Gods works.
We moved north along the island last night to Fernandez Bay. There is a nice but isolated resort here. There are only a few boats and it is calm and quiet. We had outdoor movie night on the back deck and then looked out at the trillion stars that are visible here. The staff at the resort is very helpful. They are taking a pickup truck of cruisers to the grocery store, liquor store and the dump! All the essentials. They let us use there wifi and beach. Darby is much much better, back to the constant chatter that lets me know she is okay.
Will try to put more pictures on face book when we go to shore later. Have fun and stay warm - lisa
Right this second Dave and I are house sitting the Island HoppInn resort for the caretakers who are going to lunch. Darby met their daughter Alyssa on the beach and the two started playing, and didn't want to stop. So rather than take Alyssa away, we are watching the place.
We are staying on the boat but hanging at the resort. It is gorgeous here and the people are so nice. Tell dad he'd have to fly here so a discount is meaningless. It did rain here for about ten minutes that has been about it for the last few months. We will probably leave here tomorrow afternoon or the next morning. Miss you and love you lisa
Today we hitched a ride 39 miles up the Kings Hwy to a local's only spot they call "sea glass beach". We each came away with a jar full of sea glass. Only your imagination limits the possibilities of where the glass may have come from. There will be lord of craft projects from there.
We will sail north either tomorrow afternoon or the next day (whatever day that might be because I don't have a clue). Heading north to Holland America cruise lines island Half Moon Cay aka little San Salvador. We will hang there a day or two and see what the wind says.
We are still anchored in the calm Fernandez bay. The resort owners have adopted us as the poor wayward gypsies we are. The give us ice. Let us take showers. We use their Internet. They take us shopping and dispose of our trash. They are both pilots and have a 6 year old, daughter, Alyssa, whom Darby will not leave alone.
We met another couple on a catamaran, Sue and Roger on Neos. Neos is huge and beautiful, Roger and Sue are originally from California, but they have been living on their boat for 4 years. They cruised extensively in the Caribbean and are heading to Panama from here. They have very interesting stories. They taught us a new card game called "64" and gave us a recipe to make our own Kahlua.
We may be here a few more days a storm is projected and we are secure here. No rush to leave this place is amazing.