High Born we were not
09 May 2017 | Highborne Cay
Sally
We woke to another beautiful day in paradise. After Chris Parker, coffee, and breakfast we set about getting the dingy deployed. Once we had it launched Scott filled the diesel tank on Light Reach from the jerry cans and topped off the gas tanks for the generator and dingy. We loaded the empty cans and one of our 5 gallon water jugs into the dingy along with a large bag of garbage and headed into the marina here on Highborne Cay. It took us a bit to figure out the marina entrance. The large fuel barge coming out its cut showed us the way. The marina is tiny getting that barge in and out of there while maneuvering in the tiny basin is remarkable. We circled outside the jetty waiting for the barge to exit. Meanwhile a large motor yacht was following us in, traffic jams in paradise. As we pulled in past the first dock we saw a sign that stated DANGER SHARKS and there were several hanging out by the dock. Okay folks keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times!
We found our way to the fuel dock where we filled our various jugs with the right ingredients and received our slip to give to the purser to pay. The dingy dock was around the first set of docks and was floating. First floating dock we have seen since leaving Florida. We walked up to the office which was also the small market. They had quite a wide selection of items and a large freezer case. I didn't want to get anything just yet as I hoped to be able to go for a walk on what appeared to be quite well paved island roads. There were a number of bicycles and golf carts for rent. Scott paid for the fuel and water and we left the store to walk the grounds. The beach was lovely with padded chairs and umbrellas and several shade structures. We walked to the end of the pier where the sharks were just as a fishing boat came in. That solved the mystery of why the sharks hung out there, under the fish cleaning station.
We turned around and started up the road when a gentleman shouted at us that the road was private and only for guests of the hotel. Ok so why are there like 30 golf carts for rent if you can't take them anywhere? Clearly we were of the unwashed masses and while our money was welcome, we were not. Seems my idea of exploring the island was a moot point. We did want a bag of ice to help boost the poor fridge so Scott went in and paid for it and then attempted to find the person to unlock the ice chest. We were completely out of bread and while Scott hunted for someone to open the ice freezer, I went in the store to get a loaf thinking easier than making my own. I should have waited. That frozen loaf of bread was 10 dollars!!! Yikes nothing is marked so I had no idea until I went to pay for it. Holy cow. I'm glad I didn't go for any of the produce. Scott still hadn't been able to track down an attendant to help with the ice so I hung out it the shade while he continued to hunt. I think he ended up dragging the poor gas attendant back to get our ice.
With ice in hand we hopped into the dingy and headed back to the boat. After getting the ice into the fridge we got the dingy back on deck and prepped for an early departure tomorrow. It's 50 nm to West Bay and the wind is supposed to be out of the North so it should make for a nice beam reach in the lee of New Providence. We have to get across the White Banks first.
The picture is of the beach at Highborne. Do you think the sharks know they should stay out of the roped off area?