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December 21, 2013
We left Nassau this morning, only to turn back due to the waves being too big for our buddy boat Silver Lining. We thought the wind would have been good too, but after leaving Nassau Harbor, we had to turn south and the wind was on our nose, so, needless to say it didn't make for great conditions. So, we headed back to the marina we left from. I had notified Last Flight Out that we were coming back so they were at the dock to help us as were Sloop John Dee and Dream Catcher. We hung around the marina for the rest of the day.
December 22, 2013
Today, we helped to move Silver Lining to the slip next to us. They were like a bucking bronco in the water. They had not slept since moving into this marina because the wind and waves were so bad coming off of the channel and they were bow in. Had they been stern in it would have been better, but the current and the wind prevented them from being able to get stern in. After moving them, we walked to Paradise Island and went to the beach to swim. It was wonderful. The water was a bit chilly at first, but after you were in, you got used to it. The water was beautiful and blue. Certainly picturesque. We enjoyed our first swim. After returning, we sat around in the cockpit and Denise from Sloop John Dee came over to tell us her son couldn't get on his flight because his passport had expired. Lucky for him he was in Baltimore and he could go to DC and get it renewed in one day and he got down here the same day. So for all of you out there, check your expiration dates on your passport so you are blindsided like him when you want to take an international trip.
December 23, 2013
This morning we walked down to the park at the south end of the island and saw the third of the three forts in Nassau (New Providence Island). It was Fort Montague. It was the smallest of the three forts and the only one on the water. The water is taking a toll on the structure too. After walking the perimeter of the fort and walking by a produce stand, we walked up Shirley Street. You pretty much take your life in your hands here as the Bahamians are wild drivers. There was no sidewalk on the street, so when we got to the shopping center near our boat we turned in and went to the grocery store since we will be leaving tomorrow. Finally! After dinner, we had our last Dairy Queen blizzard until we return to the states.
December 24, 2013
This morning we woke up to calm waters and wind. The first time for these conditions since we arrived here. We pretty much knew the windy conditions were going to prevent us from moving on, but the weather forecasters are not always correct. Anyway we were excited that we would be able to leave. Five boats from our marina left, but many boats from other marinas left too. There were lots of boats on the water. We traveled about 75 miles today to the most beautiful gin clear water. It is just amazing. We left out this morning at almost 6:30 am and got to our mooring ball at 4:30 pm. We tied up and chilled the rest of the evening rejoicing in the fact that we are in Warderick Wells Cay, home of the Exumas Land and Sea Park.
December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!! We are so excited to be here spending Christmas with our boat buddies. We got up and went to the office to check in and then to visit with Bev and Arne on Scandia this morning. After visiting with them we had to hurry back to our boat to make a side dish for the pot luck Christmas Dinner the park was putting on. The park staff provided the turkey, ham, chicken, and ice for the luncheon and the cruisers provided the side dishes and desserts. We all had a great time. I couldn't believe the number of kids that were here. The parents are home schooling the kids and they are having a ball. It definitely is a kids paradise as well as an adult paradise.
December 26, 2013
We left the boat early to use up the remainder of our purchased internet time this morning. After our time expired, the park office opened and I exchanged two books in their book exchange and then we hiked up to Boo Boo Hill and the blow holes. Then we explored some of the other beaches near our boat and took another hike to the Davis Plantation Ruins. I am not sure what existed on this plantation, because there was not much there but a rock wall and remnants of a very small house. After exploring we returned to the boat and I swam and Mark cleaned the scum from Nassau off the side of the boat. We then changed mooring balls to the main field and then we met on Scandia to discuss plans for leaving on Saturday.
December 27, 2013
This morning I carved "Sea Vu Play" on a piece of drift wood that we are going to leave at Boo Boo Hill. It is the thing to do for cruisers when visiting here. Mark had planned on doing the carving but he was in the middle of working on the connections for the auto pilot and the radar so I did the carving instead. We were going to meet Silver Lining and Scandia on the beach to hike back up to Boo Boo Hill to leave our offering as they call it. After hiking, Bev and I went swimming to cool off after the hike then we headed back to our respective boats for lunch before heading out to snorkel. Just before leaving for snorkeling, Arne came to get Mark to rescue his glasses from the bottom of the water. He had fallen in the water off the back of his boat and lost his sunglasses and nozzle off their sun shower. Mark to the rescue!! Mark dove and retrieved both of them. It was a good thing it was only about eight feet deep. We then set off to snorkel. The snorkeling was fantastic. We saw lobster and lots of fish in one area then we moved to another area and saw different fish than what I have seen before as well as a stingray, barracuda, and a nurse shark. The coral was beautiful and lots of large conch shells. Since this is a state park, there is no fishing or gathering of shells. Everything must remain as you found it, which is great. We returned to the boat and I swam and Mark replaced the zinc on the propeller shaft. It seems that most of the boats in the marina in Nassau lost their zincs in the short time we were there. The electricity must not have been grounded. After cleaning up, we met on Silver Lining to finalize our departure plans for in the morning.
December 28, 2013
We left Warderick Wells today headed to Staniel Cay. We finally got to sail. It was wonderful. When we arrived at Staniel Cay just after lunch we went to see the swimming pigs. They are quite amazing. All they want is food. We didn't have any and they are very aggressive, but we did take pictures. We went back to the boat and since the water was so inviting we went for a swim. Mark picked Bev up since their dinghy motor was not working and we had a great time swimming. Then Karl and Elaine came over to join us. Last Flight Out went into Staniel Cay Yacht Club for a late lunch. After swimming, we got out and sat on our boat and visited for the rest of the afternoon until it was time for everyone to leave for dinner.
December 29, 2013
This morning we went to swim at Thunderball Cave. This is the cave the James Bond movie was filmed at. It was amazing. It is called a grotto. We swam into the cave through one opening and then out another opening and around the little island it is on. The marine life was fantastic as was the coral. After we finished swimming the cave, we went into Staniel Cay and walked around the small community. The local fishermen were cleaning fish and throwing their carcasses to the swarm of sharks that were gathered. Another amazing site. The cay has a small air strip, a general store, and the yacht club that is very active. We swam again this afternoon to cool off after our walk around the island.
December 30, 2013
This morning we met at 9:00 am to look for some more snorkeling but first we went to feed the pigs our left over scraps. We were the first ones to the beach this morning and wow, were the pigs aggressive. They swam right up to the boat. We were just a bit intimidated by them. We threw them our scraps and then left in search of some snorkeling. We didn't find any. We swam in an area we thought would be good, but it was grass and the current was way to strong so we left. We went back to the boats and readied them for our short trip to Blackpoint Settlement. Another very small community. We will do our laundry here tomorrow and celebrate New Year's Eve and New Year's Day here. We have reservations at the local café, Lorraine's. We are going to walk the beach in hopes of finding some sea glass.
- comments
Irene So good to hear you are well on your way south. You're doing a lot more at each island than we did, but we ran out of time having to sit in Ft. Lauderdale for 3 weeks re: engine problems. As you can see, each island is different.....something that I was amazed at. I guess the two hugh great danes did not come out to your boat at Warderick Wells......they would have passed on by now....unless they had pups.....and maybe new owners. Anyway, keep on truckin'.....the best is yet to come! You should make regatta week in plenty of time to get involved in "Camp for Adults" at Georgetown! Happy New Year......Irene and John