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December 31, 2013 through January 5, 2014 we were in Black Point Settlement with Scandia and Silver Lining. Last Flight Out moved on to Georgetown in order to get their company there for their flight out. Black Point is a very small community on Great Iguana Island in the Exumas. It is the longest island in the Exuma chain. We spent New Year's Eve at the local restaurant Lorraine's where she had a buffet dinner and some boaters entertained us with music afterwards. We left at 9:00 pm and were asleep when the very brief fireworks woke us up at midnight. We enjoyed our days in Black Point walking the beaches on the Exuma Sound (Atlantic) side of the island hunting for sea glass and shells. The shells here are miniatures of what we are used to seeing, but it sure fun looking at all of the different kinds and colors. Some of the varieties of shells are West Indies Top, Limpet, Olive, Whelks, and Volute. The last day we walked the beach we came across a large blow hole. It was fun to watch the hole blow. It is sad to see the amount of garbage washed up on the beaches. Plastic is the biggest source of trash. We walked the island a couple of times just to see the community. A couple of nights we went to Scorpio's where we had hamburgers. They were really good, especially since it had been a while since we had had one. The going rate is $8.00, which is pretty good. The groceries were scarce on the island, but we were able to get lettuce and eggs. One day, we all had ice cream from the local store. Each couple split a pint. It sure was good, and since it was hot it was even more welcome.
January 6, 2014 we left Black Point Settlement for the Marina at Emerald Bay run by Sandals on Great Exuma where we stayed through January 11, 2014. We chose Emerald Bay because of a front that was going to blow through and because my sister, Jane, was coming in and it would be easier for her to get to the marina due to the front. This was a great marina. Free laundry, showers, internet and use of the pool table and TV lounge with dockage. They also had nearby beaches and a restaurant. We spent January 7, our 36th wedding anniversary with Scandia and Silver Lining at the nearby restaurant. We had red velvet brownie sundaes and listened to a local band. We couldn't have asked for a better evening. Jane arrived on January 8. We shopped at the Sandals Resort that had a big three shops. We wanted to purchase some items, but they don't take cash so we opted not to make the purchases. We walked the beaches in search of shells, but didn't find any. We went to the nearby beach with Bev (Scandia) and Elaine (Silver Lining) to swim. We had a great time in the water and on the beach. Scandia, Silver Lining, Jane and Mark and I rented a van and toured the island (Great Exuma). We saw salt ponds, loyalist ruins, and all of the small towns. We had lunch at a little establishment with the most beautiful setting. It was breathtaking. It had it's own private beach and the food was delicious. We couldn't have asked for more. In the evenings we met at the marina lounge and played Mexican train and jokers and pegs. We had a great time.
January 12, 2014 we left the Marina at Emerald Bay for Georgetown. It was a short two hour cruise and the water was smooth compared to the trip to the marina. Because the water was so flat, when we got to our anchorage at Monument Hill/Hamburger Beach, Last Flight Out came by and we decided to go to Crab Cay for snorkeling. I am glad we went because none of the other days were as perfect for snorkeling as that day while Jane was here. We saw some beautiful marine life and coral. We met at Last Flight Out for happy hour and Kumbaya (Jerry Allen and Barb Schmalhofer), another boat from Fairfield Harbour joined us. Kumbaya had just returned from Long Island, Bahamas where they met our friends on Mariah that we buddy boated with last season. Since we have been here, we have toured Georgetown, hiked Monument Hill, walked the beaches in search of more shells, went to the "Nude Beach" where there were no nude people, in fact, no other people at all. From the nude beach, we hiked the "Shoe Tree Trail" to the beach where we found great shelling but no sea glass. Jane and I walked all of Hamburger Beach and then up to the north beach and then we swam at the nude beach with our bathing suits on. We were the only ones there. Jane left on January 15, 2014 to return to reality. We had a great time here in Paradise while she was here.
January 16-January 23, 2013
January 16 the first cold front reached us in Georgetown. It is windy, cold, however it is not cold like the rest of the US is having. We are in the lower 60's. The water is rough too. We have not been doing a whole lot due to the weather. One front after the next. Today is January 23 and the last front came in yesterday. We have had 6 days of cloudy weather. Today is the first day of sun and we came in to do laundry since the water is calm across the harbor compared to what it was yesterday. We are getting it done early so we can hopefully snorkel this afternoon. We have done hiking, shelling, meeting new people, and we learned basket weaving, so we can make some of the local baskets. Sunday we may head down south to Conception Island for a few days. It is supposed to beautiful. Hope you all make it through the cold winter.
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Susan What are you doing about water? Where do you get it and is it expensive? How many gallons do you carry? Do you wash dishes with saltwater?
Dottie Giersch Glad you are having such a good time. Happy belated anniversary! So nice your sister could visit. We are having the coldest winter since we moved to NC in 2003. I am really worried we will lose shrubs due such long cold spells. Thank goodness for warm house and gas fireplaces! Usually by this time we have had a couple of sails but with the weather so cold I won't even think of going to the boat. Enjoy yourselves and the warm weather.