Time in the Bahamas

a 360 degree panoramic view from our anchorage the first night on Little Bahamas Bank, or it would have been if we could do 360's

colorful, delicious, healthy meal at anchor in Great Sale Cay

We left Green Turtle Cay early the morning after clearing in.  We were able to reach by radio our Canadian/Montana friends Brian and Dawn Anne on “Conchtown Lady”.  They were in Treasure Cay so that is where we went. We were able to motor sail part of the way.

It was great to meet friends when so far away.  They showed us around Treasure Cay.  We are told it is mostly a privately owned large resort. The story is it was booming until the crackdown on drugs.  All we know is that it was great to have showers!

Brian and Dawn Anne invited us for dinner.  Dawn Anne made delicious roast chicken and vegetables and an amazing key lime pie.

Night time entertainment was provided by a large sailboat whose anchor broke loose allowing the boat to drag anchor back as if drifted through the other anchored boats during a brief storm.  Air horns were honking, lights were flashing, people were yelling, rain was pouring down, lightning was flashing.  Which way do you go in the dark and blinding rain?  Luckily no major damage was done and no one was hurt.

a couple views from the beach bar and cafe where we lunched  at Treasure Cay

The next day we sailed to Marsh Harbor, after a stop to look for some lobster. Brian and Dawn Anne decided that the weather looked go for heading home, so we had a bon voyage dinner on Submit and then to Graynorth for birthday cake. We sailed to Tahiti Beach the next day and did a little beach combing, then on to Hope Town for the evening. 

Reggie overlooking Tahiti beach from a nearby rock

We climbed the lighthouse and walked around town. It is a small community that seems to be mostly cottage rentals. We expected to head north the next morning, but it seemed like it might be less than fun, so one more night. This morning, Monday, 25 March, we thought we could make it around the whale before the wind shifted. However, we woke up to a down pour, thunder and lightning. Looks like we will be here for the week. Don't worry about me, I have tons of books.

a good view from our mooring

antique cabinet in lighthouse curved to match lighthouse curve

main Hope Town harbor viewed from lighthouse

look carefully for "Submit"

a view from our mooring

another

On Friday the 29^th, we crossed through “The Whale” in less than perfect conditions, but it was a short trip and not too bad. “The Whale” is an open channel to the Atlantic Ocean.  Because the water inside Whale Cay is so shallow, boats drafting about 3 feet or more must go out and around Whale Cay to transit north and south of her..  “The Whale” can be impassible at times by boats of any size if the weather or the incoming ocean swells are too bad, causing a “Rage” of breaking waves. 

We dropped our anchor in No Name Cay. The only inhabitants are four pigs. I can’t tell if they were wild or not, as they came running up to everyone. Tourist boats make a stop there to feed them and scratch their noses. We did neither.  We waded and walked the beach. There were tons of sand dollars, live ones. I had no idea they were so big! (inflation here too?) (turns out the locals call them sea bisquits)  The one we saw in the water had a green leaf design and was soft and fuzzy around the edges. There were also lots of conch. I sort of wanted to take one and see if we could cook it, but then I saw it and decided not to even try. I may never eat one again, either.  Next we hopped in the dingy and pushed our way into a backwater inlet. On the back side there were some rocky cliffs, lots of fast fish, starfish and an octopus! As we were leaving, we also spotted a sea turtle.

We had a nice quiet evening at anchor, then on Saturday,  headed into  White Sound on Green Turtle Cay to tie up for the night at the Green Turtle Club and Marina, to take on our little bit of fuel(diesel at $6.13/gal.), have some internet for letting folks know we were still alive and afloat, and a (cold) shower before heading out to explore more of the uninhabited islands. There are very few communities between here and the ‘jump off’ areas where boats cross back over to the States. The ‘jello plan’ is to explore for about a week and then be ready to cross the Gulf Stream when we have a good weather window.

Today is Easter Sunday, so Reggie surprised me with a pink bunny in my coffee. He always remembers! So far I have found 8. Do they come in packages of 12? Did he bring more than one package?  At home I find them for months. I hope to find them all now.