Bahamas Trip Week 3 – 5/6 to 5/12

 

Wednesday – We decided to stay another day because of the rainout yesterday.  Also the weather forecast for Thursday is even better for traveling and anchoring.  We climbed the 101 steps of the lighthouse; Tom kicked the door open to the balcony on the top of the lighthouse to enjoy the views.  We surveyed the harbor and town, took some pictures and enjoyed the sunshine.  We rented a golf cart and went exploring on the island.  We dinghied to the other side, met our “carriage” and were off.  We traveled the length of the 7 mile island, stopping at marinas, restaurants, small grocery stores and overlooks of the ocean along the way.  We lunched at Sea Spray marina on the patio.  This marina is on the far south end of the island in White Sound.  A long way from town but worth the drive.  We explored our way back to the boat, looking for a road to our marina only to discover there was none.  We did see the dump, derelict boats, marginal roads thru the jungle and a few friendly faces.  We abandoned our quest and returned to town and our boats.  Did a quick change into our suits and headed back to the beach to swim in the ocean.  We enjoyed the water, strolling on the sand and a visit to Hope Town Harbor Lodge. The evening was complete by sitting on the back of our boat with a couple of cocktails.  

Thursday – Left Hope town at 0920 for Snake Cay to do some snorkeling.  Arrived at 1106, dropped the dinghy and proceeded up behind Snake Cay.  It was interesting but other than a few starfish, not much there.  Pulled anchor and went 6 miles to Sandy Cay.  It was rocky and rolly but we decided not to snorkel but Sea Angel did.  Tom scrubbed the water line of the boat because it really needed it, because it was last done at Marco Island.  Mainly grass and green slim on the bottom.  Still have to scrub the bottom. We pulled the anchor for a second time and proceeded to Little Harbor where we put the dinghies in again and went into Pete’s Pub and the Johnston bronze foundry and gallery.  The works were all very nice and also very expensive.  While waiting for burgers, we noticed a large Hermit crab in a small shell.  We decided to offer him a new home.

Our hermit crab in his new shell. Complements of Colletta and her shelling

 (We had done some shelling)  To our utmost surprise, the crab liked the new real estate, and moved into his new larger home.  The burgers were excellent and the crab was happy.  As the evening progressed an unusual collection of characters arrived at the tiki bar.  With a fishing tournament going on, there was quite a variety of people there.  

Pete's Pub, the only bar on the island

 We returned to the boat at 1926, and although the seas appeared calm, the wind shifted and the surge from the ocean began and the boat rocked again.  A most uncomfortable night.

Friday – Left at 0730.  Seas were large swells which made for a slightly rolly ride.  At one point we crossed in front of a large ocean container ship and also passed behind an ocean-going tug towing a large barge with three levels of containers on it.  You would think with all this water, there would be plenty of water space for everyone.  Why they are attracted to us, we do not know.

Ocean tug towing a barge loaded with containers

Ocean going ship that crossed right behind us crossing to Eleuthera

  At 1320, we sighted Eluethera 9 miles out.  We arrived at Spanish Wells at 1600, and went to the commercial fuel dock to get fuel.  By the time we finished and proceeded to Spanish Wells Yacht Haven it was 1715.  Yacht Haven is somewhat of a misnomer but it is the only place in town.  Tom and Peter walked around town, Colletta and Nancy did some shelling.  Later that evening we return to a house which had a soft serve ice cream machine in its front yard.  It had been a family business for a number of years, now being run by the teenage grandchildren.  Flavors of the day were cheesecake and strawberry.  We had both!

Saturday – Left at 0940 to travel to Allen’s Cay about 52 miles south.  The Dave Gallagher Memorial Fishing tournament commenced at 1100 with lines in the water waiting for dinner to arrive.  Like Dave, always hopeful.  First fish was 1128, we landed a 2 ½ foot barracuda, but we threw him back.  Fish on again at 1143.  Colletta fought this one, using the fishing belt to hold the rod, but the fish spit the hook.  At 1430, we began to encounter coral heads which forced us to be very attentive to drive around them.  At 1702 we pulled into the Allen’s Cay anchorage and parked next to R/V Coral Reef II from the Shredd Aquarium in Chicago.

The Shedd Aquarium's research vessel at our anchorage. Asked us if we had any Chicago style pizza or hot dogs.

  We dinghied to one of the island by way of the research vessel and spoke with the students to find out what the program consisted of.  Turned out one of the instructors was from Tinley Park – small world.  The island was home to iguanas – one of only two locations in the entire Bahamas were they roam.  The iguanas walk right out on the beach, and are use to human visitors who often feed them.  They sat on rocks catching the last warm rays of the sun. 

one of the iguana's we saw. they were quite used to humans on their beach

Catching a few rays to stay warm

 While walking the shoreline, we also saw 2 spotted rays in about 2 feet of water, slowly eating and casually swimming around.   Another rolly night at anchor - seems to be a recurring theme.

Sunday – We are moving to Shroud Cay to try to get better protection from the wind.  We departed at 1001.  Along the way, we spoke with 4-58’ identical Sea Rays from Fort Myers/Naples area.   At 1230 we arrived at Shroud Cay where we picked up our first mooring ball.  It only took 2 attempts, which was a great success.  Once settled we dropped the dingy and headed to explore.   A distinction of Shroud Cay is the many creeks which crisscross the island.  We headed to the northern creek which took us across the island to the Exuma Sound side where we explored.  We climbed to the top of a hill and located Camp Driftwood. 

An attractive native girl at Camp Driftwood

 Not really a camp but the views were breathtaking- the many shades of blue water, the white beaches and the blue sky.  

The water colors are  incredibly

Tom cooked a great dinner then headed to Sea Angel to learn a new game – Rummy Cube - Very fun.

Monday- Decided to stay another day and explore another creek.  Located a fresh water well, not very well marked.  The water didn’t taste too bad and given the choice of dying of thirst, it was very good tasting water. 

Looking into the fresh water well

 We beached the dinghies, did a little snorkeling, not seeing much, and sitting under an umbrella on the beach.  Later we explored a creek, in an attempt to again cross the island and return to Camp Driftwood.  We traveled to a dead end, when we realized we missed the Bahamian navigational aid -a 3 foot stick in the sand.  We made the correction and followed this creek and it did take us again to Camp Driftwood and the cut to the ocean. 

Following the creek looking for aids to navigation

 We played in the currents, met another couple who just arrived via 60ft catamaran from New Zealand, and eventually returned safely back to our boat.  After a wonderful dinner, of course the winds increased for another rocky, rolly night aboard Greeks Folly.

Tuesday - Departed Shroud Cay at 0924 and pulled into Cambridge Cay at 1318. The trip was bumpy because we had to go thru the Big Cut which is exposed to the ocean.  The boat got covered with a lot of sea salt that day.  When we pulled in we picked up a mooring ball on the first attempt.  Traveled 26 nautical miles.  We relaxed the rest of the day and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.