2011-12-31 - in George Town, Exumas

Cruisers fireworks!

Well it is the final year of 2011 - it has been great! Tonight the cruisers got permission to run a party at the Chat 'n Chill bar on the beach.  A lot of cruisers showed up and enjoyed the last few hours of the year.  The funny thing was that we celebrated 'cruisers new year' at 10:00pm as most cruisers probably wouldn't have been able to tolerate the midnight tradition.  To commemorate the New Year the cruisers pooled together their expired flares and got permission for a couple of people to fire them off in a controlled fashion in the harbour.  The interesting thing was that most of the flares didn't really go off.  It was a bit of a shock to me.  All flares have an expiry date and you need current flares to stay in the good books of the coast guard.  I assumed that they would still work and the expiry date didn't have too much effect on efficacy.  Well, like I said some didn't even fire and one of them actually burned through the handle and hurt one of the organizers.  In the cruisers net in the morning, they gave a report of all of the types of flares and which ones typically were fine after the expiry and some that failed that were newer or had just expired.  After the flare demonstration....the party fizzled out and the dinghies made their way home in the dark.  I figured I would stay up until midnight as it just didn't seem right to miss out on the year transition.  By 11:45 I found myself laying in bed as I too was fizzling out.  By 11:50 - both eyes were dimming....by 11:55...probably asleep as I didn't remember seeing that time.  I tried, but after all, I am a cruiser and they don't make cruisers new year for nothing.  Happy New Year!

2011-12-30 - in George Town, Exumas

2011-12-29 - in George Town, Exumas

2011-12-28 - to Georgetown, Exumas



this one did not get away....



In the morning, Connor and I went to say good bye to 'Isla Bonita' and to deliver the dog vitamins to Denzel who lives on the top of the hill.  We met him yesterday and I had promised to bring them along for his dog, Ralphie.  I was very grateful and offered a shell craft that he had made.  We were also thankful to help out and to have something special to bring back to the boat.  We pulled anchor and headed off to Georgetown at 9am.  Dharma was also heading in our direction as well.  I had a line out hoping to catch something on the outside deep water.  It was pretty quiet.  Dharma had asked several other boats if they had caught anything so far.  Not too out there today, they were saying.  Just as we  were heading into Conch Cut, into Georgetown, I saw a school of fish jumping out of the water.  Kerry adjusted the sails and we sailed over the area where the fish were.  Within seconds, something hit the line and started running.  Yikes.  I didn't really want to catch anything.  I pull it in and determine that it is, indeed, a Tuna.  Connor ran in to get our guide book to determine what kind of Tuna it is.  A quick flip through and reading of each attribute, we determined that it probably was a Skipjack Tuna.  Kerry cleaned it and we had a wonderful meal that evening.  It sure beats canned Tuna...but, it's so much easier to open a can!  

Georgetown doesn't seem as busy this year.  Only a few boats were in each area.  We landed near Volleyball beach as this is probably where we will be spending a bit more time. 

Georgetown is a wonderful place for those who enjoy the community of boating.  In the morning, there is a cruisers net on the VHF where they have weather, community announcements, and boaters announcements.  If you need your hair cut, a part for your 1976 refrigerator, help with a engine problem, just announce it on the net and someone will respond with helpful information. 

2011-12-27 - in Little Farmers Cay, Exumas

In the morning we moved the boat to the other side of the island to get out of the waves.  We tucked ourselves in and decided to stay put for another day.  One other boat Polarka from Quebec had raved about this little spot.  We figured we needed to go and find out why they enjoyed it.  We pulled our dingy on the beach and made our way up the hill to the road leading to town.  As we approached the town a man was welcoming us to the island and wanted to show us around his garden.  He grew cassava, watermelons, peppers, and even more exotic varieties that I can't really remember.  He gave us samples of a few things and even a leaf or two to prepare tea with in the morning.  He introduced us to his wife who was, unfortunately, suffering from cancer in her neck.  She was a lovely woman who made straw items for selling and he made shell art that he had on a table along with her straw items.  We ended up being a good customer for them that day, as we bought a few items that were lovely.  He had a dog with him that he had taken in as the owners weren't taking care of him - Ralphie, was his name.  I had a bottle of dog vitamins on the boat that I asked if he would like them for Ralphie.  I would bring them back later.  We headed to town and went to Brenda's Restaurant.  They walked out and rustic table and we gathered around a few plastic lawn chairs to have dinner.  Connor was hopeful for a 'soda' and all they had was VitaMalt.  When he asked about the soda..she said, "all we have is something with Malt and Wheat."  yummm.  nothing quenches the thirst like Wheat.  Well, it turned out to be quite nice.  Dylan chugged it down and we ended up taking one back for later. 

2011-12-26 - to Farmers Cay, Exumas

We headed out from Staniel today and ended up at Little Farmers Cay.  It was a great day for sailing.  As soon as we turned and were on the banks...the engines were off and sails were up.  It was nice to have the engines off and the wind going in the right direction.  We brought the chairs to the front deck and the autopilot took us most of the way.  We blew bubbles and danced and then arrived at Little Farmers after a couple of hours on the water.  We decided to stay aboard for the evening and played cards.  By 7pm we were all quite tuckered and ready for bed. 



2011-12-25 - in Staniel Cay, Exumas

Dylan's new best buddy!

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Today, we had an early start.  At 4am, Connor knocked on the adjacent wall and said, "Dylan is awake".  I am pretty sure he woke up first, pinched Dylan and ran back to bed to wake us up.  He has been pretty excited about the morning, what child isn't.  We 'happily' got up and enjoyed the Christmas morning.  The packages that Santa left said, Ft. Lauderdale as our address and then stroked out to read Bahamas.  Connor thought that was great.  The jolly man also left a mess in our cockpit...footprints, carrots and hoof marks - all to add to the magic of the morning.



Santa had addressed this one to Ft. Lauderdale....then we moved. 
He managed to find us!

 After a full morning of trying to get skype to work (no luck)....we headed to Thunderball Grotto for some great snorkeling.  We didn't even go inside this time as the current was ripping through and you couldn't really get in.  Lots of fish, colourful coral were there to see outside.  It was a nice way to spend Christmas day.   Later, in the evening, the club put on Christmas dinner.  It was a lovely night.  A lot of the other boaters and families signed up and enjoyed the festivities as well.  Most of kids were falling asleep or sleeping by the end.   The dinner began at 7:00pm, a time when most boaters are already thinking about sleeping.  We are finding that we are getting up very early, as the sun is coming up and winding things down early, when the sun sets. 

We are missing everyone at home and hope that they all had a wonderful day!



 

2011-12-24 - in Staniel Cay, Exumas

How cool is this.....Santa arriving by boat (Hi-5 in background)

It's Christmas eve and we are all very excited for tomorrow.  Today, the Staniel Cay Yacht Club put on a very nice Christmas party for all of the kids in the area.  It was really nicely done.  They had crafts with lots of ladies helping out with that, a pizza/ice cream party (what a treat!), visit from Santa himself with gifts for all of the kids.  It was so nice to have something like this prepared for the kids.  The adults spent a few good hours at the bar while the kids enjoyed some holiday fun.  In the evening, we all went over to Dharma to enjoy a Christmas eve party.  We had 7 adults and 8 kids on board...oh, and one dog!  The kids kept track of time and encouraged an early night as Santa was on his way, of course, and we wouldn't want to miss out.  A quick check on the NORAD website when we got back to the boat confirmed that Santa had not yet crossed the Atlantic...just enough time to brush teeth and tuck into bed.  Tomorrow is Christmas....I hope Santa finds us!

Wonderful helpers assisted with the crafts!

2011-12-23 - to Staniel Cay, Exumas

2011-12-22 - in Compass Cay, Exumas

"Mom, can I keep him?  I promise to walk him, honest!"

High tide was early this morning.  Connor and Kerry managed to catch the phenomenon of the sharks landing on the docks.  Compass Cay has a dock made special for this.  It is a very special spot indeed.  It was our time to leave, however and we stayed as long as we could until we had to untie our lines.  We were only going up the coast of the Cay today.  At the top of Compass Cay is a nice anchorage and, after a small hike over to the other side of the island, you get to Rachel's Bubble Bath.  This was a very neat area where the waves from the Exuma Sound side come crashing over the rocks into a small shallow pool.  It was fun.

A sweet man Preston from the marina - Dylan's friend.

Rachels bubble bath - at the top of Compass Cay.  The water crashes over the top!

Connor in Rachel's Bubble Bath

Jamming to Jimmy Buffetts Christmas songs before bed!

2011-12-21 - to Compass Cay, Exumas



2011-12-20 - in Warderick Wells, Exumas

Another relaxing day in paradise. We came to shore to chat with the only other family here from Quebec. The other boats left this morning, so we are again one of the sole boats here at Warderick. We have made contact with Cee Jem and Dharma who were travelled with a few weeks ago. They may arrive in a day or two, but the final destination will be Staniel Cay for all of us for Christmas.  Our highlights today were hiking one of the many trails on the island to a nice secluded beach.  The trail is very rough - moonscape-like which made it challenging, but it was well worth it in the end.  Also, Connor and I finished off our Boo Boo Hill boat sign.  It is customary for each boat to leave something on Boo Boo Hill on a piece of drift wood.  We hiked up the hill at the end of the day to add ours to the pile. 



Our Hi-5 contribution to Boo Boo Hill.  (Hi-5 is anchored just off the tip in the background)





Boo Boo Hill showing the two sides of the island - Exuma Sound (rough) and the calm
anchorage on the sound side.



.

2011-12-19 - in Warderick Wells, Exumas

Checking email on top of Boo Boo Hill

Blow-hole on top of the hill

2011-12-18 - to Warderick Well, Exumas

Today, we made it to Warderick Wells. For those who know this place, it needs no introduction. For those who do not, it needs to be explained. Warderick Wells is in the Exuma Cay Land and Sea Park. It is a large ecological zone that is protected by a no fishing, no taking rules. This, I feel, makes this place special because there is an abundance of sea life, and what is here is BIG. So we made the short 4-hour sail here in anticipation of what we would find. In the morning we caught the parks broadcast of mooring ball assignments on the VHF. This is where people let the park staff know that they are leaving and allows for those who are coming to request a spot. Since there was going to be a front moving in over the later evening hours, we thought it would start to fill up. When we arrived, we found the park empty. Only one of the mooring balls in the main mooring field was taken, and I think that the person on that boat worked there. So, we pulled up to the ball, hooked on and turned the engine off. The colour of the water was magnificent. We love this place. It took Connor about 30 seconds to grab his snorkel and jump in. I am always a little more cautious and kept all eyes on the water and surrounding water. I could see a couple of smaller fish darting about. 

 I had a piece of popcorn in my hand and tossed it in the water. Both fish went for it, startling Connor. Then, a Remora came over. We saw this one in Allens Cay a couple of days ago. It was darting in and out under the boat. After several minutes, more fish (even bigger) joined in and found shade under the boat. Then Connor said in a slightly elevated tone…’shark’. Now, he was already a little excited about our little shark-like fish...the Remora…so, I was thinking he was talking about that one. Then, a darker, larger fish came out between our hulls. Kerry was

already to go in, so he popped in the water with Connor they both identified it as a nurse shark. They both were in the water while the 6-ft shark swam slowly around the boat and then settled on the shady patch underneath. He had, in tow, two sharksucker fish. All three rested on the sea floor. It was exciting to see. We decided to jump in the dinghy and land on Powerful Beach near the park office. Connor enjoyed more

snorkeling and I took one of the kayaks out for a few laps around the lagoon. Dylan loved that and wouldn’t let me stop. We met another family tonight who is here for their 3rd time. They ended up staying here for 2  months last year enjoying the park and volunteering their time. If you do volunteer, the mooring is complimentary. Lots of cruisers spend some time here helping out with the parks  ‘to-do’ list. It was such a full day.

2011-12-17 - to Normans Cay, Exumas

In the morning we all woke up early.  Kerry was cleaning out a few lentils into the water from a cup and out popped a Remora ready to eat the few grains.  We were all so excited to see a new fish.  I took a few pictures under the water – Connor wanted to jump in with it to see but not knowing what it was at the beginning - I suggested not!  We took another trip to see the iguanas.  It was still early and a little cooler than the late afternoon when we saw them yesterday.  Only a few poked out to see if we had anything.  We ended up walking on a trail through the bush to the other side of the cay for a bit of beach combing.  We found lots of very colourful sea fans and a few sea biscuits and sand dollars. 

We left the anchorage at Allans Cay before noon and heading towards Normans Cay.  It was only about a 2 hour sail.  We dropped the hook and dinghied over to the sunken plane.  This plane was from the days of Carlos Lehder and a cocaine 'business' he was running from Normans.   Connor got immediately startled as soon as he saw the coral attached to the plane.  He had never seen live coral - some were brightly coloured and looked like worms or snakes, swaying in the current.  It was easy to see how, on first glance, this would be a

strange sight.   It was a fascinating view.  Kerry and Connor snorkeled the wreck and Dylan and I viewed from the 'lookie bucket' that we bought in Nassau.  This gives Dylan a great chance at seeing all that we can see.  The top portion of the plane has been eroded away, but the remainder of the plane, including the propellers on the wings were intact. 

We then headed over to a little island, Connor called 'castaway island', that had only one palm tree.  As we approached we saw a large dark shadow in the sand, that flitted and swam away when we got near.  It was a very large ray!  very neat.  After an exploration of the little island we saw a few hundred feet away a large ray that flew out of the water, to hang in mid air  and then splash back into the water.  Another 'Ahhh' moment.  We went back to the boat for some more snorkeling and exploration around the boat.  The Exumas is certainly packing some excitement into our days.  It was an early night for all.