2011-12-22 - in Compass Cay, Exumas
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| "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.
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| A sweet man Preston from the marina - Dylan's friend. |
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| Rachels bubble bath - at the top of Compass Cay. The water crashes over the top! |
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| Connor in Rachel's Bubble Bath |
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| Jamming to Jimmy Buffetts Christmas songs before bed! |
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.
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) |
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| Boo Boo Hill showing the two sides of the island - Exuma Sound (rough) and the calm anchorage on the sound side. |
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2011-12-19 - in Warderick Wells, Exumas
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| Checking email on top of Boo Boo Hill |
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| 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.
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.
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.
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