Two months in the Bahamas
We're home; back in Florida, after just over two months in the Bahamas. Any more time would be too much and any less would not have made the trials of the trip worth the effort. We now have a little different perspective on what a clear-water anchorage looks like, and what bad customer service is. Never mind the conveniences we take for granted here in the states; like great internet and phone service, inexpensive and readily available groceries and incidentals. It sure is good to be home!
That said, overall the Bahamas is a real gem. Getting away from places like Nassau and larger cities catering to wholesale tourism like Cruise Ships, Fishing excursions, and Gambling, can take you to a largely untouched wilderness. Finding smaller villages along the way, like Black Point, Staniel Cay, and Bimini were a reminder of simpler times and how we have it so good in the US. We will certainly remember these places fondly.
It's our hope that we will not need to remember for too long, as we are looking forward to our trip back next year. With plethora anchorages and islands, we're sure to find new places as we revisit familiar places. Our new found knowledge will certainly make the trip next year even more memorable in a more distant future.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Beyond Nassau
Stopping to see the Iguana's at Allens Cay
Leaving Nassau our intentions were to head directly to Normans Cay. This place was home to a ruthless Drug Lord in the 80's and has an Air Strip. Considering it is mostly privately owned, I wasn't hopeful to get into shore, but I thought it'd be interesting to wonder about the planes and their passengers as they landed on the secluded island.
It wasn't to be, mostly because I didn't want to make it a long day, and want to finally "enjoy" a little Island Time. Allens Cay was the answer. Again having absolutely no services on the island, this was going to be a sightseeing mission only. With it's resident Iguanas on Leaf Island, and the two notable very large yachts on the horizon, this was a nice respite for the evening.
While taking some pics of the Iguanas, we met the crew and charter from, I believe was the Lady S motor yacht (http://lady-s.rentabo.com/). Based on what I see, that means these people paid nearly a half million dollars to go to the same place we just motor sailed to for a few dollars. Well, at least they were served champagne and Heineken on the beach.
Just before this shot was taken Dan Snyder Heineken in hand, owner of the mega yacht, and the Washington Redskins walked by with barely a glance. Little did he know, I wouldn't have known who he was any way. Eventually, Bruce Allen walks by and stops for a chat, before being ordered away by Dan. Again, not knowing a thing about these people, I noticed the Redskins Polo Shirt and wasted no time in mentioning Stacie's friendly dislike of the Redskins.
After getting back to the boat, I decided to look the Lady-S up, and a quick Google search revealed who these guys we were experiencing the Iguanas with were. I guess I should have mentioned one of their 80 year old fans too.
Emergency Relay
The following morning we got ourselves underway for Staniel Cay.
Along the route just south of Normans Cay, or original first day destination, we heard a frantic call to the local park ranger office. The poor woman probably not knowing that her handheld VHF just wouldn't cut it. She attempted many times to locate a Doctor and requested emergency medical attention. "Pokey Hokey" a trawler, while anchoring or possibly pulling anchor we're not sure, snatched the owners thumb with it's anchor windlass (most likely). We were a ways away and couldn't render direct assistance, but there were boats on the way. It seems the injured was dinghy lifted off the boat and taken to the nearby airfield on Normans Cay for a flight to the Hospital in Nassau.
Anyway, good deed accomplished, and off we continued to Staniel Cay. .
Shallow Staniel Cay
Entering Staniel Cay was challenging with it's shallow approach. I guess we should have looked at the tides? Albeit I think it's better to arrive on a rising tide versus a lowering tide. After running aground more times than I care to admit, we were snug in a narrow anchorage near the SCYC. Ready to make the best of a couple days here to do some of the typical sightseeing and tourist things. Like feeding swimming pigs and diving Thunderball Grotto.
Feeding pigs and Thunderball Grotto
So after a quick visit to look around:
Little did we know (yet again) we'd run across "Seven Seas" the Steven Speilberg yacht, as we made our way around to see the swimming pigs. Ahhh, what a life, hobknobbing (or at least being in the same breathing space) as the big-wigs
Black Point Settlement
<more to come>
Leaving Nassau our intentions were to head directly to Normans Cay. This place was home to a ruthless Drug Lord in the 80's and has an Air Strip. Considering it is mostly privately owned, I wasn't hopeful to get into shore, but I thought it'd be interesting to wonder about the planes and their passengers as they landed on the secluded island.
It wasn't to be, mostly because I didn't want to make it a long day, and want to finally "enjoy" a little Island Time. Allens Cay was the answer. Again having absolutely no services on the island, this was going to be a sightseeing mission only. With it's resident Iguanas on Leaf Island, and the two notable very large yachts on the horizon, this was a nice respite for the evening.
While taking some pics of the Iguanas, we met the crew and charter from, I believe was the Lady S motor yacht (http://lady-s.rentabo.com/). Based on what I see, that means these people paid nearly a half million dollars to go to the same place we just motor sailed to for a few dollars. Well, at least they were served champagne and Heineken on the beach.
After getting back to the boat, I decided to look the Lady-S up, and a quick Google search revealed who these guys we were experiencing the Iguanas with were. I guess I should have mentioned one of their 80 year old fans too.
Emergency Relay
The following morning we got ourselves underway for Staniel Cay.
Along the route just south of Normans Cay, or original first day destination, we heard a frantic call to the local park ranger office. The poor woman probably not knowing that her handheld VHF just wouldn't cut it. She attempted many times to locate a Doctor and requested emergency medical attention. "Pokey Hokey" a trawler, while anchoring or possibly pulling anchor we're not sure, snatched the owners thumb with it's anchor windlass (most likely). We were a ways away and couldn't render direct assistance, but there were boats on the way. It seems the injured was dinghy lifted off the boat and taken to the nearby airfield on Normans Cay for a flight to the Hospital in Nassau.
Anyway, good deed accomplished, and off we continued to Staniel Cay. .
Shallow Staniel Cay
Entering Staniel Cay was challenging with it's shallow approach. I guess we should have looked at the tides? Albeit I think it's better to arrive on a rising tide versus a lowering tide. After running aground more times than I care to admit, we were snug in a narrow anchorage near the SCYC. Ready to make the best of a couple days here to do some of the typical sightseeing and tourist things. Like feeding swimming pigs and diving Thunderball Grotto.
Feeding pigs and Thunderball Grotto
So after a quick visit to look around:
Little did we know (yet again) we'd run across "Seven Seas" the Steven Speilberg yacht, as we made our way around to see the swimming pigs. Ahhh, what a life, hobknobbing (or at least being in the same breathing space) as the big-wigs
Black Point Settlement
<more to come>
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