Exumas Part 2

EXUMAS

From Staniel cay we went to Black Point. We spent a few days in Black Point. We met a lovely lady named Agnes who gave me a Bahamian weaved bag as a gift! We visited the world famous “Garden of Eden” where we were treated to a tour of the garden by Willie, a gentleman with a remarkable imagination. We managed to catch the biggest fish of our trip so far. We met several boaters at a BBQ buffet at a local eatery. We were able to do some laundry and get wifi all at the same time!

Staniel Cay

Closed - Staniel Cay

Yes, he reeled him in but I set the bait and casted it out. This fish went on to serve lunch for all at Great Harbour Cay on my birthday, our biggest thus far.

The school in Black Point - These kids will  all have to go to Nassau to attend high school

Agnes and my new bag

Will shared many secrets about the local plants, their purposes and how to prepare them

One of Willie's driftwood "statues" What do YOU see?

In Willie's back yard he plants fruit trees in the little soil among the rocks

Willie in his Garden of Eden. A must see.

From Black Point we headed back north. We stopped at Cambridge Cay in the Exuma National Park and explored the beaches. A few days later we continued further north and picked up a mooring at the incredibly beautiful Waddrick Wells (also part of the Exuma National Park system) We snorkeled on a reef where we saw among other things a black tip reef shark (fun!) and a 1.5 foot big lobster. The park is a protected area so the lobster walked around unafraid. It was probably one of the best snorkels I have done in my life. We left our marker on Booboo Hill and heard the moans of the ghosts from the wrecked schooner ship coming from the blow holes. This island is nothing short of spectacular!

Cambridge Cay Part of the Exuma Park system. The island across from Cambridge , Bell , belongs to the Aga Khan and the next little island belongs to Johnny Depp.  These islands are private and we never say any Saudi royalty or Hollywood stars

Waddrick Wells, this whale died from ingesting plastic

On Booboo hill with my painted sign

Here we met up with our friends on SV October, Steve and Elaine. Elaine made us a brilliant crab soup for dinner and I provided the Bahamian Mac and Cheese.

Hoodia, once close to extinction are now all over the island - Elaine called the Hoodia and the Blowfish :)

Saturday night cocktails. Here we met a boat we last saw in June 2012 at Kirkfield Locks on the Trent Severn - Small world!

Transport in the islands

Because the weather controls all we had to say goodbye to our good friends too soon but after a short trip back to Normans and a quiet night at anchor, we had a pleasant cruise back to Nassau.

Sunset - Normans Cay

Over 10 000 miles since we started our trip.

In Nassau we had an unfortunate thing happen to our dingy but I am working with the insurance company to get it sorted out, so more about that later…

Because of this and so many more unforeseen expenses this year we have decided to get back to Canada as soon as we can. We will both have to find jobs for the summer to replenish the boating kitty. With engine failures, generator problems and also water maker issues, we are not the exception but the rule when it comes to cruising. EVERY Boater we have encountered have had some kind of a problem at times, we just lucked out and hit all our problems in a row in a short period of time. The costs add up.

Unfortunately it is too cold to go back to Canada in March, so this last month we will hang around in our favourite spot in the Berrys and head back to the States at the end of March. We will put the boat away for the summer, get in the truck and head north. Hopefully it will be warm enough for us to live in the camper while we look for and hopefully find work.

While we DID enjoy our time in the Exumas we will not be rushing back the soon. Yes, there are gorgeous beaches and the waters are beautiful shades of blue but there are a LOT of boaters and the anchorages are crowded and the beaches well-traveled.  Many will disagree with us but the Berrys are more beautiful, less crowded and more remote. The Exumas seem more touristy and commercial and boaters seem to rush there but I have no idea why.

So we are back in our favourite spot with our favourite people and I get to spend my Birthday here. I am lucky and happy and blessed.

……………..to be continued