Spent a second night on anchor at Lynyard Cay so we could go to Pete’s Pub in Little Harbor, Abaco that we had heard so much about.  Had the best lobster and shrimp tacos in the islands.  

It is somewhat of a tradition in the Bahamas to blow a conch shell at sunset. Walter gave it a go, he did pretty good for a first try but plans on practicing.

The next day we headed for Sea Spray Resort and Marina on Elbow Cay, Abaco.  This marina had been wiped out by hurricane Dorian in 2019.  We learned a group of investors from Charleston, SC decided to rebuild marina after Dorian, so we though it only right to support them and stay there for one night.  The marina has a lot of work to get completely up and running but the docks, power, water and showers were perfect and fully functional.  We were told that they hope to be fully operational in the next 2 years (full resort amenities). 

We also knew that Firefly distilleries in Charleston had a resort in Elbow Cay (Firefly Sunset Resort) so of course we had to go. With no bicycles or golf carts to rent the manager of the marina  Chris was incredibly kind to give us a ride there and back.  It was kind of weird, felt like we were back in Charleston.

We only spent one night at Sea Spray Marina and then headed to Hope Town where we could grab a mooring ball in the harbor for a few nights as another wind storm was going to be coming our way, again.

Playing tourist we went to the well-known Elbow Reef Lighthouse. The lighthouse is the only one of its kind in the world that is still manned by a light-keeper who uses kerosene, the 19^th century system operates completely without electricity.  The brick tower is 89 ft high and has 101 steps to the lantern room, we were able to make our way to the top.  What a view!

View from the top of the light house, you could even see our boat.

That night we watched the lighthouse as the keeper fired it up.  First there was a soft glow and then the light started, the light is 120 ft above sea level and can be seen for up to 15 nautical miles.

We also got a great picture of our boat with the light house in the back ground.

 

 

Highbourne update and more

We were able to borrow two bikes to do a little sightseeing where we met some fisherman that had really hit the jackpot of Mahi and Wahoo, they had so much that they generously gave us some of the Mahi (enough for 4 meals, whoop, whoop)

We said good bye to Highbourne and set out on a 55nm, 10 hour sale to Spanish Wells.  Long day, arriving before sunset thirsty and hungry.  Went to a placed caller Wreckers ordered tall vodka tonics (because tonic has quinine for medicinal purposes and vodka is made from potatoes) and some nachos.  We rented a golf cart the next day so we could tour the island, found a place for lunch called Buddhas.  The kitchen is in an old school bus, food was great.  We also had shared the “I got dizzy at Buddhas” drink, it may be green but is sure tasted good.  We talked to a lot of locals, they all said that the island was a peaceful place, low crime a great place to raise a family. 

After two days we headed out again to spend the night at Egg Island 10 nm away to stage for a long sail to the Abaco's the next morning.  This trip would take us 54 nm taking us out into  the Atlantic ocean so we were picking the best weather window possible.  The North East Providence Channel is know for heavy seas, their is nothing but 13,000 ft deep ocean all the way to Africa.  We pulled up anchor at 4am and headed out.  Seas were pretty calm at 3-4 ft in the beginning but after a few hours they built to 7 ft waves.  With no land in sight wondered if we were crazy, nope just motivated.  Even though the waves were high the winds were mild,  to pass the time Walter put out a few fishing lines.   He got a 3-4 ft Mahi on the line but it wiggled off at the rail before we could get him in the boat, no other bites the rest of the day.  While Walter was fishing I was laying down (a lot) not complaining or chumming, I say for me it was a win win. After 12 hours at sea we arrived in the Abaco's and dropped anchor in Lynyard  Cay, made some dinner and went to bed.

 

 We have been to Cambridge Cay, Shroud Cay and now we are at Highbourne Cay.

 Cambridge Cay was fantastic.  There is a place called Rachels Bubble Bath (great name). The water comes over the rocks when the tide is coming in and crashes down making the water foamy and bubble up, we played in it for an hour. 

The next morning early when it was slack tide (and no tour boats around) we went to what they call the aquarium.  A rock formation that had the best colorful coral and fish we have snorkeled to so far.  It was great we had the place to ourselves.  We met some new folks that day too, they were on a boat called Molly Brown who invited us over got happy hour.  It is amazing how friendly the boating community can be, they were great hosts and we all had a lot of stories to share.

On to Shroud Cay, this was a great anchorage with mooring balls.  As soon as we arrived, we got the dinghy in the water so we could take it through a 4-mile mangrove tidal river, saw turtles, sharks and needle fish. 

At the end of the tidal river, you came out on the other side of the island to the ocean to a spot called the “washing machine” this is where two currents/waves come together, which made the sand was soft and super fine that your feet just sunk in to your ankles.

Then on to Highbourne Cay Marina.  Yes, a marina this time.  We needed to be able to plug in and start the ac, the boat needed to dry out a bit.  Not to mention that we could plug in anything and every electronic we have with us completely  charged up.  Did I mention they have showers, we have not had a real shower since we were at the Great Harbor Marina, 6 weeks ago.

Highbourne has a few celebrities here, Lou Ann the property Macaw.  We were told she was a real biter so we got close enough for a picture. 

At one end of the docks, where they clean fish here is a tons of nurse sharks just waiting for the days catch to be cleaned.  They were very impressive one of them had to be 12 foot.

Last but not least Walter made a few new friends on our dock. (Walter's peeps)

Forgot to mention back in George Town we came across the local hair salon with a sign that, was confusing. It said hair and fish (huh), had to check it out.  The sign was spot on, it was a hair salon whose owners husband was a fisherman, they sold fresh daily caught fish out of a cooler and had a freezer of lobsters.  We did not get our hair cut but we did buy 2 lobster tails and a few filets of grouper and snapper.  The lobster tails made a tasty Easter meal.

Fun fact, our dermatologists would be proud, we have been buttering up every day, the jug will last forever

 

 

 

What we have been up to

We discovered a place called Hoopers Bay, it was filled with sea turtles, someone got some really close up time with them.

Another sunset in George Town but this time with a added image.  We learned in the Bahamas many of the islands burn their trash. the rules and resources are a lot different the the US.

We really enjoyed our time in George Town (almost 2 weeks) it was a great place to be but decided it was time to leave and head north to go to some of the places we missed due to weather. We made a overnight stop back at Farmers Cay and then headed to Black Point to anchor up for some strong winds and rain that was coming through, again.  It was a perfect day on the water, calm as could be, the water was so clear you could see a perfect reflection of the boat in the water.

 

It was a rainy day at Black Point so we took advantage of a great laundromat that they have, but you know some things just don’t go in a dryer so how do you dry things on a rainy day on a boat….. Cinderellas work is never done.

If weather is good we plan on leaving tomorrow for Cambridge Cay which is another anchorage in the Exuma Cay Land and Sea Park (protected waters) that is suppose to have some great snorkeling.  Will let you know what we find.

 

 

Still in George Town

We are still enjoying ourselves in George Town, each day we discover a new beach or sandbar.

Walter took dinghy for a walk

It is not always fun and games, some days we still have chores. Laundry that needs to be dragged to the only laundromat in town as well as bringing our fuel cans and water jugs to be filled. Don't for get we still make trash that needs to be taken care of.  There is a local that has been really good to cruisers and leaves his truck in a parking lot, all we do is place our trash in the back and place $2 in the window for each bag.  Not only does the dinghy take us to some beautiful places it also serves as our mini van.