We had a great time at Staniel Cay. We met up with a couple from a boat that we met in Boot Key Harbor, FL., Hello Texas. Richard and Nicki are from Houston, Texas, but they kept their boat at Galveston. The boat sustained some damages during hurricane Ike back in September. However, they were lucky enough to make the necessary repairs and get under way in December. Michele met Nicki during the long wait for laundry at the Marathon City Marina in Boot Key back in February. They left Boot Key Harbor three weeks before we did. They went to West Palm Beach where they spent a month. That's why we were able to catch up with them here in the Bahamas. We had a great time hanging out with them, Celeste and Gary from Sol Surfin and Randy and Nikki from Kristenly.
While anchored at Big Major, we visited Pig Beach. Apparently, natives maroon pigs and the cruisers go ashore and feed them scraps. They didn't look under nourished, but of course, Michele felt bad for them wondering how they get their water and regular meals when there are no cruisers around. She was wondering if they really are marooned or if someone takes care of them. We went ashore with some cabbage and carrot scraps. When we got there, the big
momma pig was the only one we saw. We were skeptical of getting out of the dinghy so we just threw the scraps onto the beach. When everything was almost gone, a bunch of smaller, cuter pigs came running over to the dinghy crying for some food. So, Michele felt bad and went back to the boat to get more scraps of apples and saltines. Of course, she didn't feel like that was enough, but we had to leave it at that - as our own provisions are dwindling down and the prices over here are outrageous. There are three grocery stores on Staniel Cay, but we weren't expecting to pay $6.00 for a loaf of bread! But, we had to suck it up and buy milk, bread, eggs, cheese and some veggies. When the credit card m
achine wasn't working and the guy kept swiping our card, we knew it was going to be a problem. As it turned out we got charged three times for the charge. This ought to be interesting!
The other fun things we did at Staniel Cay were snorkeling at Thunderball Caves. We have lots of pictures to show you, so be sure to check them out. It was a strong current - even though it was supposed to be slack tide, but we managed okay. We went with the three other couples that were mentioned previously. After snorkeling the caves, we dinghyed out to the cut between Big Major and Little Major Cay. Here the currents were crazy! So we decided it would be a good place to drift dive. We all got out of the dinghies and drifted down with the current back to our boats - well back to the other couple's boats since we were anchored at Big Major and not directly at Staniel Cay. The othere boats moved over to Staniel Cay marina because it was a pretty long dinghy ride from Big Major. Since our depth sounder is acting hoopy, we decided to stay where we knew there was plenty of water. It seemed a little calmer without the strong current over by Staniel as well. Most of the cruisers anchor at Big Major (near the pigs). We also dinghyed around Big Major and checked out some of the caves along the shore. The weather has been beautiful and it has been a great time.
On Wednesday, we all left Staniel/Big Major. Kristenly, Sol Surfin, and John Ray headed to Guana Cay to the Blackpoint Settlement while Hello Texas continued on to Little Farmer's Cay before heading down to Georgetown.
Steve and I sailed off our anchor (yup, no engine required!) and had a great sail all the way to Blackpoint. Steve also wanted to sail right into the anchorage at Black Point, but Michele was too nervous with all the other boats around. So we motored into the anchorage. We immediately packed up the laundry as there is a coin operated laundromat on the island - and it is amazing. They actually had hot water (unlike Marathon) to wash the whites. Lorraine's Cafe also has free Internet (donation is asked). So, we settled in for the afternoon onshore. While we haning out at Lorraine's, Butch from Lucidity walked in. We haven't seen them since Nassau so we were very excited to see them again (as they were one of the reasons that got us to finally come to the Bahamas). We've been in radio contact with them for the past three weeks, but on different cruising schedules. We were surprised they showed up as we didn't expect them for another couple of days. Gretchen and Reese came over to join us, as Reese was playing with some other cruiser's children outside. We decided to join them for dinner at Lorraine's Cafe. The food was very good and reasonably priced, but we waited for an hour and a half for it :). We are on "Island Time" now.
Yesterday, we said our goodbyes to Sol Surfin as they headed off to Little Farmer's Cay. They have to be in Georgetown by next week to pick up friends that are coming in to visit with them.
We had an Island Packet Rendezvous on Lucidity. Except for Lena Bea (which is an IP 445), the other three IPs are 38's (Lucidity, John Ray and Kristenly). We had drinks and appetizers while waiting for the sunset. Michele had her first succesful experience blowing the horn of a conch shell (which is a tradition with cruisers at sunset).
Today, Michele went to the local school to volunteer tutor. A retired cruising couple, organizes cruiser volunteers to work with the children. It was a great opportunity and Michele jumped at the chance. She worked on math and language arts (reading and phonics) with a fourth grader, Michael (MJ) from 9 to 12. Steve came ashore later and did some Internet stuff while waiting for Michele. We had a great lunch at Lorraine's and plan to attend happy hour at Scorpios. Tomorrow morning begins our trek back up north. We plan to leave early morning go until we get tired landing at the most northern Exuma Island that we have enough daylight for. We will update our location at the next Internet location which may not be for a couple of days. Hope everyone is doing well.
While anchored at Big Major, we visited Pig Beach. Apparently, natives maroon pigs and the cruisers go ashore and feed them scraps. They didn't look under nourished, but of course, Michele felt bad for them wondering how they get their water and regular meals when there are no cruisers around. She was wondering if they really are marooned or if someone takes care of them. We went ashore with some cabbage and carrot scraps. When we got there, the big
momma pig was the only one we saw. We were skeptical of getting out of the dinghy so we just threw the scraps onto the beach. When everything was almost gone, a bunch of smaller, cuter pigs came running over to the dinghy crying for some food. So, Michele felt bad and went back to the boat to get more scraps of apples and saltines. Of course, she didn't feel like that was enough, but we had to leave it at that - as our own provisions are dwindling down and the prices over here are outrageous. There are three grocery stores on Staniel Cay, but we weren't expecting to pay $6.00 for a loaf of bread! But, we had to suck it up and buy milk, bread, eggs, cheese and some veggies. When the credit card m
achine wasn't working and the guy kept swiping our card, we knew it was going to be a problem. As it turned out we got charged three times for the charge. This ought to be interesting!The other fun things we did at Staniel Cay were snorkeling at Thunderball Caves. We have lots of pictures to show you, so be sure to check them out. It was a strong current - even though it was supposed to be slack tide, but we managed okay. We went with the three other couples that were mentioned previously. After snorkeling the caves, we dinghyed out to the cut between Big Major and Little Major Cay. Here the currents were crazy! So we decided it would be a good place to drift dive. We all got out of the dinghies and drifted down with the current back to our boats - well back to the other couple's boats since we were anchored at Big Major and not directly at Staniel Cay. The othere boats moved over to Staniel Cay marina because it was a pretty long dinghy ride from Big Major. Since our depth sounder is acting hoopy, we decided to stay where we knew there was plenty of water. It seemed a little calmer without the strong current over by Staniel as well. Most of the cruisers anchor at Big Major (near the pigs). We also dinghyed around Big Major and checked out some of the caves along the shore. The weather has been beautiful and it has been a great time.
On Wednesday, we all left Staniel/Big Major. Kristenly, Sol Surfin, and John Ray headed to Guana Cay to the Blackpoint Settlement while Hello Texas continued on to Little Farmer's Cay before heading down to Georgetown.
Steve and I sailed off our anchor (yup, no engine required!) and had a great sail all the way to Blackpoint. Steve also wanted to sail right into the anchorage at Black Point, but Michele was too nervous with all the other boats around. So we motored into the anchorage. We immediately packed up the laundry as there is a coin operated laundromat on the island - and it is amazing. They actually had hot water (unlike Marathon) to wash the whites. Lorraine's Cafe also has free Internet (donation is asked). So, we settled in for the afternoon onshore. While we haning out at Lorraine's, Butch from Lucidity walked in. We haven't seen them since Nassau so we were very excited to see them again (as they were one of the reasons that got us to finally come to the Bahamas). We've been in radio contact with them for the past three weeks, but on different cruising schedules. We were surprised they showed up as we didn't expect them for another couple of days. Gretchen and Reese came over to join us, as Reese was playing with some other cruiser's children outside. We decided to join them for dinner at Lorraine's Cafe. The food was very good and reasonably priced, but we waited for an hour and a half for it :). We are on "Island Time" now.
Yesterday, we said our goodbyes to Sol Surfin as they headed off to Little Farmer's Cay. They have to be in Georgetown by next week to pick up friends that are coming in to visit with them.
We had an Island Packet Rendezvous on Lucidity. Except for Lena Bea (which is an IP 445), the other three IPs are 38's (Lucidity, John Ray and Kristenly). We had drinks and appetizers while waiting for the sunset. Michele had her first succesful experience blowing the horn of a conch shell (which is a tradition with cruisers at sunset).
Today, Michele went to the local school to volunteer tutor. A retired cruising couple, organizes cruiser volunteers to work with the children. It was a great opportunity and Michele jumped at the chance. She worked on math and language arts (reading and phonics) with a fourth grader, Michael (MJ) from 9 to 12. Steve came ashore later and did some Internet stuff while waiting for Michele. We had a great lunch at Lorraine's and plan to attend happy hour at Scorpios. Tomorrow morning begins our trek back up north. We plan to leave early morning go until we get tired landing at the most northern Exuma Island that we have enough daylight for. We will update our location at the next Internet location which may not be for a couple of days. Hope everyone is doing well.
2 comments:
What a gratifying addition to your
cruise: giving back and sharing your skills with the children at Black Point
Enjoying these "grand"children so much Beth & Tom as well :)
Will be sad to leave, Tuesday. So you are on the last lap. Safe travels. Love you, Mom God Bless
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