Snorkeling day in Nassau

WOW,  all I can say is WOW

Tom and I have been chill-in on the boat, reading and just loafing. Tom did fix the galley faucet but that has been the extent of our excitement. Quite a few boats left today, winds have died down considerably to almost no wind. Outlook is better for Sunday to Wednesday so we were up for an adventure. We bought fins and mask while in the Keys so it was time to use them. There is the Bahama dive shop about a 10 minute walk from our marina and we booked a trip for this afternoon. 

I am hoping that the little disposable camera I bought has a few good pictures because it was wonderful. They have little zip lock bags of "fish food" - looks like dog kibble to me - but I got a bag and strapped on a waist float devise and took the plunge. 

WOW

It is amazing to see these creatures up that close - and I did get up close and personal. I put the bag of fish food in the fold of my swimsuit top - Have you ever tried to re-zip a zip lock bag under water while fishes are very determined to get what is in the bag. I finally abandoned any hope of carefully doling out the food when they were tickling me every were and I really did not want to tempt fate. This is hard food.  No video  :) 

We had a great time then a wonderful Bahamanian dinner at Poop Decks. It rained while we were there - a beautiful rainbow- our hatches open back at the boat. 

Life is grand in the islands 

where we caught our  Dive boat

enjoying the sun  on the deck of our dive boat

if  you look close our mast is just to the right of the power boat

Fort Montagu Nassau Bahamas was finished the latter end July, 1742, and mounted eight 18, three 9, and six 6 pounders. Within the fort is a terraced cistern, containing thirty tons,of ram water and so contrived as to receive all that falls within the fort, with a drain to carry off the superfluous water; there are barracks for officers and soldiers, a guard room, and powder magazine, bomb proof, to contain ninety-five barrels of powder; two of its sides are close upon the sea, and the two land sides are well secured by mastich pallisades.

yep that is me snorkeling

Tom 

little hungry fishes

Arthur one of our crew

rain on the horizon

Our first rainbow in the islands

First impressions -Nassau 1-28

We are in the Bahamas, not the "get off a cruise ship and go to designated areas" Bahamas. We are in a small marina that has a "hotel attached to it. The closest I can come to describing it would be a motel 6 on the back end of a small city or places your really don't want to go in a large city. The pool is clean, our showers are cleaned every day, there is a decent laundry room but this is not Paradise Island. We are paying $1.50 per foot to stay here, electricity is metered and water is 8$ a day if you use it or not. Wi-Fi is a pay as you go, or walk to the Starbucks across the street. Across the bridge is the Posh marina at $4.00 a foot, Plus everything else. You can understand why we are on this side. 

 There are private guards in the shopping center, the stores have iron bars and thick chain locks on the doors. Houses, stores with parking lots, car dealers, entrance to marinas, have thick walls and many have razor wire strung across the top. We have been warned not to go out at night. 

It boggles your mind that people are that afraid, but they are friendly and care free during the daylight hours.  

We decided to walk to town - this was a challenge - sidewalks are a hit or miss thing until you have gotten where the cruise ships dock. There are buses, or Jitneys you can get on if you know the places where they stop. People were very helpful directing us to a stop, after the walk into town I was pooped. 

Shopping in Nassau is for the rich and famous or super budget  3 t shirts for 10$. There are dozens of high end jewelry stores that the Cruise ship people flock to. Gucci, John Bull, Carlo Milano , Breitling the names just drip money and there really weren't any bargains that I could see.

Tomorrow we are going to go exploring - the zoo's , forts, gardens, maybe find a beach. 

For now

the view from our dock

Tom at Starbucks this mornings

odd, the Government Plaza had these picture frames, but nothing in them? 

we went into the  parliament building  

This piece of masonry representing a link in the chain of Parliaments of the
British Empire, came from Westminster hall in London England and was
presented to the late Harocourt Malcolm  Speaker of the House of assembly when he attended a Parliamentary Conference in 1935

Crest atop the Royal Canadian Bank

venturing forth - reach Nassau

We left around 8 am from Great Cay Harbor and moved north to get around  Great Stirrup Cay is a small island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Line purchased the island from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 and developed it into a private island for their cruise ship passengers. There were two cruise ships anchored out and we had to sail further east to clear them.

 Yes we actually did sail for about two hours on Saturday. The winds fell back off and we motor sailed then gave up and just motored to Cabbage cay where the water is deeper than Little Harbor cay the home of Flo's Conch Bar. We did not stop, there were squalls on the horizon and we set anchor and held on. Two other boats S/V Raven and S/V Island Rose join us at Anchor. Glen on S/V Raven had caught some fish and invited us over for dinner. We dingy over between rain drops and were treated to excellent Barracuda (something I never thought I'd say) and red snapper. I provided salad and Ted ( Island Rose) brought potatoes. We had a lovely evening exchanging sea stories. They both have been doing this for over 8 years. 

Sunday morning dawns with bright orange red skies but not to be deterred we started out. We quickly set sails and maintained at least 5 kts the whole day though approaching Nassau the winds were picking up and the seas were filled with wind chop waves that made it an interesting ride into the harbor. 

I think we will be here a couple of days. Looking forward to seeing Dancing Flamingos at the Zoo, visiting some old forts and gardens - maybe some snorkeling. 

for now 

Laura and Tom

Sun rise in Cabbage Cay

moon  reflecting off the water Sunday Morning 

 home on the top of the island

construction going up around Nassau

large fishing boat towing about a dozen smaller boats

this is the first buoy we have seen with no birds, or bird
crap 

Nassau Harbour Lighthouse was constructed about 1816/1817 and is the oldest operating lighthouse in the West Indies. Although the lighthouse is only 69 feet (21 m) above sea level, it is one of the first objects sighted when arriving at Nassau by sea.

January 27th voyage

January 26th  voyage

last Days at Great Cay Harbor, Berry's

Tom and I also have to start growing accustom to "Island Life".  There is a different pace here. Time seems to be the least relevant thing to anyone. 

The people we have meet, fellow boaters as well as tourist we have condos on the Island, have been a joy. We share our adventures and compare notes. Most have been doing this for years. We crossed paths with a woman who is visiting here with her children and husband from Vancouver. He is teaching the local school children how to set in and grow a garden. They are farmers and are on an exchange program for 7 weeks.

Everything has to be brought over here by plane or ship. There are Supply ships that bring most every day things that are suppose to run every two weeks, however we quickly learned this ship was over due and everyone, the residents and visitors alike were anxiously awaiting its arrival. Fresh produce is gold. We brought over cucumbers and avocados and purchased a head of lettuce that we shared with Jon and Arline. When Tom and I went to the store, ( a house that is now a store) the boxes were still out on the floor and customers were pulling things out. I discovered an item called Queen Peas, in coconut milk and purchased a can. I am also getting use to coconut milk and canned milk to do baking. By the way the peas were great - there is a hint of cinnamon in them. I am going to get more to bring back to the states.

Second and third shock - NO ATM's   they will accept credit cards but they prefer cash. 

A load of laundry is 5$ to wash and 5$ to dry - regular loads. So the sheets, towels, shorts and pants were hung around the boat. 

 The people are great, they stop and offer rides, share information and in general help make your stay a unique one. 

I have started to listen to Chris Parker - a weather expert - and realized we had a window to leave and go south over the weekend then another front would move through. We looked at Nassau and decided we would like to spend some time there. Bigger stores and they have a Starbucks. 

Here are a few pictures from Thursday and Friday

Fresh  air sheets, but towels scratchy - need to get Downey

Tom and our Bathing Manatee

Our mast and three others 

Got to have a bird - one of the surprising things is how few we have seen
since we crossed over

Sugar Sand Beach, Berry island, shells, storm clouds

Tuesday January 22nd. 

I would say that it was another day in paradise, however , cool air, dark clouds and another front is moving across the islands bringing cold and rain with it. We are still exploring the area this time taking long walks. This morning we left the map on the boat. We discovered a lot of "trash" old, broken washing machines, cans, bottles, boxes,,tires just tossed to the side of the road.  It really was sad, of course taking care of trash so far from land must be a huge undertaking. 

We are on the largest Island in this group, approximately 7 miles long and 2 1/2 miles wide the terrain is rocky  the highest point 80' above sea level. There are a lot of cars on this island as well as golf carts, but we decided on a second hike to find Sugar Beach and Shark creek. We finally figured out how to get to the beach and I collected some new shells. I can understand how the beach got its name, the sand is ultra fine like bakers sugar and just as sticky. 

We saw the gathering storm clouds , walking quickly for our boat where we left the hatches open. 

Recovering from our two excursions, I made cheesy garlic biscuits to take over for dinner with the Libby's. Jon made delicious conch fritters.

It is still suppose to be cool and windy tomorrow, I think it will be a day for boat chores. 

our route from Bimini to Berry's

the underside of the clouds actually get a green  cast to them

Inflated Sea Biscuit

I believe this is a piece of a purple bleeding sponge

The water was cool - clear and salty

Turkey wing Ark

scallop

different kinds of clam shells