Skipper of Black Diamond, Ed Radonic out on Delivery…

 

I will be assisting friends with the delivery of their new sailing yacht “Sealight” a 43 foot Beneteau. This is an “X” Charter Yacht from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The goal is to deliver this yacht safely to it’s final home at the Port Credit Yacht Club in Toronto, Canada. I will make up the crew along with other friends of the new owners, Tracey & Neilson Ruiz, most of whom are also members of the Port Credit Yacht Club.

I will be joining them for a total of 21 days from the BVI’s to The Turks & Caicos, then on to George Town, Exuma where our families will join us, my wife Roxane, kids Thomas and Alexander along with Neilson’s wife Tracey and their kids Natasha and Nicholas. We will then spend 10 days enjoying the Bahamas enroute to Nassau. There we will fly home, and Neilson will be joined by other crew that will continue on to Charleston. I will then return with my own crew, and Captain to boat from Charleston to New York City.

This delivery is now successfully completed without incident, praise God for being with us through out the voyage.

 

More details on photos on this later. But for now you can get some details on Sea Light’s web site…..

http://sailingsealight.com/

 

During the delivery we spent 10 days of cruising in the Exumas with our families, check out the video link below…..

 

Bahamas Pigs from Roxane R. on Vimeo.

George Town, Docking at Exuma Docking Service Marina.

Cleaning up with fresh water at the docks. (c) Copyright 2009

We are in the first couple weeks of January 2009, and planning to leave the boat in George Town Bahamas for a couple of months. We will fly home go back to work and school for a little while, and then back in March Break for a couple of weeks. The plan was to leave the boat on this dock at the Exuma Docking Service dock in George Town, at a cost of about $1,000 per month. Read on down to see what we actually ended up doing. But for now, the job at hand was to clean everything with fresh water. At a cost of about 10 cents per liter we had to be careful about the water usage. Washing the boat at home we just ran the hose all we wanted. Here we filled a bucket with soapy water, and then from there applied it with a brush. We hosed the whole boat down carefully with fresh water, and then using a stainless steal cleaning product to remove any apparent start of rust, and oxidization. This product would also coat the stainless steal, and protected from the salt water. As you can see we also cleaned everything and anything that ever had contact with salt water.

Power Boat behind us operates a Christian Mission out of it. (c) Copyright 2009

These were some of the other boats docked with us at the Town dock at George Town. We used this opportunity to do all the laundry and clean up the boat for an extended leave. The boat behind us here, was used as a base for a Christian mission. The owner was a self funded missionary, and did lots of good work to spread the good news of Christ in the Bahamas.

Anchored in front of George Town near Exuma Docking Service Marina. (c) Copyright 2009

Boat heeling at the docks in extremely low tide. (c) Copyright 2009

At low tide the boat was sitting on it’s keel. This does not harm the boat, but it is uncomfortable. However, there is a danger of the boat scraping against the dock, and getting all scratched up and damage. The tide goes up and down every 6 hours. Can you imagine leaving the boat here unattended for 2 months. The port side would have been a mess by the time we got back. I had to get up in the middle of the night and make sure the fenders were positioned properly, and the docket lines were set up properly. Also the docks are open to public accesses. I have been told, I would have to worry about the boat being vandalized or items stolen. We decided to leave the boat elsewhere, look for the next post to see where.

Another view of our heel at the docks in low tide. (c) Copyright 2009

My next post will be exactly about where we ended up, but I have not had the time to update my blog for awhile…We’ve had a few readers ask this question, so the answer is below.

Basically right across the bay from George Town, on Stocking Island, there is a place called St. Francis.

Its a small private resort. They run the hurriacane hole right out front of their place. They charge about $300 to $350 per month for you to leave your boat on their moorings. I left my brand new Jeanneau there for 3 months, and felt very safe about it. It is protected from all sides from wind and waves. Only one way in and out, and with a keel of over 6 feet, you can only get in at high tide. This made me more secure about some one trying to make off with my boat. Also they keep an eye on it for you, and can see it from their restaurant.

Before this trip, I was worried about leaving my boat on a mooring ball, thinking it was safer at a dock. Now I would only leave my boat on a mooring ball, but in a secure and safe location like St. Francis that I recommended.

Even though some marinas might be safe, the boat will still ride up and down on the dock in tides, and no one will really care if your fender shifted and your boat is getting all scratched up. Also is the dock protected from wind and waves on all sides? The St. Francis hurrican hole is hurrican rated. Only one way in and out, and the owners are always watching the boats. The only thing I would ask is that the mooring line is checked. For me they put on a brand new mooring line. You can dive on it and check it for your own security if you wish.

Exploring Stocking Island, Great Exuma.

Cruiser made hut from various items that washed ashore Stocking Island. (c) Copyright 2009

We spent a couple of days relaxing at anchor, and exploring Lee Stocking Island, Exuma, just outside of George Town. The island is mostly uninhabited, but there are a couple of small resort properties that rent villas. In the picture above you see a cool little hang out we found. This little hut was build by visiting cruisers, each adding something to the project. There is a little sign that says, feel free to add to the collection, but please don’t take anything away.

Snorkeling at the North Tip of Stocking Island. (c) Copyright 2009

Roxane and Alexander explore the shore, while Thomas and I snorkel these beautiful blue waters. We found these huge star fish, about a foot in diameter each. We tried to dry out a few of them in the sun, so that we might be able to keep them and take them home. We actually left them out on a rock for 2 months, and returned later for them. We found that this method did not really work. The star fish dried out to an awful ugly mess, and they still smelled. We later found out the proper way to do it. We saw locals drying them out in the sun upside down and continually filling the underside openings with house hold bleach. Once completed, they will not smell, and keep their shape much better.

Star fish Thomas caught snorkeling, actual size about 1 foot in diameter. (c) Copyright 2009

Anchored in front of Chat & Chill. (c) Copyright 2009

Landing in George Town, Exumas, Bahamas

Arrived in George Town, and Dropped our Anchor beside "Tia Anica" for the night. (c) Copyright 2009

Anchored along Stocking Island just across from George Town, Exumas. (c) Copyright 2009

We arrived to an anchorage in George Town a couple of hours before sun down. We anchored along side “Tia Anica” the large boat we were racing to George Town. They landed just before us, and these were the only convenient spots left to anchor. There are usually hundreds of boats anchored in George Town. So we joined the long line of boats anchored just between the deep mail boat route to George Town and Stocking Island. We were awakened at about 5AM by bright lights and loud engines to find a large container like ship about 200 or less feet from us. This was the Bahamian Mail boat making it’s way through. We were not in it’s way, we had our anchor lights on, and he could see the long line of boats usually anchored here. But for the boat to navigate this difficult shallow route, it must stay in the deep area carved out by the current, it is a sporadic route with bends and turns and it so happened to pass very close to us. This was a normal daily adventure for these mail boats to have to endure. For us it was a bit of a surprise and our worst nightmare at sea, waking up to a container ship a few feet from you about to run you down. I had to shake my head a few times to make sure I was not dreaming.

At the Chat & Chill Bar. (c) Copyright 2009

Having Dinner with one of the staff's kids, at the Chat & Chill. (c) Copyright 2009

Later that same evening we wanted to do some exploring. We were told there was a restaurant just around the bend and down a little ways. We jumped in our dinghy and were on our way. We were worried about our electric motor getting us there and back, so we kept the speed to a slow battery efficient pace. Definitely – if we come back to the Bahamas, we are going to have to get a decent gas motor. We eventually found the little island with a cute little place called the Chat & Chill. It is actually very well known by cruisers and celebrity visitors. We had a nice dinner there, and the kids enjoyed playing with a local boy who’s mom works at the place. You’ll notice all those t-shirts hanging from the rafters. These are actually crew boat shirts – with boats names on them. They are left there as mementos of the visiting boats, and leave their mark there for others to see. They have an amazing guest book, with hundred of boat crew signing there names, we also  left our mark in it. Then back in the dinghy and heading back to Black Diamond in pitch darkness. Good thing we left our blue spreader lights on, they really glow in the dark, and make finding the boat easy amoung hundreds of other anchored boats. One more problem, the battery was getting very low. But, I noticed we were going down wind, so to preserve the juice, I turned the motor off, took off my shirt. The four of us each held a corner of the shirt, and made a down wind sail out of it, and we actually sailed all the way back to Black Diamond with battery juice to spare. The kids thought this was one of the best parts of our trip, sailing the dinghy back with daddy’s shirt.

Roxane made boat-made muffins for breakfast. (c) Copyright 2009

The next morning, Roxane made some great boat made muffins. The boys and I loved them. She was actually able to make bread, pizza and a birthday cake on the boat. In the picture below, we are having dinner with the skipper of  Tia Anica. As I was saying our dinghy did not get very good range. This gentlemen was very helpful and generous, in assisting us on scouting out a few hurricane holes where we might be able to leave the boat for a couple of months while we go back home for a little while, more in the next post on this subject. But below you can see us dining on some of the largest lobster tails I have ever seen in my life. These were caught at a reef just outside Stocking Island. I bought them from a local fishermen, these were the smallest if you can believe that. It is possible to dive down and get your own, but I did not have any luck with that.

Take a look at the size of that lobster tail. Caught at a reef near Stocking Island. (c) Copyright 2009

Cave Cay to Georgetown, Exumas

Horizon of the leeshore, sailing to Georgetown, Exumas.

We exited the cut from Cave Cay, and took the outside route to Georgetown, we were sailing on the outside, as opposed to inside the cays. We chose this as a more direct and quicker route to Georgetown, Exuma. The inside route is a little more tricky, and still calls for deeper draft vessels to exit in order to avoid some of the very shallow areas. There are a few areas in the inside route, that we would not be able to navigate with a draft of 6 1/2 feet. Taking the outside route was less stressful on a beautiful day such as this. Just set your sails, autopilot and enjoy. We had one of the most beautiful day-sails ever, and by the end of the day we were in Georgetown.

Close Hauled and sailing clear of the lee shore.

The wind was very close to the nose, sailing close hauled trying to keep our distance from the lee shore. We were still able to make good speed, about 6 knots in light conditions. We noticed a larger boat ahead, that we could not seem to catch, and he seem to be on the same line as us. Later when we met up with them at the Anchorage, I commented on what a nice sail we had today. Then they admitted that they could not sail that close to the wind, therefore, they had to motor sail all the way to Georgetown, in order to keep off the lee shore. This is one of the advantages of our boat, in conditions like this, we were able to save the iron genny from being pressed into operation,  and we still managed to keep up with them.

My older son Thomas and I, enjoying the ride on the bow.

Having the an autopilot surely has it’s relaxing advantages. We enjoyed the afternoon sail to Georgetown, with a bit of fishing, lunch, relaxing, and enjoying the great weather.

Thomas enjoying the ride.

Cave Cay, Exumas – Bahamas.

Actually - December 2008 to January 2009 & March 2009. (C) Copyright 2008

Our approach to Cave Cay. (C) Copyright 2008

Cave Cay is a beautiful place almost half way from Staniel Cay to George Town in the Exumas. We decided to anchor here for a night, but after discovering how beautiful it was, and all the different activities it offered, we decided to spend an extra night here. Above you see the approach to Cave cay, and below you see the different colours of the Bahamian waters depending on it’s depth. The darker water is deeper water, but you want to also make sure it’s not coral, although there is not much of that in the Bahamas.

You can read the water depths by the colour of the water. (C) Copyright 2008

Anchored at Cave Cay. (C) Copyright 2008

3 Boys and a Dinghy. (C) Copyright 2008

Our dinghy worked out pretty well, the electric motor would run for a couple of hours on the slowest speed. But on normal operation we could only count on it for about 2-3 miles of distance. On full throttle which we needed at Cave Cay to get out of the strong current, it only lasted a few minutes and died. I had to row the dinghy a couple of miles along the shore out of the current all the way back to the mother ship. Overall it was sufficient to get us to shore and back, but could not do alot of exploring. If we come back to the Bahamas we will invest in a larger gas motor. It is recommended that you have at least 10hp or 15hp. I prefer the smaller one, easier to handle, less storage room and fuel requirements.

Exploring a cave entrance. Notice our electric motor. (C) Copyright 2008

One of our most favorite shots of the boys. (C) Copyright 2008

Hey Boys watch out for the Cave Man behind you! (C) Copyright 2008

Thomas Deep in a Cave hole. (C) Copyright 2008

I view of the Cove from the Highland we climbed.

The picture above shows you a view from the highland in Cave Cay. We climbed up to the top of this hill, the view behind us is a little cove formed by little rocky islands. Below you will find close up pictures of this cove, with tiny little beaches. An amazing protected harbour, difficult to get into with a large boat or anything that draws more than 6 feet. At the time we visited it looked like it was still under construction. There was no one around, but the buildings still looked pretty new. There appeared to be a few villas that could be rented, you can arrive by plane or boat. Would be a neat place to visit again.

Doesn't this just look like Paradise on earth. (C) Copyright 2008

Beautifully warm swimming water and private beaches everywhere. (C) Copyright 2008

The beaches don't get any better anywhere else, I don't believe. (C) Copyright 2008

Entrance into the little Cove of Cave Cay Marina. (C) Copyright 2008

Dinghy ride inside the cove. (C) Copyright 2008

Another shot inside the cove. (C) Copyright 2008

Marina Office, on a floating dock, that moves up and down with the tides. (C) Copyright 2008

Air strip at Cave Cay, ready to receive small planes. (C) Copyright 2008

Motorized power generation and battery storage found on the island. (C) Copyright 2008

Black Diamond, Picture perfect anchorage. Sure beats Lake Ontario, Canada. (C) Copyright 2008

Plenty of Shelling and Conch for the picking. (C) Copyright 2008

This Corona is worth its weight in Gold in the Out Islands. (C) Copyright 2008

After a whole day of hiking, snorkeling, dinghy rowing, swimming and much exploring it sure is nice to just relax at this peaceful anchorage with a nice cool bottle of Corona. The sandwich pictured here is made with Roxane’s home baked bread on the boat. You can see why I lost about 30lbs on this trip.

Sunsets like these every night. (C) Copyright 2008

Snorkelling Cave Cay – Exumas Bahamas

Thomas really enjoyed snorkelling Cave Cay. (C) Copyright 2008

Snorkelling around the cut at Cave Cay was the best underwater experience we had in the Bahamas. I am sure there are many more and even more amazing places to snorkel and scuba in the Bahamas. This particular spot we just happen to stumble upon. Within about an hour or so, we saw hundreds of tropical fish, a 3-4 foot large sea turtle and a school of about half a dozen Eagel Rays all pictured below. We also had an encounter with a Baracuda who followed us for about half an hour. I tried to stay between the Baracuda and Thomas, and instructed him to swim on. As we swam the fish just kept on following us around. He would pop up here and there all around us, but would keep a distance from us of about 15 feet. It was a little spookey, they can take a large junk of meat out of you if they wanted too. I have my diving knife ready to go if he came at us.

Alexander standing right by the Cave Cay Cut and light water snorkelling site. (C) Copyright 2008

While Roxane and Alexander explored the rocks around the cut, Thomas and I explored the underwater habitats. Alexander is pictured here right by the Cut in the Cays that forms an access to the Atlantic Ocean. The darker water is the safe passage out to the ocean. The dark water can also have a strong current during the ebb and flow of the tides. You want to stay away from the lighter stuff in a large boat, and away from the dark stuff in your dinghy or you could be taken out to sea. Our electric motor on the dinghy was not the best option for this sort of thing. We actually ran out of batteries and I had row all the way back to the mother ship. You might be able to spot her in the picture above, just under Alex’s left hand near the point.

This is the leeshore on the Atlantic Side of the Cave Cay Cut. (C) Copyright 2008

A lovely natural wadding pool for Alexander. (C) Copyright 2008

Roxane and Alexander had a great time exploring this whole area. (C) Copyright 2008

Not sure what these formations are made of, hardened sand crystals or something. (C) Copyright 2008

A school of Eagle Rays about 25 feet below us! (C) Copyright 2008

.

Thomas commented. “Snorkelling here is just like the Aquariums at Atlantis but you get to actually swim with the creatures!”,

We saw Sea Turtles, Eagle Rays, Baracudas and hundreds of tropical fish with the span of half an hour!



A 3-4 foot large Sea Turtle keeping an eye on us. (C) Copyright 2008

A blue underwater plant or some kind of Coral. Notice the small pink fish! (C) Copyright 2008

Some interesting Coral. (C) Copyright 2008

Can you spot a sponge on the right? Brown and yellowish. Looks like Sponge Bob at Bikini Bottom with some imagination! (C) Copyright 2008

Look how Crystal clear this water is. (C) Copyright 2008

Just loving the warm waters of the Exumas. (C) Copyright 2008

Big Major Spot, Exumas

 

Big Major Spot's Island only has inhabitants of the oink oink kind.

Big Major Spot's Island only has inhabitants of the oink oink kind.

January 2nd, 2009, we left the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and anchored just a couple of miles away. This area is called the Big Major Spot. We figured out later it probably got it’s name for being one of the most popular anchorages in the area. There were literally a hundred boats anchored here, or at least it seemed like it. The population of the crew on these boats probably out numbered the residence at Staniel Cay Island which is only about 100. In the evening the water lit up with boat and anchor lights like a city, mean while the land was dark with no inhabitants other then the wild pigs.

Alex tried to chase the pigs like he did with the Iguanas, they weren't as afraid.

Alex tried to chase the pigs like he did with the Iguanas, they weren't as afraid.

The pigs are of the domestic variety, but live wild here on the island. The boaters love to pull up and feed the pigs. We soon found out why they are called pigs. Rude table manners, and not shy at all, very pushy when it comes to food. The night before after the regatta we were hosted to a pig roast by the locals, I think I know now where they got the pig.

We fed the pigs some table scraps and conch cleaning left overs.

We fed the pigs some table scraps and conch cleaning left overs.

Anchored at Big Major Spot, these pigs are not wild boars but are wild pigs of the domestic variety.

Anchored at Big Major Spot, these pigs are not wild boars but are wild pigs of the domestic variety.

You can see Black Diamond anchored amoung the many boats here. Our’s is the Black boat to Thomas’ left shoulder. That night we dinghyed over to the sail boat Priority, and enjoyed some after dinner deserts with them and their boys. The next morning we are heading out, and making our way to Cave Cay, on route to Georgetown.

Preparing Conch for dinner with the buys from the sailboat Priority.

Preparing Conch for dinner with the buys from the sailboat Priority.

Here the boys prepared and cleaned the conch for dinner. Alexander was very excited about helping out too, Thomas is not into touching what he calls gross things.

Alexander loves wild life, and got right in there helping out.

Alexander loves wild life, and got right in there helping out.

Dakota is showing Alexander how to clean conch. Alexander is holding the meat that came from the shell. He is holding the claw.

Anchoring at Big Major Spot.

A close up of Black Diamond anchoring at Big Major Spot.

Approaching the stern of the boat with our dinghy.

Approaching the stern of the boat with our dinghy.

Staniel Cay, Exumas – New Years!

December 31st, 2008 – New Years Eve Bash at Staniel Cay Yacht Club!

The place to be for New Years in the Exumas!

The place to be for New Years in the Exumas!

The island has a population of only about a 100 people. Staniel Cay Yacht Club and the air strip on this island are owned and operated by the Water Makers company. They provide water making equipment and consumables for many of the islands. This is  good business to be in where you have hundreds of islands having to make their own water. Water is in much demand as fuel in these parts. They also operate flights from the island to Florida a few times per week. It is the quickest and most direct way to flight to Florida for about $260 per person.

New Friends Kim, Duane, Gayle, Scott with Roxane and Ed! From the boats, Zola and Priority.

New Friends Kim, Duane, Gayle, Scott with Roxane and Ed! From the boats, Zola and Priority.

We met some good friends here, Kim and Duane aboard Zola, thier blog can be viewed at www.dkmillar.com They are newlyweds honey mooning for 6 months! Hey that’s longer than some marriages last these days. We were looking for crew for the annual New Years day regatta, and invite them to join us. Gayle and Scott are aboard Priority with their two boys Dakota and Declan. We sailed by each other in Marsh Harbour and noticed we both had young boys aboard. We had an chance to finally meet here at Staniel Cay, their family also joined us for the Regatta, more on that later. New Years Eve we had dinner on our boat Black Diamond, and consumed large amounts of Mahi Mahi that I caught the day before.

Gayle & Roxane.

Gayle & Roxane.

Then of course we had to join the festivities just a hundred feet from our boat slip. The party on the pier and in front of the club house went on for hours past mid-night. The grand finally was a rather professional fire works display. As a sailor, I could not think of a better way to ring in the New Year, but enjoying a party at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club in the Bahamas.

5friends2

On thier 6 month Honey Moon dancing it up, Duane & Kim.

Scott and Gayle live aboard on their boat Priority.

Scott and Gayle live aboard on their boat Priority.

The bar at Staniel Cay Yacht Club always a busy place.

The bar at Staniel Cay Yacht Club always a busy place.

New Year's Eve Party Queens.

New Year's Eve Party Queens.

Late night revelers.

Late night revelers.

Now you know where Captain High Liner retired to...

Now you know where Captain High Liner retired to...

Staniel Cay Yacht Club main dock and club house.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club main dock and club house. Notice Thomas right front and center.

This harbour has a few sand sharks living here under the docks. They are harmless, they are mostly bottom feeders that eat what ever they can find.

Cottages available for rent.
Cottages available for rent.

These lovely cottages overlooking the water can be rented from the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and you also have full use of the facilities and pool. We spend an afternoon by the pool with our new friends. I spent most of the afternoon hosing the boat down, filling the water tanks, fueling up and trying to fix an electrical problem, that turned out to simply be a blown fuse at the dock.

Beautiful Gardening through out this island.

Beautiful Gardening through out this island.

More Cottages available for rent.

More Cottages available for rent.

Small Swimming pool is available for yachters and cottage renters.

Small Swimming pool is available for yachters and cottage renters.

Sunset view from the cottages and the back of your boat.

Sunset view from the cottages and the back of your boat.

The kids also got invited to a kids party on the island.

The kids also got invited to a kids party on the island.

We explored most of the island by foot, walked to one end of the island where the kids were invited to a children’s party that was held by some local Church members. Some kids even rhymed off versus they learned. There was a little dog that followed us all over town, Alexander loved that. We bought a few supplies at the local store and then got a ride by golf cart to the Thunderball Restaurant that is on the site of where the James Bond movie by the same name was filmed. The food is really good, it is worth the visit. Just call them on the VHF they will pick you up with their golf cart. Also if you are into Scuba or Snorkeling you might want to go visit the caves the movie was filmed in. Just watch out for the lion fish, they are poisonous. They are not native to the area, but actually escaped from the Atlantis Resort Aquariums and have multiplied since.

Doggie is driving us to Thunderball Restaurant.
Doggie is driving us to The Thunderball Restaurant on his Golf Cart.

 

Golf carts are the normal mode of transportation in the Bahamas.

Golf carts are the normal mode of transportation in the Bahamas.

 

 

View from the Thunderball Restaurant, this is where one of the James Bond 007 Movies was filmed.

View from the Thunderball Restaurant, this is where one of the James Bond 007 Movies was filmed.

On the Terrace on the Thunderball Restaurant. Alex with an old fishing boat.

On the Terrace on the Thunderball Restaurant. Alex with an old fishing boat.

Another view from Thunderball, look towards the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

Another view from Thunderball, a look at their docks and towards the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.

Highborne Cay, Exumas

 

Mahi Mahi, almost 4 feet long and about 40lbs!

- (c) Copyright 2008 - Mahi Mahi, almost 4 feet long, about 30lbs! Caught south of Highborne Cay on the Ocean side about 2 miles offshore.-

2highbornecay

Notice the sign, $5 per bag of garbage, over 2 bags $25 each. - (c) Copyright 2008

December 28th, 29th and 30th, 2008

After a couple days of anchoring and with the winds picking up to over 25 knots, we just wanted to relax in a marina at a slip. We found ourselves at this beautiful little island called, “Highborne Cay” The population of the island is just 14 people, most of who work at the marina. The grounds are beautiful, just like a resort but more natural. We explored 3 or 4 beaches the island had to offer. The whole island is accessible by walking, there are a couple of roads for the golf carts which are the main mode of transportation.

Highborne Cay Marina

Highborne Cay Marina - (c) Copyright 2008

Looking down from the dock, this little beach is at the end of our slip.

Looking down from the dock, this little beach is at the end of our slip. - (c) Copyright 2008

This little arrangement is made from all the fishing debris that washes ashore.

This little arrangement is made from all the fishermen's debris that washes ashore. - (c) Copyright 2008

Just below this fish cleaning station, you'll find 4-5 sand sharks waiting for a meal.

Just below this fish cleaning station, you'll find 4-5 sand sharks waiting for a meal. - (c) Copyright 2008

A wonderful view from the beach right at the marina.

A wonderful view from the beach right at the marina. - (c) Copyright 2008

Relaxing in the hammocks.

Relaxing in the hammocks. - (c) Copyright 2008

Local homes on the island.

Local homes on the island. - (c) Copyright 2008

While we were at the marina I washed down the boat from the salt. I try to do this every time we pull into a marina. Water is expensive in the Exumas, 50 cents USD per gallon. The 3 days we spent at Highborne cost us over $250 in water, more than we spent on the slip fees. My fault however, I soon learned not to wash the boat with the hose, but rather use a bucket with a wash cloth, much more efficient!

Thomas doing summersaults at the beach.

Thomas doing summersaults at the beach. - (c) Copyright 2008

Notice the waves on the windward side of the island.

Notice the waves on the windward side of the island. - (c) Copyright 2008

Thomas has become a real Micheal Jackson fan.

Thomas has become a real Michael Jackson fan. - (c) Copyright 2008

Just taking a break.

Just taking a break. - (c) Copyright 2008

One of the beaches as the tide goes out, turns into a sand dune.

One of the beaches as the tide goes out, turns into a sand dune. - (c) Copyright 2008

The sun goes down, and the tides go out, what a view.

The sun goes down, and the tides go out, what a view. - (c) Copyright 2008

We met many interesting people at this marina. One evening we hung out with a few other boaters. We met a nice family from Montreal, on their boat, “Private Island” a 59 foot power yacht, and another couple of guys who were delivering a boat to the Turks and Caicos. We got a tour of each others boats, and exchanged notes on our travels. “Private Island” spent $12,000 on fuel for his trip down from New York to Florida. He laughed when I told him that we spent about $100 on the same trip.

Stop signs in the Bahamas.

Stop signs in the Bahamas. - (c) Copyright 2008

It's hard to get a speed ticket without a car or a police officer to give you one.

It's hard to get a speed ticket without a car or a police officer to give you one. - (c) Copyright 2008

Alexander got pretty good at collecting conch himself.

Alexander got pretty good at collecting baby conch. - (c) Copyright 2008

Thomas and Alexander also met a boy named Byron, who lives on island. We went to the beach and snorkeled with Byron, found a soldier crab and some more conch.  Snorkeling in this area you will find a variety of marina life on the reefs; coral, tropical fish, conch, lobster, sting rays, barracuda and the occasional shark. Thomas also met a few other boys from other boats, and they quickly became good friends. Watching movies on each others boats, and chatting it up like old pals. They were all sad when we had to push on to our next port.

Some friends Thomas met and hung out with.

Some friends Thomas met and hung out with. - (c) Copyright 2008

Byron and the boys snorkeling.

Byron and the boys snorkeling. - (c) Copyright 2008

Soldier Crab we found, he invades a shell and takes it over.

Soldier Crab we found, he invades a shell and takes it over. - (c) Copyright 2008

Walking back after a long day at the beach.

Walking back after a long day at the beach. - (c) Copyright 2008

Highborne Cay was all decorated for Christmas, and Black Diamond's Blue lights spreader lights fit right in.

Highborne Cay was all decorated for Christmas, and Black Diamond's Blue spreader lights fit right in. - (c) Copyright 2008

Notice the two little heads just floating in the water beside the boat. These are two delivery Captains we met. They decided to go for a swim with the sand sharks of the Marina in the middle of the night. Apparently the sand sharks are harmless, but you won’t see me trying this real soon.

These are the two nuts, swimming with the sharks at night.

These are the two nuts, swimming with the sand sharks at night. - (c) Copyright 2008