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We consider Conception
our turn around point although our next stop was Thompson Bay, Long
Island which is further south. On the way from Conception we saw the
largest water spout in our experience. By the time we got the camera
out, it had begun to recede back into the cloud but was still pretty
awesome. This spout is on the far side of Long Island so its apparent
large size is not because of perspective. We had squalls forecast in the
area and are certainly glad we weren’t in the one that spawned the
spout. |
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We have been
starved for good Wi-Fi. There is a small resort called Long Island
Breeze that has a good connection. However, we can’t get the signal from
the boat so have to haul our laptop ashore to access the internet and
email. From the crowd, you can see we aren’t alone. George is the one
against the back wall wearing a cap. |
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While at the
Breeze and accessing the net, a thirteen year old girl had a pool
birthday party there. Most of the attendees were about Bonnie’s age and
we thought of her as we watched them. When Lynn took their picture, two
younger girls worked themselves into the frame on the left. |
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Diversification.
That describes Stan's Car rentals, bananas, and some vegetables. |
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The local lobster
are a real treat. Add that to the fact that Lynn regularly turns out
dishes fit for the cover of Gourmet magazine and you come up with this
simple yet delicious treat.
It may be difficult to see how large
the tail is in the top photo, but compare it to the wine glass in the
second and you can imagine what a feast it was. Yes that is a full size
dinner plate it's on. |
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Not all our meals
are on the boat. George is enjoying cracked conch in the shade at the
SOU' SIDE BAR AND GRILL. |
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Bob and Joan's
house High Cliff.
What a view they
have. There is also a path down to the shore and when it is calm enough,
they snorkel and kayak reefs and shore.
I failed to get
pictures inside, but it is open and airy, perfect for the tropics. |
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Getting around Hawks
Nest marina and resort is done by grabbing one of their bicycles.
Lynn is in front of the
office.
George pedals by in
front of Sunspot Baby.
The yellow sun shade
makes a big difference in the cabin temperature. |
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The full moon over Exuma Land and Sea
Park HQ. |
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We frequently volunteer for duties at
the Park. Here George is loading up to help build a stair rail on
Cistern Cay. He and Bruce (at the helm) did that while the other three
were headed to tasks on Shroud. George is the one in the big straw hat. And
away they go. |
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Our dinghy, the Chase Boat floats in the
crystal waters at Exuma Park. |
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We have always enjoyed shopping for
souvenirs and gifts at the Nassau Straw Market. I guess this year we
decided we had pretty well been there, done that. Lynn bargains without
buying much and leaves with only a small bag.
George waits on a nearby sea wall.
We do always meet interesting people. |
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We continued doing tourist things with
lunch at the Cricket Club. A relic of the British colonial period it is
a bit of faded glory but reminds of some places we frequented in
Singapore. Friends who live here
recommended it and the food was excellent, the prices very reasonable,
the view very nice, and they had mutton curry for George. |
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We like Ardastra Gardens even though it
is "for the birds." |
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Just because the weather has us stuck in
Nassau, doesn't mean we shouldn't take advantage. On 4/24 George signed
up for a couple of dives with the local shop.
Conditions at the dive site were the very
thing that has us staying in the harbor. The seas we 5'+ and breaking.
The dive platform and ladder were bouncing wildly. George did the first
dive, which was OK but decided the level of risk getting back in the
boat was not justified for a recreational dive and gave the second one a
miss.
Pictures taken as dive boat was returning
to the marina. George is in the yellow T' shirt. |
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We were beginning to think Lynn was
going to be skunked in fishing this year but just before we sailed onto
the banks at Northwest Channel, she hooked this nice Mahi. She caught a
barracuda earlier in the day, but that doesn't really count. She lost
another Mahi near Cat Island when her line broke a few weeks ago.
This one she landed and it was a nice size
fish. We're guessing 25 pounds. Not long after, it was filleted and in
the freezer. She doesn't fish on the banks because about all you get are
barracuda and Spanish Mackerel, neither of which we normally eat.
Good job Lynn! |
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Sunset on the Great Bahama Bank. When
the sun comes up, we will be out of the Bahamas and in international
waters in the Gulf Stream. Farewell
Bahamas and all our friends there. |
