|
The entry channel to Spanish Wells, though well marked
can be tricky and with shallow, hard reefs abounding, a mistake can be
costly. The settlement is more prosperous than most other places in
the Bahamas with fishing being the main source of revenue. The
waterfront can appear deserted when the fleet is out or crowded when
they are in.
Lobster is the big crop and the season closes on April 1. This
photos was taken 3/29 so most of the boats are out trying for one last
good catch. If you have had a lobster at Red Lobster, it probably came
from Spanish Wells.
The kids all attend the "All Age School" on the island although I
assume some high school kids go off island since I saw few of them.
Perhaps they are already on the fishing boats. |
|
Houses are typically block construction with stucco
and are well maintained whether they are large of small.
Usually white trimmed with some bright color, there are occasional
other hues. |
|
People wonder why we carry so many provisions with us
when we leave on these extended cruises. Cost is a big reason. In
the Top photo, George stands holding $75 worth of groceries (no big
ticket stuff).
Below Lynn holds $80 worth of sea food. Now it is 5 1/2 pounds of
stone crab claws and some grouper steaks, but still. . . |
|
A manatee has adopted the waterfront, or perhaps it's
the other way around. Dubbed
Rita, she is pregnant and per a marine
biologist brought in to check her out she is due any day. The
community brings in large cabbages to make sure she has plenty to eat
and the school kids hang out at the docks waiting for her to appear.
When she does, they scramble to feed her.
It is hard to get a manatee picture because there is seldom much of
them out of the water.
Rita's nose will pop up to take a piece of floating cabbage but
just as often takes it from the hand of one of the kids.
It may be wrong to feed wild animals, but the community has really
taken Rita to heart. She is entirely free to come and go as she
pleases, and often does take off on her own. Otherwise, she wouldn't
be pregnant. She has her own Facebook Page.
Click here to see it. |
|
On Wednesday 3/31 we hired a pilot to take us out of
Spanish Wells and through the reefs to the Ridley Head waypoint. While
the pilot cost $40 it saves over 10 miles on the trip, 1 1/2 to 2
hours. Obviously we didn't need him through the channel in town, but
once out of marked channels, local knowledge is a must. They could
probably put in a couple of navigation aids and make it easy for
cruisers to come and go, but then look at all the money those pilots
would lose.
Once outside and way from the effects of shore we had smooth water
with a long swell. Very much the kind of day we used to enjoy on the
Pacific. |
|
I took this picture to use in our seminars. Each year
you take your boat out of the US, then you must by a customs decal.
These are ours. They aren't a lot of money and it is sure a hassle if
you don't have it. We didn't know about the requirement the first year
until we were already out of country. Something good for new cruisers
to know. |
|
Welcome to Hope Town. It could
just be the most photogenic village in the Bahamas.
Its most notable land mark is the lighthouse. This one actually
still has a lighthouse keeper and the light is a kerosene lamp as
opposed to electric. Most of the lighthouses in the Bahamas have been
converted to automated electrics. Perhaps more efficient but less
romantic than the old technology.
Sunspot Baby is moored very near the lighthouse. The harbor is
small and well protected but there is no longer room to anchor since
it is filled with mooring balls. That gives better use of the limited
space and is safer than having boats at anchor dragging in high winds.
There is a charming waterfront with shops, cafes, and houses. Most
of the houses are rental cottages.
The beach is a short walk from the harbor on the protected side in
the Sea of Abaco, to the open Atlantic. This shot is right behind the
blue house above.
We found a cottage we thought we might afford but it seems to be all
boarded up :-)
Like the rest of the Bahamas, the residents are largely very
religious. This is St. James church, which carries the tradition of
Caribbean colors. Someone can be seen cleaning the entry after the
Easter crowds.
"Enter Into His Gates With Praise."
We stopped at "Munchies" for lunch. Lynn had the lobster salad in
the shade of a large tree.
|
|
A day of diving going out of
Hope Town with Froggies Dive Shop.
Lynn and George after the first dive. Lynn skipped the second after
a hard swim in the first.
George with Dive Master Scooby. Look at the size of that guy's
hand.
As usual the last diver back to the boat is George. If it weren't
for the wave splashing in his face you could see him smiling.
Back on the boat and ready to stow gear.
The dive boat motored right by Sunspot Baby on the way back in.
It was nice to get wet again. |
|
We grow "green hair" along the water line
just above the bottom paint. About once per month we give it a
cleaning. Here we see George in snorkel gear doing the job in White
Sound, Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas. We let it go a bit too long
this time and it was a booger to get clean. |
|
We're on the dock at Bluff House on Green
Turtle for a while We walked around the resort property a bit. The old
Bluff House is atop the ridge with a nice view of both the White Sound
and Sea of Abaco sides. The top photo is looking down the hill to
the marina. Sunspot Baby can be seen at the dock.
The lower photo is looking down the island toward New Plymouth, the
only town on Green Turtle Cay. |
|
While "eating our dockage" at
the weekly Bahamian Night a local Junkanoo group performed. It's all
percussion, bells and drums. We have seen other groups include
whistles.
No masks of fancy hats here, just shiny outfits. |
|
On Tuesday 4/13 we rented a golf cart with Andy and Sally from Sequel
and toured the island. It is very picturesque. The top photo is a
panorama of the settlement New Plymouth from across the harbor.In
down town, the old streets are too narrow for two way traffic so they
are one way only.
Many of the buildings are old but well maintained. Here we see the
post office through a fence covered with bouganvilla.
On the way into town, we met the horse Joe who stopped us to see if
we had any goodies for him. Sally's body language says she wishes he
wouldn't be quite so friendly.
If you want one of those valuable antique anchors folks display in
their yards, there is one laying in the harbor at low tide protected
by no more than a tern looking for lunch.
A local craftsman builds model boats for sale. This shot is inside
his tiny work shop.
At the dinghy dock, there is a sign that says "Remember These
Shores." We certainly will. The small building behind us and to the
right is the local fire station.
They have a cute logo on the side of the fire station.
On the way back to the boats, we stopped at three different beaches
to do a little beach combing.
There is a risk to beach combing because there are so many
Portuguese men of war jelly fish washed ashore. This can sting you
even after they are dead the the sting is MAJOR. We were careful and
came away with only pictures of them.
|
|
From the pictures, one might
assume that the cruising life is just one happy hour after another.
Not so, well at least not quite. This sharing of good times is at the
old Bluff House Lodge atop the highest point on Green Turtle.
We were treated to music by Rob on Sojourn.
Lynn poses on the deck with New Plymouth in the background. Her
hair is a good indication of how the wind was blowing. |
|
The manager of Bluff House
brought out old newspaper articles featuring the treacherous Whale
Passage.
|
|
Leaving Bluff House and sailing
to other anchorages to stage up for a crossing back to Florida, We
sailed for a bit near Double Wide who was double reefed.
They took this shot of us zooming along under a reefed Genoa in 2 foot
seas. |
|
Sunday morning 4/17 we were a
Crab Cay and delaying departure to arrive after sunrise and on the
flooding tide at Ft. Pierce. We call this our last sunrise, although
it is really just early morning.
Sunset Trader passed us as we sailed across the banks, and took
this shot of us.
We also photographed them.
Toby snuggles into the crook of Georges legs as they both go off
watch for 3 hours.
Lynn captured our last Bahama sunset of the season and was treated
to a beauty. |