05: Cruising: Bahamas
Island Hopping

Island Hopping

After a busy, fun week in Staniel Cay topped off by a starter scare, we are ready to move along. Our merry band of two boats has expanded to four: Paul and Phyllis on s/v (that stands for “sailing vessel”) Caper, Bill Roy on s/v Providence, our buddies David and Nikki on Surely Boo and us.

 

The four of us race to the next island along the Exumas (we literally race, which makes it more fun. Except Surely Boo are amazing racers and beat us every time. I think we’re getting a little better though).

 

We drop anchor with 40 other boats in Black Point. This place is a good stop-over as it offers free trash disposal, free water, and cheap laundry.

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If you get lost on Black Point, something is definitely wrong – look at this excellent signage!!

 

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A view of our Black Point anchorage.

 

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Lunch buffet at Lorraine’s cafe.

 

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Our excellent lunch buffet included mac n cheese, bbq chicken wings, curry chicken wings, fried lobster, fried fish, and some veggies.
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A mural at Lorraine’s cafe depicting the Black Point anchorage.
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Adderley’s Grocery Store. Not much here but a few canned goods. We got there just in time as they’d just gotten in a shipment of fresh goods – one large box filled with a few tomatoes, green bell peppers, some onions, and one package of hot dogs.

Next day and a new island: Little Farmer’s Cay and a small, beach anchorage right in front of Ty’s Sunset Bar & Grill. Stéphane and I explore a local cave before we meet the gang at Ty’s. Over rum drinks and dinner, we plan our route for the next day’s big journey to the place we’ve been talking about since the beginning of all of this: the cruiser’s Mecca: George Town.

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Providence and Caper racing along (Surely Boo was too far ahead to include in the photo!)
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Cautiously approaching our new anchorage at Little Farmer’s Cay – were able to find and anchor in deep enough water for once!
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Hike to the secret cave.
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The cave – stalactites and stalagmites and and a fresh water pool. We passed a group on our way down that were headed up to the cave to snorkel with flash lights!
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New and old friends! Paul and Phyllis (Caper) and Bill Roy (Providence). We actually met Bill at No Name Harbor before we crossed The Gulf.
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Planning session for the next day’s sail. Confirming the route with the pros.
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Cheers! As Bill Roy says, “This does not suck!”
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Sunset. Free Range on the right.
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Looking for the green flash at sunset.
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Dinner time!
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A fun night with friends.

 

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This post would not be complete without another shot of our Free Range! She’s keeping us safe and taking us to amazing places.

3 thoughts on “Island Hopping

    • Author gravatar

      Some sort of a bug got a hold of me so haven;t been on line for over a week. Just caught up with your last 6 postings. Lovely to see you and Stephane enjoying your island hopping. How about those tan bodies! and Sara, love your island dress!

      • Author gravatar

        Hello Grandma! Doesn’t she look gorgeous in that dress? 🙂

      • Author gravatar

        Hi Grams!
        I hope you are feeling better now?! You never get sick!! We are definitely enjoying the island hopping although now we are on a “break” from that as we are in George Town, where ALL the cruisers go and most stay for the entire winter! We’ll stay for a bit but we’ll get a move on further south in a week or so, I think.

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