Exumas Allan Cay and Highborne Cay - 24:42N 76:49W
Neki
Thu 7 Jul 2011 15:33
We had a nice motor sail for 4.5 hours over 12 - 20 feet of gin clear water
to Highborne Cay in the Exumas. This is a very popular spot as the water is
unparalleled for its beauty and the choice of ideal anchorages. We first
stopped in Allan Cay. This is the only place in the Bahamas that has the
endangered Exuma Iguana. The island is covered with them so we took the
dinghy ashore to see them. They are very aggressive towards humans because
they associate people with food. Despite the signage saying not to do it
people still feed them. Watching 2 dozen lizards come charging out of the
bushes for food is a very intimidating event. We stayed for a hour then
stopped on a sand bar and swam for a while.
Our anchorage was off Highborne Cay. Eric the kids and I took the dinghy
around to the NE cove and went ashore. We brought the whiffle ball bat and
ball and set up a game on the beach. The teams were Alex and I versus the
boys and Eric. It was close but Alex and I won 19 - 16 in 3 innings.
We had a great meal aboard and went to bed happy to be in a peaceful
anchorage for the night.
The wind was blowing in the morning so Eric and I got up early and took the
kites to the beach for my first kite boarding session in two years. The wind
was relatively light 10 - 15 knots and blocked by the island. Eric got the
kite flying and body dragged far enough offshore to get some clean wind. I
took the dinghy out and we switched spots. I had hundreds of miles of
downwind in front of me so the pressure to stay upwind was off. I got up and
started to roll with no pressure of running into anything or anyone. After a
short while, and some great coaching, I began to stay up wind. I pulled a
couple of turns without falling and ultimately had a great session.
After a couple of hours we went back to the boat and took the family on
their first water skiing expedition. We launched the tube from the boat and
took the three kids to shore. They are experienced tubers so this was a
breeze. Eric drove the boat while I helped the guys get started from the
shallow water on the beach. Ian volunteered first. He got right up and then
crashed after a couple of short runs. Alex did the same thing but stuck with
it a little longer and made a number of laps past the beach. Her grin was as
white as the dinghy as she proudly cruised by. We took a short break for
lunch and repeated the morning's activities. Eric and I re-launched the kite
and I had a much better session. My downwind distance was much, much smaller
as some of the coaching sunk in. Alex water started from the boat, even with
a 4 foot Barracuda under her, and skied to the beach. She made many laps and
did very well and now can consider herself a skier! Ian was determined to
stay up and admirably showed grit and determination. He got up, stood up,
and made a couple of laps. He even did two water starts after he fell. Ian
can consider himself a skier.
That night we stayed salty and had a beach BBQ. Adriane and Eric brought
charcoal while the family scrounged up fire wood. We built a cool fire pit
and got the "stove" lit. While the coals warmed up Ian, Luke, and Mom played
a game of Home Run Derby. We set up a field in the sand and I pitched to all
the players. Ian took an early 6-0-0 lead and then Mom came on strong. The
teams settled in and the score got close Ian 9, Mom, 8, and Luke 2. Mom
dropped out and it was down to Luke and Ian. Ian jumped out to a 14 - 5 lead
but Luke came on strong. It was a close one but Luke's rally fell just short
as Ian won 18 - 16!
We had snapper from the fire, sweet potatoes, and green beans. Afterward we
made S'Mores for desert and stoked the bonfire. We had a blast. We doused
the fire properly with water and sand and heading in for a well deserved
nights rest. There were even fireworks from a M/Y to cap the night off!
