The Exuma Cays, Land & Sea Park - updated
Lynn & Mike ..around the world
Mike Drinkrow & Lynn v/d Hoven
Thu 11 Jun 2009 00:34
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24:31.86N 076:47.80W Cambridge Island to Waderick Wells to Shroud
Cay
For the last few days we have been motoring through the
Exuma Marine park - a nature conservancy of about 35km long covering a number of
cays (pronounced "keys"). The park was set up in the 1950's to protect the sea
and animal life, and not even shell collecting is allowed. The park has gorgeous
anchorages, many of which have mooring balls to protect the corals.
Off Cambridge Cay is a small island with two
spectacular caves at the waterline. We swam through the entrance into a large
cavern with holes in the 'roof' allowing the sunshine to light up the dramatic
stalagmites. The current outside the caves is very strong and we were happy to
have our dinghy close at hand. To the north of the island we dived on a small
aeroplane wreck and then in the "seaquariaum" - a well buoyed area of
coral with abundant sea life.
  Our next stop was Waderick Wells, the head office of the
park, where we anchored in the south, off Hog Cay. While snorkelling off the
back of the boat I spotted 3 giant lobsters, which sadly we could not touch.
Amazingly these animals seem to know that they are not in danger, being far less
timid than usual. The park headquarters are located in a beautiful setting
.
 We then continued north to Shroud Cay. We motored
across "The Banks", the shallow left hand side of the islands - the
other side of the Exumas, with much deeper water, is called "The Sound"
This uninhabited island is a huge mangrove swamp that is home to many nesting
birds and baby conch. While walking on the beach we saw the most incredible
display of nature... worthy an "Oscar". A mother Wilson's Plover had a nest with
2 chicks and an egg on the dune - as we approached she ran off in the
opposite direction making a huge noise to distract us. We stood still and
watched her. Feeling this was not enough, she then started thrashing around like
an injured bird, first with one broken wing and then with both hanging
helplessly at her sides, all the time crying out. This magnificent performance
to distract the predators (us) and so protect her young.
  We are treated to the most amazing sunsets!
The last two weeks has seen pretty wonderful tropical
weather for tourism, but not all that great for sailors. Very, very little wind,
a few isolated thunderstorms, and very warm water - in some shallow places
is has been up to 30degC. We have also been plagued by flies and mosquitoes
...driving us crazy. Mike has made a super fly-swatter from some leather and a
dowel, that is being used regularly. Cleaning up the blood splatters on the roof
and the dead flies on the floor is another story. Quite a few evenings we
have shut the doors and windows, put on the generator and airconditioner,
to get a little peace from nature. The Exuma Rummy Challenge is now on the
go again, and I am happy to report that at this stage I am winning. I suspect
that card counting on Campari is a little easier than on Whisky!
We will hopefully have access to the internet again in
Nassau, where we drop Willy off next week. Lots of love to you all. Lynn,
Mike & Willy
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