We're Baaaaaaaaaaack
Ambler Isle
V and S
Wed 13 Apr 2011 11:15
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April 12, 2011
After a whirlwind visit, Eric, Sharon, and Emma left for
Washington this afternoon. The adults spent the morning packing. Emma spent
the morning smoozing her grandparents. Although only four, she knew
she was leaving and seemed to want to make the final bond with us.
Jim and Janie from Pirate came by and offered to take the luggage
2 miles across Elizabeth Harbour to Exuma Market where we were meeting Vencil,
Taxi number 23. He'd drive them to the airport. Once they departed,
we went and bought a few supplies. The vegetable farmer was in town and we
stocked up on homegrown tomatoes, green peppers, and even a papaya.
Jim and Janie met us at Nezzie Hot Dog stand for conch fritters.
Nezzie had not yet heated up the cooking oil so we had a little 45 minute
wait. But that was ok, we really are in the Bahamas, Mon. We passed
the time chatting with old Bahamian ladies who'd stopped by to visit with
Nezzie. We swapped conch recipes with them.
The week was a fantastic one. We went to a
different beach each day. We took hikes. We saw sea turtles, fish,
rays, conch, even a rare pod of dolphins. Emma, a very brave swimmer
learned to snorkel with a mask and snorkel and also enjoyed "deep sea"
swimming off the back of the Amber Isle. Her Dad swam nearby at all
times, but she was dog paddling on her own. The Belle of the Harbour, Emma
received many small gifts from the cruisers: toys, beads,
necklaces.
Many boats have left Georgetown. Less than
100 remain. Some have travelled to other islands. Some are
already back in the US. We hope to stay until
June 1. We really enjoy the place when it is
less crowded.
A huge yacht Apoise anchored near us a few days
ago. Today the crew of 15 went ashore. They raked the sand, erected
tents and umbrellas. Guests aboard the big boat could now go ashore and enjoy
all the comforts of the yacht. Tenders went back and forth delivering
people. Several jet skis sat near the beach, ready for fun. Ah, the
rich are different.
Although there was much to do on the boat, we opted for
a nice nap. Then we gathered up the stored trash and took it back to
town. We noticed that a few Family Island Regatta sloops were already in
the harbour. Hammers beat and sawed buzzed as the tiny wooden food shacks
in Regatta Point were being constructed. The big event would start in 2
weeks. It goes for about a week and is the national "playoffs".
People come from all the islands, even from Nassau. Some arrive in ships
with sleeping compartments, others stay at family homes. Fishermen bring
their trawlers for the regatta. While it is not our favorite event here, we will
probably attend some of the activities. It seems to be one week-long drunk
for the locals. And in the evening the music cranks up full blast as full
figured Bahamian women and girls dance for the enjoyment of the crowd. The
wiry Bahamian men watch, drooling at the sight. I
imagine there are many births in January as a result.
Back in the anchorage area off Stocking Island, we took
a lazy dinghy cruise. We went close to shore in some of the little coves,
searching for a shallow, level spot to take Amber Isle for a bottom
cleaning. Seems that where it is 5' it is also lumpy bottom. The
perfect site is level enough to stand up and scrub.
We have enjoyed near perfect weather the past several
weeks. Sunny, cloudfree, light winds, low humidity. The reports call
for it to continue. Although there are cold fronts off Florida, a high
pressure ridge it shielding us from them. Don't I sound like a real
weatherman? This calm means that even the ocean (Sound) side is calm and
may tempt us out to snorkel. Maybe hunt for some fresh
fish. Tomorrow we may move the boat back from this Sand Dollar
anchorage to the Monument anchorage. Oh no! This almost sounds like
PLANS. And you know we have no plan and we stick to it.
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