More photos

Coconut water-- Rum Cay Day

Happy Birthday Rachel & Jenny

Building the fire pit

Livin' it up at Rum Cay

Burning Man

Rachel- fire dancing

A ride to town on Rum Cay Day

sample feasting

Fred, Marcus & Paul (Marcus' boat)

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Rum Cay

Having just completed a week of fun with our buddies, Jen & Fred from home, we are feeling simultaneously the emptiness, and the slow—“now, what?” kind of feeling.

Oh sure, there is always the mountain of laundry to contend with, but let’s let that rest for a bit….

The Bahamian sun is beaming down, the southeast wind consistently breezing through the marina, and happily keeping the sand gnats (noseums) away.

As our stay extends, we become more and more bonded with the “family” of marina long-term guests, employees, and general gang that keeps things happening around here. There is an ebb and flow of people coming and going- by boat, by plane—often making it quite lively, sometimes easing into a short quiet solitude.

Rum Cay Day, the annual celebration for all descendants, friends and relatives of this island, has just been enjoyed with 2 days of music, food and drinks! The Lady Frances (the supply boat that comes in weekly) has been berthed at Government dock for two days, as it brought in the off-islanders, and musicians, etc. The local ladies cooked up heaps of Bahamian treats—conch salad, conch fritters, fried fish, fried chicken, mac & cheese, sheep’s tongue souse, sweet potato-coconut bread, and other treats. (uh-huh, very low-cal)

The kiter-kids have been very busy building a fire pit on the beach, next to the burning man sculpture, and we had a great bonfire & birthday celebration for Jenny and Rachel. There was some fabulous fire-dancing, and birthday dessert and a good time had by all.

Fishing has been keeping us in tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Pot-lucks and group dinners are an almost daily event. The feasting is always gourmet.

Best wishes to everyone, Spring is just around the corner!

Honorable visit and Valentine's Party

Sharing the Valentine Love

loaded down for the pot-luck

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Yesterday the Governor-General of the Bahamas, Sir Arthur Foulkes, paid a visit to little ol’ Rum Cay. For weeks ahead of time, there was an island-wide spruce up—the ladies were in the old cemetery, hoeing, raking and burning up the weeds; the island’s only lawn mower made it’s appearance along the edges of the town roads; the airport (shed) was decorated with Bahamian banners.

Paul and I went to the reception and presentation at the one-room schoolhouse, which was packed to capacity with about 50 seats and standing around the edges. The school kids performed brilliantly—singing songs, reciting poems and history of Rum Cay, and presenting gifts to the honored guests. All the town dignitaries were there in crisp uniforms (the 2 nurses in their starched white caps & gowns, constables, etc).

Sir Arthur Foulkes is a gentleman, who started out as a journalist, likes jazz and opera, and spoke directly to the young students, imploring them to read books always, and to stay in school. He brought a message of unity to the people, noting how expensive & difficult it was to run a government over the many islands of the Bahamas, and he highlighted the talented Bahamians who have won Olympic medals and achieved fame in arts and entertainment.

We forget that these islands just achieved their independence less than 40 years ago. Imagine the growing pains and challenges to a country that offers no exports. Anyway, our slice of paradise certainly has a gritty reality.

After his visit, at the end of the day, there was a pot luck Valentine party at Kay’s Restaurant. Most of the gang from the marina & some other cruising folks were there, as well as many of the white folks who reside here in the winter, and over a dozen locals. A happy time, sharing the love…

This morning, after my bike ride and yoga on the dock, I happily consumed a huge bowl of cereal with Sue's homemade creamy coconut milk - yum!

Island Life

Our morning bike ride

Nice catch, guys!

The northeast side of the island

Oscar, Paul, Roy & Dimitri

Chrys, Sue, Suzette -- another group dinner

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Is it February already? It will be a short one, then we will roar into March…

Out travels have stabilized, now that we are at Rum Cay. Settled in like part of the family, we are fortunate to have Electra at the dock, also for an extended stay. This means some more good buddies and constant activity and interesting events going on.

Dinnertime is usually a large social event, that involves gathering up at the marina restaurant (which we surreptitiously take over) and cook our catch, bring prepared dishes up from our boats, and/or eat something delicious prepared by Rasta, Bobby or various “guest chefs”.

The days roll on, and we fall into the island rhythm. Maintenance, cleaning and cooking, although essential, take on a kind of island-aspect – almost a social activity. We all share the day’s events, the day’s catch and the day’s momentum.

Today, as the unexpected wind blows steadily out of the southeast, I appreciate the peacefulness and freedom of not having a schedule or deadline. The laundry is drying on the line in Sue & Oscar’s yard and we are drying our bodies after a refreshing swim in the glittering turquoise water. Yes, life is good and we are truly blessed.

PS Meanwhile, an historic moment unfolds in Egypt, and it is just incredible to me how the power of the internet has influenced, abetted, and informed so much social and political change in such a blink of an eye! What an amazing world we live in…