Southern Exumas to Georgetown

On our way south to Georgetown from our New Year stay in Staniel Cay, we stopped for a night to anchor off Musha Cay, an island owned by David Copperfield the magician.  He commissioned a very interesting piece to be placed in a very interesting location—underwater.

So we dove the mermaid piano and enjoyed the sheer novelty of finding this underwater scene.  Sorry, photos are not so great, as our timing put us at a tide change, making it difficult to snap a shot while being pushed back by a couple of knots of current

Georgetown feels like civilization, and we did reconnect with friends, which is always a treat.

fresh conch salad

The youngest Wagner, Mom and Grandpa

resident dolphin plays with swimmers

volleyball at Chat 'n Chill beach

pot luck picnic at Flip Flop Shack

When Marcus and Jeni passed through on their way to Rum Cay aboard their new boat, Walrus, we took the next available weather day to join them, heading east and south along with Chris and Sarah on Pendana.  Actually, it was not a great opportunity for Independence as far as the sea state goes and its affect on our un-stabilized boat with a hard-chine bottom.  That unfortunate combination causes the boat to roll tremendously, back and forth when in a beam sea.  Paul, wisely, insisted that I make this passage aboard 85-ft. Pendana which made the voyage much more manageable.  I was however, feeling anxious and a bit sea-sick just looking through the binoculars at Independence making way just behind us—bobbing around in the rough seas like a cork, bouncing and rolling….

Walrus

Thanks to the presence of Walrus, Pendana and our dear friends Sue and Oscar, as well as Bobby and Gro, we had a really pleasant stay at Rum Cay.  We shared many meals and enjoyed the island’s riches.  Sharks still abound in the marina, which is currently under no management and has no services.  Dock at your own risk and fend for yourself.

Sarah, Chris, Bobby- aboard Walrus

cool fold-out table on Walrus

did I mention we eat well?

Aboard Pendana

big space on Pendana

resident sharks

Bobby and Gro's farm

chez Sue & Oscar

Lucky timing allowed us to once again attend Delores’ birthday party—this time a spry 84 years young.  The community arrives at Kay’s bar with appetizers and lots of good cheer, and local drummers provide rocking Bahamas rhythm.

Birthday Girls chooses Paul as her dance partner

A few adventures included a walk and dinghy ride to salt pond, a rugged ride to a north beach picnic, bush-whacking to the local sour orange tree for a bounty harvest, and finally catching a shark-eaten wahoo!