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!

Starting off the New Year

Once again, there were New Year’s festivities at Staniel Cay.  The annual Pirate Party brought out the motley assortment of pirates and wenches..

 

Dawn and Brooks

Connie and Croc (Dundee)

And who are those wild girls dancing on the bar??

The local community throws a free fish-fry/barbecue with open bar for everyone!

Chris, Connie and Croc

Sarah, Chris and Paul

And then, of course, there is the Staniel Cay Yacht Club regatta.  All are welcome, and T-shirts and prizes for everyone.

On a more sobering note, a week earlier a Haitian sloop had gone aground miles away on the banks.  The 130 people aboard fared poorly after spending many hours in the water, and suffering from dehydration and exposure.  There were some fatalities, and the local Staniel Cayans fed the remaining desperate Haitians before the government shipped them back to Haiti.  This type of occurrence is all too frequent in these waters.  A sharp reminder of the plight of this poor country.

Amazing that so many people were crammed on this vessel

Note the sail sewn from scraps and assorted rigging

The last event is the cruiser’s regatta; any sailboat in the harbor is encouraged to race.  

Crewing Different Drummer

 Our man Pete was on the race committee this year, kudos, for a job well done!

Debi & Bruce accepting award from Brooks

Awards, speeches and Bahamian barbecue.

Quite a kick-off to a great year!

New Year Reflections

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A beautiful day begins in Staniel Cay, Bahamas.  This day which marks the ending of a span of time, a span of life, which we (humans) have somewhat arbitrarily designated in the specific increments, which allow us to measure our activities, our progress… our lives.

 I continue to feel blessed, and try to suppress the feelings of guilt, which often arise at my continued good fortune.  The year 2013 has been a mixed one.  There have been losses and illness.  Most notably, I will forever miss my beloved brother who left us all with so much left to give, and so very much given and received from him.  Paul was the ultimate giver, a provider to all he knew of his talents, abilities and enthusiasm.  His family is greatly enriched for the presence of his generosity in their lives.

Even heartbreak brings fortune, as I found when spending time in the bosom of Paul’s family and welcoming the special and lasting ties that are bound from experiencing shared loss.  

My fabulous parents continue to be an inspiration and a guide to living this life with honor, compassion and acceptance.  Is it the luck of birth, to enter into a loving, supportive and wise family?  My fervent wish, if I could only have one, is that every being be raised with these loving traits, and most of all acceptances of our differences. 

Could we learn then, to get along, and end the animosity, fear and radical reactions of violence?  This year was filled with seemingly random acts of obscene gun violence, including very young and innocent victims.  In the political power plays, and fear of losing perceived power, the gun-restriction debate continues.  What will it take to curb this senseless attack on society?  In 2014, let’s think outside the box, and find a way to support mental illness, and keep the populace safe from easy access to deadly force.

2013 had many joyous personal moments.  Family from both sides gathered at our home for plenty of festive talk and food preparation and sharing.  Weddings were celebrated, and we marveled at births, and growing families.

Friends, both new and old are an immensely important part of our lives, enriching, sharing and giving us love and laughter.  Our cup overflows with the rich and loving relationships we have formed as we continue on our life’s voyage.  Yes, we are extremely thankful to be right here, right now and happily look forward to the year to come.

Bless you all!

Windy Days, or How to Avoid Winter in the Snow

 
Lucky for us, we spent Thanksgiving with some very good friends, and although the strong winds kept some of the guests away, we certainly enjoyed the feast at the sweetest cottage ever on Big Sampson Cay.  Thank you Croc and Connie.

We had some nice weather to take us fishing back up to Hawksbill Cay, but alas, except for one hit, those fish were not taking our lures.  Once inside the Park boundaries, it is a no-take zone so we were quite content to do a drift dive (snorkel) and spy the underwater wonders.  Turtle, several different types of grouper, and many reef fish and pretty corals.

When the wind picked up, there were several very happy kiters, and a windsurfer who made use of the empty and open anchorage.

The arrival of the next front, shifting the wind around west sent us all back to Big Major's behind Staniel Cay.  Surprisingly, the anchorage remains relatively empty.  The sunsets from here are spectacular, and the small beaches allow us to throw together a Happy Hour.

Debi, Kristina and I have been busy in the mornings with various Betty Boot Camp activities.  If anything will get me in shape, these girls will!

When the wind is right, the kiters load up their gear and head out to Sandy Cay for some clean, good wind.

I'll stay back on Independence, for a little quiet time, and time to be productive.