May 18 left Chubb Cay for Bimini

We pulled anchor about 6:45 in the morning to head for Bimini Sands Marina (South Bimini). Along the way Bill, Mark and Rhonda tried their luck at fishing. Unfortunately they didn’t even get a nibble.  I noticed several fishing boats along the way and low and behold there was a big fishing tournament going on.  We arrived around 12:30 and were fortunate to get one of the last slips available at Bimini Sands.  We were planning to stay the week but didn’t realize that the weekend coming up was Memorial and they were completely booked.  Therefore will need to leave on the 23rd, hopefully the weather will be good.

On Sunday (19th) we decided to take the water taxi over to North Bimini so that Mark and Rhonda can check the place out.  We rented a golf cart for the afternoon.  We did a complete tour of the island and saw the following sites.

Welcome to Bimini

Ernest Hemingway’s home

Remains of Hemingway’s home after it burnt down in 1934

 

Hemingway was said to have been inspired to write both “Islands in the Stream” and “The Old Man and the Sea” while here in Bimini.

From Hemingway’s place we went to the newest resort Bimini Bay.  They are in the process of building a casino, where cruise ships will come from Florida.  We got to get a sample of what this is going to be like.

Bimini Bay Resort entrance

Infinity pool at Bimini Sands

Beautiful relaxing place

View of boat anchoring out

Just me having a great day

On the 20th we moved the boat from one slip on the west side to closer to the restaurant and bathrooms.  For a couple of days it was raining out with quite a bit of wind. We took advantage of the weather and did our laundry and Mark and Rhonda went to the shark resource center.

On Wednesday we trekked back to North Bimini, to get last minute T-Shirts and gifts.    We had a fun day and met some really nice people.

Bimini Streets seen from our golf cart

Rhonda, “singing in the rain”

Determined to find a souvenir

Bartender at Big Johns, we will call him “Fred”

Rhonda and I at the Big Game Club

Rhonda walking the beach looking for sea glass

We ran into Hike and Annaka on the beach

We were surprised to come across Hike and Annaka walking on the beach. We all had dinner together that night and discussed our crossing the next day.  It appears that it is going to be quite windy in the morning.

Chubb Cay May 17

We found a good weather window and headed to Chubb Cay. While there we met with Annka and Hike aboard Manatee II. We managed to fit in swimming, snorkeling, and looking for seashells.

Anchored off Chubb Cay

Rhonda and Mark swimming at Chubb Cay

Rhonda snorkeling at Chubb

She has found a new sport

Getting the hang of snorkeling

Rhonda and Regina looking for shells

Rhonda & Annka gathering shells

Rhonda’s feet are burning, she forgot to bring shoes

Rhonda relaxing on ride from Chubb to Bimini

Nassau/Treasure Cay April 26 – May 13

We took advantage of a weather break and headed a little sooner than expected back to Nassau Harbor Club Marina. It was nice to get back into our old slip and see Peter, Clark and Martha. Matt’s mom flew in from the states on the 2nd of May and then she and Matt left for Fort Lauderdale on the 5th. We are going to really miss Matt seeing he has been with us since October.

On the 8th of May, Mark and Rhonda arrived in Nassau. We are leaving them on the boat alone from the 9th – 12th. This will give them the opportunity to explore Nassau and Bill and I are flying to Treasure Cay to visit with Marci, Frank and Charlotte.

This was a treat for us, the first time staying off the boat for a very long time. They were nice enough to give us the master bedroom in the beautiful condo that we stayed in. We spent time together on the beach, went and visited Green Turtle Cay, and celebrated Charlottes 7th birthday. It was a wonderful time had by all.

Master bedroom just for us

Relaxing on the patio

Marci watching movie

The condo they shared with us

Marci & Frank’s bedroom

Marci, Frank and Charlotte

spending time on the beach

Charlotte looking for sand dollars

Charlotte & Granny with their seashell castle

Charlotte and Dad jogging on the beach

Celebrating Charlotte’s 7th birthday

Day visiting Green Turtle Cay

The girls sipping their afternoon cocktails

Ice Cream Store

 

Can you find Charlotte’s dollar?

Granny’s girls

When we got back to Nassau we did some touring with Mark and Rhonda. We visited the art museum and the Queens Staircase.

Rhonda & Regina at Nassau Art Museum

Entrance to the Queens Staircase

Listening to tour guide

Mark & Rhonda at Queens Staircase

Queens staircase

Mark & Rhonda climbing Queens Staircase in Nassau

Reading, not ready to climb all those stairs

Notice the walls

Highborne Cay April 25

We are heading back to Nassau. We decided to spend the night at Highborne Marina. Here we met Different Drummer II,(Doug and Jane) who were in Staniel Cay with us. Hopefully we will cross paths again next year. Here we saw an eagle ray. It has a head that looked like a bird beek and spots on its body, very interesting.

Different Drummer II

Compass Cay April 17 – 20 then back to Staniel Cay till the 24th

When we left Compass Cay, we needed to return back to Staniel Cay to pick up a part for our boat. It was to be flown in from Watermakers Air, located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. While we were there Bill met with Wade Nixon who was willing to take us fishing for Mahi Mahi.

We also received a call from Robert Hart (EZ Cruz Marina) telling us that Butch and Sarah Hampton (he owned Hampton’s Marina, next to ours) live on Staniel Cay, and to be sure to look them up. We did and they are really nice people.

Sarah and Butch’s dock

Butch, Sarah, Bill and me

Matt fishing for Mahi Mahi.

Captain Bill and Wade

Wade, Matt & Regina with Matt’s catches for the day

Cleaning the fish, so here come the sharks

When we were at Compass Cay Matt had the opportunity to swim with the sharks.

Matt at Compass Cay swimming with the sharks

petting the sharks

Hey look at me

Reaching for the sharks

He’s a big boy

We spent 2 days anchored out at Big Majors, had wonderful weather while there. It was fun watching the tour boats bring people in to see the pigs swim.

On April 17th we docked at Compass Cay Marina. We were there for 4 days. We met a couple from Canada on the boat Tourlou and enjoyed afternoon cocktails with them.

Compass Cay has one of the prettiest beaches that I have ever seen here. I know I have said that before but each island is unique and offers something different. Compass Cay is owned by Tucker, who is a wonderful host.

Tucker, far right, is the owner of Compass Cay and a great host.

Bill and I enjoyed a wonderful day at the beach and then we noticed a building that sits on top of the hill. We met some fellow boaters that were docked near us at Staniel Cay. They told us the story of the home. It was owned by an 80 something old lady, who owned one of the 3 cars on Compass Cay, and was killed in a car accident. The house sat over the years and went through many a storm. Most of the wall are gone, but you can figure our what each room was prior to all the storms. There is a man, named Dave, who has a yacht that comes to Compass Cay for 3 months during the winter months. We met him and he has tried to renovate some of the rooms from material that he has found on the beach. He made a makeshift gym. I would like to share some of the wonderful sites we encountered.

Beautiful white sandy beach

Drying Bill’s beach

Having lots of fun in the sun

Walking towards Hester’s home

Hester’s home

HESTER written with lines found on the beach

What is left of living room

Sign at entrance to makeshift gym. Living Large is the name of the yacht that Dave owns.

Hester’s gym courtesy of yacht Living Large

View from Hester’s gym

In what remains of Hester’s living room

April 3rd – 15th

On April 3rd we left Gerogetown and headed to Staniel Cay Marina. People have asked what island is my favorite, “I would have to say it is Staniel Cay in the Exumas”. It has the best of everything, beautiful beaches, Thunderball Grotto (where the James Bond Movie was made in 1964), cute cottages to rent, great food, beautiful sunsets, airport to transport both people and boat parts in and out, but most of all wonderful people.

James Bond poster

When the fishing boats come in to clean their fish, you can see all the nurse sharks come into feed.

Easter Sunday March 31st

Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday, Bill and I took a bus tour with about 40 other boaters to Northern Georgetown and saw some of the most beautiful beaches.

Pompey and Regina in North Georgetown

Plaque regarding Pompey

Happy Easter!

Bill on North beach Georgetown

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Stocking Island, Georgetown Friday & Saturday March 29-30

Friday, March 29, we spent most of the day shopping for food. Seeing that the girls were leaving on Sunday, we decided to have Easter dinner on the boat. Fortunately we had bought a turkey in Nassau, so we could build the meal and go from there.
Saturday, March 30 Marina and Federica didn’t arrive until 6:00 pm because they were touring the northern part of the island. We invited Christian (S/V Seas the Moment), Matt and Austin (S/V Kokoi), who are on boats anchored next to us. Bill did most of the cooking. We had shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, salami, cheese for snacks then turkey, stuffing, Greek dressing, cranberry sauce, carrots, gravy, mashed potatoes, and I made a carrot cake for dessert.

Austin, Christian, Marina, Federica, Gina, Bill and Matt at Easter dinner

Relaxing with their bellies full

Wednesday/Thursday – March 27-28

Wednesday was a day of rest, the winds were blowing and sleeping that night was almost impossible with the rocking and rolling on the boat.
Thursday, the girls asked us if we would like to join them to explore the island south, since they were renting a car. Matt stayed behind preferring to play volleyball that afternoon. Also this is where the conch salad is made.

Getting some conch salad!

Matt playing volleyball

What a wonderful memorable day we had. Our first stop was at the Tropic of Cancer line.

Tropic of Cancer Beach

The gang enjoying the beach

My two bathing beauties from Italy

Then we drove further south to a popular hangout called Santana’s. Apparently Johnny Depp has an island close by and frequents the place quite often. At the bar they have a photo album of him, Goldie Hawn, her husband Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson, and others. We ate lunch here, which was absolutely delicious.

Santana’s bar and grill

Then next door there was Mom’s bakery where you can buy fresh baked bread (white, wheat, coconut, or raisin).

Me and “Mom” the breadmaker for all of Georgetown

On the beach at Santana’s Grill Pit was a local guy cleaning hog fish for the restaurant. Here are pictures of our wonderful day.

Federica showing how to clean fish.

Bill and the girls enjoying their Island drinks

Kalik the beer of the Bahamas

Fishing for sharks!

Gina and Federica on the beach

The end of the day eating the barbecue buffet at Peace & Plenty