We had to wait, as usual, for the weather before we could get out it looks like Friday, March 8th the seas are going to lie down. This gave Matt an opportunity to say “goodbye” to the crew on At Last. He came back with a load of goodbye goodies (jacket, hats, crew T-shirts) with the yacht’s name on them. I am sure he will be seeing them again when we are back at Nassau Harbor Club Marina.
Finally we are heading to the Exumas and our first stop is going to be Big Major Cay. We departed at 9:45 am and had fair seas. Around 12:30 we found a small 8 foot floating red john boat overturned. We circled the boat several times to see if there were any people but did not see anyone in the area. Bill tried to call the emergency contact but did not get any response.
Overturned john boat
We arrived at Big Majors Cay around 2:30 and dropped our anchor. The color of the water was beautiful and it is as clear as can be. You can see the bottom 20 feet down. There were several yachts anchored out with us and we watched them take their dingy in to feed the pigs. We plan on doing that tomorrow. That night the stars were spectacular I have never seen them so bright It was almost as though you could touch them.
Big Major’s Spot anchorage
Today is the day that we finally get to feed the pigs. It looks like there are only five pigs, but we were told by the locals that there are babies. Once the babies are born they are removed because the male pigs will kill them. After the babies get to be a certain size they are brought back onto the island.
Can Pigs Fly?? They sure can swim!!!
Swimming pigs!
Feeding the pigs
Gina loves her pigs
While we were here the boys realized that it was haircut time. The easiest way to do this is to sit on the stern and let the hair fly way. I gave Bill his haircut first; I must say I am getting rather good at it. Next was Matt and Bill tackled that job.
Bill giving Matt a haircut
While in Big Majors a boat sailed by displaying the American Flag. It made your heart swell up with pride as they passed our stern.
Old Glory flying high
This is a picture of our last sunset at Big Majors Cay. I have to say there is nothing prettier than sitting on the deck of your boat sipping a toddy and watching the sunset.
Big Major’s sunset
A storm is predicted so we decided to go around the other side of the island to Staniel Cay. We also are having our medications from CVS delivered via Watermaker Air to Staniel Cay. Apparently there is no gasoline to be found on the islands, but fortunately for us they had diesel fuel.
Groceries are limited, my favorite being the blue store, they had the best selection, clean and friendly island people. Some of the stores are named according to the color of the buildings, so you have the pink and the blue store. I was also able to buy fresh home-baked bread from the yellow house. The houses are brightly colored and beautiful flowering plants.
Staniel Cay home
In the early evening the fishermen would come in with their catch of the day. They would clean the fish on the table and then throw the scraps into the water where the nurse sharks would feed.
Filleting the day’s catches
This is the fish that Bill dreams about catching while in the Exumas. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Bill’s dream fish
Nurse sharks during feeding time at the marina
While at Staniel Cay we did a lot of hiking and got some beautiful pictures of the ocean and beaches. The first beach we went to (Pirates Cove) we met Wes and Janet (sitting under umbrella) from Groton, CT. I think they felt sorry for the ole folks and gave us a ride back to the marina in their dingy. Thank GOD, we were dreading the long walk back.
Pirates Cove beach
Staniel Cay is probably one of my favorite islands, so far. Pictured below are their cottages on the water. Wes and Janet are in the orange cottage and it sounds like a great deal. Included in the rental of the cottage you get 3 meals a day (food is delicious), use of the whaler boat with motor and gasoline. A swimming pool is just outside the cottage. This is a place I would like to fly into and stay someday.
Great beach overlooking the Staniel Cay Yacht Club
The beaches are so beautiful, water is crystal clear. This is probably my favorite beach; just sitting and listening to the waves come in and pound against the rocks is so relaxing.
Bill on the beach
On St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) we dropped anchor at Black Point. Picture is of Meant 2B with all the others boats anchored out. There were about 50 boats anchored.
Panoramic picture of Meant 2B and other boat at Black Point
Matt took this opportunity to dive under the boat and make sure we don’t have any growth on the bottom. If we do, he gets to clean it.
Matt jumping in to clean the bottom of the boat
While at Black Point Settlement we did a lot of bouncing around one night. It was nice to be able to get on land. We found a great place to do our Laundry, and had a delicious barbeque dinner at DeShamon’s. It is quite the deal, $15 for ribs or chicken, coleslaw, vegetables, peas and rice. This also included ice cream for dessert!
We discovered Lorraine’s café and the wonderful bread that her mother makes. After this I will not want to eat Wonder Wheat Bread again. I am honestly thinking about bringing our bread maker back on the boat once we are settled in Titusville. Only problem with that is the additional pounds we will put on.
We stayed at Black Point for three nights and got a good weather window to head for Georgetown to get our visas stamped for an additional 90 days. On our last night we enjoyed another beautiful sunset. We definitely decided that we will stop by here again on our return.
Black Point Settlement sunset
On March 20th (Wednesday) we pulled anchor at 7:45 and went through Big Farmers Cay to get to the outside. Bill really pays attention to the weather and it was an easy passage. When we were on the outside of the Bank we spotted a water spout and Bill reported it on the radio.
Water spout near Rudder Cay
We arrived safely at Georgetown and are anchored out on Stocking Island, Monument Point. The water is beautiful. Matt dove in to make sure out anchor was set properly. Once everything was secured Matt took the dingy to the Georgetown side and got gasoline for the dingy. After dinner he took the dingy to St. Francis in Elizabeth Harbor to check things out.
Stocking Island (Georgetown) anchorage
Matt diving down to check the anchor
While Matt was exploring the island Bill and I sat with our toddy and enjoyed another beautiful sunset.
meant2bjourney 