Happy Easter everyone! We got our first Internet connection in a week, and we are now in the Exumas Land and Sea Park.
This is going to be a long blog to get you caught up.
We left the US coast on March 31st, and had a good crossing to our first stop in the Islands, Bimini Sands, where we checked in with customs and immigration. As we were pulling into the dock, another boat, "Miss Grace", with cruising friends, Bob and Nonnie, had just pulled in ahead of us. After a short ride to the airport to check in, a ride back to the boats, putting up our Bahamas courtesy flags, it was time to celebrate. We took the courtesy bus to the Beach Club for drinks and dinner. It's good to be back!
The next morning, we left before daylight (05:00) because we had a long day cruise to the Berry Islands and the Berry Island Club. After cruising across the Bahama Banks, we reached the tongue of the ocean, about one and one half hours away from the Berry Island Club.This was our first chance to put the lines in the water, and I wasn't disappointed. ZING, FISH ON, FISH ON! I caught a beautiful bull dolphin.
When we reached the Berry Island Club, we asked if we could have dinner. They said they didn't have any fresh fish, so they couldn't do dinner. "I have a fresh fish". When we arrived at the dock, I cleaned my dolphin, and they grilled it for the six of us, along with Bahamian peas and rice, Bahamian mac and cheese, coleslaw, and lots of rum punch. What a treat, and what a blast.
We left the Berry Island Club at first light for Nassau, where we met up with Jay, Nancy, William, and Judy, who will be cruising with us. During our three day stay in Nassau, we ended up with a total of nine cruising friends boats in our Marina. Can you say PARTY! All nine boats are headed to the Exumas, and our group will meet up with them from time to time while there. From Nassau, our group headed to Normans Cay, our first stop in the Exumas, and one of our favorite beach bars, MacDuff's. After a two day stop, we headed to the Exumas Land and Sea Park in rough seas We got hooked to our mooring ball, put the tender down, then the accident. I went to step off the tender onto the swim platform, and it was wavy. I missed the platform, well almost, hit on my side, and ended up in the water. It knocked the wind out of me, I broke a couple of ribs, Stephanie was on the upper deck, and I couldn't yell. I hung onto the support for the platform, felt myself passing out, and finally was able to get out HELP! Thank God she could hear me. She came running down, two guys came over to help, and they finally got me on the boat. I'm real sore, but it could have been alot worse.
Well, that catches you up, and today is going to be my first try to get off the boat. The park is having an Easter get together for all the cruisers here, and I hope I can go.
September Song (I lived to tell about it) out
Bob
Sunrise over the Atlantic as we left the US for the Islands.
This is going to be a long blog to get you caught up.
We left the US coast on March 31st, and had a good crossing to our first stop in the Islands, Bimini Sands, where we checked in with customs and immigration. As we were pulling into the dock, another boat, "Miss Grace", with cruising friends, Bob and Nonnie, had just pulled in ahead of us. After a short ride to the airport to check in, a ride back to the boats, putting up our Bahamas courtesy flags, it was time to celebrate. We took the courtesy bus to the Beach Club for drinks and dinner. It's good to be back!
The next morning, we left before daylight (05:00) because we had a long day cruise to the Berry Islands and the Berry Island Club. After cruising across the Bahama Banks, we reached the tongue of the ocean, about one and one half hours away from the Berry Island Club.This was our first chance to put the lines in the water, and I wasn't disappointed. ZING, FISH ON, FISH ON! I caught a beautiful bull dolphin.
When we reached the Berry Island Club, we asked if we could have dinner. They said they didn't have any fresh fish, so they couldn't do dinner. "I have a fresh fish". When we arrived at the dock, I cleaned my dolphin, and they grilled it for the six of us, along with Bahamian peas and rice, Bahamian mac and cheese, coleslaw, and lots of rum punch. What a treat, and what a blast.
We left the Berry Island Club at first light for Nassau, where we met up with Jay, Nancy, William, and Judy, who will be cruising with us. During our three day stay in Nassau, we ended up with a total of nine cruising friends boats in our Marina. Can you say PARTY! All nine boats are headed to the Exumas, and our group will meet up with them from time to time while there. From Nassau, our group headed to Normans Cay, our first stop in the Exumas, and one of our favorite beach bars, MacDuff's. After a two day stop, we headed to the Exumas Land and Sea Park in rough seas We got hooked to our mooring ball, put the tender down, then the accident. I went to step off the tender onto the swim platform, and it was wavy. I missed the platform, well almost, hit on my side, and ended up in the water. It knocked the wind out of me, I broke a couple of ribs, Stephanie was on the upper deck, and I couldn't yell. I hung onto the support for the platform, felt myself passing out, and finally was able to get out HELP! Thank God she could hear me. She came running down, two guys came over to help, and they finally got me on the boat. I'm real sore, but it could have been alot worse.
Well, that catches you up, and today is going to be my first try to get off the boat. The park is having an Easter get together for all the cruisers here, and I hope I can go.
September Song (I lived to tell about it) out
Bob
Sunrise over the Atlantic as we left the US for the Islands.
Our bus ride (you would need to see it) to dinner at the Island Club.
This is our view when traveling at night. ICR (instrument cruise rule)
