Chris Parker the weather guru has been talking about this strong cold front coming across tonight for a week now. Should be the strongest since the one that followed us into GTC 2 weeks ago and that one turned out to be "not bad".
We don't care much since we are still tied to a dock here at the Green turtle club Marina. Although many cruisers are taking heed and coming into this fine anchorage. The marina in fact filled up today. We will see.
The dinghy ran pretty poorly going to town for a few fresh provisions. Won't be going back till at least Saturday with this forecast.
I changed the plugs today and that seems to have revived it. I know it is running on borrowed time since it is 24 years old. That is a great age for a young person (notice I didn't say young woman to appease the PC police). It is an over the hill age for an outboard motor though. I'd rather not have to replace it this trip but I am prepared if need be.
Bobbie and Francie on Barefootin arrived today. They crossed from Fort Pierce yesterday and ran all night. Will visit later once they have rested up.
Last night the Gully Roosters - a local band billed as the Best in the Nation played here. They didn't start till 9pm or cruisers midnight so we only stayed an hour. It was a lot of fun. It is an environment that oldsters like ourselves can make absolute spectacles of ourselves dancing like fools and no one cares. A great venue for the "over the hill" crowd. Note no 24 year old's showed up!
The only thing else that is different is that the "no Seeum" varmints have been coming out in droves the last couple of evenings and afternoons for that matter. The OFF spray helps but I hate using it. They must be anticipating the strong winds coming so they are getting in a last munch before the winds arrive.
I hope they all BLOW AWAY!
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
The Ugly Americans have arrived
We have been here in GTC for more than 2 weeks now. Until yesterday it has been quite quiet and subdued. I was feeling sorry for the locals because we were not spending much money here. Just a breakfeast and lunch ordered in a restaurant and then just fresh veggies and eggs and OJ from the grocery. Well maybe a case of Kalik Gold and a couple of Conch Salads.
Yesterday the tourists started to arrive in DROVES.. Obviously mostly rich bastards because it is not cheap to travel here or stay here unless of course you are on a sailboat.
They have sucked up all the rental golf carts and rental boats and they are parading around like they really belong here. Mostly in "tender" bare feet, skimpy swimsuits and no shirts are the order of the day. They won't look you in the eye because they treat everyone as beneath them and only here to serve them. No wonder the locals are standoffish. We made it a point to learn everyone's first name here at the marina and greet them everyday. They seem to enjoy that. Treat them like the equals to us as they are.
Oh well these tourists will only be around for a week or two and then we will be back to a normal laid back Bahamas but in the meantime we need to endure this offense. Why can't American tourist learn for the European tourist and be more accommodating and merging with this different culture here?
Oh well we have adapted and are on Island time. We went this morning on a long dinghy ride to Crab Cay/Fiddle Cay and were disappointed in not finding a path at either for a trip to the ocean side. All has been overgrown and no one has cut a new path across. I didn't bring my machete or I would have -- I know lame excuse but I do have a bona fide machete. I'm a little timid in its use though.
Made a trip to the grocery this afternoon for a few fresh items. The grocery stores are all that's open since yesterday and today are still holidays here in the Bahamas.
Plans for tomorrow? a swim at the beach -- that's it.. Welcome to Island Time.
Yesterday the tourists started to arrive in DROVES.. Obviously mostly rich bastards because it is not cheap to travel here or stay here unless of course you are on a sailboat.
They have sucked up all the rental golf carts and rental boats and they are parading around like they really belong here. Mostly in "tender" bare feet, skimpy swimsuits and no shirts are the order of the day. They won't look you in the eye because they treat everyone as beneath them and only here to serve them. No wonder the locals are standoffish. We made it a point to learn everyone's first name here at the marina and greet them everyday. They seem to enjoy that. Treat them like the equals to us as they are.
Oh well these tourists will only be around for a week or two and then we will be back to a normal laid back Bahamas but in the meantime we need to endure this offense. Why can't American tourist learn for the European tourist and be more accommodating and merging with this different culture here?
Oh well we have adapted and are on Island time. We went this morning on a long dinghy ride to Crab Cay/Fiddle Cay and were disappointed in not finding a path at either for a trip to the ocean side. All has been overgrown and no one has cut a new path across. I didn't bring my machete or I would have -- I know lame excuse but I do have a bona fide machete. I'm a little timid in its use though.
Made a trip to the grocery this afternoon for a few fresh items. The grocery stores are all that's open since yesterday and today are still holidays here in the Bahamas.
Plans for tomorrow? a swim at the beach -- that's it.. Welcome to Island Time.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Merry Christmas
Beautiful Christmas morning in the Bahamas. Warm and breezy and not bad humidity. Hot in direct sun but very comfortable in the shade.
We had some facetime calls via WiFi with the kids and grand kids. They all are having a nice Christmas too.
We are just having a lazy day here. I put my bike away because I'm not riding it much here -- the road is too rough and I'm worried about breaking some spokes. I filled one of our water tanks for the first time since arriving. We came over with 170 gallons and I was down to about 30. Don't wait till last minute here because things happen like the Island losing power for several hours -- it happened twice today.
You have to pay for water in the Bahamas. It's pricey here at .35 cents a gallon. Fortunately the facility shower is available and we can use all the water we want there. Ohhh but laundry is expensive at $4.50 a load to wash and then again to dry.
The cruiser's had a potluck and social over at the Sundowner's bar this afternoon that began at 2pm. It was well attended, good food, and good visits. The winds were up but the dinghy ride over stayed dry. We met several couples that have trawlers and they all keep their boats at the Black Sound boat yard over the summer. Each had a story of a terrible Gulf Stream crossing to get here so now they keep the boat here and fly home for the off season -- chickens!
Hmmm I am contemplating doing something so I don't have to do the ICW again. I found that worse than the Gulf Stream. Just a thought right now.
Time to get back to enjoying the Bahamas.
We had some facetime calls via WiFi with the kids and grand kids. They all are having a nice Christmas too.
We are just having a lazy day here. I put my bike away because I'm not riding it much here -- the road is too rough and I'm worried about breaking some spokes. I filled one of our water tanks for the first time since arriving. We came over with 170 gallons and I was down to about 30. Don't wait till last minute here because things happen like the Island losing power for several hours -- it happened twice today.
You have to pay for water in the Bahamas. It's pricey here at .35 cents a gallon. Fortunately the facility shower is available and we can use all the water we want there. Ohhh but laundry is expensive at $4.50 a load to wash and then again to dry.
The cruiser's had a potluck and social over at the Sundowner's bar this afternoon that began at 2pm. It was well attended, good food, and good visits. The winds were up but the dinghy ride over stayed dry. We met several couples that have trawlers and they all keep their boats at the Black Sound boat yard over the summer. Each had a story of a terrible Gulf Stream crossing to get here so now they keep the boat here and fly home for the off season -- chickens!
Hmmm I am contemplating doing something so I don't have to do the ICW again. I found that worse than the Gulf Stream. Just a thought right now.
Time to get back to enjoying the Bahamas.
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