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.
Saturday, December 24, 2016
A complaint
It is the Bahamas and different from the US. You expect high prices and marginal services but that is par for the course. However, today I reached a tipping point. I guess it is because I had high expectations and they were not met at any level.
Even though we are staying at the Green Turtle club resort we have only eaten one meal out -- a breakfast. Today being Christmas Eve we thought let's splurge and go out for lunch. We went over to the Bluff House Marina and down to their Beach Bar restaurant. The main facility is not open for the season yet.
There were maybe a dozen folks there. We sat down and the bar maid/waitress/server presented us menus. Karen ordered a big ol cheeseburger and sweet potatoes fries and I ordered the Christmas Eve lunch special -- sweet and sour chicken rice, cole slaw. I also had the house specialty rum punch drink -- a Tranquil Turtle.
Well the food didn't show up for an hour -- maybe longer. My chicken dish had three chicken wings and a partial drum stick all with the skin on. Maybe a cup of rice and 2 tablespoonfuls of cole slaw -- that was 3 fork full's. Karen's Cheeseburger ordered as well done was served medium rare. All this for $43. That includes the mandatory 15% gratuity and 7.5% VAT tax.
Karen observed that there was a local guy who came from the back with a plateful of food and sat down and had is lunch at the bar chatting with other locals and the bar maid. She noted that while he was there no food came out of the back. She thinks he was the cook and it was time for him to have his lunch -- ahhh the Bahamas.
To add insult to injury I tried to pay with a credit card but it kept failing -- incomplete entry. The bar maid apologized and said it was these credit card kids who write so small on the cards that it was difficult to read and she was NOT going to wear glasses. After 3 attempts I told her to give me back the card and I paid cash. I'm worried now that she may have compromised my card and it is shut down. Not a big problem in the states but a real hassle over here.
Ohh well I vented and now I'm going to enjoy watching a Christmas Story tonight and dream of sugar plums.
Merry Christmas All.
Even though we are staying at the Green Turtle club resort we have only eaten one meal out -- a breakfast. Today being Christmas Eve we thought let's splurge and go out for lunch. We went over to the Bluff House Marina and down to their Beach Bar restaurant. The main facility is not open for the season yet.
There were maybe a dozen folks there. We sat down and the bar maid/waitress/server presented us menus. Karen ordered a big ol cheeseburger and sweet potatoes fries and I ordered the Christmas Eve lunch special -- sweet and sour chicken rice, cole slaw. I also had the house specialty rum punch drink -- a Tranquil Turtle.
Well the food didn't show up for an hour -- maybe longer. My chicken dish had three chicken wings and a partial drum stick all with the skin on. Maybe a cup of rice and 2 tablespoonfuls of cole slaw -- that was 3 fork full's. Karen's Cheeseburger ordered as well done was served medium rare. All this for $43. That includes the mandatory 15% gratuity and 7.5% VAT tax.
Karen observed that there was a local guy who came from the back with a plateful of food and sat down and had is lunch at the bar chatting with other locals and the bar maid. She noted that while he was there no food came out of the back. She thinks he was the cook and it was time for him to have his lunch -- ahhh the Bahamas.
To add insult to injury I tried to pay with a credit card but it kept failing -- incomplete entry. The bar maid apologized and said it was these credit card kids who write so small on the cards that it was difficult to read and she was NOT going to wear glasses. After 3 attempts I told her to give me back the card and I paid cash. I'm worried now that she may have compromised my card and it is shut down. Not a big problem in the states but a real hassle over here.
Ohh well I vented and now I'm going to enjoy watching a Christmas Story tonight and dream of sugar plums.
Merry Christmas All.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Swimming with the pigs
Today we joined the crew of YOLO and took a long dinghy ride to No Name Cay near Green Turtle Cay. The water was pretty flat so it was a nice ride.
We saw the fabled swimming pigs there. They are on the beach nearest GTC. Volunteers have set up a watering station and signs requesting visitors bring food and water. Naturally there is little to sustain the pigs there but the generous handouts from strangers is just sustaining them fine. I saw no skinny pigs. A large number of very cute piglets.
GTC has been very quiet for the holiday season. Only today does it look like there is an influx of visitors. Good thing -- the locals really need the commerce. Unless something happens there will probably be no Cruisers Xmas party this year -- no one is attempting to organize one and then there have been only a few boats in the anchorage and only 5 boats here at the Green Turtle Club and 3 over at the Bluff House. All the moorings are full in Black Sound and 99% are flying Canadian flags.
Yesterday I cooked a local lobster -- ohhh boy was it good. I'll do more soon. They are cheaper than steak.
The day before we visited town and the library. The book exchange at the library was pretty poor. The village is overall run down from our last visit -- really sad but if you want to buy a new home here you are looking at close to a million dollars -- just crazy.
We stopped at the Sundowner's club about Sundown with the crew of Endless -- Mike and Nina. We had the signature drink there called a Sundowner (rum punch) and free appetizers -- it was a soda cracker with a meat product sliced and a piece of cheddar cheese. Check Karen's Facebook page for the picture -- ahhh very quaint, but it's the Bahamas Mon! The high point there was a large stingray in the water just below the floor there. Really Cool.
There is a book exchange here at the marina but the other night when I was looking for it an obviously local lady came in the with a canvas bag and just filled it with books leaving few to choose from -- Oh well I guess she is just being enterprising and books are the resource.
Today for the first time I heard the drums beating in town at 5am. It is a custom to bang drums through the streets from about 5am till dawn to "welcome the Christmas Spirit". It's quaint but I like listening.
The rest of the time is spent with long walks to different beaches and swimming in either the ocean or Sea of Abaco depending on conditions.
Oh and on this first day of winter -- we had a high of 78 and a low of 72. Tomorrow will be colder with a high of 77 and a low of 70. Got to love it.
We saw the fabled swimming pigs there. They are on the beach nearest GTC. Volunteers have set up a watering station and signs requesting visitors bring food and water. Naturally there is little to sustain the pigs there but the generous handouts from strangers is just sustaining them fine. I saw no skinny pigs. A large number of very cute piglets.
GTC has been very quiet for the holiday season. Only today does it look like there is an influx of visitors. Good thing -- the locals really need the commerce. Unless something happens there will probably be no Cruisers Xmas party this year -- no one is attempting to organize one and then there have been only a few boats in the anchorage and only 5 boats here at the Green Turtle Club and 3 over at the Bluff House. All the moorings are full in Black Sound and 99% are flying Canadian flags.
Yesterday I cooked a local lobster -- ohhh boy was it good. I'll do more soon. They are cheaper than steak.
The day before we visited town and the library. The book exchange at the library was pretty poor. The village is overall run down from our last visit -- really sad but if you want to buy a new home here you are looking at close to a million dollars -- just crazy.
We stopped at the Sundowner's club about Sundown with the crew of Endless -- Mike and Nina. We had the signature drink there called a Sundowner (rum punch) and free appetizers -- it was a soda cracker with a meat product sliced and a piece of cheddar cheese. Check Karen's Facebook page for the picture -- ahhh very quaint, but it's the Bahamas Mon! The high point there was a large stingray in the water just below the floor there. Really Cool.
There is a book exchange here at the marina but the other night when I was looking for it an obviously local lady came in the with a canvas bag and just filled it with books leaving few to choose from -- Oh well I guess she is just being enterprising and books are the resource.
Today for the first time I heard the drums beating in town at 5am. It is a custom to bang drums through the streets from about 5am till dawn to "welcome the Christmas Spirit". It's quaint but I like listening.
The rest of the time is spent with long walks to different beaches and swimming in either the ocean or Sea of Abaco depending on conditions.
Oh and on this first day of winter -- we had a high of 78 and a low of 72. Tomorrow will be colder with a high of 77 and a low of 70. Got to love it.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
We are on an Island in the Bahamas -- Out Island
Any land mass in the Bahamas outside of Nassau is called an out Island. This came very clear the other night and yesterday when the entire Island lost power. The power is generated in Marsh Harbour on Abaco Island and then sent via subterranean cable to the various Islands. We lost power for 7 hours on Tuesday and 5 hours yesterday. When it is gone -- it is gone.
It has been hot and windless the last 2 days so we have run the Air conditioning at night when we had power. Today the wind is back and a cold front on the way -- that means the highs will drop from 82 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Eat your hearts out mid westerners.
We have been doing chores. Yesterday is was laundry and I had to do some sewing on my Genoa Sail. Some of the sacrificial strip had come loose and had to be stitched back -- probably that rough Gulf Stream crossing. No sail loft here so I had to sew it in the deck. Not easy... In the afternoon I went to the ocean which was very calm and swam for about a half hour -- oh it felt good in that pristine salt water.
Today we went to town and sorted out the phone business. We had to buy a new SIM card for the Iphone and we have a Bahamas phone number but more importantly we have a data plan so we can do internet anywhere but at a price -- no such thing as unlimited, family size, 20% more in the Bahamas.
This afternoon we repaired one of the couch cushions where the shaped foam in the cushion had delaminate. I had a big can of spray adhesive so we took the cushion apart and on a picnic table we repaired the foam. After an unintended nap I went over to the Bluff House Marina and explored. It is just across the way here in White Sound. It was sad. The main restaurant and bar are under renovation I think. No work being done but lots of boxes in the building. The beach bar was open but man that is a rugged walk up and down the steep hill here.
Back on the boat now for a simple dinner and simple entertainment tonight. It would be easy to get carried away eating out and drinking in the bar since they want me to charge everything to the slip.. be careful or it will pile up.
It has been hot and windless the last 2 days so we have run the Air conditioning at night when we had power. Today the wind is back and a cold front on the way -- that means the highs will drop from 82 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Eat your hearts out mid westerners.
We have been doing chores. Yesterday is was laundry and I had to do some sewing on my Genoa Sail. Some of the sacrificial strip had come loose and had to be stitched back -- probably that rough Gulf Stream crossing. No sail loft here so I had to sew it in the deck. Not easy... In the afternoon I went to the ocean which was very calm and swam for about a half hour -- oh it felt good in that pristine salt water.
Today we went to town and sorted out the phone business. We had to buy a new SIM card for the Iphone and we have a Bahamas phone number but more importantly we have a data plan so we can do internet anywhere but at a price -- no such thing as unlimited, family size, 20% more in the Bahamas.
This afternoon we repaired one of the couch cushions where the shaped foam in the cushion had delaminate. I had a big can of spray adhesive so we took the cushion apart and on a picnic table we repaired the foam. After an unintended nap I went over to the Bluff House Marina and explored. It is just across the way here in White Sound. It was sad. The main restaurant and bar are under renovation I think. No work being done but lots of boxes in the building. The beach bar was open but man that is a rugged walk up and down the steep hill here.
Back on the boat now for a simple dinner and simple entertainment tonight. It would be easy to get carried away eating out and drinking in the bar since they want me to charge everything to the slip.. be careful or it will pile up.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Greetings from Green Turtle Cay (GTC) Again and Again
We were going to leave the marina today but there is a strong 80% chance of thunderstorms today and the winds are stronger than forecast. We still don't have a useable I-phone on the BTC network (thus no internet once we leave) and we need to wait till Thursday for the BTC office to open one day a week for 3 hours or go around the Whale Cay passage to Treasure Cay and get it sorted out there. Since we haven't used the phone in a long time we have to start over with a new SIM card and account. Can't do that online so we wait.
The WiFi here at GT Club is GREAT. So I figured if I got a good monthly rate we could just stay here and save the $100 that we would have spent on a 6GB plan with BTC for a month. Well they came up with a good rate (each is decided individually by the owner) so we are here for the next 30 days. Now we can come and go as we please but we have a slip here for 30 days now. Good thing because after a few great weather days it all comes to an end Thursday night through Sunday with strong winds and rain. I have never seen so much rain here before than again we are here earlier than in the past.
We wanted to stay in the area through New Years so this works out well for us.
Unfortunately day to day not much will be happening. Just eating, drinking, and being merry with nearly daily long walks and swims in the ocean.
I'll post when something interesting occurs.
Today was just coming to the decision to stay, then launching the dinghy for town, and picking up some fresh Conch Salad (they made it in front of me) and a case of Kalik Gold to wash it all down with. Hmmm that is eating, drinking, and being merry.
The WiFi here at GT Club is GREAT. So I figured if I got a good monthly rate we could just stay here and save the $100 that we would have spent on a 6GB plan with BTC for a month. Well they came up with a good rate (each is decided individually by the owner) so we are here for the next 30 days. Now we can come and go as we please but we have a slip here for 30 days now. Good thing because after a few great weather days it all comes to an end Thursday night through Sunday with strong winds and rain. I have never seen so much rain here before than again we are here earlier than in the past.
We wanted to stay in the area through New Years so this works out well for us.
Unfortunately day to day not much will be happening. Just eating, drinking, and being merry with nearly daily long walks and swims in the ocean.
I'll post when something interesting occurs.
Today was just coming to the decision to stay, then launching the dinghy for town, and picking up some fresh Conch Salad (they made it in front of me) and a case of Kalik Gold to wash it all down with. Hmmm that is eating, drinking, and being merry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
