Ahhhh back in GreenTurtle Cay and anchored in White Sound.
The anchorage last night in Manjack/Crab Cay was beautiful last night. Sky was clear and stars where magnificent with no light pollution. Just a Lille sliver of moon was out.
With all the cruisers in the area we decided to go to White Sound to anchor. I expected it to be crowded and it wasn't. Heck only 5 boats at the Green Turtle Club Marina and 4 over at the Bluff House. Only 8 boats on anchor and moorings. However several motor yachts and trawlers came in this afternoon and all went to marinas. One poor cruiser came in 2 hours before low tide and ran aground. He will be there at least 5 hours before the tide takes him off. No Boat US towing over here.
We went to town in the dinghy and just browsed a bit and bought some fresh veggies. The settlement just has a homey feel to it. I'm very relaxed here. We then cruised Black Sound thinking we would move over there in a couple of days but it just feels dark over there -- not like White Sound. The big attraction over there is the public dock that is very close to town but seeing the large boats tied there I wouldnt want to put my dingy there.
Once back I took my scuba tank over to Brendels Dive Shop for a fill. I want to finish cleaning the bottom of my boat.
Now time to relax.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Rock and roll and roll and roll
We made it around the Whale Cay today. Good thing we turned back yesterday because today was still a Handful with 4 foot seas - yesterday they were 6 - 7. We rolled up and down swells on the approach and exit but across it was rolly. Cushions all came adrift.
It was calm in the sea of Abaco and a nice ride to Manjack Cay where we anchored for the day. Next front comes in tomorrow night so we will seek safe Harbour in either White Sound or Black Sound on Green Turtle Cay tomorrow morning.
Manjack is crowded this afternoon. - 28 boats.
We got in around 11:30 this morning. After lunch we took the dinghy to Crab Cay to do some sea glass hunting. We were on a falling tide. Karen did great and found about 3 lbs in 40minutes. It took awhile to find the path over to the ocean and we relaxed awhile so we were there for probably 1.5 hours. When we got back to the dinghy it was high and nearly dry and the water was still going down. I had to drag that big ol dinghy nearly 70 yds before it floated. It was tuff!
It's beautiful here in Manjack this evening. It's about 80 degrees with a low of 67 tonight.
It was calm in the sea of Abaco and a nice ride to Manjack Cay where we anchored for the day. Next front comes in tomorrow night so we will seek safe Harbour in either White Sound or Black Sound on Green Turtle Cay tomorrow morning.
Manjack is crowded this afternoon. - 28 boats.
We got in around 11:30 this morning. After lunch we took the dinghy to Crab Cay to do some sea glass hunting. We were on a falling tide. Karen did great and found about 3 lbs in 40minutes. It took awhile to find the path over to the ocean and we relaxed awhile so we were there for probably 1.5 hours. When we got back to the dinghy it was high and nearly dry and the water was still going down. I had to drag that big ol dinghy nearly 70 yds before it floated. It was tuff!
It's beautiful here in Manjack this evening. It's about 80 degrees with a low of 67 tonight.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Don't drown turn around!
Well it wasn't quite that bad today. We are back in Treasure Cay.
We tried the Whale Cay passage this morning. The wind had died overnight and none in the morning. Certainly it had to be calm out in the ocean this morning. We left at 8:30 on the rising tide and wind and seas would be in the same direction. Nice flat calm at the start. We had to go 5 miles to the start of Whale Cay. After about 2 miles we felt the swell building. By the time we were 3/4mile from the cut the swells were 4 - 7 feet and we could feel the acceleration on the back sides. It wasn't dangerous but uncomfortable. We were taking the seas on the nose so it was just and down however when we made the turn we would run 2 miles with the seas on the beam and then have a very rolly ride. I was game but Karen wasn't. So we turned around and had a pleasant trip back to Treasure Cay.
Tomorrow the swell is forecast to be 4 foot. Not smooth but should be better.
Today we went to the beach here - one of the 10 best in the world. It's beautiful but toooooo commercialized. You have to pay to use chairs and umbrellas and you cannot bring your own and NO COOLERS ALLOWED! That's okay --- got wasted before I went and sat on a towel. Big deal -- I went for the swim and it was FINE.
We tried the Whale Cay passage this morning. The wind had died overnight and none in the morning. Certainly it had to be calm out in the ocean this morning. We left at 8:30 on the rising tide and wind and seas would be in the same direction. Nice flat calm at the start. We had to go 5 miles to the start of Whale Cay. After about 2 miles we felt the swell building. By the time we were 3/4mile from the cut the swells were 4 - 7 feet and we could feel the acceleration on the back sides. It wasn't dangerous but uncomfortable. We were taking the seas on the nose so it was just and down however when we made the turn we would run 2 miles with the seas on the beam and then have a very rolly ride. I was game but Karen wasn't. So we turned around and had a pleasant trip back to Treasure Cay.
Tomorrow the swell is forecast to be 4 foot. Not smooth but should be better.
Today we went to the beach here - one of the 10 best in the world. It's beautiful but toooooo commercialized. You have to pay to use chairs and umbrellas and you cannot bring your own and NO COOLERS ALLOWED! That's okay --- got wasted before I went and sat on a towel. Big deal -- I went for the swim and it was FINE.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Treasure lost
We finally untied the dock lines and left MOW this morning. We had a great motor sail to Treasure Cay and arrived around 11am. It was 2.5 hours after high tide but got in okay. Much to our disappointment the anchorage area is now full of mooring balls - 22 to be exact. Hell I can remember 22 boats anchored here when there were only 4 mooring balls back in 2014. Grrr I really enjoyed anchoring for free in years past. These moorings are expensive at $30 and 2.90 for taxes and a marina fee now. There are only 13 boats here tonight.
Well it's okay but we will spend only one night here instead of 2. The whale cay passage was very rough today because of the strong winds over the weekend. Should be just rolly tomorrow. If doable for a pleasure boater then we will go to Manjack Cay for a few days of hiking and sea glass hunting at Crab Cay next door. Then it will be in at green Turtle Cay for the blow coming Friday and Saturday. After that we will look for a weather window to cross back to the good ol USA.
Now on the plus side the free wifi you get with you mooring fee is really great. We are midway into the mooring field and the connection is very good and fast -- a real surprise. The grocery store and liquor store are both well stocked and an easy walk from the marina. The library was open from 3-5 today and we were able to buy some more reading material from the withdrawn books. A great deal - $5 for 2 hard back and a dollar for paperbacks.
Tonight is BINGO TACO night. Karen's favorites. I asked about the bingo and it is a dollar a card but no cash pot. Only bottles of wine for prizes. Looks to be a night on the boat and a little Farley action after I eat my rib eye from the store this afternoon. Ooh I even found Russian dressing here. Don't you love to forage for your food?
Well it's okay but we will spend only one night here instead of 2. The whale cay passage was very rough today because of the strong winds over the weekend. Should be just rolly tomorrow. If doable for a pleasure boater then we will go to Manjack Cay for a few days of hiking and sea glass hunting at Crab Cay next door. Then it will be in at green Turtle Cay for the blow coming Friday and Saturday. After that we will look for a weather window to cross back to the good ol USA.
Now on the plus side the free wifi you get with you mooring fee is really great. We are midway into the mooring field and the connection is very good and fast -- a real surprise. The grocery store and liquor store are both well stocked and an easy walk from the marina. The library was open from 3-5 today and we were able to buy some more reading material from the withdrawn books. A great deal - $5 for 2 hard back and a dollar for paperbacks.
Tonight is BINGO TACO night. Karen's favorites. I asked about the bingo and it is a dollar a card but no cash pot. Only bottles of wine for prizes. Looks to be a night on the boat and a little Farley action after I eat my rib eye from the store this afternoon. Ooh I even found Russian dressing here. Don't you love to forage for your food?
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Getting to know Man O War
We have been enjoying our easy days here on Man O War Cay. Wandering around the settlement you see very nicely maintained houses and buildings. There might be a handful of what could be considered run down.
The other thing that strikes you is how fully developed it is here. Very little wild growth areas. Housing everywhere but it doesn't feel crowded. The only real annoyance here is that ALL the natives ride in golf carts so there is a lot of traffic on the narrow lanes. They don't do much walking here and it shows... About the only walkers are the visitors and cruisers.
I think all this development aids in the absence of annoying insect life. HAven't seen a mosquito or no see ums since we have been here. However order a Conch dish from a restaurant and look out for the flies -- they are really attracted to the conch.
Yesterday they had their annual LUAU festival. The natives love there festivals and all came out. It was held here on the MArina grounds and a good time and food was had by all. Many dressed in Hawaiian shirts and the little girls (mostly under 10) wore grass skirts -- very cute. They had a limbo contest and an auction. All funds were supposed to go to support the junior athletic programs on the island.
The wind has laid down today but we are cleaning and getting the boat ready to travel again. Probably leave tomorrow morning with the high tide. You definitely need to work the tide to get in and out of MOW MAn O War.
The other thing that strikes you is how fully developed it is here. Very little wild growth areas. Housing everywhere but it doesn't feel crowded. The only real annoyance here is that ALL the natives ride in golf carts so there is a lot of traffic on the narrow lanes. They don't do much walking here and it shows... About the only walkers are the visitors and cruisers.
I think all this development aids in the absence of annoying insect life. HAven't seen a mosquito or no see ums since we have been here. However order a Conch dish from a restaurant and look out for the flies -- they are really attracted to the conch.
Yesterday they had their annual LUAU festival. The natives love there festivals and all came out. It was held here on the MArina grounds and a good time and food was had by all. Many dressed in Hawaiian shirts and the little girls (mostly under 10) wore grass skirts -- very cute. They had a limbo contest and an auction. All funds were supposed to go to support the junior athletic programs on the island.
The wind has laid down today but we are cleaning and getting the boat ready to travel again. Probably leave tomorrow morning with the high tide. You definitely need to work the tide to get in and out of MOW MAn O War.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Ahhhhh back on Island Time
We returned to the boat at Man O War Cay (that's an island). Pretty good trip except for TSA.
We arrived at RDU 2 hours before departure and went right to Security checkpoint with my home grown boarding passes. TSA would not accept them since they were missing a bar code. So much for Delta online boarding process.
Back to the main gate and then they had trouble processing since we had one way tickets with no return flight. Showed them my cruising permit and explained we would return by boat. Twenty minutes later and 3 agents consulting and we were on our way.
Back at TSA they pulled my back pack and said they had to look inside. I guess maybe the faucet repair kit or the spark plugs triggered the inspection after being x-rayed. Once through security things ran smooth. Well till we hit Atlanta and came in on Concourse C near the end and had to go to Concourse E near the end. We had about 35 minutes and we used 30 of them. Got to the gate and it was empty. I though this is a lightly used flight!! After being chastened by the gate agents we loaded into a nearly full (72 passenger) flight. They saved the last 2 seats in the back for us.
We had a smooth hour and 20 minute flight to Marsh Harbour. Minimum hassle through customs then a taxi ride to the ferry dock. Got there about 2pm and the ferry was leaving at 4pm. Two hours to kill so we went next door to a take out stand and bought 2 cheeseburgers, fries, a Kalik beer(out of iced tea) and a diet coke -- only $29.!
It was delightful though. The water was a brilliant green and blue and clear as gin. The temp was 75 degrees and a slight breeze. Ahhh it felt good to be warm again with out wearing arctic clothing. We even had a flock of sandpipers watching us eat and waiting on crumbs -- apparently liking french fries more that sand fleas -- go figure.
After lunch we walked next door to the Ferry terminal and said we were there for the 4 o'clock ferry to man O War. They said we were in luck because they had an unscheduled one leaving at 3pm -- just 15 minutes!!
Great because we needed to get groceries as soon as we arrived and the store closed around 5 or 6pm -- there is only one grocery in Man O War.
A smooth ride to Man O War. We found Temptation in fine shape. Opened her up and headed to the grocery.
After being home for 2 weeks it was sticker shock all over but we got by that pretty fast.
Boy it felt so good walking the narrow lanes of Man O War with no crowds, no cars, just an occasional golf cart, friendly people all acknowledging you, and all rolled up in a very WARM package.
It felt great sleeping with the windows (actually hatches) open in just PJs and not even a covering sheet needed.
The weather turns rough with high winds tomorrow through Saturday so we will stay here till Sunday -- maybe Saturday -- we will see. Then on to Treasure Cay for a few days waiting for a good crossing across the whale Cay -- it will be rough for a day or so after this weather passes.
We arrived at RDU 2 hours before departure and went right to Security checkpoint with my home grown boarding passes. TSA would not accept them since they were missing a bar code. So much for Delta online boarding process.
Back to the main gate and then they had trouble processing since we had one way tickets with no return flight. Showed them my cruising permit and explained we would return by boat. Twenty minutes later and 3 agents consulting and we were on our way.
Back at TSA they pulled my back pack and said they had to look inside. I guess maybe the faucet repair kit or the spark plugs triggered the inspection after being x-rayed. Once through security things ran smooth. Well till we hit Atlanta and came in on Concourse C near the end and had to go to Concourse E near the end. We had about 35 minutes and we used 30 of them. Got to the gate and it was empty. I though this is a lightly used flight!! After being chastened by the gate agents we loaded into a nearly full (72 passenger) flight. They saved the last 2 seats in the back for us.
We had a smooth hour and 20 minute flight to Marsh Harbour. Minimum hassle through customs then a taxi ride to the ferry dock. Got there about 2pm and the ferry was leaving at 4pm. Two hours to kill so we went next door to a take out stand and bought 2 cheeseburgers, fries, a Kalik beer(out of iced tea) and a diet coke -- only $29.!
It was delightful though. The water was a brilliant green and blue and clear as gin. The temp was 75 degrees and a slight breeze. Ahhh it felt good to be warm again with out wearing arctic clothing. We even had a flock of sandpipers watching us eat and waiting on crumbs -- apparently liking french fries more that sand fleas -- go figure.
After lunch we walked next door to the Ferry terminal and said we were there for the 4 o'clock ferry to man O War. They said we were in luck because they had an unscheduled one leaving at 3pm -- just 15 minutes!!
Great because we needed to get groceries as soon as we arrived and the store closed around 5 or 6pm -- there is only one grocery in Man O War.
A smooth ride to Man O War. We found Temptation in fine shape. Opened her up and headed to the grocery.
After being home for 2 weeks it was sticker shock all over but we got by that pretty fast.
Boy it felt so good walking the narrow lanes of Man O War with no crowds, no cars, just an occasional golf cart, friendly people all acknowledging you, and all rolled up in a very WARM package.
It felt great sleeping with the windows (actually hatches) open in just PJs and not even a covering sheet needed.
The weather turns rough with high winds tomorrow through Saturday so we will stay here till Sunday -- maybe Saturday -- we will see. Then on to Treasure Cay for a few days waiting for a good crossing across the whale Cay -- it will be rough for a day or so after this weather passes.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
INTERMISSION
Yep we are taking an intermission from our trip. We are currently at home in Bahama, NC and the boat is still in the Man O War Marina.
We decided after knowing and cruising with Jim and Barb Thompson for 25 years we needed to be at the memorial service for Barb.
We left Saturday morning to head home. What a trip!
First we took the Aubury Ferry to Marsh Harbour. It was blowing to 30 kts and it was rough on the Sea of Abaco. The driver worked very hard trying to steer around the roughest waves but it was a rough ride for about 20 minutes -- I actually got a little queasy.
We then took a taxi to the airport and checked in. We traveled light with no check baggage but still it took 20 minutes to get our boarding passes. We then went through security which is always a trial. Karen got selected for extensive pat down. It was just the unluck of the draw. We then left on a Silver Airways twin engine prop Saab plane. The wind was still very gusty so it was a rough ride to cruising altitude. It only took an hour to get to Fort Lauderdale. This plane stops on the tarmac and we have to take a bus to the terminal to go through customs. Man this is a BIG airport. There must have been 70 folks ahead of us in line to pass through customs. First we have to go to a machine that takes your picture and compares it to the passport after asking a few questions. Then its on to the interview again with a line of 70 in front of us. Then they turn us out to the entrance so we have to go back through security before getting to our gate.
I failed inspection because I left my wallet in my pocket. They took the wallet to pass through the xray machine and I had to undergo the extensive pat down. They asked if I wanted to do that in privacy and I said NO -- I would not be embarrassed. Then onto the gate for a 4 hour layover till our flight back to RDU on a Jet Blue plane. That went well. It was crowded in the terminal and I mean everyone is on a smart phone looking intently at who knows what. They had good WiFi there and there were charging stations everywhere to plug your phone in.. Unbelievable.
The flight home was uneventful and we arrived around 7:40pm. Wow the travel time through the airports was 7 and half hours with a 4 hour layover. We did our trip in reverse in less than 4 hours travel vs the 6 weeks it took for us to get to Green Turtle Cay in December.
Fortunately we made it back in time for Barb's memorial service on Sunday. It was a fine event and we met many folks that knew her over the years.
We are going to take a couple of weeks here at home to undertake some personal business then return to the Bahamas to explore a little the northern Islands above GTC then return to the USA.
So no more posts till we return to the Bahamas.
We decided after knowing and cruising with Jim and Barb Thompson for 25 years we needed to be at the memorial service for Barb.
We left Saturday morning to head home. What a trip!
First we took the Aubury Ferry to Marsh Harbour. It was blowing to 30 kts and it was rough on the Sea of Abaco. The driver worked very hard trying to steer around the roughest waves but it was a rough ride for about 20 minutes -- I actually got a little queasy.
We then took a taxi to the airport and checked in. We traveled light with no check baggage but still it took 20 minutes to get our boarding passes. We then went through security which is always a trial. Karen got selected for extensive pat down. It was just the unluck of the draw. We then left on a Silver Airways twin engine prop Saab plane. The wind was still very gusty so it was a rough ride to cruising altitude. It only took an hour to get to Fort Lauderdale. This plane stops on the tarmac and we have to take a bus to the terminal to go through customs. Man this is a BIG airport. There must have been 70 folks ahead of us in line to pass through customs. First we have to go to a machine that takes your picture and compares it to the passport after asking a few questions. Then its on to the interview again with a line of 70 in front of us. Then they turn us out to the entrance so we have to go back through security before getting to our gate.
I failed inspection because I left my wallet in my pocket. They took the wallet to pass through the xray machine and I had to undergo the extensive pat down. They asked if I wanted to do that in privacy and I said NO -- I would not be embarrassed. Then onto the gate for a 4 hour layover till our flight back to RDU on a Jet Blue plane. That went well. It was crowded in the terminal and I mean everyone is on a smart phone looking intently at who knows what. They had good WiFi there and there were charging stations everywhere to plug your phone in.. Unbelievable.
The flight home was uneventful and we arrived around 7:40pm. Wow the travel time through the airports was 7 and half hours with a 4 hour layover. We did our trip in reverse in less than 4 hours travel vs the 6 weeks it took for us to get to Green Turtle Cay in December.
Fortunately we made it back in time for Barb's memorial service on Sunday. It was a fine event and we met many folks that knew her over the years.
We are going to take a couple of weeks here at home to undertake some personal business then return to the Bahamas to explore a little the northern Islands above GTC then return to the USA.
So no more posts till we return to the Bahamas.
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