I started to think that our last few posts of the year, which dealt primarily with our return transit, were probably pretty boring to new readers. So I decided to do a little recap of our 2014-2015 Bahamas Cruise.
We spent almost 6 months in the Bahamas visiting the Abacos, Eleuthera, Cat Island, and the Exumas.
We had a great time, the highlight of the trip was spending time with our Bahamian friends and 'family'. We have several relationships in which both sides call each other family - what a special bond. We will miss them and God-willing will see them next year.
We left Bradenton in early November and headed pretty directly to Miami.
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| Sunrise off Sarasota after leaving Bradenton |
We spent about a month in Miami, an interesting and vibrant city with a Latin vibe that we have grown to like quite a bit.
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| Miami skyline as we approach |
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| One of the Stiltsville houses in Biscayne Bay |
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| Long-time fans of women's basketball, we became fans of the Miami Hurricanes (still Syracuse fans too!) |
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| Pan-master Joyce at History Miami |
We crossed from Miami to West End, Grand Bahama on 12/12. After a few days at Old Bahama Bay Marina, we transited to Marsh Harbour in the Abacos.
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| Harbour View Marina |
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We spent the holidays with great friends/family at Grace Baptist Church in Dundas Town.
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| With Pastor Shawn & Elder Jackie of Grace Baptist |
One of the highlights of our visit was attending the 'Watch Night" service on New Years Eve. The evening featured a 'foot washing' (first time for us), communion, and numerous members of the congregation speaking on the theme "Our God is Greater than That"
We extended our stay in Marsh Harbour to attend Family Day at Grace. I was allowed to be the 'church photographer', but ended up letting the kids (there are a lot of them) take pictures with my camera. They got shots I would never have been able to get.
We visited a few of the Abaco Cays by ferry - an interesting experience:
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| New Plymouth, Green Turtle |
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| Hopetown or in Bahamian 'Opetown |
After leaving Abaco, we transited to Eluethera.
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| Good friends at Sammy's Place, Rock Sound |
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| Ocean Hole - Rock Sound |
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| Pretty Shrubs - Rock Sound |
On Cat Island we had the honor of 'helping' master boat builder and sloop racer Mark Knowles build a Bahamian "C Class" racing sloop.
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| Ribs in-process cut from native hardwood |
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Almost completed mast
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Cat Island is also home to some beautiful beaches.
While in Exuma, we finally got to see the National Family Island Regatta in Georgetown. Sloop racing is the 'national' sport of the Bahamas
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| Boats are anchored with sails down at the start. |
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| Red Stripe - Black Point boat that ran away with the third A Class race |
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| Mark Knowles skippering Running Tide (5) came in third in the A Class Series |
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Mark won the Governor General's B Class Cup Race
Celebration in process on Cat Island |
Watching the mega-yachts at Emerald Bay Marina is entertaining:
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Meduse owned by Paul Allen, Microsoft Co-founder
Picture not at Emerald Bay |
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| Meduse landing a helicopter on her aft deck |
Santana's Grill Pit - arguably the best fish in the Bahamas.
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| Tanya (left) and the one and only Dee |
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| View from Santana's |
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The lunch counter at the Georgetown Primary School
Beautiful Bahamian smile! |
While at Emerald Bay, we were able to attend the commissioning of a new Bahamian Royal Defence Force ship - HMBS Rolly Gray
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| Ship's Company receiving dignitaries |
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| Prime Minister Perry Christie |
Black Point is one of our favorite places in the Bahamas. The Peermon (Paymon) & Basil Rolle clan are family here. Peermon makes arguably the best coconut bread in the Bahamas and is a Deaconess in Gethsemane Baptist Church of which we are 'members'.
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Joyce, Peermon, and a rare picture of Lorraine resting.
We often spend hours on the porch, just talking and enjoying each others company. |
Although we have known her since see was a baby, it was delightful to spend some time with Peermon's great granddaughter, who at 2 3/4 years old is blossoming into quite a young lady. Peermon often baby sits her when her mother is working and we tried to help relieve her a bit so see could get work done. Joyce says that rather than a baby sitter, I am more like her 'playmate' - whatever it's fun!
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| A picture of Peermon plaiting (weaving straw work) taken by her great grand daughter - 'my baby girl' LOVES to play with my phone. |
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Joyce's birthday party at Black Point
Mrs Adderley of Adderley's Friendly Store on the right |
We ended our Bahamas trip with an unplanned stop in Bimini due to weather - but any excuse to visit Taste of Heaven Bakery and Stuarts Conch Stand
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| Stuart's Conch stand. |
Hope this gives you a taste of our great trip to the Bahamas this year.
Tom
Docked at Twin Dolphin Marina
Bradenton, FL
