First a quick update on passages:
We left Rock Sound, Eleuthera on March 4 after almost 2 weeks there. Quick highlights were our time with our friends the Culmers and a service at the Methodist church to hear the new pastor. She is a relatively young black woman from Atlanta and she can preach! We think she will be a great addition to the church; unfortunately she is a 'circuit pastor' and will be at Rock Sound only about once a month.
We made a direct 77 mile trip from Rock Sound to New Bight on Cat Island. Previously we have always broken this trip up into two legs: one from Rock Sound to Little San Salvador; the second from there to New Bight. Our worst case scenario on this trip was 15 hours of motoring arriving after dark, but a moderate southwest wind gave us a great broad reach motor sail and we arrived in around 12 hours, a little before dark.
On this trip we pass two 'private' cruise ship 'islands'. Princess Cay on the lower southeast coast Eleuthera coast hosted the "Emerald Princess" as we passed. Little San Salvador, or Half Moon Bay as the cruise ships call it, hosted the "Westerdam". One of the reasons we bypassed Little San Salvador, is that it can get a little crazy in the bay when a cruise ship is visiting.
On March 12, we left Cat Island and transited Exuma Sound over to Black Point in the Exumas. Another great broad reach motor sail of 58 miles. Arriving about an hour before low, Dotham Cut was still a bit 'lively' with an ebb current of 2-3 knots, but we entered without incident.
Now more about Cat Island:
Cat Island is definitely the most 'primitive' of the islands we visit here. A lack of protection from west winds and relatively few services keep the numbers of visiting boats down, but we love the authentic island feel.
Cat Island has some beautiful beaches:
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| Beach at Old Bight |
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| Starfish 'aground' at Old Bight |
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| Beach at Shanna's Cove way 'down' north |
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| Beach at Shanna's Cove |
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| The 'Fountain' - a small blue hole near Orange Creek |
A quick word on 'Up' and 'Down' in the Bahamas. Here you go 'Down North' and 'Up South'. I have never gotten a good explanation, but I believe it has to do with the orientation of the islands and the prevailing E ESE winds. To go south down the chain, you are typically sailing up wind - thus 'Up South'.
We had a good time visiting our friends the Daniels at Alnor Bakery where we renewed a tradition by helping them shell some green (lima) beans.
We also frequented Missy's takeaway in Old Bight several times. The food there is awesome. Great food, big portions, reasonable prices, and friendly folks. This year we got some time to talk to the owner, Miss Erika, where we learned she has a son living in Black Point - the Bahamas is a small world!
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| Worn sign, but great food! |
One of the highlights of our visit was attending the annual Modern Languages Assembly at Old Bight High School. It was billed as being entirely in Spanish and we were afraid we would not understand a lot, but a good portion of the program was in English. The assembly featured presentations from eight age groups. The primary school presentations were very cute (songs about numbers, days of the week in Spanish, etc.) and the older student presentations featured dancing and funny skits. One skit featured a 11th grade girl playing an old Bahamian, woman unsteady on her feet and rambling-on about an oft-seen slogan in the Bahamas. We will never be able to see "Keep the Bahamas Clean, Green, and Pristine" without thinking of her.
We are currently planning on staying in Black Point for about two weeks, before heading 'Up South' to mainland Exuma.
Tom
Anchored Black Point, Exuma
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