Ragged Island Chain and leaving the Bahamas

After returning from our run to Staniel Cay to pick up a new watermaker membrane and a few odd parts we had flown in, we returned to Georgetown. It’s amazing how busy this place is. We hired a scooter for a dentist visit and change of scene, a great way to see Great Exuma Island for a day. Some nice views from the land side.

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On the social scene, this time in Georgetown, we caught up with Our Rose (Richard, guest Michael & Jen), Kairos (Fiona & Graham), No Rehearsal (Annie & Daryl) and many others we have met along the Exumas BUT It was time to head south and away from the 290 odd boats in the harbor.
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Celebrating Annie's birthday

Celebrating Annie’s birthday

We headed out of Georgetown with Our Rose to the Jumentos Cays and Ragged Islands in the south eastern chain of the Bahamas. This chain of islands and cays is largely uninhabited, a place to get away from it all. There are no marinas, no place to provision and few boats, just natural beauty so you must be self reliant when coming here. We had a great down wind sail and even got our screechers out. Nice!
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Our new screecher

Our new screecher

Our first stop was at Water Cay where we walked the beaches, enjoyed the peace & calm of empty bays and our own anchorage. We went out to see the blue holes, even managing to hunt out lots of lobster for dinner. At last, Yum!

At Flamingo Cay we got the kayaks down and visited some caves, walked across the island to a beautiful u-shaped beach where we found the wreckage of a plane on the shore. Lots of pretty beaches for a beach BBQ so of course, why not!
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Sausages on the barbie

Sausages on the barbie

Man of War Cay was a good stop for a little snorkeling but as the wind was changing we decided to move on to Jamaica Cay where we would get better
protection. It proved to be a beautiful spot with rocks and small cays all around it. Some local fishermen gave Jen & Richard some fish so that was a bonus as we were invited for fresh fish dinner.
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On our way down to Buena Vista Cay we tried our luck at fishing but all we caught were the big teethed barracuda. A front was coming through so we tucked ourselves into a couple of different bays on this Cay. On our walk along the western beach we met Edward a local Bahamian who is in the process of building a new home on the beach. Brett helped him fix his generator and he showed us around his small farmstead. Looks like a tough way of life here. I think he gets a lot of visits from cruisers.

Raccoon Cay had some beautiful beaches along its western shore. Snorkeling nearby we caught a couple more lobster for dinner and then enjoyed the beaches.
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At Johnson Cay we found a beautiful horseshoe bay and walked all over the rocky island. The wind was turning to the SW and so by dusk we had 3 more boats arrive to seek protection here from the apparent strong winds that were going to arrive. There’s not a lot of places in the Raggeds to seek out protection from South or West winds.
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Plastic rubbish is something we see on many windward beaches. While the Bahamas has been reasonably clean you do still see a lot of rubbish and the eastern beach here at Johnson had rubbish. Shame! I’m not sure why but there are sooo many shoes found on beaches.
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We decided to take advantage of some NW winds and did an overnighter to Hogsty Reef, a large circular reef in the middle of the ocean, on the way to Great Inagua Island. The weather was to be settled so perfect for such a place. There are a number of wrecks sitting on the reefs which you see from a distance. We tried some snorkeling on various bommies but were disappointed with the coral and fish life here. The reef comes up from over 1000 metres to 7-8 metres so there are crashing rollers from the swell hitting the reef and couple of Cays on the reef. Very pretty but a little rolly in the reef even with calm conditions.
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Our final stop in the Bahamas was Great Inagua Island at the SE end of the Bahamas. It was a motor day as there was minimal wind. Oh well lots of odd jobs can get done including washing and cleaning the inside of the boat. Yes it’s not all fun!

Our headsets or marriage savers for anchoring needed fixing

Our headsets or marriage savers for anchoring needed fixing

Engine oil changes

Engine oil changes

Great Inagua Island’s claim to fame is the pink flamingos and the Morton Salt Company. The huge salt piles can be seen for miles.

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We went ashore for a walk around the streets of Matthew Town area after finally sorting our dingey at the harbor. There is a sunken boat in the harbor entrance, which is a bit frightening to see as its big and as you proceed further in the rocky ledges and other wrecked fishing boats does not make you feel good about docking here. The town itself has approx 1000 people most of which are employed by Morton Salt company. Everyone we met on our walk was so friendly stopping to see if we needed a lift or giving us directions. We stopped at Heathers bar for a few beers, then on to her cousin Idels for lunch and finally to Heathers brothers bakery for fresh bread right out of the oven.

Felt like we were in someone's back yard under the sun-umbrella

Felt like we were in someone’s back yard under the sun-umbrella

Off to see the old world of Cuba.

Exumas, Bahamas with friend Doug

The Exuma chain of the Bahamas is an area with beautiful white sandy beaches, turquoise shallow waters, lots of cays to stop at & enjoy and beautiful sunsets.
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With having Doug aboard we tried to hit all the hot spots down the Exumas chain

Snorkeling for Lobster along the way.

Snorkeling for Lobster along the way.

Allen's Cay to see the prehistoric iguanas.

Allen’s Cay to see the prehistoric iguanas.

Snorkeling the plane at Normans Cay where drug lord Carlos Lehder smuggled drugs in the 1980s before being caught and sent to jail.

Snorkeling the plane at Normans Cay where drug lord Carlos Lehder smuggled drugs in the 1980s before being caught and sent to jail.

Kayaking at Shroud Cay up the rivers

Kayaking at Shroud Cay up the rivers

Enjoying the beaches at a Shroud Cay

Enjoying the beaches at a Shroud Cay

Our piece of driftwood at Boo Boo hill, Warderick Wells Cay

Our piece of driftwood at Boo Boo hill, Warderick Wells Cay

Visiting the Swimming Pigs at Big Majors Spot

Visiting the Swimming Pigs at Big Majors Spot

Dinner out at Staniel Cay Yacht Club; very tasty

Dinner out at Staniel Cay Yacht Club; very tasty

Admiring the view to Williams Bay our anchorage from Perry's Peak, Rudder Cut Cay

Admiring the view to Williams Bay our anchorage from Perry’s Peak, Rudder Cut Cay

At the Chat & Chill beach on Lee Stocking Island

At the Chat & Chill beach on Lee Stocking Island

Volleyball at Lee Stocking Island with friends from Grenada

Volleyball at Lee Stocking Island with friends from Grenada

You see all sorts of wildlife some of which surprise you.

Checking out the Ramorays that came with us from 1 Cay to another

Checking out the Ramorays that came with us from 1 Cay to another

 Walking a trail and we came across this snake resting in the tree

Walking a trail and we came across this snake resting in the tree

Sharks at the dock, but they are also out in the Sound, Eeek

Sharks at the dock, but they are also out in the Sound, Eeek!

Christmas for us was spent at Warderick Wells Park at the wardens house enjoying a pot luck Turkey dinner with other cruisers.

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For New Years we were at Black Point on Great Guana Cay where the Scorpio Inn put on a great party with food, music and dancing.

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But it’s not all play when guests come to visit.

The hull needs to be cleanned

The hull needs to be cleanned

Engines inspected & maintenance made

Engines inspected & maintenance made

 The heat can make you very sleepy. Looks a little uncomfortable Doug...

The heat can make you very sleepy. Looks a little uncomfortable Doug…

 That's better

That’s better

Enjoying a ride on a Hobbie cat with cruisers in the area. What a cool toy to have on board.

Enjoying a ride on a Hobbie cat with cruisers in the area. What a cool toy to have on board.

Doug has left and of course we catch 2 Wahoo fish on a trip North to Staniel Cay, once again filling our freezer.

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Here’s to a great start to 2015. We are heading to the a Western Caribbean so internet will be intermittent for us. I’ll update when I can.

Bahamas and a friend from Canada

We are back in those glorious crystal clear blue waters and white sandy beaches of the Bahamas. We cleared in at the Berry Islands just off the Grand Bahama Bank and had had a great sail across from Fort Lauderdale.
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Upon entering Nassau we saw Atlantis in the distance with all the cruise ship tourists out enjoying the beaches. We came into Nassau to tour the island and pick up Doug a friend from Calgary.
P1070624Of course we had to stop at one of the local conch salad bars for a beer and food.
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Wow wish this was us taking home our lobster for the night

Wow wish this was us taking home our lobster for the night

While in Nassau we went to a few rather busy beaches and the famous Atlantis hotel. Even managed to wander around the aquarium, which was amazing.

A rather crowded Atlantis beach

A rather crowded Atlantis beach

The marina at Atlantis

The marina at Atlantis

The amazing aquarium from above

The amazing aquarium from above

Looking down on a shark, eek

Looking down on a shark, eek

Eagle Ray up and close

Eagle Ray up and close

Sting Rays

Sting Rays

These guys look very old

These guys look very old

Merry Christmas from Brett, Doug and I. Enjoy the festivities. Off to the Exumas.

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The Exumas chain, Bahamas – 1

Well there’s not a lot of Internet about, hence the reason I have not been able to update our blog. These islands are pretty much uninhabited.

You access different Cays or islands through small cuts so we need to make sure that its either a wide cut or its calm to see the reefs as you enter. The currents can be very strong going through the cuts too so can make for things being interesting. We first entered at Rat Cay Cut below.P1050666

The inside passages are well protected with lots of Cays and little anchorages along the way to stop at. We are still buddy boating with Jen & Richard from Our Rose and having lots of fun.P1050686

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At Rudder Cay we snorkeled on a sculpture of a mermaid playing the piano in a bay at 23.52.162N 76.14.162W, supposedly put there by David Copperfield who owns islands in the area.

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At Lee Stocking Cay we stopped at a now abandoned Marine Research Centre and went hiking on the many trails on the island finding our way to the highest point at Perry’s Peak of 123 ft, with great views along the coastlines. Amazing looking into the crystal clear waters from the cliff top and seeing sting rays etc below.
P1050668P1050670At Little Farmer Cay we were all wanting to get off the boats and enjoy a meal ashore. We started out at Ty’s on the balcony overlooking the ocean but unfortunately his cook had gone Missing in action. Great place, real shame.
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So it was on to Oceans Cabin for dinner. Terry who owns the restaurant came down from his house out when we walked up the walkway, to open the restaurant.

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At Great Guana Cay we enjoyed a fire and marshmallows on the beach at White Point. This has got to be the calmest anchorage we have had. The water is crystal clear right up to the sandy beach.
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Till our next Internet location….

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Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas

We spent 5 days anchored off Stocking Island opposite Georgetown. It’s a pretty area and well protected with a huge cruising community so yes lots and lots of boats. Someone had communicated that there were 200 boats in the harbour. Hmmmmm….
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We found ourselves at Volleyball beach trying our skills. I think Brett could have stayed here for months!
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The Chat & Chill was a busy place with dingeys galore parked on the beach, great food and lots of socializing. Sting rays hang out on the perimeter of the beach looking for food.
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Even caught up with Judy, Bob and Leo from Grenada on the beach.
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Stocking Island had some great walking trails which we had to take advantage of to see the views around the island including our anchorage. Someone had made some great trails with interesting things to look at along the way. This huge crab was the best.
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Heading up the Exumas chain.

Long Island, Bahamas

We spent a week anchored in a number of places around Long Island.

Little Harbor was a reasonably calm harbor that protected us from some Northerly winds that decided to blow for a few days. There were turtles all about, some sand roads to go investigating the very remote area we were in and reefs to go snorkeling around for lobster.
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Clarence Town we hired a car and went to see the sights on this very very long island. We passed by lots of small towns all of which had lots of churches.
St Peter and Paul Church in Clarence Town was pretty impressive with its 40ft towers to climb and see the 360 view.
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Dean’s Blue Hole the worlds deepest blue hole, which plunges 200 meters to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean with the oval at the surface ranging from 25 to 37 meters. The platform in the middle is for free diving competitions, to me a crazy sport. P1050623

The Outer Edge Grill at the Flying Fish Marina was a great place to sit back and chill in the evenings.P1050636

Our final anchorage on Long Island was Calabash Beach at the Northern end of Long Island, which had a lovely white sandy beach and a nice looking resort. We awoke to a very flat ocean and so motored over to Georgetown in the Exumas.