04/15/2012 THROUGH 4/20/2012 THE BAHAMAS

SUNDAY 04/15/2012 “ WELCOME HOME” TO COMPASS CAY http://compasscaymarina.com/marina.html

THE NEW SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE

19 NM

Fresh supplies are running shy on Quest and, this being Sunday; the little markets in Staniel Cay are all closed.  We made a quick run in the tender to Sampson Cay’s marina store.  This is such a beautiful marina and resort we are having a hard time figuring our why we have neglected to stay here in the past.  On our next trip through, we will remedy that slip-up.

With the wind continuing, we skirted out of our anchorage and traveled the 9 NM to Compass Cay and were warmly “welcomed home” by Preston and Jamal at the dock.  It is a snug harbor to seek shelter in a blow and was occupied by several yachts.  Quest got a good rinse down, we satisfied our hunger with a couple Compass Cay lunch burgers, inspected the advances in the building of a new tiki hut, paid our respects to the resident nurse sharks and then took a walk over the hill to watch the effects of the blustery weather on the east facing beach.

WORKING ON THE NEW TIKI HUT

THIS WAY TO THE BIG BEACH

ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME RIGHT ON
THE COMPASS CAY BEACH

LOVING BEING HERE!

MONDAY 4/16/2012 COMPASS CAY

Feeling totally comfortable with the familiar and seeking refuge from the blow we opted to spend another day at Compass.  We used our time exploring in the con-Quest.  Skirting in and out of the numerous coves, tarrying on the unblemished beaches, swimming in the refreshing waters and ogling the nurse sharks that inhabit the marina filled our day. 

QUEST DOCKED AT COMPASS CAY

TUESDAY 4/17/2012 HIGHBOURNE MARINA  www.highbourncaybahamas.com

41 NM

With the wind down we found smooth sailing on the bank.  Surprise, surprise!  Dan spied Meant To Be sailing north too.  We hailed them on the radio and wished them a safe journey.

HIGHBOURNE CAY MARINA

Highbourne Cay Marina proved to be a delightful destination with sturdy docks, a nicely stocked store, an inviting beach with lounge chairs and a restaurant with a great view.  Even though we planned on spending only one night before moving on, said plans had been amended by the time we had our first cocktail while watching the sun setting over the pristine waters.

WEDNESDAY 4/18/2012 THE PERFECT DAY IN PARADISE

After establishing that we might spend another day in paradise, we grabbed a couple of the marina bicycles and took off to peddle the small island and seek out the many beaches.  The expansive east facing beach offered over 3 miles of beach combing and we spent quite a bit of time there.  Next we jumped into con-Quest for a more thorough “look-see” around the area.  Everything is so close here that we were able to investigate many nearby anchorages, snorkel several reefs and place our footprints on unmarred sandy beaches before heading back to the marina.  During the later afternoon Dan took the con- out fishing and returned with a nice Skipjack. 

A RAY RIGHT IN THE MARINA

THURSDAY 04-19-2012  ON TO SPANISH WELLS IN THE ELEUTHERA ISLANDS

57 NM

Today we finally made it out of my beloved Exumas and into the more populated Eleutheras.  Our destination of Spanish Wells is located in the far north of the island chain.  We entered the long cut which makes up Spanish Wells and runs between St. Georges Cay (Spanish Wells town) and Russell Island on the western part and Charles Island on the eastern section. We first anchored just off Gun Point but then pulled up and repositioned to the south of Charles Island for a better fit.

ENTRANCE TO SPANISH WELLS CHANNEL

This port is all about the fishing industry.  Seventy percent of the annual Bahamian lobster is harvested by the Spanish Wells fishing fleet.  

THE WALL LINED WITH FISHING BOATS

 The homes here were charmingly colorful and neatly maintained. It appeared to us that a large slice of the population was not comprised of local natives but made up of Canadians or US expats. 

LOVELY PASTEL COLORED HOMES

SAIL BEACH HOUSE WAS CHARMINGLY PERCHED RIGHT ON THE OCEAN
www.sailbeach.com/photos.htm

FRIDAY 04/20/2012  THE ABACOS

SUNRISE SPANISH WELLS AREA

75 NM

Today’s travels brought us from the Eleuthera Island, across the Northeast Providence Channel and into the Abaco Islands.  This chain of islands will be the last on our journey before heading off to the good old USA. 

We dropped anchor east of Marsh Harbor, just off Matt Lowes Cay (named after an infamous 18^th century turtle, wrecker and part time pirate) and John Cash Point.  Today we didn’t even venture off of Quest for a tour of the island.  Tomorrow will bring a front of more gusty weather and we pushed hard today to reach this point. By noon on the marrow we hope to be secured in a marina and ready for the next couple of days on land.

SATURDAY 04/21/2012 SEEKING THE SHELTER OF THE GREEN TURTLE CLUB MARINA
http://www.greenturtleclub.com/

 

CERULEAN SKIES WITH WISPY WHITE SWIRLS AND
GATHERING DISMAL THREATS

26 NM

It was anchor up relatively early and before noon we had ventured out into Whale Channel where the waters were still calm.  Before noon we had reached Green Turtle Cay where we would dock for the duration of the quickly approaching storm.  The marina has a great thing going for the boaters who choose to stop here.  The dockage is 1.95/foot with all your meals and drinks in their restaurant deducted from the fee.  Nice!  We quickly made dinner reservations in the “formal” dining room for tonight then took our bikes down for a jaunt into New Plymouth, the island’s town.

GREEN TURTLE CAY MARINA

The island was first settled by Revolutionary War Loyalists and is reminiscent of an old New England fishing village with its clapboard cottages and white picket fences.  The early inhabitants were skilled boat builders and fishermen and the now endangered green turtles once were found here in abundance.   

This is also the home of the talented Lowe family.  Father, Albert Lowe, created fabulous carved ship models and his son Vertrum has followed in his footsteps while his other son, Alton, is a world know painter and his works can be found in some of the homes of world leaders as well as reproduced on Bahamian postage stamps.

  SUNDAY 04/22/2012 GREEN TURTLE CAY MARINA  

WIND AND RAIN AND MORE WIND

  Sometime after midnight the wind announced it presence with power be interrupted and lines moaning with the strain.  Oh how nice to be safely tied up though.  Around 10:30 AM we were seeing gusts up to 38 and watching a couple of unlucky sailboats frantically attempting to reposition their drifting vessels under blustery conditions and the pouring rain. Although the afternoon brought some interludes of sunshine, the wind never took a hiatus. 

WITH THE WIND HOWELING AND THE WAVES SLAPPING AGAINST THE BOATS,
WE ALL HUNKERED DOWN WITHIN THE SAFETY OF OUR SECURED VESSELS