Black Point Settlement

Furthest point south on this trip, about an hour from Staniel Cay a nice friendly village, but then most places and people are friendly.










Back to Staniel and my flight back to Freeport. Just walked to the airport and asked the pilot if there was room for one more (small 9 seater plane). Couldn't wait for the winds to change to sail back. Lucy, Martha and I had a great time, thanks Mark!

Thunder Ball Cave Staniel Cay

This is where they filmed some of the James Bond movie Thunderball. Lots of fish and coral in the cave and around it.

Staniel Cay

Another great anchorage, little cays to explore, grocery stores (bread $5, 1 roll of toilet paper $2), internet iffy and $10/day.

Big Majors and Sampson Cay

Big Majors: These pigs will swim out to greet you expecting a handout. I didn't get out of the boat, friend Ginny was once chased by one of these.

Disappointed pigs

Sampson Cay: Just a short stop here but a place I could of stayed for a long long time. Not too crowded, a little seclusion and the amenities of civilization if you want it.

Compass Cay

Didn't stay here, visited by dinghy. A white woman, with eyes on inheriting the island from the Bahamian father of her child insists on charging an $8 landing fee per person and if you want a hamburger guess how much - right, $8. Needless to say the place wasn't exactly hopping.


Nurse sharks waiting for leftovers from the fisherman.










A short walk across the island brings you to this lovely beach and once again the water and beach is awesome. Could have stayed here a lot longer.

Exuma Land and Sea Park

Exuma Land and Sea Park - no fishing or lobstering - saw lobster 3-4 feet long - amazing! At low tide sandbars appear in the middle and people sit out on them in their lawn chairs. Put sugar in your hand and these birds are all over it (tickled).

Whale

Video

Norman's Cay

There's a crashed plane (drug plane early 80s) near Norman's Cay that is a great place to snorkel - it's in shallow water so you can swim right through it. Underwater photos thanks to Mark's friend Milly and her great camera. 

Allen's Cay

First stop, Allen's Cay famous for its iguana population.
Video

On the way

Leaving the bustle of Nassau to the often deserted islands of Exumas.

Foolishly let me drive.

A few things we saw along the way. The water in these photos is about 15 - 20 feet deep and crystal clear turquoise, amazing.
Squid, starfish and a conch (if you look closely you can see the trail it's leaving).

Exumas

Neither words, nor my photos, can do justice to the beautiful Exumas a chain of the Bahama Islands south east of Nassau. Sailed through them with Mark for 10 days. Just going to post pictures, let them do the talking.

View from the boat - Nassau Harbour
and Atlantis:

Hammering conch to tenderize.

Abby and Sally

After missing their flight due to bad weather Abby and Sally have finally arrived, flying standby!
No, it's not really that cold that Abby needs her winter parka, or is it? Wednesday was fish fry night, didn't have fish but we did have conch fritters and Abby danced to the tunes.

Next morning for breakfast Sally tried grits and stewed conch (she liked it!). Then into the dinghy and to the square where Abby was wondering if she could get a little lunch from the well endowed statue.

Friday night at the square Abby got more applause and laughs than the limbo man. Then it’s fun at the beach and feeding birds while Mommy is playing with the dolphins.

Abby and Omi

No fingers were lost.

Dolphin kisses.

Richard is fixing the long boat for its 2nd voyage to avoid being turned into a planter by Betty. Put black sticky stuff down and cover it with a piece of wood, hmm. Me thinks a lot of bailing will be going on. I now own half of this boat – Richard gave me his half. While they’re trying to make it seaworthy I’m hard at work baby-sitting.




The boat has been fixed as much as possible so off we go (properly attired) – Sally was brave enough to sail with Gerry through the canal and then I got the pleasure of constant bailing as we sailed along the beach. Only ran aground once, still have the bruises.

The boat is now in its new home at Nick’s house.