Great Harbour Cay
Berry Islands, Bahamas
April 6, 2014
Good morning. We left Biscayne Bay early Saturday, April 5th for our crossing to the Bahamas. As we motored out the channel, we passed Stiltsville in Biscayne Bay. Stiltsville is only accessible only by water. According to our research, it was the place to see and be seen when visiting the winter resorts on nearby Miami Beach. Stories of illegal alcohol and gambling led to several police raids. At its peak in 1960, there were 27 structures on the flats. It is now part of the National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/bisc/historyculture/stiltsville.htm
Good morning. We left Biscayne Bay early Saturday, April 5th for our crossing to the Bahamas. As we motored out the channel, we passed Stiltsville in Biscayne Bay. Stiltsville is only accessible only by water. According to our research, it was the place to see and be seen when visiting the winter resorts on nearby Miami Beach. Stories of illegal alcohol and gambling led to several police raids. At its peak in 1960, there were 27 structures on the flats. It is now part of the National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/bisc/historyculture/stiltsville.htm
Cape Florida Lighthouse
|
Stiltsville
|
Sunset on the Bahama Banks
Friday night after studying the weather, we decided to go to Great Harbor Cay in the Berry Islands rather than Bimini to check in with customs. Because there was a front coming on Tuesday, we want to be somewhere protected. Bimini is nice, but we have been there, and it has gotten expensive.
Winds were between 8 & 12 mph out of the southeast, waves were about 2 feet, an easy Gulf Stream crossing as these things go. As we approached the Banks, the difference in the color of the water was pronounced ranging from blue- green to a turquoise blue. We motor sailed for 13 hours and anchored on the Bahama Banks after watching the sun set. The banks are rather shallow so we could set an anchor in about 20 feet of water. The night winds were relatively calm; there were small waves and a little surge which moved the boat back and forth. The sky was set alight with stars. It was strange to be anchored in what felt like the middle of the ocean.
Sunday at day break, we were up and traveling again. We arrived in Great Harbour Marina between 2:30 and 3:00. The customs people came to the boat. After talking to them a bit, we learned that customs jobs are like military posts; they get sent wherever they are need for a period of time. Both of our customs officers were from Nassau and were on assignment at Great Harbour Cay. After spending a little time in the marina, we were reminded of the warmth and friendliness of most of the Bahamian people.
Winds were between 8 & 12 mph out of the southeast, waves were about 2 feet, an easy Gulf Stream crossing as these things go. As we approached the Banks, the difference in the color of the water was pronounced ranging from blue- green to a turquoise blue. We motor sailed for 13 hours and anchored on the Bahama Banks after watching the sun set. The banks are rather shallow so we could set an anchor in about 20 feet of water. The night winds were relatively calm; there were small waves and a little surge which moved the boat back and forth. The sky was set alight with stars. It was strange to be anchored in what felt like the middle of the ocean.
Sunday at day break, we were up and traveling again. We arrived in Great Harbour Marina between 2:30 and 3:00. The customs people came to the boat. After talking to them a bit, we learned that customs jobs are like military posts; they get sent wherever they are need for a period of time. Both of our customs officers were from Nassau and were on assignment at Great Harbour Cay. After spending a little time in the marina, we were reminded of the warmth and friendliness of most of the Bahamian people.
Shortly after we arrived, a catamaran with an Indiana homeport arrived, nice to see some Midwesterners. While having cocktails with our neighbors, we were informed that someone was making conch salad on the dock. We watched a very skilled man pull the conch from its shell, clean it and then chop up the veggies to make the salad. Later we learned that he worked at one of the local restaurants. It was the best we had ever eaten.
While cleaning the boat, we spotted a huge manatee swimming behind the boat. It was feeding on the growth from the pilings on the dock. The water is so clear it could be perfectly seen.
Monday’s adventure was getting service for our phone. Several hours were spent working with the Bahama Telephone Company and Verizon. We even had to have our suspended phone service turn on so we could work with Verizon Global. It was finally resolved when Mike asked the BTC representative if the sim card could be bad. Turns out it was bad. Once replaced, we had cell service for internet, texts and emergencies.
The marina is filling up with cruisers finding shelter from the impending front. At 5PM a large group of us gathered for a typical cruisers “Sundowner.” There are people from all over the US and Canada. Some cruisers are just checking in while others are preparing to go home. Our only stress is trying to remember everyone’s’ name. Since the marina is full, our hosts are planning a gathering for tomorrow. It is a great start to our trip.
While cleaning the boat, we spotted a huge manatee swimming behind the boat. It was feeding on the growth from the pilings on the dock. The water is so clear it could be perfectly seen.
Monday’s adventure was getting service for our phone. Several hours were spent working with the Bahama Telephone Company and Verizon. We even had to have our suspended phone service turn on so we could work with Verizon Global. It was finally resolved when Mike asked the BTC representative if the sim card could be bad. Turns out it was bad. Once replaced, we had cell service for internet, texts and emergencies.
The marina is filling up with cruisers finding shelter from the impending front. At 5PM a large group of us gathered for a typical cruisers “Sundowner.” There are people from all over the US and Canada. Some cruisers are just checking in while others are preparing to go home. Our only stress is trying to remember everyone’s’ name. Since the marina is full, our hosts are planning a gathering for tomorrow. It is a great start to our trip.
|
|
April 8, 2014
This afternoon we explored a bit of the island on an 11 mile bike ride, which allowed us a chance to see most of the seven mile long island. Since the first part of the ride was so easy, we should have known that the way back would be a bit more difficult. Despite the sweat and energy fighting the wind, it was worth the effort just seeing the beauty of this place.
The highlight of our day was the pot luck sponsored by the marina. They provided rum punch and conch fritter, six for $1, which is cheap. Some of the people who live on the island meet every Tuesday at the marina to play Pétanque, a French version of Bocce Ball. As the locals picked teams, they invited Francie and me to play. They were all very gracious and welcoming to us especially since we had no idea what we were doing. The event was also a good chance to meet more boaters and greet those that we had already met. There was lots of good food and drinks to help create feelings of community while most of us are waiting for the weather front to pass before we go our separate ways.
This afternoon we explored a bit of the island on an 11 mile bike ride, which allowed us a chance to see most of the seven mile long island. Since the first part of the ride was so easy, we should have known that the way back would be a bit more difficult. Despite the sweat and energy fighting the wind, it was worth the effort just seeing the beauty of this place.
The highlight of our day was the pot luck sponsored by the marina. They provided rum punch and conch fritter, six for $1, which is cheap. Some of the people who live on the island meet every Tuesday at the marina to play Pétanque, a French version of Bocce Ball. As the locals picked teams, they invited Francie and me to play. They were all very gracious and welcoming to us especially since we had no idea what we were doing. The event was also a good chance to meet more boaters and greet those that we had already met. There was lots of good food and drinks to help create feelings of community while most of us are waiting for the weather front to pass before we go our separate ways.
|
|
Braver souls than we!
April 9, 2014
The mail boat came in this morning. It had not come to the island for two weeks. The mail I am sure is important, but more import are the supplies and fresh food that are brought to the island. Normally the boat comes in once a week. We were able to get a few fresh vegetables and fruits, but didn’t get too much as we have a bow full of provisions!
The marina here is committed to ensuring that the cruisers feel welcome. Every day someone comes to the boat and invites us to an event or activity at the dock, pool bar, or in town. Friday is a barbeque on the dock and Saturday is the school fair in town. We are doing our part to support the local economy!
We are here until at least Monday as strong east winds are predicted till then. We are travelling northeast to the Abacos when we get a wind that is not on the nose with 4 ft. waves!
April 12, 2014
Several times a day, we consult a multitude of weather sources to see if it is possible to leave the serenity of our marina and go east to a new destination. There are predictions for a south wind in the next couple of day. After checking the weather, we hope to leave tomorrow morning. In the meantime, today we bike to town for the local school fair and fundraiser and then to the beach.
The mail boat came in this morning. It had not come to the island for two weeks. The mail I am sure is important, but more import are the supplies and fresh food that are brought to the island. Normally the boat comes in once a week. We were able to get a few fresh vegetables and fruits, but didn’t get too much as we have a bow full of provisions!
The marina here is committed to ensuring that the cruisers feel welcome. Every day someone comes to the boat and invites us to an event or activity at the dock, pool bar, or in town. Friday is a barbeque on the dock and Saturday is the school fair in town. We are doing our part to support the local economy!
We are here until at least Monday as strong east winds are predicted till then. We are travelling northeast to the Abacos when we get a wind that is not on the nose with 4 ft. waves!
April 12, 2014
Several times a day, we consult a multitude of weather sources to see if it is possible to leave the serenity of our marina and go east to a new destination. There are predictions for a south wind in the next couple of day. After checking the weather, we hope to leave tomorrow morning. In the meantime, today we bike to town for the local school fair and fundraiser and then to the beach.
Stingray swimming at low tide.
|
|