Voyage 2013-2014: Chapter 2

19 Jan 2014, Nassau at Last, 25 04.5 N/ 077 18.756 W

We arrived near the western approach to Nassau Harbour at 0615 behind five cruise ships. At 0720, we cleared Nassau Harbour Control, and headed for Nassau Harbour Club marina. Dudley assigned us a perfect slip on the East/East side of the marina. Good ole Dudley. Customs asked us to check in at the marina's patio. The officers were quick and efficient. The only painful part was the $300 entry fee.

The Sacred Heart church is an easy walk from the marina. However, the streets have a few folks that were recovering from their Saturday night festivities. It was a little worrisome given the recent US Embassy's recent warning on violence to Americans. Church was good and we enjoyed the diversity of the congregation.

A dive boat was backing into a slip near us and it looked like it was going to crush a boat near us. They deployed the dinghy and it pushed on the bow like a tug or bow thruster. I bet they have done this before. Very skillful. When the maneuver was complete, the dinghy engine died. Good timing.

Later in the week we took a stroll to Montagu Park and checked out Fort Montagu, a small armed fortress protecting the eastern approach to Nassau Harbour. It was neat but closed so we could not visit. There were public beaches nearby, a little hot dog truck, and a dozen men playing dominoes.

The staff here are very friendly and helpful. Ann and Teresa play a waving game every time we pass by her office. She has worked here for 34 years. That is a long time. Whenever we need directions or advise, Teresa is our go-to person. Not bad.

Time to continue our journey. Capt. Bob is reviewing the charts to select our next destination while avoiding the dreaded Yellow Banks. The Banks are clusters of coral heads that may be shallow enough to touch our keel at low water. Capt. Ann does not want to do the Yellow Banks. Jule will not see them this trip

29 Jan 2014, A week in Warderick Wells, 24 22.374 N/ 076 36.834 W

On 20 January, we left our wonderful slip in Nassau and headed for Shroud Cay on our way to Warderick Wells in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. We steered a course so that we would miss the 'dreaded' Yellow Banks and arrived at Shroud around 1600. The dinghy was still in passage mode so we just enjoyed the sunset and discussed the next day's leg to WW.

The next day, we called into the office and received our mooring ball assignment (mooring #18) at the North mooring field. It was perfect. This park exemplifies the crystal clear water of the Exumas with all of its shades of white, green, and blue. Nowhere in our travels have we seen such beautiful water. The islands are more desolate looking with the limestone rocks and scrubby vegetation. The protected Hutia has devastated much of the flora. The 'greenies' planted the Hutia here at WW several years ago to allegedly save the species. Apparently, they cared little about the park.

We celebrated the warmth of the Bahamas by removing the 'Charlie Noble', the smoke stack for our heater, from the deck. Surely we will not need it any more for this season. The days are warm and the nights are mild. The frigid weather in the States doesn't make it down here, which is a bit unusual for this time of year. We are not complaining!

A young Canadian family took a mooring not far from us. It was a bit windy and they were having a difficult time catching the ball. Two guys from a nearby catamaran came to the rescue and helped them secure the pendant. Nice. The next day we saw the father and daughter Sage rowing through the field. Later we met them on the way to Boo Boo Hill. Nice family. Fun watching them.

Speaking of Boo Boo Hill, we finished our hike up there and found a memorial of a fallen cruiser who died while hiking these trails. It is not clear what killed her other than she fell on the sharp rocks. After Boo Boo Hill, we went to the Blow Hole and experienced the breath of the ocean. We enjoyed beautiful vistas that sadly were interrupted by the Hutia destruction.

We met up with Bob and Sally of Endaxi at the Park's office in anticipation for Saturday's Happy Hour at the whale bones display. We met fellow cruisers, the on-site Defence Force, and the local police. Local poaching is a problem and the Defence Force and police are there to enforce the laws and protect the warden and his staff.

A few days later, we left for the south mooring field at Hog Cay

The guide books say the entrance can be difficult to find as you are approaching the small cut from the Exuma Sound. The weather was good and the winds were light so we had no difficulty find the mooring field and ball # S5. It is even more beautiful than the north field. Later in the day a mega yacht and a catamaran also picked up moorings. All was good except for slightly noisy generators.

Breaking news! Ann actually got in the water. Those who know her may remember that she never gets in the water as 'something may get her feet'. Dirty hair ruled over feet critters so she washed up in the shallow waters near the beach. Water was warm and critters were scarce. Brave Capt. Ann!

We got a Tillandsia (air plant) from our friends Harry and Sheila

last year which we actually did not kill. We took 'Harry', the plant on our excursion this year and he is still alive. He shocked us with a broad array of colors from green to peach with bright blue flowers. He is a tough plant. He must like this tropical atmosphere. Our Vero Beach Tillandsias are not fairing as well but they are not dead (yet).

This is our last sunset in WW. We had a great time tied up in the mooring fields, meeting fellow cruisers, walking the walks, looking through 'look buckets', and not missing the crowds further south. Tomorrow we head for Rock Sound in Eleuthera. It is one of favorite places. There is good weather protection in the Rock Sound harbour.