Voyage 2019: Chapter 1

26 Dec 2018, Christmas in Paradise, 26 45.63 N/ 077 19.488 W

Folks here know how to celebrate Christmas! Our first night walking (actually early morning caroling) presented Settlement Point all lit up in its regalia. It was a sight to see! Later we explored the point to see the intricate lighting artwork. It was so much better than last year.

Speaking of morning caroling, there is a long tradition in GTC concerning loud singing and parading with drums booming through all the streets of the settlement. Residents, visitors, and cruisers all join in for the 8 caroling days. The only rub is that it starts at 5 AM. We managed to participate in all but one of the events.

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St. Peter's Anglican Church presented a candlelight Christmas ceremony where all of the church's participated in singing and preaching the Christmas message. The accompanying picture shows St. Peter's women's group singing several songs.

Earlier in the week, the Settlement had a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. We had a tree, food, and lots of folks for an audience; again residents, visitors, and locals. We had caroling, preaching, and a downpour which almost ruined the musical equipment. Fortunately, it didn't and we were under a tent.

Settlement festivities concluded with a golf cart parade, a children's parade of lights, a great dinner, and a visit from Santa (actually Mrs. Claus) for the kids. Everything was perfect except our picture of the parades (none included).

The cruisers had a couple of celebrations themselves: a Christmas Eve morning breakfast at Green Turtle Club and a Christmas Day potluck at Sundowners (Brian and Catherine of Sundowners also had their own feast for visitors, second home folks, and cruisers on Christmas Eve). Both were well attended. The former celebrated the history or cruisers visiting and participating in the life of the settlement while the later celebrated the camaraderie of our community.

30 Dec 2018, Trip to Manjack Cay, 26 48.978 N/ 077 21.894 W

SV Modoki, SV Old Rosie, and Jule III took off for a mini trip Manjack Cay, which was a 50 minute motor-`sail from Black Sound. Jule III was the newbie here while Joe and Yvonne were the expert guides. We had a bit of a problem getting our Bruce to hold in the grass and fine sand but we tweaked our technique for the conditions and all was well.

Modaki took us in their dinghy to explore the creeks and the adjacent shores. We saw rays, turtles, and fish. Everything was great until we got to hiking in the areas of iron stone ( moonscape of really sharp rock); kinda scary stuff. We let Modoki go ahead while we played in the water.

The next day, we used two dinghies to continue our adventures. We explored Manjack and Crab Cays. Not so much iron stone but the terrain was a bit of a challenge. Remember we (Jule III folks) are old. Next stop are the trails near the few residences on the south side of the Cay.

There are hiking trails and trails made to be fun A few of the signs are serious such as this one but most are artwork pretty or weird or both. Much of the artwork is left by passing cruisers. We don't know how long it lasts but we are told the gallery of art is growing. We will find out next year, if we don't have any serious hurricanes

Time to head back to the big boat. But wait, look what Yvonne found. A nice sized star fish, alive and well. Once we checked it out, Yvonne placed the big guy back in the water. Next day, we pulled anchor and then we were gone back to GTC.