March 30

This has been a crazy winter to be in the Abacos. The weather fronts are about every 3 days so all we are able to do is move from one place back across to the other. We can stay in an anchorage for a few days then duck back across to a marina. Our marina funds are spent for the next several years as the last 5 years we have only stayed at a marina we in Bimini and Nassau. And this is clearing into the Exumas. Right now we are at a mooring back at Treasure Cay for several days before we can leave for Man-O-War. We are too long and draw to much in depth so have to anchor out so will stay over night  in Man-O-War so hope the weather treats us good.Then go to HopeTown and again have to anchor unless we can get a mooring ball inside. Mooring balls are first come first serve no reservations and many times when people leave for a few days they have paid up and leave their dinghy there so they have a spot when they get back. Another front is coming so will have to go hide again.

We spent 2 days anchored out in Green Turtle Cay. Very interesting and pretty. It has to be the most like a town that we have seen in a long time. They have 3 grocery stores all the same, a hardware store, customs, post office and restaurants.

Yes and they even have a phone booth that works. We also had one in Georgetown and had Valera stand by it so we could prove it did exist.  Green Turtle is know for turtles and we had several around our boat. It was also the first Star Fish we have seen but sorry did not get a picture of one.  They had sea urchins and Sea Biscuits under our boat. I did not snorkel as I had a boo-boo on my leg and did not want to get it infected. We spent about 3 hours walking around and taking pictures. About 11 we ate at a great, very nice cafe and split a conch wrap and it was awesome. They have a school here that goes until 6 th grade then they have a choice of 3 places to go and finish their education. Nassau, Marsh Harbour or Coopers Town. Marsh Harbour and Coopers town they take a ferry back and forth but if they choose Nassau they go to a boarding school and stay.

They had 3 churches in town but this was the first Methodist Church we have seen. They have a library that is open several days a week.

This is their clinic and it is open M-F. They had a called Loyalist Sculpture Gardens and it was beautiful. It had bust of bronze figures that were the people that came as loyalist to settle here, sorry I forgot to get a date but well worth a stop.

The had several marinas and 1 we could have gotten into but choose to anchor out. 

Something I have not talked about this year are the cemeteries. Everything is above ground and they are very well maintained. Many had a spot in the center for you to put plants or flowers, it looked out on the water.

Of course have to include another picture of the beautiful blue water looking out from Green Turtle Cay.

Have a great April Fools Day.

Fair Winds

Joyce

March 24

Seems like a long time since I have written or sent any pictures.

We have been back in Treasure Cay for a few days as there was a front that was going through with strong winds and a little rain.

We met up with our friends June/Duane and dog Tillie.

We are eating at a place called Colors by the Sea in Marsh Harbour. The place was on stilts as it was right on the water, if you dropped anything it was gone as it went between the planks and directly into the water. It was great food and the place where locals hang out.

We spent the first day walking the beach again just so we could do that before any weather change. 

We rented a car and split the cost between us and spent the whole next day checking out the island. We went first to Marsh Harbour and looked around as they say it is a great place for boaters. We all decided this was not a place for us after looking at the mooring, marinas and so forth. We went and had breakfast at a native place and as we walked in a policeman walked out so we said it must be good. We then continues our venture and  went to a bakery and bought home made wheat bread then went to a local grocery store and it was huge just like a Costco and man did they have everything so we stocked up with fresh veggies. This is a place to drive to and get your groceries  when you are on this island even if you have to rent a car. We then went back to the marina about 45 minutes back. They let Tillie out and played a little then back in the car about 4 for a drive to the opposite end of the island. We went all the way to Crown Haven and let me tell you it was pure poverty except for several places. They had great looking schools but so much boarded up and people living in them.

This school is for all grades but most places only have schools until about 5th grade then they are sent to Nassau for the remainder of their schooling. Some places do have classes all the way but not many. We then went back to Marsh Harbour for supper at Colors on the sea.

The winds picked up yesterday after our beach walk in fact we did not get back before the clouds rolled in and along came the wind. Later in the day we did get off and go for a walk then went to June/Duanes boat, Sea Clearly for some social time. When we got back on our boat with the gust of winds and the tide change I did not make it on the boat up fell back onto the dock but no injuries except pride.

Bo stayed up last night to watch his Wildcats play ball and they lost so now no more basketball.

Tomorrow is laundry as we plan to leave on Sunday if the weather gods are with us. Tonight making Eggplant Parmesan and Sea Clearly is coming over. We did buy some homemade bread it is so different than what we have in the states, it can  vary as to Coconut, Cinnamon/Raisin or the wheats or whites. The thing we found out last year is it is so moist that when you cut it you fry it as if you put it is a toaster it falls apart. 

Thought I better add one last picture for you to enjoy, the white sand and the blue water it is amazing.

Calmer winds clear skies.

March 21

We moved from Guana Cay back to Treasure Cay for 5 days. We are with our friends June ,Duane and dog Tillie.

There is suppose to be a big blow and lots of rain over the weekend so here we are.

Renting a car and driving into Marsh Harbour tomorrow to look around.

Pictures will follow.

We had a great time with Mag/Wendy,George and Bjurn while in Guana Cay.

Fair winds

Joyce

March 19

This has been a whirlwind since we got to Gauna Cay.

 We have spent most of our time with friends that also have a boat  and sail over here every fall and also own a home here. Her brother and wife from Norway are here for a month so we have been able to spend time with them also. First night we went to Junkanoo at a bar called Crabbers, next night we went to Nippers Bar for a concert of Barefoot Man both were something to see.

Gauna Cay is in some ways just like going to any in the U.S. Most of the people on the island are people that own homes here and some have been coming for 20 years. It is a very tight net community.

It has a nice grocery store, lumber yard and so forth. It is a very narrow island so you can walk across it from Sea of Abaco to the Atlantic side.

There is an elementary school here and maybe 6-10 kids go here but most take a ferry across to Marsh Harbour for school. When Bo took the ferry over it was an 8 am ferry and it had all the kids going to school on it.

We had some electrical issues when we left Treasure Cay as the cord that was attached our boat when we unplugged it had melted some of the inside so Bo had to take the ferry over to Marsh Harbour one day with our friend Magna to shop for a new plug. When we were in Myrtle Beach the part of the plug that attatched to the dock burned so had to order a new one so hope all electric is fixed. New spare part list.

Today while Bo did electrical work Wendy took me in the golf cart around the island so I could do the Waterway Guide info, that was so interesting as it is a beautiful island and you can see across it so see both bodies of water. There is a gated and I mean gated community called Bakers at one end. This is where George Strait, Nicole Kidman and George Clooney have places and you do not get it. It has the only golf course on the island.

We did stop and buy some yogurt as this is our usual breakfast and what cost $5 at home was now $12 so this is our last purchase.

At our marina it is beautiful and it has 3 bathrooms with showers and then there is a larger bath house that you have to have a key to get into. The key cost you $20 dollars and is refunded when you turn it back in but this in some places is very common even in the U.S.

Our friend on Sea Clearly have arrived along with dog Tillie. They are anchored over in front of Mag and Wendy's and we will join them tomorrow. Will be so good to be out of a marina and back on the open water to anchor.

Junkanoo

from our marina by the pool

sunset

Fair winds from Guana Cay

Joyce

Treasure Cay

March 14, 2017

Yesterday we walked to all the businesses around us to see if they matched up with what was in last years Waterway Guide. I am sure all of you know that for the last several years we have been editors for Waterway Bahamas and Bo has been their photo man.

There are 28 places right behind the marina and 4 restaurants,now to put this in a perspective that you would understand each business may be in a store that is in a room 15x15. This has got to be the most complete business area we have ever been to and the grocery store is incredible. The thing you have to realize is prices are high as everything is shipped here and then there is a VAT tax on the bill which is like our sales tax and it is 7%.

We were able to get our phone cards here so that made us very happy.

I will send pictures of several places and you will see what I mean. The people are very friendly and so helpful. I walked to a hotel resort by us and they gave me all the info and the lobby was just like US lobbies.

The laundry is $5 wash and $5 dry and folded  then you tip them it is what it is and you do it. When we are anchored out I do my own laundry in a Home Depot bucket, you add 1/4 cup ammonia fill with enough water to match the amount of cloths and add clothes, of course you only put a small amount in mix it let it set even overnight and hang it out the next day and do the next load. The only thing I do not do is sheets. My mother would die if she know I did not change my sheets ever Saturday. For towels we us micro fiber towels expensive but they are so awesome and you can wash then hang them out and they are dry. Ours measure about 6ft long.

Last night was bingo at the marina bar and tonight is a Bahamian Beach Bonfire BBQ. There is a front passing so if it does not blow like crazy or rain we will go it is across the street at a restaurant we have been to several time with the best food. Hours of the BBQ are 6-9.

Today is a catch up day for us so will post this before we leave for Guana Cay for several days.

I was talking to Comfort about the tours that Treasure Cay offers.

We walked to a golf course down the road from us very pretty but as you can see not the plush fairways.

One day we did laundry and this is Donna that takes care of it. Clean!! You can do it yourself or have her do it for you. The cost is the same $5 a load to wash and $5 a load to dry. She will fold them for you also and then there is a jar for you to tip her with.

This is the shopping center, as you can see most people have golf carts.

This has been truly an experience for us to stay at a marina as this one was $1.50 a ft. The electric was metered and we did not use water. This is a wonderful marina and the cost is cheap compared to the one we are staying at in Gauna at our friends Cay.

Fronts keep coming through with winds strong so will leave here tomorrow and it is about 2 hours to go across to the next island.

Joyce

I would like to tell a little about our journey to the Abaco's. We left St. Augustine and it took us 4 days to get to Treasure Cay. So for Joyce it is huge to not being able to get off the boat for 4 days but man is it worth it.

The beach on Treasure Cay is listed as one of the top 10 beaches in the world.

This picture is what we see from our boat as the marina is in a resort community.

We are here for one more day then going to Marsh Harbour, anchor and take the dinghy into town as we still need to get phone service for the Bahamas. Plan to then take the boat across to Great Guana  Cay for about a week. Friends of our have a home there so will spend time with them. On Thursday there is a celebration called Junkanoo and on the weekend The Barefoot Man is preforming at Nippers. More about that later.

Joyce