Cruising the Abacos

Jan 7, 2015

We anchored in White Sound (Green Turtle Cay) and dinghy'd around to New Plymouth to clear customs. The office was closed so we went to the Wrecking Tree for some cracked conch and Kalik. After lunch the office was open so we checked in and took care of all the paperwork. Early to bed, and after that 24 hour run and full bellies, we all slept like a log.

The next morning we went back to New Plymouth for groceries and a Bahamian sim card so we could make "local" calls while here.  On Friday, the 9th, the wind had shifted so we decided to head toward Hope Town, which requires crossing "the Whale". We passed a catamaran heading in the opposite direction and he called us on the VHF. Turns out, he was a boat delivery captain from Charleston and had seen EXILE there. We asked him to say hello to the whole gang at St. Barts Yachts there! Small world and soon to get smaller...

We took a mooring in Hope Town next to a sailboat from Rockland, ME. Turned out they alerted us that another couple that Jeff and Kevin know were on a boat in the harbour as well.  We dinghy'd over to visit Ben and Belinda from Swans Island, ME.

On Saturday morning Kevin and Jeff climbed to the top of the lighthouse before we left Hope Town to get to Little Harbour in advance of the expected wind. We visited Pete's Pub, said hello to old and new friends and returned to the boat.  The wind blew hard all night and finally subsided two days later when we were able to return to Hope Town.

If you look closely you'll see Kevin and Jeff up there!

Entering Little Harbour

Exploring Little Harbour behind Pete's Pub

Jeff and Kevin "leaving our mark" at Pete's.

Wellington opening a coconut for the kids

Let's try some coconut milk!

After two days in Little Harbour the wind settled down and we took off back to Hope Town to hear Brown Tip, a local rake & scrape musician play at the Hope Town Inn and Marina. What a treat! He can certainly get folks off their feet. Kevin ran into some other acquaintances from Maine and it was like old home week. As I keep saying, the world is getting smaller and smaller.

On our way back to Hope Town

Brown Tip joins the dancers

And sits and chats with Kevin for a bit

The next morning we did a couple of loads of laundry, said hello to Vernon at his grocery store (Vernon married us in 2013) and picked up a few necessities. Later that afternoon when the rain stopped, we departed for Man-O-War so Jeff could take Kevin to Edwin's boatyard and Albury Brothers boat building operation. Our favorite bread lady on Man-O-War is no longer baking according to her niece due to health issues, which means there is no longer a bread baker there!

Sunset at Man-O-War Cay

Sunrise at Man-O-War Cay

A Maine lobster boat in the Bahamas!

Which way should we go next?

We spent the night on a mooring there and on Jan. 14th decided it was time to take Kevin to Great Guana Cay, home of Nippers and Grabbers beach bar/restaurants. It was a perfect day in paradise!

Kevin at the helm. Look how clear the water is!

They have the supplies we need!

The boys - checking out the Nipper-mobile

Entrance to Nippers

How can you not stare out over that beautiful water?

EXILE at anchor in Fishers Bay, Great Guana Cay

Time to head out for another island - this time a quick run to Bakers Bay where we walked along a small island opposite it and collected shells. Lunch aboard after that, then we decided to sail to Tahiti Beach, a favorite of ours at the southern end of Elbow Cay. It was a fantastic sail! We anchored there for the night and the expected front moved in earlier than forecast so we made the decision to head straight to Marsh Harbor at 8am. We arrived there 2 hours later and dropped anchor.

Captain Jeff at the helm 

Even in questionable weather, the water is still gorgeous

January 16th - the last day left of Kevin's visit. In Marsh Harbour we walked to Maxwells, a large grocery store (about the only one in the Abacos!) to reprovision. We picked up a tag-along on the way. She walked with us all the way to the store, about a mile or so... must have enjoyed our company and leisurely stroll.

We ate lunch at Curly Tails overlooking the harbour then stopped in to see George the conch man. He's been in Marsh Harbour for years and makes the greatest conch salad! We bought some from him, chatted a while and told him that Kevin was returning to Maine in the morning. He offered to take us to the airport and said he'd meet us at 8:30. 

Back to the boat we went to chill for a while. Since the weather was holding up, we chose to visit the Jib Room for a "last night in the Bahamas" cocktail. Wouldn't you know it.... Kevin ran into another Maniac who keeps his boat here in the winter.  After getting reaquainted, we returned to the boat for dinner aboard. 

Take a leaky?

The morning of Saturday the 17th, we dinghy'd to the dock where George would meet us. He arrived on time and off we went to the airport. After saying our good-bye's to Kevin, George drove us back (with all our dirty laundry in tow) to the local laundromat where we spent the next couple of hours waiting for the machines to do their magic, bought some local bread and motored back to Hope Town. We were back on our mooring at 4pm.

Good Morning rainbow

It was a beautiful day so we sailed to Tahiti Beach, dinghy'd to shore and wandered around for a while. It began to cool off a bit so we pulled up the anchor and returned to our mooring in Hope Town where we enjoyed dinner aboard and a great Patriots game!

Tahiti Beach

Sunday race outside of Hope Town Harbour

Good night Hope Town

We're not sure where the wind will take us next but expect to stay here in Hope Town for a few weeks and take the occasional day trip for fun and adventure. Should anything exciting happen I'll be sure to let you know.  Happy Birthday Mom!