WE ARE HERE IN ATLANTIS

a foursome

James and Les, buddies

We have had a great time with Matthew, Les, James and Matt, ages 19-21 … we are now sitting in Atlantis in Nassau. The boys leave tomorrow morning around 10:30am to the airport. It is worth to stay here at the marina as all passengers on board get a day pass bracelet. This bracelet alone is worth $120.00 each. And to stay at this marina for us is about $250-300 a night. The boys are having a blast. The aquarium here is worth it alone! Magnificent.

We traveled from the Exuma Land and Sea Park to Norman's Cay where there is a sunken airplane and there is Norman's Beach Bar. The boys went there for a lunch and got to know the manager Stefan there. They snorkeled, swam, dinghyed everywhere and had a few laughs. Saw a HUGE stingray jump out of the water, amazing sight. I learned that these creatures have a white belly, I thought a small whale was jumping out of the water, I asked Matt Wubs to get out of the water until I knew what that was. They are beautiful to watch swim/glide through the water.

Norman's Cay, where I got sand dollars

Paul and I went to three nearby beaches by ourselves and sure enjoyed the white sand! I collected more sand dollars and am sending the boys home with some.

Paul and white sand

Norman's Cay only 2 feet deep, had to walk ashore

 

Matt and Matthew, best buds

Lots of conch

We travelled from Norman's Cay to Rose Island, outside of Nassau on Friday and it was a little rough but boys enjoyed the seas. They caught a fish on the way, but after much deliberation and analyzing the fishing books, decided to let it go... we think it was a “Lesser Amber Jack”. Later that night, Rose Island became calm calm calm.... see down 15 feet. The boys again, snorkeled, and went pole spear fishing. Matt caught a fish but small, then caught a much bigger one.... a Red Hind. We barbequed it and had very little eating from it but all sampled it. Then the 4 boys came along with about 20 conch shells, after about 1 hour of work to get 3 out of the shell (after I boiled it briefly to kill them), we breaded the meat and fried them in oil. These turned out much better... Matthew cleaned them after James used the ax to cut the shell off to get the conch meat out. I pounded the meat with my wooded rolling pin, all this is from instructions that we got to novices like us. Lots of meat inside these creatures. Everyone had a sample of the conch meat, the other conch shells were released as too much work to do to get the meat out. These conch are so slimy! Cleaning up after this was exhausting even getting the slime off your hands, I used comet!

A speared fish, the hunter Matthew

enjoying the open seas

At Rose Island, coming back from the beach where they were "fishing"

When Ben and Sam and guests were here there was a day when it rose to 45 degrees, and this happened to us on Saturday.. hot and sunny, no wind! This must have been the calm before the wind, as it is super windy right now! We have Lyne and Jack coming tomorrow afternoon, friends from our hometown Metcalfe. We sure hope the wind dies down so we can travel back to the Exumas, keep our fingers crossed. We are hostages to the weather down here. We are learning all about this, Windfinder is the weather site we go to to get the wind directions and mph etc.

I will go and provision again tomorrow morning, take a taxi to the store across the Paradise Island bridge and then visit this fabulous Atlantis again. You could stay here one week and not see everything. The people here are super friendly, we love the Bahamanian people! The boys are getting all “dressed up” for the night out so I will take a picture and add to the blog.

A night out at Atlantis Resort, all dressed up and lots of hair gel

We have internet for tomorrow too and again sporadically throughout the next week. We blog when we can.

Atlantis Marina's largest yacht here is 240ft long with 16 crew members, we are a 45ft catamaran. We are our own Captain and “cook” !

PICTURES FROM EXUMA LAND AND SEA PARK

Two friends since grade nine,
Matthew and Matt

This is not a pool, but oh so blue
Les, Matt and James

OUR BOYS ARE HERE WITH BUDDIES

Sunday afternoon, sons Matthew and James arrived with friends, Matt and Les. What lucky young men they are to experience Bahamas on a nice catamaran. They arrived in Staniel Cay on a sunny day. We anchored in a small bay because of the winds for the night. After a secure night, we went ashore for “beer” shopping and get gas for the outboard motor. The guys had a beer at the Staniel Cay yacht club and saw the nurse sharks and sting rays in the water at the marina. We came back to the cat for an early lunch as the slack tide was happening at 1pm. That means we go to Thunderball Grotto to do the snorkeling in the cave, lots of fish and a coral reef just outside the cave. The guys loved this experience. A James Bond movie was filmed in this cave. We then pulled anchor and moved to the other side of the island, the guys took my compost lettuce to the pigs that swim out in the salt water to eat the good food thrown to them. The guys loved seeing these pigs and their piglets.

James is doing our famous card trick I taught him many years ago and it is driving Les crazy wanting to know the answer... but we don't divulge things like that. We just keep doing the trick over and over and maybe Les will catch on and maybe he will not.

The guys collected wood and did go to a bonfire on land on Monday night. They came back smelling like a bon-fire but sure enjoyed themselves.

This morning we pulled anchor and travelled to the Exuma Land and Sea Park, the guys were so excited they jumped in right away and went to a sandbar. This park is awesome. We also went snorkeling here as the fish here are very different and extra large. James used his “GoPro Camera” on the trip here and also under the water. The video is awesome! This is widescreen and can be worn on his head.

Matthew, Matt, Les and James

We will head to Norman's Cay tomorrow for a snorkel at the underwater plane that sank many years ago during the drug running years. This is where the girls Sam and Jalyn got the sand dollars, so we will head to that beach for some more of those.

Paul with the sand bar in background at the Exuma Land and Sea Park

We are having a good time with family and friends and hope all are having a good “Spring Break”. My parents are going to Hawaii in a couple of days for the first time. Many adventures for everyone!

Let Us Be Grateful To People Who Make Us Happy; They Are The Charming Gardeners Who Make Our Souls Blossom. -- Marcel Proust

REDEEMER HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTION

Friday we travelled to Blackpoint Island to do laundry and have unlimited free internet while at the laundromat. We did bring down some school supplies and walked up to the local school to donate these. They welcomed us with open arms and were so grateful. Next year we will bring ink for their printers. It is hard to come by down here in the out islands. All the children were having a Valentine's Day lunch and were dressed in red and white.

Saturday morning we pulled anchor and left Blackpoint for Staniel Cay. We are back here as two sons and their two buddies arrive Sunday afternoon by a charter plane. On our way here we stopped at Bitter Guana Cay because the beach there looked awesome. We anchored and dinghyed in. Yes, there were iguanas but not too many. I collected some shells and we got some exercise walking. No other person in sight.

This morning we dinghyed in to Staniel to pick up a few grocery items. We met some nice local people. We heard about the school fundraiser dinner at the beach and decided to go for that. No cooking for me tonight! Well, God does work everywhere! We met parents of someone we knew as a staff member at our sons' high school a long time ago. David Wildeboer was a staff member back when our son was in grade 9 or 10. What are the odds of that? There had to be over 40 people at this beach dinner, we sat down right beside Bill and Shawnie Wildeboer on the bench. This is their first time in Bahamas travelling on their sailboat. We shared stories and commented what is the chance we would meet. .. and for me to bring into conversation of our boys attending Redeemer Christian High School in Ottawa.

When we travelled from Grenada to St. Maarten in 2009 we saw many boats from many countries according to their flags, well here in the Exumas, 80% of the boats we see are Canadian, rarely any other kind. I have a flag reference guide to help distinguish all the flags that I thought we would see, but really no need, as most are Canadian with an odd one American, Australian or German. We leave Canada to see more Canadians down here.

A skyscape here in Blackpoint Island, Exumas

at the Guana Island

Did You Know:

During times of battle, British navy ships used to carry a supply of limes to help prevent scurvy. That's why the British were tagged with the nickname “Limeys.”

LAUNDRY AND INTERNET BLACKPOINT

We travelled to Blackpoint this morning as it is only 4 miles away. They have the best laundromat in the Exumas and free internet to boot. So did catch up on the emails and thought I would upload a couple of pictures. We expect our other two sons along with two buddies on Sunday afternoon. We are excited and preparing for them.

I will publish this and upload a picture at a time.

This is near Thunderball Grotto where we saw some turtles

Tyler with water and horizon ... it went to over 45 Celcius this particular afternoon

This is the magnificent view from the dryer at the laundromat
Doing laundry in the Exumas is more fun that the basement in Metcalfe
I think I will get a poster for our laundry room, hmmmmm

Take care.

COLOURFUL TOWN

We sent off Ben and wife Sam along with their friends Tyler and Jalyn home via the small runway here in Staniel Cay. From here they travelled to Nassau all the way to Ottawa via Philadelphia, a long day for them back to their reality. We had an awesome time. We took the dinghy into shore to drop them off at the airport, a rough ride as the waves were big... then when we got back to Coyaba, the waves picked up big time!! We pulled anchor and moved to another anchorage. It was still rough last night but moved again this morning. Much nicer now, just much cooler weather, sweater weather here. (no parka)

Ben had caught a mackerel on the fishing line on our way to Staniel Cay and I am looking forward to posting that picture. We caught then released. We really did not know what to do with the fish at that moment. While in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, the kids went at dusk to a fishing boat where they had been snorkeling to see these two men feed the small sharks. This was an interesting sight. Sam got a few pictures. These boater's freezers were full and needed room so gave a huge bag of Mahi Mahi to the kids to bring back to our boat. (these guys were picking up some buddies and going fishing again in the “big waters” and needed freezer room for their new catch) Needless to say we had a wonderful Mahi Mahi dinner the next night. Jalyn tried it and enjoyed her steak much better. I have leftovers in the freezer for Matt and James and their buddies when they come down... but not meal size, just an appetizer size.

There are all kinds of boats from all nationalities in this anchorage. It is very interesting listening to the VHF radio traffic. No radio or television but lots of entertainment here. For example a large yacht was “dragging” this morning so the trawler beside them was hailing the captain on the VHF. A crew member came on the radio and she was new and informed this trawler that the captain was not on board She did not know what to do. She didn't even know how to use the VHF radio and she did not even have a phone on board as the Captain took it. Someone in the anchorage phoned the Captain and he was on his way back to move this megayacht. Who knows who or where the owners were. No shortage of entertainment!! We have a BAA (Big Ass Anchor) and we are happy about that, no worries of us “dragging” anywhere!

I will go to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and buy internet for the one day ($10) and upload this blog. The internet is so slow and unreliable, I would not type this right on the blog. I type in a word doc, copy it, go to our blog, paste, “publish” it, then might be able to view and edit it (spelling etc), all within a minute, as the internet may lose connection. So frustrating. We will meet some other “yachties” at the bar and eavesdrop on their boat stories.

Staniel Cay is a colourful town, there are yellow, pink, green and blue buildings. For example, I have
to find a blue building for the 3^rd grocery store I want to visit and compare prices. All transportation here is motorbike, bicycle, or golf carts (up to a 8 seater). And then there are trucks, but only with logos, ie: construction. It is such a cute little community... so friendly!

Did you know that a Nautical Mile = 1.15 Mile?

Did you know..

that it takes 2 weeks for a paper towel to degrade in salt water?

Aluminum can takes 200 years?

STANIEL CAY, THUNDERBALL AND PIGS

We travelled from the Exuma Land and Sea Park to Staniel Cay on Thursday. We figured that there is so much to see and do here that we skipped Compass Cay. Staniel Cay is known for the a James Bond movie titled Thunderball. All of it filmed right here. Today we did snorkel right in the Thunderball grotto (cave)... it was awesome! When you snorkel you always compare what you see to the last place your best snorkeling experience was. Many years ago, my best experience was on Barcardi Island in Santiago de Cuba... now I will be comparing all my future snorkeling experiences to this location. There was so many fish and coral that I did not even know existed. If someone had one snorkeling experience in their life, this is the location, I am not exaggerating.

We went into town and bought homemade cinnamon bread and whole wheat, right at someone's kitchen in their home. They had a sign at their tree at their door, mmmmmm. We went out for lunch too today, first meal out since Nassau. Ben, Sam, Tyler and myself had fish but Jalyn had a hamburger, the biggest I have ever seen. Everyone is so friendly here. We saw the tiny airport and know where we are going tomorrow morning to send off everyone. We will have a week “holiday” before other 2 sons arrive with their buddies. What fun awaits them ( and us!). We haven't seen them since Jan. 3 so I miss them! It will be a return this time, from here to Nassau with a night at Atantis for the guys to experience.

It is very expensive here so I must do some special meal planning ie: Spaghetti etc. I did provision the freezer well so that is a blessing. Meat is scarce.

We did go to a nearby island and saw the swimming pigs!! Yes you heard me! Staniel Cay is famous for the pigs that swim in the salt water as you throw out your carrots. And there were about 10 tiny piglets on land learning what they have to do. I have pictures, unfortunately internet here is like dial up (or at home in Metcalfe hahahaah) so no pictures. I may send a odd picture here and there separate.

We are enjoying ourselves and hope you are all well at home.

Happiness Can Be a Secret Place—Somewhere To Go To In Your Hour of Pain, Where a Moment's Peace Can Fill Your Heart. (author unknown)

STANIEL CAY, PIGS AND THUNDERBALL

We travelled from the Exuma Land and Sea Park to Staniel Cay on Thursday. We figured that there is so much to see and do here that we skipped Compass Cay. Staniel Cay is known for the James Bond movie titled Thunderball. All of it filmed right here. Today we did snorkel right in the Thunderball grotto (cave)... it was awesome! When you snorkel you always compare what you see to the last place your best snorkeling experience was. Many years ago, my best experience was on Barcardi Island in Santiago de Cuba... now I will be comparing all my future snorkeling experiences to this location. There was so many fish and coral that I did not even know existed. If someone had one snorkeling experience in their life, this is the location, I am not exaggerating.

We went into town and bought homemade cinnamon bread and whole wheat, right at someone's kitchen in their home. They had a sign at their tree at their door, mmmmmm. We went out for lunch too today, first meal out since Nassau. Ben, Sam, Tyler and myself had fish but Jalyn had a hamburger, the biggest I have ever seen. Everyone is so friendly here. We saw the tiny airport and know where we are going tomorrow morning to send off everyone. We will have a week “holiday” before other 2 sons arrive with their buddies. What fun awaits them ( and us!). We haven't seen them since Jan. 3 so I miss them! It will be a return this time, from here to Nassau with a night at Atlantis for the guys to experience.

It is very expensive here so I must do some special meal planning ie: Spaghetti etc. I did provision the freezer well so that is a blessing. Meat is scarce.

We did go to a nearby island and saw the swimming pigs!! Yes you heard me! Staniel Cay is famous for the pigs that swim in the salt water as you throw out your carrots. And there were about 10 tiny piglets on land learning what they have to do. I have pictures, unfortunately internet here is like dial up (or at home in Metcalfe hahahaah) so no pictures. I may send a odd picture here and there separate.

We are enjoying ourselves and hope you are all well at home.

Happiness Can Be a Secret Place—Somewhere To Go To In Your Hour of Pain, Where a Moment's Peace Can Fill Your Heart. (author unknown)

MORE PICS OF FUN TIMES

Jalyn was the only one who could blow the conch shell 

at sunset! A tradition for boaters here

A hammock attached to the dingy davit!

A three man kayak can hold four passengers!

PICTURES FROM LAST BLOG

SAND DOLLARS COLLECTED AT A BEACH

AT THE LAND STRIP ON NORMAN'S CAY,
BEN AND SAM
TYLER AND JALYN

EXUMAS CAY LAND AND SEA PARK

We are now on a mooring ball in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park at the Warderick Wells anchorage area. This is a wonderful area to be in, there is no other place on earth that has this many turquoise blues... this is what I read before we arrived and I totally agree. We left Rose Island and travelled on the Bahama Banks to arrived at Allen's Cay on Monday afternoon. Here is where Iguanas come out at the beach awaiting your arrival. They are hoping you are bringing some small pieces of compost to “share” with them. They are NOT tame, Ben, Sam and Ty and Jalyn did not feed them. This was the introduction to the Exumas, Bahamas. Tuesday, we travelled to Norman's Cay. This is full of wonderful beaches and a sunken airplane. This is where the drug runner Carlos Leder lived during the old days of the Bahamiam drug trading. Leder's operation was eventually infiltrated by “the feds” but not before there were (supposedly) a bevy of murders when cruising boaters came too close to his operation. There was a Johnny Depp movie called “Blow” many years ago about this drug lord. AND filmed on this island.

We left this morning with a reservation for a mooring ball (instead of anchoring and damaging the coral) in this sea park. This is paradise here! The kids have seen stingrays and so many fish that I haven't even seen before. I have snorkeled in so many places over the last 20 years. Every second boat here is a Canadian boat. None with a hockey stick as their flag pole though, we do get laughs and a conversation breaker for sure.

The internet that we paid for here is limited and will not be able to download pictures, but will try just one. We will download many pictures in Staniel Cay on Friday. We are headed to Compass Cay to swim with the small nurse sharks there tomorrow (yep that is right?).. Jalyn might just take pictures if I am correct. … but Tyler and Ben and Sam are eager to see these small sharks that seem tame at the marina. I saw a travel show featuring these so I want to see for myself.

We are eating, swimming and drinking well and no worries, kids fly home Sat. from Staniel Cay connecting in Nassau to the reality of snow in Ottawa. They will have many memories and pictures to share with their friends.  

ROSE ISLAND

Rose Island is an island close enough to Nassau that we can quickly go to Nassau to pick up or drop off our guests. This island has 2 kinds of beaches, one on the nice calm waters and one on the other side of the island where there are waves galore...of course depending on the winds and weather.

Sam in the distance, and I went walking along the beach to collect sea glass which is glass that is smoothed out from all the crashing of the water and waves. We found a few nice dark green pieces. Rose Island is beautiful to kayak around which Sam and I did to get some exercise. We snorkeled again and just enjoyed the sun and water.
We walked into Nassau where the cruise ships dock, over 2000 passengers with 900 crew members per ship, so imagine if there are 4 or 5 ships in harbour, today there were two. We bought some rum and the Bahamas's famous Rum Cake, even got ourselves some samples, mmmmm. Of course I bought the Chocolate Rum Cake.

Ben and Sam enjoying themselves in the Sand and Surf on Rose Island

Yesterday there was a huge yacht that anchored near us from St. Vincent. They had 2 Seadoos and all the toys that come with a huge yacht. Their anchor was so small compared to our BAA (Big Ass Anchor). Well, sure enough after a couple of hours that anchor of theirs started dragging and did not hold their big yacht. BUT, no one on that boat seemed to notice, finally after what seemed a long time, a crew member came out and pulled that small anchor up.

Big Yacht heading to the rocks on shore

We were about to hail them on the VHF Radio but thank goodness they came forward to pull that anchor. It would have not been pleasant.

We pick up Ben and Sam's friends tomorrow and head back to Rose Island, if it is not too windy. The boat will rock like crazy on the way back, we hate to give our guests a rough ride the very first day, but that is the way it goes sometimes, only a short ride.
"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."
--John Wayne