STILL HERE IN PARADISE

We said good-bye to our “boys”, James and Matthew and their friends after they enjoyed an evening out, dinner, casino and aquarium at Atlantis, Nassau. We so enjoyed our stay at Atlantis. This is a massive resort that has a wonderful aquarium, we stayed an extra night so our friends Lyne and Jack could see this amazing aquarium. We said good-bye to the boys and five hours later we said “Hello” to our friends. The turn-over from sheets, towel washing to cleaning the boat (4 boys, use your imagination) and getting the room ready for Lyne and Jack was amazing. I shared a taxi with another boater. She and I went to a store over the Paradise Island bridge and provisioned big time. I have produce, cheese, eggs, milk and other good stuff to last for awhile. I was so excited to get a frozen bag of chicken breasts, 6lbs for $26.00. I haven't had chicken since Florida! Now that the kids have eaten hamburgers and steaks etc, there is room in our freezer to stock up on some other freezer food. We will not be in Nassau until March 21^st. So I needed to think big and hard what I had to buy. I can get produce in these Exuma settlements when their weekly boat comes in but prices are much higher.

We so enjoyed seeing our “children” and their friends but now this week is a holiday for us with our friends. It will be no work for us! We left Nassau Tuesday morning and arrived at Allen's Cay for lunch. This Cay is the one with the Iguanas. Lyne and Jack sure enjoyed seeing these creatures. It was a rougher night though as we did arrive during a rain storm (the first one that we have encountered the whole time we've been in the Bahamas during the daytime). Wednesday we travelled to Norman's Cay but too windy to anchor near the sunken airplane so anchored near a beach. Thursday morning went and did anchor by the airplane and took the dinghy to the beaches where the sand dollars are. We spent the morning “beachcombing”, collecting shells, taking pictures and oohing and aahing over the pools of blue waters. We saw the resident extra large sting ray. Paul took underwater footage and pictures of this amazing creature. It even has a “tag along” fish on his underside. We did not see this stingray jump out of the water like we did when Matt Wubs was in the water last week, but Atlantis has some magnificent stingrays there! After lunch we travelled to a new island for Paul and I, Shroud Cay. This is a nice anchorage and great swimming. A sandy bottom, so snorkeling is just for fun, nothing to see, but the BAA (Big Ass Anchor) that Paul likes the swimmers to check on it.

Lyne and Jack are enjoying a Day In the Life of Shannon and Paul, and they are having fun. This is their one week winter holiday. Nightlife is card playing! Two new games for Paul and I, Phase 10 and last night was Wizard. Good thing I am a good sport, and do not throw cards on the table and stomp off. I did have some swear words to entertain everyone :-) I was the biggest loser both nights but no worries, I hear we might play euchre tonight and I am good at that game!

We arrived at the Exuma Land and Sea Park this morning and will snorkel at slack tide, which is 2:45pm this afternoon. We sure look forward to that. I will update this blog with a part 2 with pictures. We only have so many MB for this 24 hours of internet and there are others to use it. So stay tuned,

Many People Will Walk In and Out of Your Life,

but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. – Eleanor Roosevelt

We are blessed to have so many friends that have us in their thoughts and we are so far away!