1-15 April 2006
Warderick Wells, Bahamas to Georgetown, Bahamas
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| Date | Location | Pictures and Log | |
| 1-2 Apr | Little Farmer's Cay | Mid morning start to the day for an easy 20-mile trip to Staniel Cay. We were ready for a water fill-up and Carey said it's time someone else cooked dinner, so we stopped at Staniel Cay Yacht Club. We joined over 70 vacationers, some boaters, for the single dinner seating at the Club, a four course dinner that was delicious (lobster and Mahi Mahi). This was after a slow and pleasant walk thru Staniel Cay, that was showing off it's shrub lined streets and waterfront vacation cottages. Our age showed after dinner as we passed on late night dancing at another night spot and went to bed early. We decided to pass on touring nearby Thunderball Grotto, where the 007 movie of the same name was made, for our trip back up the Exumas. Instead, we used Sunday morning to fill the water tanks and refuel the dinghy and headed to Little Farmer's Cay where we're anchored in pleasant weather. Tomorrow, if the weather holds, we'll make the 36 mile trip to Georgetown, Bahamas. | |
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| 3-5 Apr | George town | After coffee Monday we left with Chuck and Jackie from "R Enchantment," a couple we met while doing the Great Loop, for George Town. The weather was predicted to be fair with 2-4 foot seas. The weatherman was wrong and we ended the 6-hour trip in 3-6 foot seas, learning that the dinghy needed many more lines to keep it in place. Luckily it just moved around and did not go overboard. The trip was uncomfortable but we safely entered Elizabeth Harbor at 2 pm and anchored. The rest of the day we simply relaxed from the morning ride. Tuesday we moved slowly and enjoyed a walk around town and then moved the boat to the other side of the harbor and took the dinghy to the "Chat and Chill," a local Bahamian burger shack, for a beer and burger. A nice relaxing day, that included some cleaning and maintenance. Wednesday was more of the same ... a great place to vacation, where we found another Tiki Bar and enjoyed the beach views and pleasant temperatures. | |
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| 6-7 Apr | George town | Still in George Town, touring the various anchorages and the town. We pulled into the only marina this morning for water and fuel and to await the arrival of Jack and Ann, friends who are coming down for a week's holiday. We're glad we made the trip but the town is a bit shabby and the people are not as friendly as in the rest of the Exumas. With the many different anchorages in the 1x5 mile Elizabeth Harbor we can understand why many boaters come down for the winter, but it is not a place we'd spend the winter. We're enjoying the activities, relaxation and water. Carey checked out a local restaurant after we took the dinghy through the 8-foot high bridge to Lake Victoria (a small pond on the west side of George Town) where the dinghy dock is located. | |
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| 8-9 Apr | George town | Jack and Ann arrived on the 8th. After drinks at a local tiki bar, we had a great dinner and danced at Peace and Plenty, a local hotel and restaurant. Sunday, underway from the Marina we anchored near Chat and Chill, dinghied ashore, enjoyed the beach and had a great chicken and rib dinner on the beach. Many boaters were there, some showing their water color painting talent and others just enjoying the beach and water. Later, Ann and Carey took the dinghy for a fast ride around Elizabeth Harbor while Jack and I poured fresh drinks. Great day. We're relaxing aboard while a thunderstorm passes by. | |
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| 10-12 Apr | George town, Bahamas | Morning of the 10th we left Chat and Chill and anchored near the Peace and Plenty Hotel for a quiet day that gave Ann and Carey time to sun in the water chairs. Later we moved to the P&P Beach Club area where we found Bahamian vegetation along the sandy paths to the Ocean, and enjoyed the Ocean beaches. A great day for walking. On the morning of the 12th we moved to the Exumas Docking Services Marina for the evening so Jack and Ann would have an easy exit to the airport for their trip home. Unfortunately, the weather had altered some of our plans for their visit, but we still had a great time. | |
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| 13 Apr | P&P Beach Club | An interesting day! Yesterday Jack and I stopped by the sailboat Sweet Liberty at the Marina that was being beaten into the pier by the wind-driven waves. Owners Dave and Judy were unable to launch the craft off the pier so we agreed to pull the single engine sailboat off the pier the next morning. Up early, in 25 knot winds and 1-2 foot waves within the marina, we moved Apolonia into place to tow Sweet Liberty from the pier. Carey manned the swim platform, caught the pitched bow line on the first try, and tied it to the stern cleat. With more than a handful of spectators cheering us on, we successfully towed them to safer waters, where they joined us in returning to the calmer anchorage of P&P Beach Club, in the lee of the gusting northwest winds. In return for our assistance, Dave volunteered to don his scuba gear and repair a broken trim tab connection that we had suffered while docked at the marina during the previous night's storm. Unfortunately, we were too busy to snap photos of the towing rescue, but maybe we can get a copy of the video that was taped by one of the spectators. | |
| 14 Apr | P&P Beach Club | After a great night's sleep we enjoyed a big breakfast and Dave and Judy arrived for the trim tab repair. Dave did a great job and we enjoyed Bloody Marys afterwards and made plans for lunch on Saturday. Easter Sunday's forecast is for 10-15 knot winds and 2-3 foot seas, which may give us the window to leave Elizabeth Harbor and begin our return trip back up the Exumas and onto the Abacos. In the meantime, we're reading, relaxing and doing maintenance and housekeeping projects. Sophie, of course, is sleeping. | |
| 15 Apr | P&P Beach Club | Staying put we are enjoying calm weather and visiting with good friends. Kathy and Ross, from Pilgrim, made it to George Town and we enjoyed visiting with them after returning from a great lunch with Dave and Judy, from Sweet Liberty. | |
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