Charming Turtle Cay

     We spend a lazy morning enjoying the quiet peace and beauty of the anchorage here in Great Guana Cay.  Pete and I simply relaxed and read until Brunelle called over the small radios that they were passing on the far side closer to Abaco Island around 10:30.  So Andiamo and we lifted anchors and began heading north.  Once again meet up as per a precision drill team further north on the Sea of Abaco, prior to going though “the Whale,” on our way to Green Turtle Cay.

     Since we have been in the Abacos and listening to the Cruisers’ Net, we have been hearing about “The Whale Passage” and cruisers’ concerns.  Today was a perfect day for doing almost anything but sailing since there was no wind.  As we entered the shipping channel, better known as “the Whale” it became quite evident as to cruisers’ concerns. The water east of Whale Cay in the Sea of Abaco is skinny, that passage for most sailboats is tricky at best.  Our option is the narrow shipping channel between Whale Cay and the reefs. There are a couple of pilings that mark the entry into the channel.  Depths in the channel vary from 30-45 feet as we traversed.  What was so unbelievable was that we could see the bottom the entire way, even at 45 feet! Even with no wind today there were 2 -3 foot ocean swells.  This area is very exposed and in an east, northeast or southeast wind this would be a real washing machine and treacherous passage.

     Last time Brunelle had been to the Bahamas they had found a new marina in Black Sound, which was very reasonable.  Dan called Leeward Marina and Robbie said he was able to accommodate all three boats for tonight only as he would be full tomorrow. This worked out perfectly for us.
  

    Once settled, we rented golf carts to tour Green Turtle Cay as the island is too big to do by foot.  We found some more truly beautiful beaches. I confessed to Martha that I have become somewhat of a photo snob as have become choosy as to which beaches and sunsets I will photograph. Gillum Beach was definitely worth photographing.  Then it was on to the village and harbor of New Plymouth.  It has quaint streets, pastel colored cottages around Parliament Street, a number of bars (one of which the guys had a beer), a grocery store (where we gals picked up some last minute items), rumor has it ice cream was had by the guys while we were separated, some cute shops, and the Loyalist Memorial Sculpture Garden of Loyalists and slaves from throughout the Bahamas from a garden pattern of the Union Jack.  

Then we cruised through some neighborhoods and around the island to White Sound. We were a bit early, but we stayed for appetizers, drinks and dinner at the Green Turtle Cay Club.  Our server/bartender was a new transplant to the island by the name of Sharee.

Dinner was another great meal in a great setting.  It was a shame that both the marina, bar and restaurant were empty tonight.  Hopefully, it was early for dinner and the marina is simply between seasons. Just before we left, Sharee asked if we were boaters and if we were to be traveling soon. If so, could we were could we keep a look out for a 42 foot sail boat named Victoria?  She left Fort Lauderdale 5 days ago just prior to the storms and is 2 days overdue here in White Harbor, with a couple aboard who were friends.

  

  We returned abound 8ish. Everyone was having such a good time, it was to continue at the bar by the pool at our marina. Since we had free Internet, I had hoped to update the blog with the last 8 days, so I begged off and headed back to the boat.  As I opened up the boat, I was hit with a blast of hot air. Somehow the air conditioner changed to heat and the interior of the boat was now at 85 instead of 73.  I tried to reset the air conditioning, but was unsuccessful.  So I opened up every hatch and window, and turned on every fan, then went to get Pete in the hopes that we might have another air lock in the water pump.  As it turned out it took him about 45 minutes to find that one of the fuses on the AC unit had flipped off.  Once that was reset, we were back in business with AC.  However, we were concerned about the refrigerator/freezer, which was now reading very warm temperatures in the interior.  Hopefully, they will fall overnight.

     As it turned out, everyone was concerned, so they came down to see if they could help.  Once the AC was back and functioning, John invited everyone aboard Andiamo for drinks instead of heading back to the bar.  Pete encouraged me to continue on with the Blog as we don’t know when we will have access to internet again. I was able to get everything I had ready up to date.

Gillum Beach ~ One of the pretiest beaches we visited and one of my all time favorites.

    It really was a fun day, despite the incident with the AC.  I guess if things have to go wrong, I’d rather it be something this simple. I just keep visiting Gillim Beach in my mind!

~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete