January 18, 2014

We slept in until shortly after 0800. I can't believe how tired we are most of the time! I guess it must be all the fresh air.

We had a leisurely breakfast in the cockpit. It was windy and a bit cool but mostly sunny. Rob and Serena on Vita left this morning for Normans Cay. Diana, Gilbert, Dave, Rose, Jorge and I decided to stay until tomorrow and just hang out.

Jorge suggested a picnic lunch on the island inhabited by the iguanas and also explore some ruins. Good idea, the waves and wind were making staying on the boat a bit uncomfortable. We used our dinghy and picked up Diana and Gilbert and Dave and Rose. Off we went! So, it was interesting making our way around the island. The tide was in so we had to pick our way through the rocks and iguanas to the other side. It was much less windy there and that's where we had lunch.

Walking on "Iguana Island", Allen's Cay.

Enjoying lunch with the iguanas. L - R: Diana, Dave, Rose, Jorge and Gilbert.

View of anchorage from atop the ruins.

Jorge atop the ruins.

We then continued on and found a path to the ruins and explored them. Actually they were basically just the outside structure of a house and maybe a water holding tank but the view from them was incredible!

We continued to make our way around the island and arrived back to the dinghy. Diana and Gilbert had visited a small beach on another island so we headed over there for better protection from the wind. It was fabulous. Two other couples joined us shortly and we spent a very restful afternoon there. The girls played yahtzee and the guys chatted.

We headed back to our boats just before 1700 after discussing tomorrow's plans. We're off to Normans Cay in the morning (not too early as it is only about 12 - 15 nm away).

January 17, 2014

Jorge was up way earlier than me, before 0600. I was up around 0630. We left Nassau Harbour just before 0800 with some 7 or 8 boats. We were making our way to Allens Cay and some were going on to Normans Cay. The winds were light, mostly less than 10 kts and the seas 1' to 2'. We motor sailed all the way. We finally caught up with Diana and Gilbert again! Rob and Serena on Vita from Kingston (who we first met in the Oswego Canal) were also there. It was one big happy reunion.

We set anchor at 1330, put the dinghy down and said hi to everyone then explored the nearby island. It was populated with iguanas! The anchorage was quite busy with people snorkeling, swimming and even water boarding. It was a gorgeous day, mostly sunny and warm.

Jorge with the iguanas in Allen's Cay.

Iguana.

Diana invited us, Rob and Serena as well as Dave and Rose from Cloud 9 (who we have been travelling with from No Name Harbour) over for happy hour and we stayed for supper as well. It was great to see them again and catch up on things.

We were back to the boat by 2100 and in bed shortly afterwards.

We are using the phone as a hot spot. Very slow and unable to download pictures at this point. Once we get better signal I'll download the pictures.