January 25, 2014

We departed the mooring ball field of Warderick Wells Cay on January 25 at 0945. The plan was to go directly to Staniel Cay some 20 nm "down the road" however O'Brien's Cay and the Sea Aquarium Coral Garden was calling so we stopped after 10 nm. We motor sailed on the Exuma Sound side.

We set anchor just past the coral garden, had lunch and then set out for the garden - complete with snorkeling gear. This was our first time ever snorkeling and apparently we picked the best area to snorkel in! Three other boats joined us, two Canadian boats who we had previously met and an Australian couple. Next the four of us headed to a submerged plane to snorkel there. We were joined  by a sea turtle but he maintained his distance!

Snorkeler Jorge!

Kim snorkeling with the fish.

Many snorkelers at the Sea Aquarium at O'Brien's Cay.

Happy hour was aboard one of the Canadian boats but we left early as it was about a 1.5 nm dinghy ride back to CS'ta Time and we wanted to do it while there was still sunlight.

January 26, 2014

We weighed anchor at 1200 after waiting and watching what a storm cell was doing. No fun sailing into a storm! Staniel Cay was only 10 nm away and we had a wonderful sail down the Exuma Banks side with 10 - 15 kts and less than 2' seas. It was an overcast day and temp was around 25C.

We set anchor beside an island called Big Majors Spot outside Staniel Cay with about 35+ other boats! It was a big anchorage with lots of room.

We had our own happy hour and just enjoyed the evening.

Sunset at anchorage at Big Majors Spot, Staniel Cay.

January 27, 2014

We were up just before 0800 with a mission to spend the day ashore. We left the boat around 0930 and headed for town. A walk to the dump was the first thing on our to-do list, priorities! We then walked the town, sightseeing and of course checking out the grocery stores. Good thing I had a good supply of essentials as there wasn't a lot in the stores. The mail boat (and supply boat) arrives on Thursday.

Landing the dinghy on Staniel Cay.

 

Sign at the airport.

Oldest house on the island, now a library.

 

Local vegetation along the road.

Baptist Church.

Pink Pearl's Supermarket.

We stopped at the government dock on the way back to CS'ta Time as there were fisherman who had just arrived and were cleaning their catch of the day. We bought a whopping big lobster tail for dinner!

Spiny lobster.

Catch of the day.

Scraps from the cleaning going to the nurse sharks.

We are only about 2 miles from a Batelco tower but using the internet in the Bahamas is definitely a lesson in patience! After 10 minutes if the picture doesn't download I give up. That's what is happening right now. However I have been successful in dowloading a few pictures on the last two posts so check them out. I'll keep trying to download them!