April 15, 2014

Hello to all !!

We are now planning our return trip to the US, hard to believe that we have been living aboard “Haven” for 10 months now. Sad to be saying goodbye to some wonderful people we have met along the way and this beautiful part of the world.

We are now at anchor in Treasure Cay harbour celebrating my birthday, relaxing, going to hang out at the beach with fellow cruisers. We plan on getting through Whale Cut tomorrow, up to Green Turtle Cay. From there we will wait for a favourable weather window to head out on Little Bahama bank to set up for our Golf Stream crossing.

The last few week s have been a great mix of new cruising grounds, landscapes, waters, culture, and experiences.

We spent almost two weeks cruising and exploring Eleuthera Island, making stops in Cape Eleuthera, Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Governors Harbour, Hatchet Bay, and Spanish Wells. We were able to rent a car for 2 days while we were waiting out yet another front, making it over to Dunmore Town on Harbour Island.

Lucky for us we hit the Island when a week long Jazz Fest was being held.  We managed to take in 2 different venues, some fabulous music and entertainers.

Leaving Normans Island

Cape Eleuthera Marina

Al thought he had caught dinner but all that this was all that was left once he pulled it on board.
Fish head soup??

morning in Rock Sound

Ocean Hole in Rock Sound

walking to the airport to extend our immigration papers

 As we travel to these different regions of Bahamas it becomes evident how history and accessibility to resources has moulded each of them and made them unique from the others. Although we have yet to have explored all of it, the Exuma Islands is where our hearts are.

 Tarpum Bay

Governors Harbour

Hatchet Bay

Glass Window, the picture below is the view almost directly under the bridge in the direction Al and Phil are facing.

The crossing to the Abacos went great, sailed all the way – 10 hours to get from Russell Island (fun eh!) to Lynyard Cay about 2 ½ miles from Little Harbour, South Abacos. The waves were a bit uncomfortable hitting on the beam, but sunshine and 10-15 knots of wind. Lots of fish being caught all around us but all we got on the hook was a Barracuda.

Sunrise,

This was the view behind us as we left Russell Island, Spanish Wells heading for the Abacos 

Visits in the South Abacos have included, Little Harbour, Hope Town, Great Guana Cay, Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay and Man-O-War Cay. We still seem to be dodging one front after the other but haven’t been caught in any off guard and finally yesterday we were hit with some much needed rain.

 

sailing into the rain

The Abacos has been a blast, we haven’t been in the water much, but visiting and exploring different areas. This part of Bahamas is quite a bit more developed and tourist driven with a high influx of American dollars with Marsh Harbour being the second largest town/city, next to Nassau. Other areas of quaint settlements with beautifully painted houses and paved “pathways” for roads, all very beautiful.

 

This is the view I saw all day today, Treasure Island Cay.
Happy Birthday to me!!!

So, the next time you here from us we should be state side, making our way to Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville, Fl to put the boat up for the summer.

See you all soon.

I'll try to put more pictures on when we have better internet.