georgetown - exumas

Atlantis  (Nassau to Georgetown) Great Exuma Island

December 18^th to 20th

Due to a 24 hour break in the weather, it was decided that we would leave with the two other boats osprey and celillo and do an overnight passage leaving nassau Saturday morning to cross the flats with the sun overhead so you can see and dodge the rocks and coral heads in the flats then through shipping channel cut into the sound and sail all night to arrive in Georgetown Sunday morning.  Crossing the flats involved kirk on mast looking for rocks and coral heads and me at the helm.  Was a little nerve racking for me but kirk thought it was great.  Was a great night in the sound.  That is if you like sailing at night with no sleep trying to not nod off. Not as rough as any other conditions that we have seen while down here, in fact it was a beautiful night. Kaeo on osprey showed kirk the Bahamian welcoming star that changes colors.  We arrived in Georgetown early and had to motor around waiting on the sun to go through the cut to get into Georgetown. 

When going through the cut to get out of the sound and in the Elizabeth harbor some big rollers decided to head on in and broke about 20 feet in front of the boat.  Now that was a wake up call.  You had to follow your way points exactly.  Little tricky after no sleep but the excitement of finally being here was a charge.  I pooped out about 10 and slept till 12 did some chores and then we went to chat and chill.  Poor kirk was still so fired up that he did not fall asleep till that evening. 

Christian and Elizabeth arrived that evening and so life on ainulindale started to pick up. 

Yesterday after fixing the genset thank you Christian, we hiked part of the island (invite from osprey)  went to the highest point where a monument stands, saw the cut we came through with the breakers, hiked down the other side and walked along the sound (ocean) side for along time finding shells, traversing sand dunes, limestone cliffs, had a good time and then a very very wet but hysterical dingy ride back to the boat.

Today,after working on the dingy engine, Christian and elizabeth took the dingy to shore to snorkel and swim and explore.  Kirk and I had a day off of doing nothing.  I had another mac lesson from Christian so I am getting used to this computer.  I will get another one when we go to town and have internet.  Oh I guess I did not mention that we have no internet, we are in an anchorage that is protected as the winds were gusting to 30 and we have to get the water taxi to take us to great exuma  (gerorgetown) for supplies and internet.  Hopefully going tomorrow.

We were invited to the Christmas dinner at volleyball beach where all the cruisers hang out but declined as we are just getting settled and do not have many supplies on board.  Also wanted to spend time with c & e.

Today Christian put on the new gas orifice for the oven so we may even be able to bake something for Christmas dinner. 

If I do not get to town again before Christmas I hope everyone has or had depending upon when you read this post a wonderful holiday filled with peace and joy.