Monday, March 24, 2014

Turks and Caicos to Long Island



We left before dawn so we got to watch the sun rise as we once again sailed across the ocean.   This sun rise was behind us as we were heading west to Turks and Caicos.






I was watching for coral heads.  Kirk took this pic  duh!  I did not know he took it till I downloaded my pics.




Turks and Caicos at Southside Marina.  

After crossing the banks and dodging coral heads (which looks like dark masses in the beautiful sea) we picked our way into the marina through 2 reefs and multiple coral heads.

Southside Marina bathroom.  I wrote about this in the blog on our way down but this time I took pics. One bathroom for all to share.  It is cut out of the side of the hill.


This is looking into the entrance to the bathroom.  Notice the wall on the right is the side of the hill.


Looking into the bathroom.  Notice the one wall is the side of the hill.   The hysterical part of all of this is that the shower has one temperature (non hot water) and you have to reach up above your head and pull down on the knob to make the water run.  (the chain was missing)  You can also note that there is no ceiling.  Just the lattice board.  



While we were there, we met some fantastic people.   Jorge was rebuilding his V drive and it was a project that most of the people in the marina joined in to help.  Either one or another was going back to their boat to look something up on line, print out a diagram or getting a tool.   It was a great way to get to know fellow cruisers.  It was also very rewarding when it all went back together and worked.



One of the mornings there we walked up the hill from the marina.  Still the same ole rock blasted away, this time to make a road.





The views were great once we got up the hill.   The colors in the T and C banks are unbelievable.

 We stayed till the weather window opened and then started our long trek to the Bahamas.   We anchored the first night behind a reef in Abraham Bay, Mayaguana.   We would start a track on our way in and in the morning in the dark we would follow our track out of the anchorage.  We then went to Atwood Harbor in the Acklins Islands.   It was most beautiful.   Was quite rolly when we left in the dark that morning.  I was so glad we were on a catamaran.   Even the big power boats were having a problem with the swell breaking on their sterns.  We headed to Long Island when the starboard engine would not charge.   So we continued on with just the port engine and the sails.  Not knowing what was wrong we called Flying Fish Marina in Clarence Town, Long Island to reserve a slip so we would have stability to check it out.   That was one of the best moves we made.   It was a great little marina.   Kirk (Mr. Fixit) figured out it was a shorted wire to the alternator and fixed the engine so were were good to go.




This is a little restaurant at the marina called Outer Edge Grill.  Please note the bright green building behind it is NOT PART of the restaurant.   It was a fun place.  We had a great time exploring the "town".


Kirk took this pic.   Great isn't it?  


This is the main road.  The building in the background is a church.


As we walked along, we came to this intersection.   Kirk thought this pic was great cause from our view point the sign says turn left here and is pointed right, however if you were on the other road, it made sense.   We walked all around town and out of town to the value food store which was smaller than a 7-11 at home.  The man there was very nice.   We also visited the straw ladies shop where there were hand made goods.  People waved to us and made us feel welcome.   It was a great stop and  if I ever get back here I would like to visit this Island again.


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