Back to Hopetown

Bad weather was forecast so we headed back to the shelter of Hopetown and picked up a mooring ball.   As usual we had a good time in Hopetown.  Our friends on Ryana came into the bay and we enjoyed seeing them.   Stacey and Jorge did some exploring via a golf cart one day and then met us at “Wine Down Sip Sip.”  They had picked up a few friends along the way and brought them.  I had met some people at the laundry mat who showed up.  We ended up with a huge table.   A very quiet one at that!!!!!  We had some fresh Mahi that Ryana had caught one night on our boat.   We ate a disgusting meal at Cap’n Jacks.   Stacey and I went to the beach and then Kirk and Jorge showed up and Stacey and Jorge again went swimming,   this time with more success.  Down side of the swimming was sunburn.  It was on our golf cart ride to breakfast one morning that Stacey got the idea that she could or should stay longer and not fly back to Seattle on Friday.  

We headed back up to Man-O-War Cay after the weather cleared.  Stacey and Jorge swam again, but not in the surf this time, off the boat.  The next morning we finally had winds to sail and we sailed across the sound to Marsh Harbor to drop Jorge off.   Stacey had decided to further her adventure!!

Marsh Harbor to Great Guana

The following day we went across the sound to Marsh Harbor.   Marsh Harbor was the original destination when we left Norfolk In November of 2011.  As we quickly learned, plans change daily due to weather and here we were two and a half years later making it to our original planned crossing destination.   Marsh Harbor is kinda the center for all provisioning etc.   We were stunned to find out that the chandlery was closed on Saturday.   We did make it to the liquor store and a great grocery store named Maxwells and got provisions for our guests Stacey and Jorge who were due to arrive the next day.   Not much at all is opened on Sunday.  We prepped the boat for guests and got excited.

Kirk picked up Stacey and Jorge at the Jib Room (Marsh Harbor Marina) and got back to the boat around 10.   After getting settled in we headed out of Marsh Harbor across the sound to Great Guana Island.  We had a great time that day.  After flying all night Stacey and Jorge thought a nap was in order but then figured out they were too excited to sleep so off we went to explore.   We dingyed into Grabbers (fun bar), then walked down “town” to find the famous bar Nippers. (I had never heard of it)  We stood on the balcony at Nippers and watched the surf and people.  Had a few drinks and soaked in the sun and the sea.  Back to Grabbers for another drink (not all alcoholic) got a bite to eat, met some fun people and back to the boat.  The next day  we had lunch at Nippers, a fun beach walk, Stacey and Jorge went into the ocean and finally decided that I was right it was not a good swimming spot.   The tide and currents are strong.

View from Nippers balcony

These cracked me up.  Funny little bushes that someone dressed

Stacey and Jorge walking the beach

Ah the "famous" Nippers" sign

Nippers view the other way

Stacey and Jorge enjoying the water

Residents proud of their island

More of the funny trees.  I laughed and laughed.

The sign says " Poisonwood Do Not Touch."  One of the first things we learned in the Bahamas over 2 years ago on a hike with Wendy and Johnny Clark was about these trees.   The bark is bad.  Was nice of them to post the sign cause not many visitors would know about these trees.

Man O War Cay

We left Hopetown and headed for Man-O-War Cay.   It is a dry cay (meaning no alcohol) that has lots of boat building history.   We anchored outside the cay behind another cay in beautiful water and turned on the water maker.  There were a few boats around us.  We went into the island through very shallow waters and explored the cay.   It is a very laid back island.  The highlight was getting an ice cream and some ice for the boat.  There were cool churches on almost every corner with some bible verses posted on signs.  Some of the houses were very cute.   Most of the people were descendants of the original settlers and there were 3 very popular names.  The island specialized in woodworking (for the original boat building which has now switched to fiberglass).   People were very friendly.  

Palm Tree House

Love those shady roads

Cotton growing on the side of the road

Pretty flowers were abundant 

Hope Town

After we left Little Harbor (Pete's) we ventured up the island to Hope Town.   Kirk had contacted old Whitehall friends whom we had not seen for years.   We had a good time catching up with Will and Muffin on sv Antares.   They left to head back north.   We hope to see them in Annapolis this summer.

Our friends on sv Moonshine, Christy, Shane and Michael coming to visit.   We were so happy to meet up with them in Hope Town.  We had not seen them since they left Grenada in October 31.  We had two summers with sv Moonshine in Grenada.  They also are headed back to the States.

Looking out the inlet at Hope Town

We had coffee one morning.  We were sitting on the deck of the coffee house.  The harbor is behind Kirk.

We walked the beach headed north and came upon this Man-O-War.   Gosh it was so ugly.  Beautiful color but nasty to watch move.   yuk

At the ice-cream store the sign reads "without ice-cream there would be darkness and chaos"

So when i was studying the chart one night I saw mention of this shop.  I said to Kirk  Oh we have to go there.  I had no idea of what kind of store it was but the name grabbed me.  We were cruising along the streets one day and bingo there it was!   Come to find out it is a wine bar that serves tapas.   Perfect!!!!   A taste of some good wine was so welcome.   We had a great time there with sv Moonshine and Antares.   FYI Sip-Sip means gossip.  Is that not a great name?

This is for Lisa.   Notice the whales.   Loved all the house colors.  Too bad they were not turtles!

Elbow Reef Lighthouse

View of Hope Town from the lighthouse.   

The lens 

Oh My the stairs.   It was really blowing when were there.   I did not stay at the top very long!

Curved cabinet along the wall of the lighthouse.

Looking down.   Notice the pulley on the left side.  I am sure they pulley to get the oil up to near the top where the tanks are.

Kirk's Pics

Every picture tells a story ---  Rod Stewart

A picture is worth a thousand words --  ?

Sorry these pics jump from place to place

Exumas

Walk on Pirates Beach, Staniel Cay

Staniel Cay Pirates Beach  House?

Bench I thought was cool.   Black Point 

Staniel Cay directional sign.  It says THIS Way arrow pointing right and underneath

 THAT  WAY arrow pointing left

Staniel Cay  Our boat in the background.

Leaving Pirate Beach on Staniel Cay

The usual position for me checking stuff out on the beach.   This is Pirates Beach on Staniel Cay

You can't see but the blue sign on the building says Police.  This is in Black Point

Looking out the beach at Pirates Beach

Ah yes, the snooter pigs 

Looking out an inlet in Staniel Cay

Happy Donna

The bridge we crossed at Staniel Cay

Our boat in Staniel Cay

Entering Exuma Park.  Boy was it scary going between the sand bars

Abacos

The caves at Pete's at Little Harbour, Abacos.   Pete's is across from this.

Scupture at Pete's bar in Little Harbor Abacos

We love the shady roads.  This is at Pete's.  Check out the sculpture on the wall of the building.

One of the sculptures at Pete's

Arriving at Pete's dock

The road at Pete's.  The speed bumps are old ships dock lines.