23 February 2016

Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas

Robin’s Mom had a great visit, (we hope), she brought a cold with her but Robin did her best to have the sun and beach get it out of her.

After Betty left we cruised down the harbor a ways and anchored in “Redshanks” an area where there were few boats. It is very protected from the strong winds that were projected. We stayed 6 days, snorkeling and laying on the beach.

We have been enjoying the Georgetown Cruisers camaraderie, the cruisers are a wonderful group of people. We all have the same desire to have a good time, and have similar problems which all are extremely willing to help each other with. People watch each others boats, dinghies and property and jump right in if there are issues. People with boat problems, motor issues, electronics are quick to find someone willing to help. Each morning on the Cruiser’s Net people needing help will ask and there are numerous responses. A guy yesterday announced on VHF 68 he was having trouble getting his anchor up, immediately there were dinghies running to his boat. One jumped in the water to dive the anchor to assess the situation. The anchor was stuck under a coral head, (not the living kind) they quickly put a line around the anchor to pull it backwards and the guy was away, no harm done. If you have a problem with refrigeration, there’s someone to help, electronics, someone will help, need a part, again someone either has it or knows a workaround. This is a community unlike any I’ve known. 

We’ve had many beach parties. A few weeks ago a guy announced that he was having a Conch Horn making lesson. People gathered conch, bleached the shells and brought them to the beach. Ends were cut, holes filled with bondo, and edges polished. That evening conch horns all over the harbor announced the sunset and every evening since. Yesterday there was a bake, clothing, and crafts sale to benefit the local community Red Cross. $1100 was raised.

I have mentioned before, a local historian, Cordell Thompson, gives a Bahamian history lesson every Sunday after the Beach Church. He also owns land near Georgetown and grows fruit and coconut trees to help repopulate the trees on neighboring islands whose trees were devastated during hurricane Joachim. When cruisers are traveling to those islands, they call Cordell and he will have a flat of small plantings for them to take with them. Cruisers visiting those islands also help with rebuilding homes, churches and schools.

The Georgetown Cruiser’s Regatta begins this week, tomorrow is the dinghy poker run, there will be tug of war, sailboat races, a coconut collecting contest, pet parade, talent contest, scavenger hunt, kids games and alcohol consumption. More to come as we experience it.

Conch building

Sale to benefit Red Cross

Bellatrix looking for crew for races

Cruising tree monkey

The owner of Redboone Cafe

Redboone cafe

Conch horn making

Robin won a raffle

We wondered how these shell got up on this hill until we got closer

Cruiser's art

1 February 2016

Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas

We are enjoying Georgetown. There are about 270 boats anchored in the area between Stocking Island and great Exuma. There will be over 400 during the Cruiser’s Regatta the end of February. During Crusier’s Regatta there will be cruising sailboat races, dingy poker run, a coconut challenge, talent show, boat decorating, kid’s functions, pet parade, more about that as it happens. 

We meet new people everyday, on Chat & Chill beach, the ocean beach in Georgetown, at get togethers. This is an exciting, interesting lifestyle. 

I mentioned last year there is a “Cruisers Net” every morning at 0800, Sue on “Wind Dancer” hosts the net. She shares weather reports, local business announcements, cruisers announcements, anyone in need of help, buy, sell or giveaway, and welcomes new boats to the harbor. We learn of music at local establishments, happenings on the beach, when there is volleyball, talks on the beach and other events and happenings. Tomorrow there is “how to make a conch horn” lessons. Robin goes to water aerobics most mornings, there is also a yoga class each morning. There is “Beach Church” on Sundays and a local historian Cordell Thompson who comes to give talks on Sunday afternoon’s.

We went to “Peace & Plenty” for rake and scrape and to “Flip Flop Beach” for a get together with a group of musicians, and a great singer. At least a hundred people attended, bonfire, hotdogs and good conversation. Everyone is willing to share information and experiences. Tonight we will go to “Hamburger Beach” for an “Alcohol Research Group Meeting”, bring your cocktails and a dish to share.

Robin’s Mom arrives tomorrow, we will spend today doing laundry, groceries, and carrying water to the boat. We are anchored about 1 1/2 miles from town and will ferry supplies back and forth with the dink. Thank goodness we bought a large dink with a 20hp motor.

Stocking Island beach

Party on Flip Flop Beach

Personality of Bette Midler, voice of Janice Joplin, aerobics instructor in the morning

Hotdog cookers

Anyone else think it would be fun to build one of these and sail it on the bay?

Fresh from a local fishing boat

The family wagon