Well, we’ve reached what is considered by many to be the Mecca of Bahamas cruising.  We anchored at Sand Dollar Beach off Stocking Island.  Most cruisers actually anchor off Stocking Island which is about 1.5 miles east of Georgetown.  This is due to the prevailing wind from the east.  Also, most of the activities are centered at either Volleyball Beach or Hamburger Beach.   Plus, the Chat ‘n Chill is on Volleyball Beach.

We’ve all heard about retirement communities with all of their activities and classes.  Well, this place is just like one of those, but on boats.  It’s an adult playground.  Everyday there is the “Cruiser’s Net” on channel 68.  That’s where you find out all the activities such as:

Yoga Class

Volleyball tournament

Trivial Pursuit contest

Fishing Seminar

Bridge game

Basket weaving

Regatta items

Ham Radio class

Local businesses that are having specials

Where Mom’s bread is being sold

Where and when to get propane

If there is a raft party

Where and when happy hour on Hamburger Beach is happening

Then the Net will cover “Boater’s General”.  That’s where you try to find out who has, or needs, a 6 inch SS bolt, ride to share to the airport, charts of the Turks and Caicos,  or any other items.  They also have each boat introduce itself the day it arrives in Georgetown.  Again, most all communication is via the boat’s name.  This is evidence that you don’t need government to make a community run.

The problem with Georgetown is the pace.  It’s unbelievable.  Our first day had a dinghy raft party.  That’s were everyone gets their dinghies together in the middle of the harbor and “socializes” (drinking and passing snacks and boat cards).  We had 45 dinghies in that raft.  After dark, we went into town to Eddies for some conch and the “rake and scrape” band.  The band is a conglomeration of various instruments, saws, drums, congas, etc.  It’s really cool music…very “islandy”.

So far, we’ve been pretty busy attending the various events and parties.  Steve had to “refit” his fishing equipment after the fishing seminar.  He doesn’t want to loose the next Mahi-mahi.

Georgetown is not the place to chill out even though the beach bar is called the Chat ‘n Chill.  There are boats that come here and don’t pull up their anchors for months.  There are anchors here with growth on them.  We’ve been in the same spot now for 5 days...a record for us.

There is a routine here that makes it somewhat easy to stay.  Water is free and accessible right at your dinghy at Exuma Markets where they have a pretty good super market.  This place is set up to support the cruisers.

We’re not sure how long we are staying, but we are having a blast with the parties.  We’ll keep you posted.  Check out Kim’s conch lesson.

Steve and Kim