I finally got my visa extended
for another 90 days, so we left for Long Island on 3/6. It was a smooth trip of 24 miles across a shallow
bank. We stopped first in Thompson Bay. A neat place with great stores.
They have a hardware/tool store that would rival anything in the US. They even have a butcher shop
in a food store. This is uptown, mon.
We met some more “fun people” that stopped there, also. Most of them were trying
to escape from G-Town also. Waaay toooo much organization.
We stayed in Thompson Bay for 4 nights. We actually rented a car to see more of the Island.
I know how it got its name…it’s over 70 miles long. And we were BELOW the Tropic of
Cancer therefore; we were officially in the Tropics. We went up the island to near Cape Santa Maria at
the north end for one night. That’s the spot where Columbus’ ship Santa Maria ran aground.
If you saw the reef, you’d know why. Again, a real neat beach and good anchorage.
We then went to Conception Island. It
is fantastic. It’s uninhabited, and surrounded be coral reefs. You actually go
through the reefs to anchor near the island. We were there with about 15 other cruisers, most of whom we
knew. So…we had a “Beach Party”. That means everyone goes to the
beach in their dinghies with drinks and snacks around 5:00. It’s the cruiser’s version of a
cocktail party. It’s not so fancy that you put on a clean t-shirt, however.
Ok, so this is where it gets good. I am now the “Great
White Hunter”. Nassau Grouper is now in season. While out “hunting”
(snorkeling), I stalked and shot (speared) a big Grouper. These are almost white with gray vertical stripes
while they are swimming around. Once shot, they turn a brownish color. Check out the
pictures! Me hunter! It provided several dinners, and tasted great.
Conception was a fun stop. We really
had fun. Having sundowners the last night on the boat, Kim said that the boat next to us has lost their
dinghy. The guy jumped off and began swimming for it. So, I did what came natural…I
resumed my rum drink. After a while, I noticed that the guy was not gaining on the dinghy.
Man, I had already showered and had clean (somewhat) clothes on, but I jumped in the dinghy and went after the runaway
dinghy and the “swimmer” that was just floating by the time I got there. Well, I’m glad
I did because he never would have made it. I got him into the dinghy and returned him and his lost dinghy
to his boat. There were two couples on that boat and they were all happy. A little later,
they brought over a nice bottle of wine to show their appreciation. So, free Grouper and wine in the same
day! Who says I can’t provide!
We are now in Emerald Bay. This is the place that Kim loves because the showers are like spa showers.
We stopped here last month and Kim wouldn’t let me pass it up. We needed water and fuel anyway.
We’ll leave on 3/16 to go further north before making the crossing to Eleuthera on our way to the Abacos.
Again, all of this is a LOOSE plan, nothing can be certain, or scheduled down here.
Check out the pictures and we’ll have more updates as we move on.
That’s all for now…
Steve and Kim
