Well, we stopped in Eleuthera two places on our trip from the Exumas to the Abacos.  Eleuthera is a long (70+ miles) island east of the Exumas.  It’s actually one island.  The “bank” side is on the west and has the harbors.  We stopped in Rock Sound first as we came over from Normans Cay in the Exumas.

Rock Sound is on the southern end and it was their “Homecoming” on Easter weekend.  That was real cool.  We knew something was going on as we were anchoring Saturday afternoon.  The music was very loud and really rocking!  The smells from the food stalls was overwhelming.   It sure made us get the motor on the dinghy so we could get in there fast.  We heard some fantastic music, ate great lobster and conch, and drank lots of rum.  What a party!  Later that night they had a “fashion show”.  It was several young girls (7-13) in gowns, casual wear, and beach wear.  They were having lots of fun.

At around midnight they held a Junkanoo parade.  That is Bahamian tradition and it’s very loud.  They have elaborate costumes and dance down the street playing music.  It’s just one big party.

We went from Rock Sound to Governors Harbor in the middle of the island.  It had different architecture as many of the houses were Victorian in design.  They had pretty good stores and shops.  There were LOTS of Americans there.  Not on boats, but staying on land.  It was like being in Florida without the conveniences.

Eleuthera is more north so the water is a little cooler, and not nearly as clear as in the Exumas.  All in all, we didn’t spend much time in Eleuthera, but it is not nearly as “Tropical” as the Exumas.  There didn’t seem to be as many sandy beaches and remote anchorages.  It’s one long string of rocky coast.  Plus, LOTS of Americans (get the message?).

We have been spending some time with a couple from Toronto we’ve met that are on a power boat, “Draggin’ Lady’.  Fun people…a little nuts like us.  Scott and Amy met them in Staniel Cay.  There is a picture of them below.  They were with us in Eleuthera, too.  The bad news is that they’ve just taken off for Florida.  I’m sure we’ll get together with them next year down here.

We are now in Spanish Wells waiting for a weather window to go to the Abacos.  It’s a 50 mile trip in open ocean and there is a big blow coming.  There are several boats here just waiting for a good window.  It’s a very small island just off the northern tip of Eleuthera.  The people here have a different heritage and are not like the people on the other islands.  So we’re just hangin’ in the harbor.

We’ll let you know more when we get to the Abacos.

That’s all for now…

Steve and Kim