We spent Christmas Eve with our good friends Karen and Don (Draggin Lady) and their daughter and son, Shelley and Marcus.  What a great family.  We all went to Staniel Cay Yacht Club for Lobster and Filet Mignon.  Yum!  It was a great evening.

Christmas Day we pulled up the anchor from Big Majors/Staniel Cay and took a long trip (5 miles) to Sampson Cay.  At Sampson Cay we (same crowd as above) had an incredible buffet dinner.  This dinner included: Crab Salad, Turkey, Ham (the other white meat) Pork Tenderloin, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole, lettuce salad, rolls, Bahamian Mac & Cheese and some great desserts.  What a great meal.  On Christmas evening those that were staying in the marina or anchored out close to the marina were invited to the employee Holiday Party.  It was great fun to see the employees that we have gotten to know so well over the last two years enjoy themselves and celebrate with them.  There was food, beverages and great music.   

Sampson Cay has a great Restaurant and Bar and one of the nicest grocery stores in the area.  It has a nice marina, which usually attract the Mega Yachts but it also accommodates sailboaters as well.   There is also a nice area to anchor near the marina.  There are showers, laundry, the store, fuel, rental cottages and a path on the island to walk.  Mike and Kathy, the couple that run the marina, have made a real difference at the marina in the last year.

We had to rest up for a few days and get our act together to prepare for the Pirate Party at Staniel Cay Yacht Club on the Dec. 29.  Steve and I heard about the party last year so over the summer we got a few pirate items: tattoos, pirate jewelry, pirate hats, eye patch and I had some leggings that had pirates on them.  We thought we had plenty of pirate attire.  Oh my, we were not even close to having enough pirate attire.  The costumes these people wore were incredible.  It was so great.  We still had a great time even though we were underdressed.

The night before New Years Eve at Big Majors/Staniel Cay area on the pig beach, there was a very nice fireworks display.  I am unsure who did the honors, but it was a very nice fireworks show.  New Years Eve we had dinner at the Yacht club.  Turkey, pulled pork (likely from the pig beach) stuffing, a vegetable and salad was served.  We spent the evening at the Yacht club with Don and Karen (Draggin Lady).  We had a nice time.

On New Years Eve our friends on Sapphire (Mike and Kathy) called us on the radio, they were anchored only a short distance from us.  It was great to see them.  Anchored beside them were Susan and Barry on Night Hawk.  We met Susan and Barry last year in this area when we all attended a Conch Fest aboard another boat.  The one thing that I loved so much last year cruising is the people we met along the way and what is even better is when you see them again the next year.

On Jan 2, we went to White Point, not a long trip about 8 miles.  No one else was there except the Fine Lion, it was so nice.  We stayed there one night alone and the next day we traveled to Issac Bay where Night Hawk and Sapphire were anchored and the men went hunting.   Steve got four lobsters; I searched for conch but did not have any luck.  The two other boats had a number of lobsters as well plus a Stone Crab.  That evening we had: Lobster dipped in garlic butter, Stone Crab, salad, and Linguini with Red Clam Sauce.   Not a rich dinner, certainly not bad for the cholesterol.   Yikes!  It was a fine dinner among friends on Fine Lion.

We have been in Black Point now for a few days.  I have tried to walk a bit every day while we are in areas that there are places to walk.   Today I decided to walk, the weather was not great.  I thought it might sprinkle a little, but hey what is a little sprinkle.  Well I had been walking for a bit and naturally it started pouring rain.  It only took maybe five minutes for me to be soaked.  I turned around to head back and Lorraine from Lorraine’s Café had come in her truck to pick me up.  She drove me back to the Café (where Steve was) and also near where Lorraine’s Mom lives.  Lorraine’s Mom took me into her house and provided me with dry clothes.  As Lorraine’s Mom said, I had come home to get clothes.  What great people.  I was so thankful Lorraine had come to pick me up.  She took the time to search for me and I was not easy to find.  I really wish that every one of you could meet these people here in the Bahamas. 

Friday Jan 9 Sapphire, Night Hawk and Fine Lion will be heading to Little Farmer’s Cay.  We are hoping Terry at Ocean Cabin on Farmer’s Cay will be able to round up enough Hermit Crabs so we can participate in the Hermit Crab races.  We will have fresh Cracked Conch, however.

Until next time. 

Kim and Steve

Aboard Fine Lion