OK…Kim left for a visit to Colorado, so I’m in charge of this update.  I doubt that I can give it the same “voice” so here goes…

We (Fine Lion, Sapphire, and Night Hawk) decided we wanted to go to the Aklins via Long Island and then on to the Jumentos.  Well, the first rule of cruising is that you don’t make too many plans, or schedules.  We knew we needed to be back in Georgetown by 2/15.

We left G-Town to “fish” our way to Long Island…about 25 miles east.  We did, and no one caught anything.  We anchored for the night in Callabash Bay near Cape Santa Maria.  That is the northern tip of Long Is.  It’s named that because that is where Christopher Columbus (remember him) ran his ship, The Santa Maria, aground.  So much for your history lesson. 

In the Bahamas, there is a condition referred to as a “surge”.  That is where the large Atlantic Ocean swells can “curl” around the tips of the Islands and cause a rolling action in the various anchorages.  It can really cause the boat to roll from side to side…very uncomfortable.  Well…we had that condition that night at Callabash Bay.  In fact, we were leaving early in the AM and the coffee pot (French Press) fell over on the stove.  Talk about a mess!  That was the start of our trip down the outside to Clarencetown on the southern end of Long Island.

We went on the outside so we could fish and it was on the way to the Aklins.  As we rounded Cape Santa Maria (it was quite rough out that day), we had two hits on the reels.  We tripped the wrong lever and had a rat’s nest on one reel.  While I was trying to get that fish in, we lost the fish on the other one…a Mahi Mahi.  Well, we managed to get a 30” Mahi Mahi.  Night Hawk got three Big Eye Tuna.  Sapphire had one on but lost it. 

It was a very windy day with big seas going down to Clarencetown.  In fact, Fine Lion set a new trip speed record.  It was a 40 mile leg and we averaged 8.12 kts with a high of 9.43 kts!  It was pretty much a “hang on” day.

Clarencetown is a neat little anchorage.  The weather just didn’t cooperate for us to get to the Aklins in our time window.  It blew for 25+ for a week.  There were about 7 boats “stuck” in Clarencetown so since we were there and all of us had too much fresh fish, we had several Beach Parties/BBQ’s.  This is where everyone meets on the beach around 5:00 with drinks and food.  Often we have a bonfire at dark there on the beach.  They are cruiser’s “Happy Hours”.  Always lots of fun.

Since we had to cancel our trip to the Aklins, we went back up the outside to Hog Cay right below Callabash Bay.  We all fished on the leg and we caught a big Yellow Fin Tuna!  It was a great fight, and supplied enough for 12 dinner portions.  We have become very experienced at various ways to serve fresh Tuna: fried, baked, seared Ahi, sushi, and a new one, Tuna Ceviche.  All very good.

From Hog Cay, we went down to Thompson Bay.  It’s a fantastic anchorage on Long Island.  There is a “resort” there called Long Island Breeze that really caters to the cruisers.  It’s run by Michael and Jackie, very nice people.  In fact, they had a cool dance on their deck that had us unable to walk the next day after dancing for so much the night before.

While there, a true Bahamian restaurant held a native buffet.  Lots of Cracked Conch, Jerk Pork, fried chicken, Mac ‘N Cheese, and Peas and Rice.  Triphena, the owner of Club Thompson Bay is a local celebrity and even made a stop at one of our beach parties at Thompson Bay.  The Super Bowl was during our stop there so we had a party at Parrots of the Caribbean in Thompson Bay.  Not like most of your Super Bowl parties…this one is on a beach and shoes are not worn.  We had Conch Fritters, fish fingers, Kalik Beer, and even burgers. 

The weather was still blowing so we had to cancel the Jumetos.  The “group” decided to rent a van to tour the Island.  We had a ball visiting the “Deane’s Blue Hole”, the old salt flats, and various other spots.  Check out the pics.

We then decided to go back up to Hog Cay before going back to Georgetown.  We were there for a couple of days and went up into Joe’s Sound at low tide.  This is a neat place where you can get into the water and float down a creek with the tide.  We even saw Spotted Eagle Rays.  We did some snorkeling while there and I got a nice Grouper for a great dinner.  We were there for Valentine’s Day and Kim wanted Rack of Lamb.  It was served with a fresh tomato and onion salad and garlic mashed potatoes…all by candlelight!  Long Island has become one of our favorite places in the Bahamas.  I could go on and on about Long Is. and its attraction, but it is mainly the people.  They are fantastic!  Where would you expect to see two guys walking down the road and be offered a ride by a mother and her young son?  That's the way they are...very nice and friendly.

Well, the Long Island visit had to come to an end as we had to get back to G-Town for Kim’s flight.  Our first night back got us to Porgy’s for “Rake ‘N Scrape”.  This is a Bahamian style pickup band that plays various “instruments” like saws, etc.  Again, we had sore feet from dancing.

So while Kim is away, I am doing some boat projects getting ready for my son, Scott’s visit in early March, and also Kim’s return.

More later…

Steve and Kim