Cruising with the Buckleys: On to the Exumas

On to the Exumas

Sat, April 16th
Anchor up at 7AM for our 40 mile trip across the Exuma Sound. Wind was fairly light and we spent much of the day motorsailing. Fished all the way but only caught 2 Barracudas keeping one as we still have a few meals of fish in the freezer. Anchored at Highbourne Cay in time for cocktail hour. This is the first good anchorage for boats coming south from Nassau and by dinnertime we found ourselves surrounded by a dozen mega yachts (over 150 ft) each with at least 2 jet skis and a 25 ft tender buzzing around. Needless to say we moved to a more secluded spot only a mile away and enjoyed a peaceful evening.

Sun-
After making a batch of fish chowder we moved back to Highbourne where we spent the day snorkeling on the reef and wandering the beaches.

Exuma Park

Bucket showers at the well

Mon-
Great sail to Shroud Cay. We are now in the Exuma Park, a land and sea preserve that stretches 22 miles along the chain of islands and includes 19 major islands and numerous smaller cays. After explored a few of the creeks and bays that cross the island we treated ourselves to bucket baths at the fresh water well.

Mangrove swamps of Shroud Cay

Tue-

After exploring in the morning we enjoyed a great sail under double reefs to Wardrick Wells where we picked up a mooring at Park HQ. Even got to watch a movie as the park boasts a book and dvd library. Wind was up all night but we were snug on the mooring.

Wed-
Spent the morning carving a signboard with our boat name to leave on Boo Hill. Tradition is that all visiting boats leave their sign and it can only be made from driftwood. Met up with friends from last year George and Karen from Sunseeker who were on the same quest. After snorkeling on the magnificent coral reefs we enjoyed happy hour aboard Sunseeker and celebrated my birthday.

Placing our boatname on Cairn on Boo Hill

Thurs-
Another sunny day with big winds. Great sail south under double reefed main again to Big Majors Spot. Anchored off beach where we enjoyed the swimming pigs. Very busy anchorage with over 30 boats, mostly mega yachts.

Fri-
Early morning trip to snorkel at the Thunderball Grotto and we found it even more exciting than last year. Another great sail under double reefs to Black Point where there are lots of sailboats but no yachts. In to town for their Easter Celebration and take away dinner from the Church.

Sat-

Off again under double reefed main and jib. The trade winds just keep blowing so we are making our way south while we can. Picked up a mooring at little Farmers Cay. Only 2 other boats here, apparently not a glitzy enough place for the big yachts. Wifi on boat so will update this blog.

A dip in the cave

Clear fresh water, we were chicken to venture to far.

Easter- Explore beaches and cave on Great Guana, Winds are still blowing "like stink" (a very technical term used by sailors) so the sound side was wild. Wander about town and got caught in the first downpour we've had in a month. Great dinner of what has become our Easter tradition of cracked conk. This is conk sliced and pounded lace thin then fried.