Sunsets in the Bahamas

Wanted to share some of our sunsets - sometimes it's the best part of the day!

This shot was taken by our friend Joe on "After Six"

  

Cruising the Sea of Abaco with friends on board (6/26 - 7/9)

Our friends Cindy Lou & Rondo Abel (from Brandon, MS) came to see us for their vacation.  After their arrival, we were going through some of the events in the Abacos.  Each of the cays/islands had some of their usual happenings and many had special events for 4th of July (the "Main Event") which of course is also Bill's birthday.  We wanted to take them to locations they had not previously been to, so we offered them the different options that we knew about.  They said "We want to do it ALL!"  So we did - and we survived!

One major event is "Regatta Time in Abaco" - the kick-off for this is "The Stranded Naked Cheeseburger in Paradise Party".   As newbies, we decided to check it out and what an event it was!!!

The Location

The Organizer Bobb with his "Jimmy Buffet stuff" hat

Bobb's Houseboat

Having FUN!!!

  

Dancing Girls

The "Triple 300 Club" - check out the outboards

Beautiful Water

Hula Hoop Contest - Our friend Nancy

 

 This annual event is UNBELIEVABLE!!!  They serve cheeseburgers, hot dogs, french fries, margaritas and rum punch - all for FREE for everyone!!!  They sell t-shirts, hats, etc. to off-set the cost, but it is amazing how organized it is and what FUN!

We had a change of plans due to weather for the 4th - Treasure Cay was a good 2nd choice.  A great beach and a pool and of course FIREWORKS for the birthday boy!

Beautiful beach at Treasure Cay

Happy Birthday Bill !!!

Another day - Another beach!

Another day - Another bar!

Abaco Time - Little Harbour & Hopetown (6/3 - 6/8)

Got the seas we wanted on Monday (6/3) to cross from Spanish Wells to the Southern Abacos.  We made an attempt on Sunday, but it was too rough, so we turned back to wait one more day.  It was definitely worth the wait.

This is a pic of the chartplotter screen during the crossing:

The actual depths are the 12,000 - 15,000+ feet shown on the screen rather than the bottom left (that was  the last one registered by the transponder).

Our first stop was Little Harbour and Pete's Pub & Gallery.  Our friend Cindy Britton (from Jafrica, MS)  rents a cottage there for several months every year. This is the second year in a row that she has been our welcoming committee.  We like this stop so much that we returned 2 more times during our cruise this year.  It is a GREAT bar, with GREAT food!!!  The staff and the locals are a fun and welcoming group.

Pete's Pub

Cindy - "Little Harbour Greeter" (beats the crap out of being a Hell-Mart Greeter)

View from our mooring

Cindy & Fletcher (Pete's grandson) at The Pub

We invited Cindy to cruise with us up to Hopetown for several days (yeah, we really had to twist her arm).  We had a blast - many, many, many laughs, stories shared and maybe a few cocktails.  Her real goal was to help get us up to speed on modern technology (telephone, computer, iPad, iPod, etc.)  We actually thought we were doing pretty good - she was highly amused by how little we know (it takes more than than to hurt our feelings!!!).  Here's a shot of her at work earning her keep (she never did wash those dishes!)

My title for this shot is "High-Tech Red Neck"

And she is actually using the laptop, iPad & iPhone all at the same time (that is Hippie Duck on her shoulder)

"Happy Girl"

"Sad Girl" Last day on board - catching the Hopetown Ferry for the ride back to Marsh Habour.

Spanish Wells (5/24 - 6/3)

We planned to stay a few days, but adverse weather extended our visit.  It is a really nice, clean fishing village (mostly lobster).  There are no bars and liquor is not served in the restaurants (we did find out if you are discreet, you can BYOB).  The businesses and homes are brightly painted, and the beaches are really beautiful.

This was our transportation while we were there (we spent a lot of time buzzing around in both of them:

 

Shots from around town

Waterfront Real Estate Office

Lobster Boats

Bridge between Spanish Wells & Russel Island

Looks like the perfect spot!

Some of the typical homes on the island

 

We took the dinghy across the bay to the mainland (Eleuthera) to pick up some Kalik - the local Bahamian beer.

 This is the ferry boat that  the locals use to travel between Spanish Wells & Eleuthera:

Most locals use golf carts to get around

We took a day trip over to Harbour Island on the ferry from Nassau - lots of nice homes, several nice marinas, lots of yachts.  Dunmore Town itself is another golf cart village with several upscale resorts and a real nice beach.

The Bo Hengy - Our ride to Harbour Island

Street shots on the harbor - bay side

Beach shots on the ocean side

Before we left Spanish Wells we did find the one and only liquor store - Budda & Joanies on 12th Street (you had to look for it - there are no signs advertising a liquor store), but we found it!!!