We Left Lacaya for the Abacos!

Jeep Tour along the Lacaya Waterway

Peaceful along the waterway

One of the resorts that was never finished

We were keeping our eyes on the skies today!

Peaceful skies tonight!

Sunset the next night
Red Skies at Night!

Rhonda and Joey
Our fishing buddies!

Having a drink at the Wrecking Tree

A good place for lunch!

The Bluff House marina in Green Turtle

Sunrise over the waters

NautiNell with Lil Nauti tucked in close

My day at the beach

Steak night! 

Inside the Green Turtle Club Marina

Saying goodbye to Rho-Jo for now....

We get passed by so many boats...  :-)

Sunset on anchor

Treasure Cay beach

More of the beach at Treasure Cay
The sand is so soft!

Grabbers at Guana Cay

Sunset in Fishers Bay
Guana Cay - day number one

Sunset at Fishers Bay
Guana Cay - day number two

Walking the path to Nippers
Can't do it without smiling!

Poisonwood Tree - don't touch!

Looks like the other one but it's safe

Beach at Nippers

Pool at Nippers before the crowd

View of the beach at Nippers from our table

Lil Nauti waiting patiently

Another beautiful evening

One of the cute little cottages in Hopetown

Hopetown Lighthouse

Firefly Bar/Restaurant near Hopetown

Sunset outside the harbor in Hopetown

Aren't we cute!

Tahiti Beach

Just working on my tan

Fantastic view of the Atlantic from
Abaco Inn

What a place to enjoy lunch!

Jacque and Michele

I just couldn't get enough of the view
There were some rough seas out there!

This was how it was on the other side of the island
Sea of Abaco - calm and safe

Sunrise over the harbor from NautiNell

beach at Hopetown

enjoying life poolside!

Trying his paddle boarding skills

This is a "dinghy"!
Can you imagine the mother ship it belongs to!

Friday, May 15   We left Ocean Reef (Lacaya) about 7:30 in the morning heading to Great Sale Cay where we planned to anchor.  It’s around 63 miles to Great Sale.  It was a bit bumpy at first, however, it was only about an hour to the Lacayan Waterway which is pretty much a canal.  Of course, this part was ezy pezy.  The Lacayan Waterway is an area of canals that were built in the 1970s in the hopes of developing homes along the canals and also make an easier trip for those going north.  You would no longer have to go all the way around Grand Bahama Island on the west end.  If you can make the bridge height and not draw too much water you can now cut through to the other side much easier and much quicker.  The waterway was built but the housing projects never fully came about.  Many changes in government plus the economy sent the project down the tubes.  There are a few completed homes along the Waterway but there are more homes that are left standing incomplete for years now including a huge hotel/resort.  It’s really too bad.

Anyway, the Waterway is about 7 miles along – with no wake zones, etc – it took us about an hour to get through it.  Once we were outside again the water was perfect.  This lasted until about the last 20 miles when we turned to the east to make Great Sale Cay.  It really wasn’t too bad – just a lot windier and somewhat choppy.  We made it to the anchorage at 4: 30. 

Mike made an observation – “We tend to get a little more “chit-chatty” when we can spy our destination after seeing nothing but water, waves and wind for hours and hours!”  He’s right there!  Let’s just say it had been a very long day.

Saturday, May 16  We left Great Sale at 8:30 with a few light showers and a little bumpy.  We had a distance of 64 miles to go if we were to make it to Green Turtle Cay.  Soon it became extremely bumpy.  The waves were on our nose so it made it pretty rough – especially when they became six footers!  The forecast had said 1-2.  Wrong!  We rode the bronco until we got near Foxtown (about 30 miles).  We had been told that this was a nice anchorage and a cool place to go check out.  WRONG!  It was skinny water going in and once we got in - there was no protection whatsoever!  The only things breaking any of the waves and wind were a few big rocks!  This wasn’t going to work so we went back out trying to follow the exact way we came in so as to not run aground.  That was a complete waste of about an hour!  Then we were on our way again – we really didn’t want to go another 35 miles in these conditions.  We decided we’d stop at Crab Cay for the evening.  We had stopped there before a few years ago so we were familiar with it.  That would be only about 12 miles to go.  We made it in and anchored by about 3:45.  There were a few boats in the anchorage but it wasn’t crowded.  Now we only will have about 20 miles to go to get to Green Turtle.  We rocked and rolled some that night but it was a good night.  When we came in there was a boat that had run aground.  I don’t know how long he had been there but it took at least two more hours for the tide to come up so he could float off.  He later came on in and dropped the hook.  I hope that he didn’t do any damage.

Sunday, May 17   We only had about 20 miles to go today!  We left the anchorage about 8:30.  The wind was still blowing and the waves were bumpy but because the area narrows down as we get closer to Green Turtle Cay it wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been the day before.  We had found out that Joey and Rhonda (Rho-Jo) were in the Bluff House Marina at Green Turtle.  We had planned to get a mooring ball but decided we’d stay at the marina too.  It would be fun visiting with them again!  It took some doing to dock – only 10 foot long finger piers – it would be a little tricky to get off and on NautiNell.  We finally worked it out after launching the dinghy.  This allowed us to back in a little closer.  Finally time for lunch, a nap and a shower!  Then it was dinner time with Rho-Jo at Bally-Hoo’s -  the restaurant here at the marina and an early evening.

Monday, May 18   It was a nice night – we were up early and went out fishing in the Whaler.  Rho-Jo went along in their dinghy too.  They’re the only ones that caught anything!  Oh well, it was fun.  It was a beautiful day for a boat ride……  We saw several stingrays, starfish and even a huge shark.  We’ve been told that there are a few nurse sharks here in the harbor and one 5 -6 foot bull shark!  We won’t be getting in the water here!  Had a great steak dinner back on NautiNell. 

Tuesday, May 19   It was a nice night except about 5:30 in the morning we heard this terrible sound.  The tide had gone way down and the wind had changed direction a bit.  NautiNell’s swim platform had gotten under the dock and when the tide started coming up it was pretty much stuck.  Mike had to go outside and use a hammer to get us free.  I’m sure our neighbors appreciated all the banging at the wee hours of the morning.  Luckily it didn’t do any harm to the boat or the dock.  Thank goodness!

Later on we took a dinghy ride over to New Plymouth, the town that is on Green Turtle Cay.  We had our plans set to eat lunch at Sundowners but they didn’t open till 5:00.  So off we went to McIntosh’s – nope closed on Tuesday.  Sheeh!  Finally we ended up at the New Plymouth Café and Liquor Store.  Perfect!  Had a great lunch of cracked chicken.  We did a little sightseeing, hit a few souvenir stores and Mike even got a haircut from Hubert.  We were walking by and Hubert (the local barber) was out in his orchids trimming and splicing.  Mike asked him if he could get his haircut sometime – he told him the time was right!  We then had to stop at our favorite watering hole for a cold one – The Wrecking Tree.  Didn’t pass up the homemade pastries either!

We hung out on NautiNell for happy hour.  Joey and Rhonda and another couple here – Scott and Laurie (Creek Life) came over.  It was a nice night and a great day!

Wednesday, May 20   Fresh coconut tarts for breakfast!  Yum!  Mike and Joey went fishing.  Rhonda had some things to tend to so I packed up my “stuff” and went to the beach.  A cold drink – a good book - and my toes in the sand!  Doesn’t get any better!   Later all of us dinghied over to Green Turtle Club for steak night.  The Gully Roosters were playing!  We heard them years ago when we chartered a boat over here with our friends, Dick and Debbie.  Who would have thought they would still be playing after all this time.  They were just as good as we remembered!  The steaks were good too!  It would have been perfect except light rain showers cut our evening short.  We had to dinghy between the rain drops to get back to our boats. 

Thursday, May 21   We said our goodbyes to Rho-Jo.  They are heading back toward West End where they’ll cross back to the US.  We’ll see them again when we go up the east coast to Norfolk later this summer.  Hopefully!!  We left Green Turtle about 11:00 a.m.  We weren’t in any hurry.  It’s only about 10 miles over to Treasure Cay.  We had planned to stop at No Name Cay and see the pigs.  There are pigs on this island that will swim out to your boat for food.  However, as we got closer we could see that there were some storms coming our way.  We still had to cross through the Whale Passage so we didn’t want to dally.  The Whale can sometimes really get nasty quick – it’s open to the Atlantic.  Luckily for us – we had a great ride through.  When we got closer to Treasure Cay we could see that it was pouring rain there so we floated around outside the entrance and waited for the storms to pass.  That lasted about an hour.  Mike fished while we waited but no luck.  We then anchored in the Treasure Cay harbor.  We took the dinghy in to the bar and had a couple of rum drinks -  then it was back to the boat for burgers.  Nice day!

Friday, May 22  We had a very nice night last night on the anchor.  We were up early and ready to check out the beach.  The beach at Treasure Cay is rated as one of the best.  We spent a few hours there relaxing.  Then it was back to the boat for lunch and off to Guana Cay.  This was only about a 10 mile day too.  We had a couple of fish on along the way – but we didn’t land any.  Oh well…..  We grabbed a mooring ball in Fishers Bay.  This is the bay where Grabbers is located.   So off to Grabbers for Happy Hour and a few more rum drinks.  We ran into another couple that we had met in Marathon – Ross and Eva on Cool Change.  It’s such a small world.  We also had heard that a couple more boats that we know would be coming in tomorrow. 

Saturday, May 23  Bloody Mary morning – sitting on the sundeck enjoying the view seems like we’re on vacation.  J  We took the dinghy over to Settlement Harbor just around the point from us.  This is where Nippers’ dinghy dock is located.  We tied up there and walked to Nippers.  Walking that trail just makes you smile!  We had lunch at Nippers enjoying the view of another gorgeous beach.  Lots of people to watch!  We stopped at Milo’s to get some fresh tomatoes.  I swear he’s getting crankier than ever!  He’s been around here since the beginning of time – so he says.  He sells produce and makes shell jewelry, etc.  Quite a character!  What a beautiful day!  Later we took a sightseeing tour in the Whaler.  We are close to an area called Bakers Bay.  This is an exclusive resort – where the rich and famous go.  Oprah, Michael Jordan, George Strait to name a few.  In fact last time we were in Marsh Harbor a few years back we saw Cindy Crawford taking a private water taxi to Bakers Bay.  Pretty cool!  We rode around but couldn’t see anything going on.  Duh!  So we just went back to Grabbers where we knew we’d be welcome.  Ha!  Earlier this afternoon September Song (Bob and Stephanie) came in.  We stopped and visited with them for a little while.  They’re slowly working their way back home.  It’s good to see people you know along the way!

Sunday, May 24  We left Guana Cay about 10:30.  We had 13 miles to go today!  We took our time and fished along the way.  Mike reeled in dinner!  We pulled into Hope Town around 1:00.  I love this place!  We’re staying at a really nice marina – Hope Town Inn and Marina.  It was renovated a few years back and wasn’t open the last time we were here.  However, it is a little more than we usually pay – my bad.  I read the Guide wrong.  Oh well, no wonder it’s so nice!  HA!  It’s really windy today and it’s supposed to last for a few days – looks like we’ll be probably hanging here a few more days!  Darn!

Monday, May 25 – Thursday, May 28   We’ve spent the past few days enjoying Hope Town.  They call it the “Jewel of the Abacos”.  It’s such a fun quaint little town – everyone is friendly – and it’s easy to get around.  So much has happened that I’ll just hit the highlights…….

We spent Memorial Day walking about town and having lunch at Captain Jacks – one of our favorite spots.  We treated ourselves to homemade coconut ice cream from Munchies!  You can’t beat it!  We ran into a couple at the pool that we had met during the Loop back in 2011 – Bill and Carol (Trident)!  The last time we saw them they had just crossed their wake and were heading back to Texas.  It’s so cool to run into people that you have met along the way.  It happens quite often!  Later we took a dinghy ride outside the harbor.  We were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset! 

The next day we took a dinghy ride to Tahiti Beach.  This beach is beautiful!  We met a French-Canadian couple (Jacque and Michelle).  They were staying at the same resort.  We had planned to go to lunch at Cracker P’s but they were closed.  So we headed for lunch at the Abaco Inn.  When we got there we ran into them again.  We sat and visited for a while – they were fun to talk to!  When we got back to the boat we saw that Ross and Eva (Cool Change) had made it to the harbor.  They came over for a visit.  Busy day!

It has been so terribly windy here that we’ve decided to stay put a while longer.  This is a really nice marina so the idea of being “stuck” isn’t so bad.  We’ve decided to skip Marsh Harbor and go on back to Green Turtle when we do leave.  That will probably be Friday.  So in the meantime we’ve hung out at the pool, Mike has tried his hand at paddle boarding, shopped at ALL the stores and haven’t missed a Happy Hour! 

Oh, and we’ve had trouble with the fridge again.  It must be leaking Freon.  We found a guy here in Hope Town to come check it.  That surprised us – he even came the same day and earlier than expected!  He gassed it up again and hopefully it will last until we get back to the states.  Keeping our fingers crossed!

This was interesting – Mike wanted to get gas for the whaler and our Honda generator so he went up to the Lighthouse Marina (only one that has fuel).  There was a huge fuel boat there transferring fuel to the dock pumps.  The boat’s home port was Belize.  We found out that they ship fuel into Nassau on big tankers from Argentina and then it is dispersed to all the islands.   Anyway, the fuel dock was blocked for quite a while so he’ll have to wait until tomorrow. 

Tomorrow is Friday – May 29 and we plan to leave here in the morning.  We will go over to Treasure Cay for the night – only about 10 miles.  Saturday should be a good day to cross through the Whale Passage and on to Green Turtle.  We’ll stop there because that’s the last place where we can get decent internet (weather info) before we head back to West End.  Hopefully we’ll get to West End and be able to cross back to the states soon.  If it looks like we’ll be waiting a few days – we’ll go back to Lacaya rather than hangout at West End.  It’s too expensive there!  Stay tuned!

Until next time!

Admiral “C”