Back to the USA

We have successfully and without incident crossed back to the States.

We were enjoying Green Turtle Cay and the surrounding area when the  good weather window that many cruisers were anxiously awaiting looked like it was definitely on its way.  Heading out to Great Sale Cay we spent 2 nights, one on the east side then tucked around into the south west bay. We were the 6th boat to arrive around noon, and by 6pm there were 39 boats in total all anticipating the crossing.

final anchor lift in the Bahamas 2014

Our crossing from Great Sale Cay to Cape Canaveral took 28 hours and was uneventful (in a good way). Motor sailed most of the way but with the ride from the Gulf Stream we were able to keep our engine running very low. Winds did pick up for us and we manage to have a great sail for about 9 hours. I was able to practice with the AIS, watched an incredible lighting show way off to the north that lasted for hours, incredible stars, and hypnotizing phosphorescence from our boat wash. Lots of fun yet very tiring as I wasn't able to get much sleep when I was off shift.  

2nd last night in Bahamas, rafted with Harmonium

Check in at Cape Canaveral went very smooth, we stopped for fuel at Cape Marina then after phoning in to get are reporting number, shared a cab with Harmonium and Vanilla to customs and Immigration. 

Hard to believe we have put Bahamas behind us for the season. It seems like just yesterday we were plugging along down the ICW. Now here we are heading north but at least the weather is beautiful and we are already anticipating our return next fall.

See you all soon.

April 15, 2014

Hello to all !!

We are now planning our return trip to the US, hard to believe that we have been living aboard “Haven” for 10 months now. Sad to be saying goodbye to some wonderful people we have met along the way and this beautiful part of the world.

We are now at anchor in Treasure Cay harbour celebrating my birthday, relaxing, going to hang out at the beach with fellow cruisers. We plan on getting through Whale Cut tomorrow, up to Green Turtle Cay. From there we will wait for a favourable weather window to head out on Little Bahama bank to set up for our Golf Stream crossing.

The last few week s have been a great mix of new cruising grounds, landscapes, waters, culture, and experiences.

We spent almost two weeks cruising and exploring Eleuthera Island, making stops in Cape Eleuthera, Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Governors Harbour, Hatchet Bay, and Spanish Wells. We were able to rent a car for 2 days while we were waiting out yet another front, making it over to Dunmore Town on Harbour Island.

Lucky for us we hit the Island when a week long Jazz Fest was being held.  We managed to take in 2 different venues, some fabulous music and entertainers.

Leaving Normans Island

Cape Eleuthera Marina

Al thought he had caught dinner but all that this was all that was left once he pulled it on board.
Fish head soup??

morning in Rock Sound

Ocean Hole in Rock Sound

walking to the airport to extend our immigration papers

 As we travel to these different regions of Bahamas it becomes evident how history and accessibility to resources has moulded each of them and made them unique from the others. Although we have yet to have explored all of it, the Exuma Islands is where our hearts are.

 Tarpum Bay

Governors Harbour

Hatchet Bay

Glass Window, the picture below is the view almost directly under the bridge in the direction Al and Phil are facing.

The crossing to the Abacos went great, sailed all the way – 10 hours to get from Russell Island (fun eh!) to Lynyard Cay about 2 ½ miles from Little Harbour, South Abacos. The waves were a bit uncomfortable hitting on the beam, but sunshine and 10-15 knots of wind. Lots of fish being caught all around us but all we got on the hook was a Barracuda.

Sunrise,

This was the view behind us as we left Russell Island, Spanish Wells heading for the Abacos 

Visits in the South Abacos have included, Little Harbour, Hope Town, Great Guana Cay, Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay and Man-O-War Cay. We still seem to be dodging one front after the other but haven’t been caught in any off guard and finally yesterday we were hit with some much needed rain.

 

sailing into the rain

The Abacos has been a blast, we haven’t been in the water much, but visiting and exploring different areas. This part of Bahamas is quite a bit more developed and tourist driven with a high influx of American dollars with Marsh Harbour being the second largest town/city, next to Nassau. Other areas of quaint settlements with beautifully painted houses and paved “pathways” for roads, all very beautiful.

 

This is the view I saw all day today, Treasure Island Cay.
Happy Birthday to me!!!

So, the next time you here from us we should be state side, making our way to Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville, Fl to put the boat up for the summer.

See you all soon.

I'll try to put more pictures on when we have better internet.

Leaving the Exumas

Hello everyone. We have made it to Spanish Wells, North Eleuthera. the last 3 weeks have been lots of fun and we have been getting some great sailing in. We plan on leaving to cross to the Abacos on Thursday if the weather continues to behave as predicted.

This blog will cover the final days traveling the Exumas as I have already uploaded the photos. Once we get to the Abacos I will post our adventures on the Island of Eleuthera and Spanish Wells.

When you last saw us we were waiting out a blow in Little Farmers Cay. A beautiful spot with some of the most friendly locals we have met so far. We ended up there for 4 days.

Anchored between Great Guana Cay and Little Farmers,

great protection against the predicted winds (that never really showed up!)

This picture was taken on a walk to JR's to see his wood carving.

beach walk, this is an abandoned home built by a squatter on government property who has since been chased away.

JR's place of business, a lovely man with great talent and pride in his work.

 

While we were out walking we were invited to a family "Fish Fry" that was being held down at the docks. We had such a wonderful time eating and visiting.

Fish, dumplings, conch salad, mhh mhh GOOD!

Krista and I still had some school supplies on board that we have been waiting to find the just the right home, Little Farmers was it. We passed along two full bags to Deborah who was going to make sure it got to the school. They were very appreciative.

preparing the conch

Al thoroughly enjoying his fried fish

In my bag of goodies a also had leftover Canadian tattoos from Canada Day. The youngsters in the crowd were thrilled to have Krista and I help put them on.

So much fun.

We were not having any luck searching out local snorkel sites when we happened by a local fish boat heading out to go diving for lobster. They told us to follow them.pointing out areas for us to check out and let them know if we spotted any lobster. No lobster for any of us but some great snorkeling.

We broke down and purchased some lobster off of Don's buddy that came in later that day. Delicious, but it would have been nice to get one ourselves-or at least seen one!!

Roosevelt is the owner of Farmers Cay Yacht Club, him and his wife were wonderful hosts. Good food and prices, he made a mean Rum punch and  loved to share stories and pictures of his Island and family. This day he was giving us a lesson on breaking into the coconut to get the flesh out and passing along a recipe to cook it down for making pastries. Al and Phil had no problem getting the meat out but i need to get another lesson on cooking it, didn't quite figure it out but would love to try again.

Our next stop was Black Point again to get up on laundry and pick up some groceries.  We ended up two nights at anchor in the bay and managed to go for a walk to a part of the Island we hadn't gotten to before. This is a picture of a "blowhole", ocean water from sea caves creating vertical shafts in the rock where water and air are released.

I also managed to clean the water line of the boat on a beautiful afternoon. I did this while swimming, snorkel and mask also helped out. I was back in the boat for less than 1 minute when a general announcement came over the radio. "All those anchored in Black Point Bay be aware a 8 foot Hammerhead shark has been spotted at the government dock, swimming not advised"! Even after the fact it was a very eerie feeling. Of coarse we got in the dingy and went to get a look, sure enough there she was swimming right along shore. I wouldn't let Al get to close but you could see very clearly what it was.  

Yet another cold front with high winds had been predicted for the nest few days with a west component to the winds. The one nice thing about the winds and heading north is all the great sailing days we are getting in, awesome not to have to run the engine. We left Black Point as it is very exposed and headed into Pipe Creek, just north of Staniel Cay. A beautiful anchorage that we missed on our way down. Very shallow but great holding and protection form most directions. We stayed for another 4 nights. Exploring by foot and dingy.

Haven is the centre vessel

view of the sound side

one of my favorite little private Islands, Pipe Creek 

Heading back into the Exuma Land and Sea Park, we anchored behind O'Brien Cay, just north of Cambridge Cay to go snorkeling on the "Sea Aquarium". A must see for anyone visiting this area of the world, the best site for snorkeling that we have come across. My pictures don't do it justice but it's the best we could do.

Next stopped, Shroud Cay. One night at anchor so we could take a trip up the mangroves on hightide the next morning. Known for high numbers of Seabirds and marine life we were told it's a must see. Unfortunately we did't get to see many birds, but a beautiful ride through the rock cut and mangroves bringing us out onto the sound side and a very lovely beach.

view looking back into cut

view from cut, looking out into the sound

my first attempt at baking bread, I chose the pressure cooker method. It weighed about 8 pounds and was barely edible!
Nancy aboard Angel Eyes has passed on her recipe for the same method so I will try again, I can't let this defeat me.

In the afternoon we moved over to Norman's Island to stage ourselves for leaving to Eleuthera. Krista and Phil were also looking forward to meeting up with friends of theirs from back home, Rick and Doreen aboard Breathless who have travelled to Bahamas 18 times. We had a lovely night sharing food, drink and stories. It was a pleasure to have finally met the famous duo who have been an incredible source of information to so many fellow cruisers who we have met along the way and in turn we also benefited. Some squalls were predicted that night and when we woke in the morning the spiralling winds were causing a bit of grief in the anchorage, were not all suppose to be facing each other!

So one of our  final pictures of Haven in the Exumas. What an amazing place. The clear waters, warm friendly people, the sailing, the incredible colours of the water, snorkeling, meeting new friends, oh did I mention the water!!

anchored off Shroud Cay