Time Flies

It seemed like Barry and Diane just arrived with Scott and Kathy. They were only able to stay 4 days.


Barry and Diane ready to leave at the Stella Maris Airport


Heading for the plane

After taking Barry and Diane to the plane and seeing them off, we headed out for a day of sightseeing of the South of the island with Scott and Kathy.

We had been told about a place we had to stop for lunch called "Max's Conch Bar." Max makes the best Conch Salad on the island. It was a unique place to say the least. Bob was the only one daring enough to order it. I had some - it was very spicy, but good.


Ceiling of Max's open air conch bar


Scott and Kathy at the bar

After lunch we went looking for the famous "Blue Hole" on the island. It is 633 feet deep and loved by all who dive. When we got there we found a group of people who turned out to be "free divers" from all over the world that were working on a free diving competition and also going for a world record.


It too was being clogged with sea weed.


Team Japan on the left.


Kathy on the steps of the Catholic Church in Clarance Town

At the very South end of the island is Gordon's Beach. A beautiful beach at the end of the road, mostly deserted everyday and good for shelling.


Tree decorated by nature with all sorts of washed up stuff


Bob and Penny and Scott and Kathy pooped after doing a long walk in the sun on the beach.

Friday, we spent the day back by the resort beach front property. The wind had picked up and the waves were awesome. The tidal pool looked like the spin cycle on a huge washing machine! Unfortunately, none of the photos I took do the power justice.


Photo of waves


Only the video does the waves justice


Kathy had bought the three of us cute T Shirts, unfortunately Diane got away before we could get a photo of the three of us.


We found this beach at the end of the road to the north. We had to cross a bridge that would no longer support a car and walk a ways to get to it. It was a beautiful protected beach, however, it was filled with a ton of flotsam and jetsom that had floated in - what a shame.


Kathy and I in front of the beautiful bougainvillea plant by the Cape Santa Maria main building

Our last tonight together, we had dinner at Long Island Breeze where we had hoped to catch another "green flash." Unfortunately, we did get to see that, but enjoyed the sunset anyway.



Sunday morning, we had hoped to see Scott and Kathy off, but it turned out that their flight left early. When we got there, their plane was at teh end of the runway, so we missed them.

We still are not quite sure where we will go from here. Our plan is to go back to
George Town for the Family Island Regatta later in April. We may not have Internet for a periods of up to a week during the next month.

Island Rules

With the six of us, we quickly came to the conclusion that Island Rules apply - "What happens on the island stays on the island" or was it "What happens on the island stays on the island (unless a photo was taken and then it goes on the blog)!" Darn, I can't seem to remember.

Here are some photos enjoying Calabash Bay Beach.


Diane on the beach


Bob and Scott surveying the landscape


Scott and Kathy doing a little beach combing


Guys goofing off at scenic spot


View of Atlantic Coast that has been seeing a lot of seaweed wash up ashore lately


Bob on Atlantic side of island


Barry and Diane, Bob, and Scott and Kathy enjoying the windy day and beautiful view

On the way home, we had arranged to have dinner with Mario at his Blue Chip Restaurant. You can't go away hungry from that restaurant!


Goat behind the Blue Chip Restaurant and Bar


Scott was happy. Mario's idea of bartending was putting the bottle on the table!


One satiated group of people. Menu included, potato salad, peas and rice, cole slaw, lobster, grouper, and cracked conch!


Photo Op with the gang and Mario


Next day we enjoyed the Stella Maris Beach Resort


Bob ready to do the Ocean Walk with his Rum Punch

We went exploring a cave on the Stella Maris Resort that was once used for evening cave parties. It didn't look like it had been used for that in quite a while.


The guys hamming it up.


Little Tables had been built of stone around the inside of the cave


Scott and Kathy and Bob and Penny by the former bartender


The cave almost seemed like it could have been used for human sacrifice - we tried to sacrifice Barry, but the Gods wouldn't take him.


Diane with the Bartender

We all went to enjoy a quiet afternoon by the pool right outside the cottage Scott and Kathy were staying in - oops! Watch out - don't get wet - water fight below!


Boys will be boys


We will "pump you up"

Photos from "Dean's Beach"


Enjoying the water


Kathy and Diane working on their tans


Barry taking a little nap


Diane found a starfish


Diane caught a couple of snappers off the end of the dock at the marina


Barry and Scott shared one set of fins and decided to snorkle in the marina. Our marina appears to be a fish nursery. There are thousands of tiny baby fish, a school of slightly larger fish, then some that are juveniles, etc. It is quite interesting. They swam out the entry to the marina and saw some larger fish and then returned. In some shallow water, Scott noticed that some "flowers" on the bottom seemed to be rising toward them (we believe they were a type of jellyfish), so they swam quickly back to the boat ladder. One seemed to be following Scott up the ladder. We were very fortunate that they did not receive any stings from the throng of jellies. That was enough excitement for the day.


Scott giving the toast for the evening. We had Bob's new recipe he calls "Lobster Pretty Penny." (Bruce, recognize the wines? We are running out of wine by the way.)

Another day in paradise!

Heh Boss - De Plane, De Plane

Our neighbors arrived safely at Stella Maris!


The plane with our neighbors landed at the Stella Maris Resort


Our neighbors Barry and Diane, and Scott and Kathy arrive!


Kathy, Penny, Barry, and Bob - let the fun begin!


Barry at the tidal pool trying to play the conch


Sunset at the marina

North Long Island

On Thursday, in preparation for meeting some of our neighbors coming to the Stella Maris Resort and Marina, we up-anchored and left the Thompson Bay area and headed North to the Stella Maris Marina area. The marina is on the Bahamas Bank side, while the resort is a few miles away on the Atlantic side. We will rent a car to get between the marina and the resort and use for touring the island.

Thursday morning we woke to probably the calmest day we have seen in the Bahamas, either last year and this year. I first thought the boat was grounded. We went over and used the Internet at the Long Island Breeze and Bob went shopping for a few grocery items. Carl and Debbie were there doing email and laundry from Diva, and them the folks from Rachel showed up, Julie and Mike. We had not seen them since Sampson Cay. It was a “Hi – Goodbye” for now. We may see them again back in George Town for the Family Island Regatta that we are thinking of attending.

The trip north was calm as we expected. Sailboats were motoring it was so calm. That is a strange sight here in the Bahamas where it seems the wind always blows. We anchored just outside the marina for the night. We will probably go into the marina on Saturday and Sunday because the winds are expected to be in the 20 -25 knot area and we will be more comfortable.

Bob made us a nice dinner of grouper, sweet potatoes, and salad and we set up the little table we have on the back of the boat and enjoyed our dinner and sunset. It was the calmest dinner we have had. I turned on the Sinatra XM station and we listened to the melancholy tunes of the old crooner. What peace!


Peace and Good Night

St. Patty's Day Party in Long Island

Tuesday, the Long Island Breeze had a St. Patty's Day Party. We were looking forward to seeing some more boater's arrive as it had been very quiet here. A group of boaters arrived on Tuesday following the George Town Regatta and "
No Talent" Show. We were very surprised to see Debbie and Carl off of Diva at the party when we arrived.

Mike and Jackie at Long Island Breeze had provided free conch fritters, pizza bites, and fudge, and the boaters brought in dishes to share. It was a great time.


Carl and Debbie by the pool


Mike and Bob at Long Island Breeze


Photo of the Pretty Penny from deck of Long Island Breeze - Everyone says this should be on our next boat cards.

Debbie and I were lamenting the fact that neither of us had ever seen the "green flash" when the sun sets. Well guess what - we both saw it! What a thrill - I was beginning to think it was a fable.

Wednesday night we had Wayne and Sharon from My Sharona, and Carl and Deb from Diva over for "sunset cocktails" and a few games of Mexican Train Dominos. We were watching the sunset again and saw the green flash a second time, two days in a row. Sorry, I don't think I can ever catch it on a photo, but will continue to try!


Diva and My Sharona's dinghys at sunset


Double click on the video to hear Bob's attempt at playing the Conch Horn - but don't do it at work! He needs to take classes


Thursday we woke up to almost perfectly calm water - this is the calm before the 25 knot winds expected Saturday and Sunday.

We are planning on moving the boat to the North end of the island to be close to the Stella Maris Marina where we will meet up with neighbors visiting on Sunday for a week. Should be a very calm trip today.