 |
| Bahama warm - we took one more long hike to find a view of Dotham Cut before leaving Black Point on Dec. 30th. Coming back into the settlement we met Sharon Taylor weaving the long 5-6" wide strips in front of her house in the shade of a tree. She explained that she has been weaving since she was old enough to remember and the woven strips were measured and sold by the fathom (6ft). She said the three settlements of Staniel Cay, Black Point and Farmers Cay have always been self-sufficient fishing and farming communities. The men fished and the people at home grew food to eat and wove strips. Then the fish and weaving were taken to sell in Nassau. She said the "young ones" go to school on the island through 8th grade in an all age 4 room school house. If they continue their education, they go to live in Nassau or the states for high school. Sharon was, of course, happy for children to continue their education but as a mother, heartbroken, to see them go away. She said the ones who leave usually do not return to live on the island. Being aware of our interest in weaving, Sharon timidly offered to show us baskets she had woven which she kept in the house on top of a cabinet. They were beautiful and now we have a new basket on board. |
|
After a quiet New Years Eve anchored off Little Farmers Cay, we sailed out of Farmers Cut and had a beautiful sail down Exuma Sound. Jay captured a moment on video so you could sail along with us. He says the cup in the cupholder probably shows the motion and sea state the best at the end of the clip. With forecasted west and north winds of 30kts for Tues/Wed we decided to look for protection in Emerald Bay Marina just north of George Town.
 |
| This is the breakwater and buoys to guide us into the Marina. The six red and green buoys marking this entrance were more buoys than we have seen since leaving Florida. Buoys are difficult to maintain and keep lighted so there are few in the Bahamas. We depend on our GPS and electronic and paper charts. |
 |
| The shore is either a beautiful sandy white beach or a rocky shelf or cliff like the carved out entrance to Emerald Bay. You can see the marina behind me. |
 |
| Emerald Bay is a beautiful marina facility that is not completed. Our dock is not yet wired for electricity. Therefore, it is undesirable for most boaters who want to plug in, but cheaper to rent for folks like us since we could charge our boat batteries with our solar panels and Honda generator if needed. |
|
|
|
 |
| Being in one secluded place for four days has given us a chance to renew friends and meet new ones. The marina commons building was perfect for potluck dinners, sundowners and a chance to discuss charts. We even had dinner one night on Dave & Paula's 75' motor yacht from Key West. John and his young son, Tyler, brought fresh coconut (white chunks on the white plate) they had just cracked from coconuts blown down in the marina during the winds. |
 |
| We are really on vacation here at Emerald Bay. We are spoiled with an internet connection, free laundry, nice showers, DVDs to borrow and a book exchange plus this beautiful building to use. Thursday we leave to travel south to explore George Town on Great Exuma Island. |
