Saturday, March 12, 2016

GeorgeTown Exumas

Where we are?  Or where are we?

We have been here in George Town Exumas for a month…..yep, can't figure out where it's gone.  So much to do and see. There's the daily hikes on the beaches
and thru the jungle trails criss-crossing all over the narrow long Stocking island.
This has been a big plus for us, as most of the Bahamian islands are privately owned, hence no trespassing. The air and water temperatures have been a little chilly for swimming and snorkeling, but we're so deeply in love with the turquoise waters and clarity.

The underside of airplanes and clouds passing overhead reflect the brilliant blues of the waters…..unbelievable.  The Bahamas are everything we have dreamed of….and more.

 The 36th annual week long George Town Cruisers Regatta festival with so many fun events just concluded….all organized by volunteer cruisers/snowbirds.  There are over 300 boats in the harbor—-about 70 fewer than last year apparently.  We participated in a scavenger hunt (mostly picking up garbage that floats ashore along the beaches) but won a $20 gift certificate to the local meat market.  The meat market is about 3 miles from town, so two times a week, they have a pick up truck for a shuttle that we pile into ……felt like a teenager again.  Also got to race a Sunfish type small boat around....that was REALLY fun.....best sailing for fun by far.  

                                                                     There's been volleyball events,
beach golf, variety show, pet parade, large boat races etc


Dressed up but too shy to parade
Active Captain Jeff Siegel talking about sailing apps changing the future



It's like an adult summer camp. The Elizabeth Harbor is full of an amazing, supportive and friendly community of boaters.  
Chat-n-Chill beach----main hangout

George Town has friendly locals and carries a good assortment of supplies a cruiser needs.  Except when we needed a “vented loop” or anti-siphon valve for our engine exhaust system.  We ordered this part online  $36 from Defender.com…..paid $40 expedited delivery fee…..and had it successfully installed on da boat within da week.  Just a small stressful moment when a tracking email notice came through saying it’s undeliverable and we would have to pick it up in Nassau…..but it came on down the island chain anyway.

We wanted to also mention here the cost of cruising the Bahamas.  American dollars are the same as Bahamian dollars…..no difference and they take both.  Cruising permit (good for a year) costs $300.  Though we’ve only been in two marina’s, they cost anywhere from $1 per foot to $4.25 per foot….so for us it would be anywhere from $40/night to $160/night…..electricity and water extra.  R/O water (reverse osmosis) water usually runs 40 cents per gallon…..but here in George Town—FREE! (thanks to Exuma Markets)  Diesel is comparable to the US at $3.50-$4.25 per gallon…..gasoline is $3.50/gallon.  The biggest cost by far is food and drink.  Gallon of milk (if you find it) $8.  Dozen plain white eggs $5.50  Box of Wheat Thin crackers $9.  Bag of tortilla chips $7.  8oz prepackaged sliced lunchmeat $7.  Nestle’s Quick (for Tim’s habit) $6.  Small can mixed nuts (no peanuts) $14.  Bag of coffee $14.  Bag of chocolate chips $7.  Small jar of pickles $7.  Bag of 3 romaine lettuce $5.50.  There’s always a 7% VAT added.
Guess what's available for $3.45 per can?

Obviously this is American imported eating habits.  Bahamians love to eat fish, chicken, ribs, peas and rice, cole slaw and mac and cheese…..and of course conch anything.
 A rum punch or mixed drink in a bar is usually $7-$12 in a plastic cup.  Beer $4-6.  We did find a box of wine…..$35…usually $15 in the US.
 We gave a really poor-looking beggar $2 the other day and he complained it wouldn’t buy him a cup of tea.   We honestly don’t know how they make ends meet here….everything is so expensive by US standards.
Thank goodness anchoring is free.  Which by the way….a battle in Florida to keep all waterways free and open for anchoring was just lost.  The  legislature has banned anchoring in certain areas of Florida’s waterways …..rich home owners win.

One of our newest and most exciting new additions…..was an outboard engine upgrade.  We had been running around in our 9ft dinghy with only a 6HP 4-stroke Tohatsu.  Though it was only a year old, it was temperamental and always had us on edge whether it would start (or breakdown)…..or not. It literally hated me….I couldn’t get it started to save my life….which meant Tim was the only captain on this boat….and I was SOL for going anywhere without him…..like metal detecting on that beach over there.  On top of that, it was a slow struggle on a calm day to get across the mile-wide harbor to George Town…..forget it if there was high winds with a choppy waves. So we found and bought a brand new 15HP 2 stroke Yamaha. 
New 15HP outboard Yamaha---taking a siesta

 The 2 stroke (vs 4 stroke) outboard engines are not available for purchase in North America due to lack of energy efficiency…..but they are everywhere here in the islands.  The main advantage for us is the weight issue….the 2 stroke is 79lbs vs. the 4 stroke at 115lbs.  It can propel our dinghy “up on plane” with both of us, a 5 gallon water jug, a 6 gallon tank of gas and groceries heavy on the liquid side.  “Up on plane” means skimming on top of the water (very exhilarating ride) at about 24mph staying virtually dry….instead of slogging through the waves taking face shots getting soaked.  Although our excursion to town yesterday was in 20knot winds with 2-3ft waves…..should have worn our masks & snorkels……drowned rats.   Now we are practicing the popular George Town art of dinghy-running while standing-up…..Tim calls it the Aqua Man superhero mode, but this will help keep us dryer…..I think.

Anyway.....we will be here for about another couple days waiting for some strong winds to blow through for 3-4 days……we've actually had a long reprieve from winds the last 10 days....it's been lovely.  Veteran cruisers still maintain this has been a very windy year.

We have finally decided for a variety of reasons. ....NOT to continue on south.....but to return to Florida for the summer (and hurricane season) and live on the boat...get a job.….and refill the cruising kitty.  We're looking at trying to get a slip in St Petersburg Municipal Marina right in downtown....it's a young and vibrant city....but there's a long waiting list....so not sure.
We're shooting for being back in the US around mid May to mid June.  We know it will be hot but we have AC onboard if plugged into 110V on a dock.
So.....that's our latest update in the direction we're heading.....unless that special profitable job opportunity drops in and changes the winds....ya never know.
Beachcombing and metal detecting treasures


From here north we will go…….back up through new unexplored-by-us islands like Cat Island and Eleuthera…..they say the Abaco Islands in far northwestern Bahamas are beautiful in April. They also say the months of April-May-June are the best cruising months for these endless turquoise waters……we shall see…..we’ll go with the winds and enjoy the ride....taking our time.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Video---Sail'em Full

Ahoy again from Georgetown!
Here's that promised link to Tim's latest great video....
"Sail'em Full"   his best one yet.....enjoy!
(be sure and "like" it!)




PS....we got more to come soon....