EXUMA PARADISE IS NORMAN'S CAY

 We so enjoy visiting the waters around Norman's Cay. We skipped it a few weeks ago because of weather. This time we enjoyed the waters and the snorkeling. We love the beaches and the numerous sand dollars that I will eventually paint.

Night two at Norman's we ventured in where that sunken airplane is and on our way out of the cut the next day it was so so calm. We have never been through this area with this calm of waters. 

We sometimes expect not to have internet service but day three we didn't even have cell phone service. Norman's Cay gets the service from the high tower just north on Highbourne Cay. We did not feel comfortable to be so out of touch for too long so we decided to leave on day four. Unfortunately, it was super rough all the way back south to Staniel Cay. Our boat was so salty on our return. 

Reminder that I do update one specific titled post Time Line 2021. These are quick little tidbits of our adventure down here. 

PIPE CREEK SAND BARS

 Near Staniel Cay is Sampson Cay which we dinghy over however, Pipe Creek we prefer to take Time Out there and then our dinghy ride around that area is shorter. We also dinghy over to Compass Cay Marina and look at the mega yachts that are tied up to the docks.

Last May 2020 Pipe Creek was deserted because of CoVid. This year back to "normal" with a few boats and people around. 

There were some children in another small boat that seemed bored and were arguing amongst themselves. I found (actually almost stepped on) a unique starfish. They had never held one so I showed them how to hold one. I explained at low tide they can live out of the water for a couple of hours. They were fascinated with this starfish.

We went into Compass Cay and this young turtle did not have a care in the world about us getting nearer and nearer. I believe it was so used to boats and dinghies everywhere. It was used to the engine sounds, swimmers and paddle boarders.

We provision in the United States but we do need produce once in a while including eggs. We went into Staniel Cay to the Blue Store and the Pink Pearl to get what we needed. Here is a copy of the receipts if interested in prices of what we paid. I don't even ask what the price is as we are buying it anyway! Yes.... that was $16 for the cabbage.

There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are Friendships and many they always be.

SAMPSON CAY, SUN AND SIGHTS

 How about I just post photos and then no words are necessary.

NOT ALL THOSE THAT 

WANDER ARE LOST

WAHOO, WARM, WINDY AND WONDERFUL

 In Bimini we met George a dedicated fisherman and he taught us a lot and gave us a lot of Wahoo! We love this fish.

There is a barracuda next to the Wahoo. We don't eat it but locals do. 

We did our usual and left Bimini towards Chub Cay and anchored on the Banks. This is always different for some as we are in the middle of nowhere.

 No land, no birds, no phone service and 90% time no boats. This time we saw some lobster boats along with the lobster traps at the bottom of the water. It was a beautiful calm day. Calm before the waves picked up at 1 am!

We could not see the horizon most of the day! Beautiful.

We left very early morning without our stabilizers working. This was frustrating as it was rough out there now. We knew we did not want the uncomfortable ride to Nassau so we anchored in The Berry's at Frazier Hog Cay. Paul contacted the manufacturer of the stabilizers and worked out that it was a Volt problem. Paul rigged up a phone charger and cord. He needed 5 Volts.

We stopped in Nassau to purchase fuel which turned out less expensive than Key Biscayne, Florida! So unusual. We continued through Nassau to the other side with zero cruise ships and zero persons staying at resorts and zero boats at the docks. Eerie but understandable.

Usually there are boats here at the docks. At the cruise docks

 there are working boats there, may as well use a reliable dock.

We are anchored at Staniel Cay for the next couple of weeks as it gets quite windy. It is absolutely wonderful to be here and we are very grateful.

That is the moon between my fingers in Bimini.