Since I didn't post a blog last year during the "2011 Mass Family Exumas Adventure", I thought maybe I would put up a few pics from THAT wonderful trip.
"Viking Funeral" AKA "Two-Million-Dollar Signal Fire"
On the crossing from Little Harbour, Abaco to Eleuthera, we were startled into action by a MAYDAY! call from a burning 52' Viking Sportfish boat. Fortunately, all aboard were able to escape to the 32' center console they were towing. Boat burned to the waterline and sank in 2,000 fathoms.
In the infamous Current Cut where there can be 10-knot currents - depending on tide. We were lucky enough to have it only running against us at 3 1/2 knots - so we chugged through at 4 knots!
Governour's Harbour, Eleuthera. Nice enough stopover on the way to the Exumas.
Leaving Eleuthera early, the girls are still asleep on the bridge. On clear nights, there is no place better to take in the beauty of the Bahamas night sky than Spoonbill's flybridge.
Finally in the Exumas, Spoonbill is anchored at Allan's Cay.
Dinosaurs (iguanas) on the beach at Leaf Cay. All three of the islands in the Allan's group have these indigenous lizards. They are very happy to come beg for lettuce or apple slices!
Sarah and Anna at Highbourne Cay, Exumas. An incredibly beautiful marina at the northern end of the Exumas chain.
Highbourne Cay.
From our anchorage on the west side of Shroud Cay, we motored (and pushed) the skiff through the shallow tidal creeks all the way across to this beach on the "ocean" side. The Mass's were keen to explore while I managed to take a nap on the skiff!
Back on the other side of the island, we spent the afternoon exploring and enjoying a beautiful, secluded Shroud Cay beach.
Spoonbill at Warderick Wells, Exumas. This is the Exumas Land & Sea Park. Just fantastic.
Anna & the Whale. Warderick Wells
Boo Boo Hill, Warderick Wells. Cruisers traditionally leave some kind of memento on this hill. Not really sure why - but we did too!
Bananaquit enjoying...well, a banana. This little guy joined us for breakfast one morning.
Lauren (Bizzy) at Staniel Cay, Exumas
Nurse sharks feeding on scraps thrown by the fisherman at Staniel.
Feeding the swimming pigs at Big Major's Spot, Exumas. These big sows can get very aggressive, so we just toss them apples!
Inside Thunderball Grotto, Staniel, where they filmed part of the James Bond movie back in the 60s.
Spoonie leaving Staniel Cay under threatening skies. Headed south and anchored at Black Point, where we explored town and endured a pretty major thunderstorm.
Cave Cay, Exumas.
Tubing in the Cave Cay lagoon.
Caves at Cave Cay
Sarah & Anna in the caves at Cave Cay.
Anna with a nice Queen Helmet Conch on Three-Mile Sandbar
Compass Cay, Exumas. One of my favorite spots in the islands.
Compass Cay, Exumas
Swimming with the sharks at Compass Cay. This nutty Italian ended up getting nipped (not too badly - no stitches) while trying to hand-feed these guys.
Back in the Abacos - Tahiti Beach, Elbow Cay. Home.
Docked at the Sail Shop in Man-O-War Cay, Abacos. The Mass's have to get their annual supply of sail bags!
Biz with a giant starfish - Great Guana Cay, Abacos.
Lighting the Elbow Cay Reef Lighthouse. The girls really enjoyed helping this third generation lighthouse keeper perform his nightly ritual.
Sunset on a fabulous trip.
