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Captains log, March 17th 2010

While my good friend Patricia celebrated a special birthday today and my cousin Liz opened her store in Kinvara for the 2010 season I snorkled through some of the most awesome reefs in the Exuma Park. It is hard to describe the beauty of the undersea world I encountered, the only comparison is standing in front of an aquarium at sea world in Florida. The species of fish swimming in and out of various types of coral heads with their magnificent colors and their total lack of fear of the human invasion into their territory was awe inspiring. I am not a very religious person but this experience makes one look deep into ones soul and wonder about the existance of a higher power somewhere.
It was a different way to spend St. Patricks day for me away from friends and family but my thoughts were with you all and hope you all had a happy and safe celebration.

First week in Georgetown

The weather has gone downhill since we arrived here on Monday. The wind blew at 15 to 20 knots all day Tuesday and through the night last night. We decided to move into the marina for the weekend as there is a more severe front coming through Friday night into Saturday. We will be saying goodbye to Liz on Saturday. She will be flying to Ft.Lauderdale and then driving back to our home in Solivita for a few days to do some shopping and packing for her trip home on the 16th. This is definitely the place for cruisers for the winter. There has to be between 150 and 200 boats moored and anchored here. As one of my friends said it is like been on a cruise ship without the ship. Every morning the radio announces the activities for the day. Volleyball on the beach, Yoga, Ham Radio Courses, Choir Practice, Church Services, etc,etc.
Our friend Dave Ball took Liz snorkeling today while Jane and I took care of business on the boat. Dave speared his first lobster of the season. I did not see it but he claimed it was 3+Lbs. For those of you who do not know, the Bahamas lobster is not like the New England lobster. No claws and the only part that is eaten is the tail. Liz is hoping to get a couple tomorrow for our last dinner together. If you are following the blog you would have seen a picture of some tails we had when Patricia and Willy were here with us.

Blogger: KINVARA - Manage Posts

Blogger: KINVARA - Manage Posts

Farmers Cay festival, Fri.5th/ & Sat.6th.

Friday was a beautiful day at Farmers Cay. The sun split the rocks and the island buzzed with excitement. After breakfast we all walked to town to participate in the festival events. The island is very small so it was not difficult to take in all the events in the harbor/down town area. The mail boat had just arrived with supplies for the local stores and the harbor was a hive of activity with trucks picking up supplies and delivering them to various locations. Of course we availed ourselves of some fresh produce from the local store as it does not last long after the boat arrives on the island.

We watched a young man, Martin, make conch salad while standing in the water by the pier. Peter and Liz shared a plate fresh from the sea and it was outstanding.
There were a few contests held in the morning including a wet tee-shirt contest for ladies from the boats. Suffice it to say it was not your regular wet tee-shirt contest but the ladies were good sports.
In the afternoon the boat races were held and they were awesome. It reminded us of the boat festival back home in Ireland. So many similarities, the boats, the crews, the meetings, the drinking, the arguments following the races.

We have christened it 'Cruinniu na mbad(the gathering of the boats) Bahamas.

Sat morning arrived and the weather forecast was not good. Little did we know what the day would bring as we sat and ate breakfast and discussed plans for the day. The boat races were scheduled for 11 o'clock but it was soon realized that the weather would cancel all those plans. The winds picked up to 30+ knots and the rain pelted down for a few hours. By mid-afternoon the weather cleared and we watched as two Bahamian Navy vessels approached our dock. When they drew up alongside we were devastated at what we saw. Both boats were overflowing with Haitian refugees that they had rescued from a boat adrift off the coast of the island. They were wet and cold and we could only guess that they had not eaten for days. Jane and I were in pieces seeing all these people scared and in shock. Within a short period of time word spread throughout the boating community and the island and we saw demonstrated the best and the worst of humanity. Needless to say some of the island people were nervous that the refugees would be brought ashore to their island and they have a hard enough time supporting themselves. The situation was tense for a short time but the local police and navy personnel removed the natives from the pier and a serious incident was avoided. As I said the best of humanity was also on display. The VHF radio was working overtime and within an hour dingys were arriving from every boat in the harbor with clothes, food, blankets and whatever they could find that would offer some comfort to the poor people. The local restaurants began cooking everything they could muster up and load after load of food, water,etc arrived at the dock. As I write this tonight all these people are huddled together on the open decks of the navy boats just feet away from us. The wind is howling and it is cold and damp. It is heart-braking to experience such a tragedy. If there is a silver lining it is that the were rescued and did not drown in there attempt to escape such devastation in their country. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. One officer told me that there is possibly another boat load on the sea between here and Nassau. The Bahamian forces do not have the resources to handle this situation so I hope this incident does not repeat itself many more times throughout the islands. It is with a heavy heart we go to bed tonight and we pray that they will all find safety wherever they finally arrive.