Conception and Long Island...

We had a wonderful trip over to Salt Pond and Thompson Bay at Long Island where we weathered some winds then, when it let up, we had a week of mild weather which was perfect to go to the Island of Conception which as of two weeks ago became an official National Land and Sea Park in the Bahamas. It is surrounded by reefs and has the largest population of White Tropic Birds in the Bahamas. The interior is mangrove swamp and is full of turtles and is a breeding place for Nassau Grouper. We went into the lagoon with the dinghy, but could not stay long as the tide was going out and the entrance is shallow. It was beautiful! Patty Cakes went with us to Long Island and then to Conception before they headed back to George Town to wait for mail. It was fun to have company.

Inside the lagoon at Conception.


We returned to Long Island a day or so early to wait the visit of Bill's sister Pat, her husband John, Bill's brother John and his wife Sally and his Mother, Isabel. her Birthday gift from them was a trip to where we were sailing to spend a week together. We were all at the Stella Maris Resort which was very comfortable and situated on the Atlantic with lovely breezes to keep us cool. We never turned on the air conditioning in the house. We had some meals are the house, some lunches out and about, and dinners all but 2 in the dining room. There are lots of pools and beaches to visit including a tidal pool right in front of the house and a pool just next door.
Bill was great at making Pina Coladas each evening before dinner!

View from the house.

Tidal pool just below the garden behind the house.


Bill enjoying a Rum Punch Party and BBQ at Stella Maris.


We visited the resort at Cape Santa Maria, climbed up to the Columbus Monument...even Isabel and spent a day on the dive boat where we snorkeled while Isabel and Pat watched! There were lots of fish but the waters were a bit deeper than we usually like to snorkel

The beach at Cape Santa Maria when we had lunch on Easter Sunday.


At the Columbus Monument.

Sally patting the manatee at the marina when we came back from snorkeling.
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We drove to Deans Blue Hole, the deepest in the world..and snorkeled around the edge right off the beach. Lovely and lots of fish to see. It is a world famous free dive site.


We continued on that day to Bonna Corde to Lovers Beach and to Clarence Town for lunch at the Flying Fish Marina. We saw the two lovely churches but unfortunately were not able to visit inside.

The Bone Fishing Folks


Sally and John went bone fishing and we explored the Adderly Plantation Ruins close by the Resort but with a somewhat challenging walk through the brush on a rocky path.

After a memorable week, everyone left the Island on Friday Morning and we are in the marina, waiting good winds to head to Cat Island to meet Christine and Mark. Winds are gusting to 30 knots with big seas so we will wait until Wednesday when the seas settle down before we head out.

Will try to post a few more pictures when I can get them off my Ipad! Technically challenged!

All is well on Wind Spirit!

Just pictures this time...

A favorite pass time, reading, on Wind Spirit.

Mail boat at Sampson Cay wandering through anchored boats to get to the dock.

Sailing on a clear day still day. where does the water end and the sky begin?

Wind Spirit underway on a sunny day. Picture taken by Patty Cakes.


Another boat at Sampson wandering through the sailboats into the marina. Ships like this open their garages and pull out motor boats and seadoos and other noisy toys. They seem to be most often registered in the Cayman Islands too.

Clear water about 8 to 10 feet deep and so clear... looks like a modern art painting.

Sailing Buddies on Patty Cakes, Jack and Shaun at the Exumas Music and Heritage Festival at George Town. We went to the Gospel Concert which was mostly Christian Rock.


Kids watching the Gospel Concert

Young dancers at Gospel Concert.


G&G Shipping and the Customs office where we picked up our batteries. This is located at the old Naval Yard in George Town.

Bill negotiating with the Broker when we were getting the batteries.


View out the window of the best internet cafe in George Town... rusty hulkprobably from hurricane category 4 which came through the Bahamas 2 years ago and sailboats in the background. The trees are Australian Pines.


Great new Dinghy Dock at Peace and Plenty Resort right in George Town.



Ninety one year old Dancing at Rake and Scrape at Eddies Edgwater. He was also dancing at the Gospel Concert. Very entertaining!

Rake and Scrape Band...great dancing music!


Rolletown Welcome!

Twelve Mile Dinghy adventure to Rolletown.


Gardening with a machete in Rolletown. Very welcoming and community has history back to the emancipation when land was distributed to slaves and cannot be sold out of family.


Bill climbed up to the Monument on Stocking Island.


Picnic lunch on the Atlantic Beach at Salt Pond on Long Island Patty Cakes!

All is well on Wind Spirit!