As we rounded the point of southern Eleuthera, we lost all wind and it was so calm we could easily see the bottom at 10 feet!
On May 18, we passed the southern tip of Eleuthera and were in need of gas. Luckily there a great fuel dock in a nice protected harbor. Trash disposal and water were a bonus! Easy in and easy out!
This little beach on little San Salvador had so many little baby sea shells!!
LIONFISH - Beautiful, Toxic & Delicious
Lionfish are native to Indo-Pacific but are an invasive species in the Atlantic. Lionfish are very beautiful and highly desired for aquariums. When found in the wild, we are encouraged to kill them as they are now one of the top predators in many coral reef environments of the Atlantic. Lionfish consume over 50 species of fish including some economically and ecologically important species. Lionfish are active hunters who ambush their prey by using their outstretched, fan-like pectoral fins to slowly pursue and "corner" them.
They have distinctive brown or maroon, and white stripes or bands covering the head and body. They have fleshy tentacles above their eyes and below the mouth; fan-like pectoral fins; long, separated dorsal spines; 13 dorsal spines; 10-11 dorsal soft rays; 3 anal spines; and 6-7 anal soft rays. An adult lionfish can grow as large as 18 inches, while juveniles may be as small as 1 inch or less.
The spines of this species deliver a venomous sting through their spines that can last for days and cause extreme pain, sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis. Anyone stung by a lionfish should seek medical attention immediately.
Lionfish can be cleaned with extreme care and had a meat is white, flaky, and firm, with a mild, buttery flavor. Definitely some of the best fish we have had! It can be cooked in many ways or made into ceviche!
Around May 12 while we were buddy boating with Evan from SV Dacia, we decided to explore a large inlet near Old Bight on Cat Island. We entered from the east and followed the red track. Initially the inlet was very wide with super. Lear water. We saw lots or rays, turtles, fish and birds. As we progressed into the inlet, the water narrowed to the point where we were in a 3 ft wide opening in less than a foot of water. Mangroves we’re on all sides of us. We were hoping to get to the exit to the west but it became to narrow and shallow. We even tried walking part way pulling the dinghy behind us. Every step was like walking in quick sand with us sinking to our knees in muck! At one point I floated on my back and ron pulled me though!!! I think that pic is on Ron’s phone!
We made ti to the red pin. Facing defeat we turned around and tried to take the blue path. We got soooooo close but just couldn’t do it! We had to turn around and traverse back!
It was a fabulous day and an incredible Adventure! Enjoy this short video!
Nothing like conch horn blowing to say goodbye to the sun!
Ron and I would like to thank all of our friends, family and fellow cruisers for the MANY, MANY school and sporting goods donations!
It has been an incredible experience, delivering the donations to the individual schools!
We recently dropped off our last donations to Old Bight Primary on Cat island in the Bahamas. Principal Rolle and staff brought all the students together and explained we were bringing the school gifts. We shared stories about collecting the donations, loading them on the boat and traveling 80 days through the Bahamas to deliver them to various schools! The students are super polite with endless smiles!
The staff and students have so appreciative of the gifts bestowed on them and wish to say Thank You!!!
Life is good…no….Life is GREAT!!
We are anchored safely in Governors Harbor! Thankful as we are picking up our friend on Tuesday. We have lightning around us, but it’s going a few miles north!
At the top of the highest point in Bahamas at 206 feet, sits a small, stone, medieval-style monastery. Built in 1939 by a Roman Catholic priest, Monsignor John Hawes, known to locals as Father Jerome.
A skilled architect and sculptor and self-described contemplative, Father Jerome built this retreat so that he could get away from the world. Going up the hill to the monastery, visitors will sense his religious devotion and see his beautiful and detailed work, including hand-carved stone reliefs of the Stations of the Cross.
It is a fairly long uphill walk from the New Bight anchorage to the parking area. We rented a car for the day so took advantage of it to visit the Hermitage! A short distance from the parking area the trail splits. Stay left for the easier longer old road and turn right for a steep shorter path up carved steps. We chose the steeper path on the way up, so we could see the faces of the Stations of the Cross along the path. Once at the top the views are spectacular with good views of the anchorage.
The Hermitage is still owned by the Roman Catholic Church today. The structure is intact and quaint with a chapel, bell tower, kitchen, and sleeping room. The yard itself has a water collection system which funnels water into a well.
It is well worth the trip to the highest point in the Bahama!
Can you imagine what Christopher Columbus and his crew thought as they stood on these cliffs! They anchored off the coast and took long boats into the basin to shore! There is a certain thrill knowing we are doing the same centuries later!
We visited Columbus Monument by car which was amazing but taking the dinghies into the basin was incredible! The water was so blue and clear with miles of sandbars! It was a surreal experience! Come enjoy this amazing scenery!
#svcoolchange #reefnit #svReefnit. #dinghyadventures #columbusMonument #cruisinglife #boatinglife
Hamilton Cave is one of the many caves on Long Island but is the largest in all of the Bahamas. It is privately owned and is well worth the cost of the tour at $15 per person to have Mr. Leonard Cartwright share his knowledge of the cave system! Leonard’s family came to Long Island in the 1770s and purchased the cave from the English Crown for 27 pounds in 1847.
Named after the settlement where it is located, the cave has about 10 steps to reach the opening. Upon entering the cave, it has many passages and large rooms with openings to the sky. Artifacts from the Lucayans Indians have been found in the cave as well as past visitors names on the walls. You will see several species of bats whose “droppings” known as guana were collected for fertilizer, termites who weave long dark passages along the wall, cockroaches who scatter in the beam of your flashlight and others! It has your typical stalagmites and stalactites and root systems from the trees growing above.
It is by far, our favorite cave in the Bahamas!! So if you are visiting, add it to your list of Must Sees!
How many people do you think attended this Catholic church for Sunday services, weddings, baptisms, funerals, holidays and confession? Who is buried in the grave yard? What is the history? Why is it abandoned?
The one thing that Ron and I have noticed is that religion plays a huge part in the Bahamian’s lifestyle. Churches are everywhere and many businesses are closed in Honor of the Sabbath. If you decide you want to attend a service be prepared for an incredible experience lasting several hours with lots and lots of music and dancing! We ran across this little catholic church with our friends, Mike and Nikki on SV Cool Change while driving around the island. It is no longer being used for service. I tried to find the history but didn’t find any information.
#reefnit #svreefnit #svcoolchange #church #longislandbahamas #history #exploring
We haven’t caught a fish this year!!! Last night Mike and Nikki invited us to share a delicious meal of encrusted Mahi on SV Cool Change! We want to catch our own fish! GAME ON!!!!! Two poles in the water! About 8 miles off Cat Island in some pretty rolly 8-10 foot waves……. Ziiiiiiiinngggg! FISH ON! Out of the water jumps this beautiful Mahi! Woohoo!! We are already seeing fish tacos in our future! Few seconds later the Ziiiiinnnnggg, 2nd pole hits. Since Ron is on the first pole, I jump on this one! After only a few short seconds my reel goes quiet! I guess the Mahi must have hit this line, so I stop reeling and go help Ron! We get fish number 1 on board, a whopping 31” beauty! I then go to reel in other line and realize there is something still on!!! Adrenaline high alert again!! Since it was much easier to reel in I look and think I see half a Mahi! I am thinking the tax man (aka shark) might have taken a portion but still keep reeling to get it on the boat! Much to our surprise it was another full Mahi coming in at 37”! 14 beautiful fillets!! Going to anchor and vacuum pack up most to freeze but I definitely see a freezer full of fish and fish tacos in our future! Our poles are out of the water as OUR FREEZER IS FULL!!!
How would you like to stand where Christopher Columbus stood back in the 1400’s?!??
Columbus Monument / Lucayan Memorial sits on the northern tip of Long Island. With the exception of your typical Bahama potholes the drive is easy to the parking lot at the base. 97 steps lead to the monument which as its atop a cliff. There are two platforms with incredible scenic views of the Bahama Sound and Columbus Harbor.
Columbus Harbour is the spot where Columbus anchored off and came ashore by long boat October 16th, 1492. Just north of it, on cliffs from 100' high, sits the monument commemorating Columbus' Landing and his brief trading with the natives of Yuma.
Weather and wind permitting we plan to explore this basin by dinghy!!
This is the inscription on the monument.
THIS
MONUMENT
IS DEDICATED TO
THE GENTLE PEACEFUL AND HAPPY
ABORIGINAL PEOPLE
OF LONG ISLAND
THE LUCAYANS
AND
TO THE ARRIVAL OF
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
ON
OCT. 17, 1492.
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#svreefnit #svcoolshange #reefnit #columbusmonument #longislandbahamas #historical #sailingadventures #CapeMaria
Long Island is said to be the third island discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Columbus described Long Island as the most beautiful island in The Bahamas.
This monument was erected by Long Islanders on top of the white cliffs, sinking down into the various shades of blue water.
With the exception of the normal potholes on Bahamas roads, this is an easy drive. The climb to the top, however, is strenuous with approximately 97 steps. There are two platforms that overlooks the ocean and give you gorgeous views.
The Columbus monument basin is assessable by dinghy. Even at low tide it is navigable to a certain point. Today we are here by car, but our plan is to come back and explore the basin by dinghy!!
#columbuspoint #reefnit #svReefnIt #svcoolshange #longislandbahamas #bahamas #historical #boatlife #adventures
Some sloop sailing action at the George Town National Family Island Regatta!
