Things That Make You Pause

Ahoy Maties,

Kluane & crew are making their way North.  Mother nature is providing some sweet east winds that have made our journey quite enjoyable (all you sailors out there, that means sailing).  We are anchoring in spots that are more remote.  

The big news is we saw our first green flash.  If you are not sure what it is, google it.  Cruisers seek the flash for years and years, watching sunset after sunset.  Anticipating, hoping there are no clouds on the horizon. We have met many cruisers who have been doing this for decades and have only seen a few.  We feel very lucky!

We also have seen some pretty amazing sea life.  Many new tropic fish to check off our list — the scrawled clownfish was one of my favorites.  Lee Stocking Island is the place to be if you are a ray.  We have been informed it is mating season and all the big rays come to Lee Stocking.  During a single snorkel, I bet we saw over a dozen, many bigger than our dingy.  Don’t worry Mom, they are not interested in us!  They are very graceful and eerie all at once.  We also have come upon a few smaller coral heads that are teaming with small “baby” fish.  

and Seastars. Long white beaches. Rich green sawtooth palms.  Hard rough iron rock landscape.  Water the every shade of blue, emerald and turquoise.

Mother nature is tough on the Bahamas and that is what really gives us pause.  Despite the harsh weather conditions that happen here and how they beat the land, beauty shines through.  

Grateful for every moment.

The Pearl

The Green Flash! So if I crop it down you can really see it!

What allows us to sleep really well at night!  Spade's not going anywhere!

Selfie while driving the dingy -- don't tell Captain!

One of the most beautiful beaches!  I walked every bit, more than once!

They like whatever he has!  Ginger snaps!  Pigs can run!

G Town

The Pearl (Jennifer)

Ahoy Friends, 

The Captain and Admiral have made their way to their Southern most point, Georgetown, Great Exuma Island, Exuma.  We had heard much about G Town before coming and we are glad to be experiencing it for ourselves.  Picture a big harbor where boats anchor around the settlement.  Now picture 250+ boats snuggling! Yep, it is pretty crazy.  We are use to anchoring with 1-2 boats to maybe, 25.  We are in a city (not really).  We have had several weather systems move through and we have a safe anchorage we move to for N, W and South winds while here.  We spend the settled weather on Sand Dollar Beach -- guess why it is called Sand Dollar beach!

G Town is very organized, has a morning net that updates the cruisers on what is going on with local businesses, special events, gives the cruisers a chance to ask for help or for parts and even section about what to do with your trash (don't burn it on the beach).  A practical problem on a boat.  G Town has organized volleyball (fun to advanced), bocce, scrabble tournaments, conch shell workshops, yoga, socials and much, much of this happens on Chat N’ Chill beach.  Think summer camp for adults!  This is all organized by other cruisers.   

We are swimming, walking and exploring.  We got a nice long rain shower a few days ago and Kluane got a free (and needed) wash.  She is gleaming (and so is Captain).

We are enjoying time with our friends on Scooter, Different Drummer, Independence, Kokoi, Malika, Sparrow, Ann Marie and Solitude.  

Enjoy the photos!

The Pearl

Look close, we found Hatch Green Chile in the G Town grocery!  

Chat N'Chill

Sunday in town, exploring the government dock

Photo from December's Staniel Class C Bahamian boat race

The Pearl found a cave

Iron Rock

Isaac's Bay

Sea star dancing!

Exploring

The Pearl (Jennifer) 

Happy New Year!  

Greetings from Black Point, Great Guana Cay, Exumas!  Kluane and crew are doing well.  

We arrived in the Bahamas after a 2 day/2 nigh overnight sail across the gulf stream and Bahama banks.  The first night of the crossing we had a full moon (think daylight at night — AMAZING) and the second night was a bit more boisterous.  We recovered at Royal Island at the top of Eleuthera.  I was giddy with excitement as we approached land!  It took no time for us to pull Foster (dingy) and get the motor on to start exploring!  From there we have been to Spanish Wells (read AWESOME 1960 style grocery), Allen’s Cay (curious and hungry iguana’s), Hawksbill Cay (best beach ever), Pipe Cay (amazing water), Rocky Dundas (incredible protected

reef) and Staniel Cay (mega yachts and pigs).

We spent Christmas Eve with our new friends on Different Drummer for a fabulous meal and marvelous company.  We also witnessed the mega yacht mayhem for New Year’s Eve in Staniel Cay.  We saw spectacular fireworks off Fowl Cay!

I choose a few photos to get you all up to speed on all the exploring we have been doing!  Our trusty dingy has taken us to many beautiful spots.  Buccaneer is becoming quite the fisherman and I am becoming quite the scout.  We are exploring by land and by sea.

We hope you enjoy the photos!

The Pearl

Happy New Year!  

Sunset First Day of Crossing

First sight of Land!

Strike a Pose!

One of my favorite snorkeling photos!