Harbour Island

From Spanish Wells we traveled to Harbour Island....destination of many of the rich and famous! Much of our documentation on this blog..photos just cannot relay the beauty and awesome surroundings you find yourself in!

As you can imagine....so many boats to admire...older refurbished to the mega yachts. And I do believe we have a photo of all of them.

Many interesting shops...from the local straw markets with coconut purses....to very trendy and expensive shops. One in particular was a European store and a shell was 60 dollars...lamps $1000 and of course the pair of shoes I wanted were only $460. Fun to look!
We traveled around the town, Dunmore Town, Briland is what the locals have shorted Harbour Island to...guess too many Bahama Mamas...

We stayed at a wonderful resort .....no rocking ...a large tub...and the bed was to die for....I would have paid anything.

A block from the resort is a gathering place....the local Brilanders meet and talk under the large shade tree. Over the years....signs ....sayings and words to live by.....are posted. You are encouraged to leave you nimble of wisdom with a donation which go to one of the local charities.

The beaches here are awesome....known for their coral sands. We enjoyed having our own private beach. Jim and Jeorge had fun. I think Jeorge looks interesting with the blond seaweed

do.......don't you??? All is all...what a place...and as the sun sets off we go back to the boat on our ferry. Memories galore!

Spanish Wells

We took the ferry from Nassau to Spanish Wells and Harbour Island. It was a brand new 140' ferry that cruised at 30 MPH. We had wanted to go to Spanish Wells and Harbour Island from Hope Town but the weather did not cooperate, so the ferry worked great with our weather delay in Nassau. Spanish Wells is a very picturesque fishing village at the north end of Eleuthera.



These next two pictures are examples of channel markers...no numbers, no signs, and many non-existent.

If you take your own boat into Harbour Island a pilot is highly recommended. They charge about $75 each way, but they know the local waters. The following picture shows a yacht coming in with the pilot boat being towed behind. The pilot meets you out in the channel, comes aboard your boat, and steers your boat through the entrance.

The following pictures are the captain for the ferry. The captain let me come up on the bridge when we came through the Devil's Backbone. This is a very treacherous and narrow inlet surrounded by coral reefs. The pilot told me last week a 90' boat came through without a pilot and had to be towed to Nassau (70 miles) for shaft, rudder, and prop damage. This 140' ferry came through at 25 knots in less than 10' of water with the shore about 100' feet on one side and the coral reef 300' feet on the other side. What a ride!

Nassau Continued

The straw market in Nassau was interesting! Clothes, straw hats and purses and many other items were for sale! Of course I had to shop just a little!New friends join Jim, Jeorge, Jerry and I for Goombay Smashes...an unusually stout drink...famous in the Bahamas...

Jerry with his new do.....he just gets more radical every day......
The snorkeling adventure was great....we all enjoyed the guides boat surfing behind the boat!

It had to be the most beautiful fish and reef we had seen.......Fab!

The trees boast fruit....but if you have ever tried to crack one of these ...you will have a new appreciation for coconut!

Yeah....Jerry did it....fresh coconut!-

Jim and I enjoy coffee in the morning....we sure enjoyed their visit....I am not sure Jim slept much with all the rockin and rollin we had going on!

As we took the ferry to Paradise Island the guide pointed out all of the famous people who owned homes there....He said the one above is Oprah Winfreys home!

The fishing boats come in daily with fresh grouper, snapper and of course the stable...Conch.

We should be losing weight with all the good eating...but I think it has to do with quanity!

Nassau

We arrived in Nassau today from Hope Town (about 100 miles). Little rough with the wind on our beam. Lynn's brother and Jorge will be joining us Saturday 4/25. Looks like we will be in Nassau about a week with the weather moving through. Then we will probably go to the Berrys, Bimini, and back to Florida.

Instead of bikes, like we have, this yacht at Atlantis has a Mini Cooper for local transportation, complete with a crane for lifting the car off the yacht.

Dinner at the Poop Deck....great views of the Marina. Very gusty here....we are getting use to rockin' and rollin' on the boat.


We took the ferry to Paradise Island and to Atlantis.....what a resort. The yachts were just beautiful.....fresh flowers, fully set tables and all the staff to keep them pristine....one helpful hint is to put your boat soap with a little water in a large squirt gun...with the hose and you have a new way to wash the boat....or rather have your help wash the boat.....what a great place for families to take the kids...all the pools and slides.

Just so colorful....we had to have a picture....On the way back to the marina....the tour guide on the ferry pointed out various homes of the stars...Nickolas Cage, the late Richard Harrison and many other rich and famous.

Hope Town

With the props back on, new zincs, and the bottom cleaned we made the short hop to Hope Town. We picked up a mooring ball with a little help from another boat. We moored in the harbour for 3 days ($15 per day-great deal). Ashore we rented a golf cart to tour of Elbow cay.What gorgeous water all around....like no other. The town is very historical....and small but has everything you need.

We dinghed in all week, but the water was smooth and it was not far. We just tied up and off we went thru the town. On several street they did not allow a golf cart...so we just walked thru the art gallery.....much art here....as we passed a lovely home ...he was painting signs on his porch for the town...always very colorful. Several clothing stores, post office, restaurants , and of course the locals making their conch salad in the small huts. We decided to rent a golf cart to see the rest of the island...good idea.

We walked up to the famous Hope Town light house and took a picture of our boat in the Harbor.

How Picturesque!!! Sea la Vie , old girl, you have made it this far and made us proud! The Abaco Resort has great views and a wonderful set up for the pool...built right on the rocks overlooking the beach.

So ....have you seen enough pictures of me, the lighthouse and now the golf cart.....we just get carried away.

I had to have a stroll on the beach. ......it really does sooth ones soul.

And as the sunsets......how lucky we are to see such a beautiful place.