Saturday, April 14, 2007

FROM GREAT HARBOUR CAY TO WHITE CAY TO NEW PROVIDENCE

After breakfast, we went to the store in the marina to buy a few things we needed, and to the Harbor Master’s to pay for our mooring. It was a beautiful day, a bit windy, and our navigation time was not supposed to be longer than 3 hours. We were told about an ideal spot for an overnight stay at a secluded spot between Hoffman’s Cay and Devil’s Cay. We planned to go there to do some snorkeling and some beachcombing, as well.

When we left, the wind was very good, but soon it started to shift, so we wound up doing some zigzagging, which prolonged our trip about 2 hours. The wind kicked up as we found our anchoring place, and it was rather late to do a dingy trip to the shore. We made some drinks and appetizers and sat to watch the beautiful sunset. A cold front was to arrive along with rain and high winds, but we felt secure in our spot.

Pablo was worried about the winds, and kept reading the weather report, which was not good. Because of the fact that the anchor had moved with 20 knot winds, and being that we were literally between two coral reefs, we decided at 11:30 pm to leave for New Providence island and stay in Nassau. We called several marinas, but none had space for our boat. We found one on the western side of the island, called, and made a reservation. We had to stay at least 3 nights to be able to have a spot. It is a Private Yacht club called Lyford Cay.

The first two hours of navigation were easy, winds of 12-18 knots. On the screen, we could see the storm coming from the east, looking bad. If all went well, we would arrive around 7:00 am. Around 2:00 am, the rain arrived along with winds up to 32 Knots. There was a lot of rock and rolling, but we were never scared. The boat is so incredibly stable. Catamarans give you a flat ride. They do not keel like sailboats.

The rain passed, but the winds stayed and the waves started to get beat us from the side. The last hour was the worst, but we could clearly see the island a few miles ahead as the sun was rising. We called the Marina to announce our arrival, but it was not open. As we entered, we could not believe our eyes. The boats there were gorgeous, and the setting, breathtaking. We saw a big enough slip, figured that that was ours and tied up our boat. It was such a relief after such a rough night. Bill and Pablo went to sleep, and Libia and I went to see the Harbor Master after having prepared a breakfast for all of us. The people at the office were very welcoming and polite, as we have found all Bahamians to be. They told us about all the facilities and services the Club has for its guests. As a transient boat, we can only stay 4 nights, but we can use all the facilities we want. The marina is inside the most gorgeous neighborhood on the island, as we later found out.

The harbor Master gave us a golf cart to use for grocery shopping, or just to go see the area. Libia and I took advantage of it, and went to the supermarket. We found everything we needed, even the Digestives, cookies from England that Bill loves. Next to the market, there is a lovely shopping center with nice boutiques, bank, post office, etc.

When we got back, we prepared a lovely lunch, which was much welcome by the guys who had slept the whole morning. We then watched the Busch race, a good one for Juan Pablo. He finished in eight place. Late in the afternoon, we took a taxi to go to Nassau and Paradise Island to see Atlantis. The trip took about 35 minutes, and it was very interesting. We found that the prettier side is where we are. Nassau reminds me so much of San Andres, the island where we spent our vacations when I was young. It has a very Caribbean flavor, and a lot of character.

Pablo and Libia wanted to show us Atlantis, especially the gigantic fish tank behind the casino. It was definitely worth seeing. There are so many species of fish! We spent a lot of time there, got hungry and decided to eat at a Deli called Murray’s right at the Marina.
It was like Monaco during the Formula 1 race. So many yachts, and such a show! We walked around and did a bit of shopping around the lovely boutiques. We were tired, so we found a taxi and came back.

Next day, Libia and woke up early for a bike ride around the area. We were so impressed by the beauty of the houses and gardens in this neighborhood. Most of the houses are mansions painted in pastel colors, in exquisite island designs. We rode for almost 2 hours, and did not see it all. Since we are going to be here at least until Friday to wait for the weather to sail, we shall be seeing the rest of Lyford Cay,

In the afternoon, we watched the Nextel Cup race, in which J P finished fourth. It was a very exciting 500 mile race. It is great to see Juan Pablo gaining confidence and learning so much each time he races. I have no doubt that he will win an oval or two this year.


Captain at rest


Entering Great Harbor Cay


Buying fish, conch and lobster


Anchored at White Cay

1 comment:

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Emperor Karl (Charlemagne) in 782 had 4500 Saxons, unwilling to convert to Christianity, beheaded. [DO30]
Peasants of Steding (Germany) unwilling to pay suffocating church taxes: between 5,000 and 11,000 men, women and children slain 5/27/1234 near Altenesch/Germany. [WW223]
Battle of Belgrad 1456: 80,000 Turks slaughtered. [DO235]
15th century Poland: 1019 churches and 17987 villages plundered by Knights of the Order. Victims unknown. [DO30]
16th and 17th century Ireland. English troops "pacified and civilized" Ireland, where only Gaelic "wild Irish", "unreasonable beasts lived without any knowledge of God or good manners, in common of their goods, cattle, women, children and every other thing." One of the more successful soldiers, a certain Humphrey Gilbert, half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, ordered that "the heddes of all those (of what sort soever thei were) which were killed in the daie, should be cutte off from their bodies... and should bee laied on the ground by eche side of the waie", which effort to civilize the Irish indeed caused "greate terrour to the people when thei sawe the heddes of their dedde fathers, brothers, children, kinsfolke, and freinds on the grounde".
Tens of thousands of Gaelic Irish fell victim to the carnage. [SH99, 225]


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