After a few beautiful days anchored in Kidd Cove and Monument Beach, we moved to a mooring in Hole 2, where the boat would be safe for Larry and Pat. We saw another squall, with winds clocking at 25-30kt; Bob had been to town in the dinghy and returned just as the rain came pouring down.
Larry arrived the night of the 12th, and we had a few brief hours together before our flight to Seattle early the next morning. We were able to give him his native Bahamian sisal hat to wear while here.
Onboard for 2 days before Pat arrived, Larry spent time snorkeling, making trips to town, monitoring the temperature of the refrigerator, and making arrangements for Pat's first open water dive ... and beginning his dreadful experience with outboard motor problems.
Here's a picture of Pat through the coral.
We left Larry, Rosie and SeaTryst and flew off to Seattle for Bob's son's wedding. From shorts and sandals to heavy clothing, rain, beautiful springtime flowers, and all of Beth and Greg's wedding activities. They really went all out to make this a very special event. It was amazing how many friends and relatives traveled from all over the US to celebrate with them.
On Friday, the 14th, we attended the pre-wedding dinner for the bridal party and immediate family, and then a big party at the billiard hall for family and friends.
Saturday was the big day, with scattered showers and the sun appearing just as the wedding ended. A wonderful reception at a landmark hotel on the water was filled with exceptional food, good dancing, and a grand time for all; there were 117 people from both coasts and in between.
The above picture is of Bob, Gregory and Matt in front of the cake that was shaped as a Brasher Doubloon. (We all wish we owned just one). We spent Sunday at a breakfast with the new Mr and Mrs Gregory Brasher and families before they departed on their honeymoon, and then had the rest of the day with Matt, walking the waterfront and Pike Place Market. Monday was a day for touring around Seattle by car (something we have not done for the last four months), before the rain came once again, and then our departure on Tuesday.
After the cold rainy weather of the Northwest we were happy to be back in the Bahamas enjoying 80 degrees and sun. We were greeted to a dark chocolate replica of Luther brought by Pat, hand made in Mystic CT. Larry learned how to make friends with the whole anchorage, by constantly breaking down in the dinghy and having to be towed back to SeaTryst.
We celebrated Pat's successful dive with goombay smashes at Chat 'n Chill. Wow! they are powerful, as Maggie can attest to on more than one or two occasions.
Thursday, after cleaning up oil that had spilled in the lazarette, we hauled the motor and the dinghy, and went across the harbor for water and fuel before leaving for Lee Stocking Island. Upon reaching the dock, a crewmember from motor yacht Soulmate asked if we cooked on board, and handed us a bag with 4 Maine lobster tails and about 4 pounds of mahi mahi they had caught the day before. What a thrill.
We left GeorgeTown harbor and motored/sailed 14 miles to Rat Cay Cut; the rain and wind came out of the northwest (never a good sign in the Bahamas). Inching our way up the channel, we went aground about 500 feet from the mooring balls. It was a rather frustrating day. One more lesson in not trusting the charts. Fortunately it was a rising tide, so we were off in a few minutes.
We cooked our dinner of steamed
lobster, saffron yellow rice, peapods, and
salad, and the clouds parted just in time to enjoy
a beautiful sunset while eating in the cockpit. As usual dinner was followed
with chocolate luther and red
wine.
The next morning, Friday, Bob and Larry worked on the motor some more, only to lose the gasket to the fuel pump and needing to paddle their way back.
After making a new gasket, we were on our way to snorkel by noon. Larry is enjoying his new underwater camera, and got a shot of us enjoying the reef.
The gasket didn't hold too well, so we had to continually pump the gasoline bulb to get fuel through. Slowly rounding the island, we came upon this beautiful pool surrounded by rock. This is the entrance to a network of caves that drops in three steps with large cathedral ceilings. We saw the colorful coral and fish from the edge. Its a tank dive and requires experienced divers to take us inside. So this one will just have to wait till next time.
After walking the beach on Normans Pond Cay, we moved SeaTryst to the quiet of Williams Cay, where we were the only boat, and took a late afternoon walk and cocktail cruise.
On Saturday, we sailed to the Marina at Emerald Bay. Larry was more than happy to haul the dinghy motor and leave it secured on SeaTryst . He could finally enjoy vacation, for a day. We had fun in the pool at Grand Isle, toured Four Seasons, and made reservations there for dinner.
Pat and Larry left at 6:30 Sunday morning. It was too brief a visit for us. We finished laundry and wi-fi, and got underway at 12:30 to go back to GeorgeTown, where excitement was building for the 54th Annual Family Island Regatta. Bob spent another two days repairing the gasket, and finally engineered one that works! We also met new friends by being towed.
The Regatta is a huge event in the Bahamas with boats coming from all over to race against each other for five days. Shacks went up overnight to sell alcohol, more alcohol, native Bahamian food, and more alcohol (there is a theme here if you get our meaning). This transformed the normally quiet street of the government dock into a party.
The first race we saw was Class C,
invited to join Toby and George on their Boston Whaler (Toby and
George are from Mystic and well known to many of our friends; they have
been great to be with). The wind was about 20 kts, with 3' waves in the
harbor. For this regatta, unlike the races we're accustomed to, the
boats start anchored in a line. When the gun is fired, they pull the
anchor rode to get a jump start on the competition while raising the sails. We caught this
shot right after they started. These boats are like none you have ever seen
before, they have huge sails and the crew must hike out on boards
they call prys to flatten the boat. Its not uncommon to see seven
or eight people hanging by their nails just to stay on board. When the wind
drops they often get doused.
Unfortunately, one went boat went under. They have lead keels that must be remove before the boat can be raised. In the afternoon, we went to the windward mark to watch the larger Class A boats; it's incredible to see them on the prys (hiking boards).
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We enjoyed watching Kit and John, from Kittiwake follow the course in their sailboat. A long-time diehard racer, this will be their last year sailing, they are selling the boat. We were introduced to them at Christmas dinner in Lucaya and have traveled similar routes since.
It's a busy time in GeorgeTown, and we're always happy to return to SeaTryst to see Rosie waiting for us.
The races end on Saturday, and we'll be leaving Sunday to start our trek north. It's bittersweet. After four-and-a-half months in the Bahamas, we're still not quite ready to leave this beautiful place and go back to the high-paced tempo of the States. Fortunately, it will take some time to go back through the Exuma Chain.