| s/v Nine of Cups Cruising the Bahamas Winter 2002 |
We left Charleston, SC (at last!) on 17 January, 2002 and headed to West Palm Beach, FL on the "outside" via a short anchorage in St.
Augustine. The passages were calm and cold, however each degree south brought warmer breezes and dreams of shorts, t-shirts and barefeet.
Augustine. The passages were calm and cold, however each degree south brought warmer breezes and dreams of shorts, t-shirts and barefeet.
Our perception of the Bahamas prior to
cruising was limited to Freeport and
Nassau. Actually there are over 700
islands covering 100,000 square miles with
a total population of 305,000. We visited a
large number of them but still only a small
portion of all the islands as we travelled
south.
cruising was limited to Freeport and
Nassau. Actually there are over 700
islands covering 100,000 square miles with
a total population of 305,000. We visited a
large number of them but still only a small
portion of all the islands as we travelled
south.
Nassau Harbour is large and beautiful. We anchored
just off Club Med across from Prince George Wharf.
The photo above, taken from atop the Water Tower,
shows the beauty of the harbour with the Atlantis theme
hotel in the background.
just off Club Med across from Prince George Wharf.
The photo above, taken from atop the Water Tower,
shows the beauty of the harbour with the Atlantis theme
hotel in the background.
Both of us enjoyed seeing the iguanas in Allan's
Cay, Exumas. Though we were a bit timid at first,
we found them curious, but not very aggressive.
Any sudden move or loud noise on our part sent
them scurrying. They are an endangered species
and only live on islands not inhabited by other
animals. These are about the size of Jelly.
Cay, Exumas. Though we were a bit timid at first,
we found them curious, but not very aggressive.
Any sudden move or loud noise on our part sent
them scurrying. They are an endangered species
and only live on islands not inhabited by other
animals. These are about the size of Jelly.
The Exumas Land and Sea Park is part of the
Bahamas National Trust which works to protect
natural and historical resources in the Bahamas.
No fishing, shelling or conching is allowed. This is
a view from the headquarters.
Bahamas National Trust which works to protect
natural and historical resources in the Bahamas.
No fishing, shelling or conching is allowed. This is
a view from the headquarters.
In return for volunteer work within the park, we
were allowed to anchor for free. After
providing resumes of our engineering, marketing
and management backgrounds, they found tasks
for which we were qualified - David on the rock
pile and Marcie babysitting.
were allowed to anchor for free. After
providing resumes of our engineering, marketing
and management backgrounds, they found tasks
for which we were qualified - David on the rock
pile and Marcie babysitting.
We visited several cays on our trek south through
the Exumas. Each island seemed to have its own
charm, especially Staniel Cay pictured above. This
picturesque cay was the location for many of the
scenes in the movies Splash and Thunderball.
the Exumas. Each island seemed to have its own
charm, especially Staniel Cay pictured above. This
picturesque cay was the location for many of the
scenes in the movies Splash and Thunderball.
We left the Bahamas and headed for the
Turks and Caicos Islands. Our favorite stop
here was Grand Turk Island. Pictured left is
the Grand Turk Lighthouse, which was cast
in iron in England and transported and
reassembled in 1852 overlooking Northeast
Reef.
The Bermudian Saltrakers were the first to
commercially produce salt in the Turks and
Caicos by evaporating sea water in a series
of salinas or salt ponds. Since then, salt
played an important part of the economy until
the 1960's. The salinas still occupy a huge
area in Grand Turk and Salt Cay, and are
reminders of this history. Pictured right are
the remains of a windmill used to pump water
between salinas.
Turks and Caicos Islands. Our favorite stop
here was Grand Turk Island. Pictured left is
the Grand Turk Lighthouse, which was cast
in iron in England and transported and
reassembled in 1852 overlooking Northeast
Reef.
The Bermudian Saltrakers were the first to
commercially produce salt in the Turks and
Caicos by evaporating sea water in a series
of salinas or salt ponds. Since then, salt
played an important part of the economy until
the 1960's. The salinas still occupy a huge
area in Grand Turk and Salt Cay, and are
reminders of this history. Pictured right are
the remains of a windmill used to pump water
between salinas.
Every island has its own unique species of lizards or
anoles. The two males pictured here are indigenous to
Grand Turk and are fighting over territory. They
extend the area beneath the mouth, called dewlaps, to
appear bigger amd more ferocious.
anoles. The two males pictured here are indigenous to
Grand Turk and are fighting over territory. They
extend the area beneath the mouth, called dewlaps, to
appear bigger amd more ferocious.
Come with us to the Domican Republic
We're in the process of renovating several early pages of our
website. Bear with us as we make this long, but thoughtful
transition.
website. Bear with us as we make this long, but thoughtful
transition.