Georgetown

I know I'm way overdue for an update and I have no excuse other than we've just been busy getting to know Georgetown and some fellow cruisers. When we arrived, there were approximately 250 boats in and around the harbor. There are considerably less now, most having headed N, but some also headed S to the Turks and Caicos and beyond. After a week or more on the more remote Cays, we were relieved to arrive in Georgetown and partake of the resources available. After making sure the anchor was set well, we headed into town for cash and some provisions-in the rain. However, upon entering the Exuma Markets (the largest grocery store), we discovered there was no electricity because someone had hit the transformer. No electricity-no ATM-no cash. I thought, "You've got to be kidding me." But, the store took plastic and was running a generator. While I shopped in semi-darkness, Morgan walked to the other bank which turned out to get its electricity from a different transformer, so he was able to get cash. As we left the market and made our way into the harbor in the dinghy, I swear the skies had cleared and a rainbow stretched across the harbor. Things were looking up!

One of the boats that arrived the day after we did was the s/v Beanaugh (banoth-it's Gaelic). Stuart and Kelly are a couple we originally met in Nassau and keep bumping into along the way. They are from Ireland (though Kelly is from Canada originally) and their goal is to make their way around the world. They left about a week ago and we all wished them fair winds and following seas. They are a terrific couple and very passionate about futball (rugby). We cannot wait to hear an update from them. We also met another Irish couple, Mike and Ann on s/v Mojo, a catamaran that Mike built himself. He and Ann have been sailing on and off for 24 years or so. Once they leave here, they will make their way back to Ireland and start seeing the world on land. We've spent a great deal of time with them and have welcomed their offer to visit them in Ireland. The six of us had a great time at the Fish Fry where they have live Rake and Scrape (Bahamian music) on Monday nights. Poor Kelly wasn't too chipper the next morning when they weighed anchor!

While we haven't truly seen much of the island of Great Exuma yet, but we did see an American demonstrating a solar oven he constructed for less than $200 (he was making pancakes that day) and we have sampled a few of the local restaurants. Last Friday we went to Eddie's Edgewater for a barbecue. Not only did we have some of the most incredible ribs ever, we were also treated to free entertainment on the porch by the locals. A little boy who was only two but was the size of a four year old, decided I was his friend. He sat on the picnic bench in front of me feeding me Doritos that he had licked all the cheese off of. After my ribs came, he climbed up next to me, took my roll and proceeded to dip it in the sauce, licking it off and re-dipping. He was so cute I didn't have the heart to tell him no, though I did end up quite a mess.

Nyla's habit of trying to enter any car on land has transformed to dinghies. As soon as we approach the shore, she leaps out of the dinghy. Upon returning, she jumps in the first available, whether or not it's ours! Koki has been discovering new hiding places on the boat. We often open up the deck lockers to let them dry and air out. One night on Little Farmers we returned to the boat and closed them. The next morning we couldn't find Koki. We opened the deck lockers and in the port box locker we heard a "meow" and out she jumped! Now we make sure she's visible before we close them!

There is plenty more to write about Georgetown, but we will be here for awhile, so we can parcel it out. Toward the end of the month they are hosting the Family Sailing Regatta with all Bahamian boats and skippers. We cannot wait - it's supposed to be a week-long good time. Sara won't be here for that, but she arrives Easter Sunday for a week and we're very excited to share some of our experiences with her.

Till next time, enjoy the pics I've edited so far.