Thursday, March 19, 2009

Sampson Cay - our home away from home

Here are a few friends we've met along our journey.  They've welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home.  Others will be posted soon at this same link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lewisnance/SampsonFriends?feat=directlink
 
 

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

She always wants to be like me

Tuesday, we bid Beth, Wayne and MacLaine a sad goodbye as they climbed into an even smaller plane than the one in which they arrived.  We had a wonderful visit with only a single detour.  We all know and love Alyson, but a few of you may not know she secretly wants to be me!  By that I mean, she now, is at the top of the injury highlight reel followed closely by Caroline.  At Rachels Bubble bath Alyson severly cut her ankle and Caroline got bruises and scrapes as they both were knocked from the rocks by the crash of a mighty wave.  Both are OK but Alyson had to get 4 stitches.  We were extremely lucky to have EMTs on the boat beside and the boat behind us.  And, a few hours later a General Surgeon was stitching her up while all in the marina looked on.  She is still sore but is recovering nicely.
 
Pictures of our visit with the Birches and the Surgery in the cockpit are now posted at:
 

Friday, March 13, 2009

Beth, Wayne and MacLaine Arrive In The Islands, Mon!

Beth, Wayne and MacLaine finally get to Staniel Cay. They flew in on Flamingo Air with Wayne sitting up front with the pilot! We hurried from the airport to snorkel Thunderball Grotto. After a good snorkel, we headed back to our home away from home at Sampson Cay. On Wayne's first sunset, he sees a Green Flash! What a day!

Today, we had some leisure time on the beach, some kayak time in the lagoon and some reading time/catnap on the boat. Pretty good for a Friday the 13th!

Here are some pictures from our adventures thus far.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lewisnance/BethWayneAndMacLaine

Check back for more...

Friday, March 6, 2009

Went exploring today

Today we took the dingy over to Little Pipe Cay to look for some conch and do some shelling. Little Pipe Cay is a private island between Sampson Cay to the south and Compass Cay to the north. There are lots of scenic views and pretty blue water all around.

We came back for lunch on the boat and will soon get ready to go to happy hour and dinner at Sampson Cay Club for Wendy and Delaney's last dinner in the islands.

We are currently anchored at: 24°12.466'N 076°28.547'W.

Also, check the previous post to view additional photos. I've uploaded to the same link a couple of times.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Wendy and Delaney Have Arrived!!!

Our first guests are finally here! Wendy and Delaney Mitchell from Wrightsville Beach flew into Staniel Cay on Saturday. We spent the first night at Big Majors Spot and moved to Sampson Cay the next day. From there, we've travelled north to Compass Cay and further north to Waderick Wells where we are now. We are having an awesome time! The weather could be a little warmer but it is nothing like the weather they came from in WB.

Here are the Pics!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lewisnance/WendyAndDelaney?feat=directlink

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Get to The Point, Stick To The Point

"Get to the Point, Stick to the Point" is the motto of Black Point.  It is the largest settlement between Nassau and Georgetown with 150 to 200 people.  Most of the people work on nearby islands like Staniel Cay, Sampson Cay, or Fowl Cay.  We spent several days anchored here and enjoying some of the island's offerings.  Caroline made a few friends while swimming there.  We toured "The Garden of Eden", a driftwood garden arranged to look like people or animals.  Willie, the "curator" of the garden explained each sculpture in detail.  He also has a green thumb, raising vegetables and fruit in holes in the rocky landscape.
 
 
We also visited a place called Big Majors Spot, which is a great well protected anchorage beside Big Major island.  The claim to fame for this island is the wild pigs living on the beach, who are fed by cruisers.  Caroline fed them an apple and they seemed to really like it.  They squealed and came into the water to get closer!  We snorkeled, explored caves at the waterline and found a neat little beach that people use for "happy hour" get togethers at sunset.  Folks have donated chairs and tables that stay set up all the time just waiting for the next group or sunset.
 
 
We've also visited Staniel Cay several times.  That's where we get provisions.  We are currently at Sampson Cay while a cold front passes.  Sampson is a great little island resort with little to do but relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
 
Here is a link for Sampson Cay Club:  www.sampsoncayclub.com

I also wanted to post a link for Macduffs, the neat little restaurant we enjoyed back on Norman's Cay.  www.ncbcmacduffs.com
 
 
 

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Well, well, well

We traveled south to the Exhuma Park Headquarters in Warderick Wells.  Here, we hand fed birds, hiked to ruins from the settlement in 1760, went to the "blowholes", saw a whale skeleton, visited a genuine pirate encampment complete with fire pit and a freshwater well and, of course went snorkeling.  We stayed for several days and still feel we would like to go back and explore more. 
 
Here are the pictures of Warderick Wells
Our next stop took us just south of the Park to Compass Cay.  Alyson had read  many good things about this little island so we were eager to check it out.  Compass Cay is known to have one of the prettiest beaches in the Exhumas.  After seeing it, I can hardly argue.  It's greatest claim to fame, however, is the many pet sharks that stay in the marina.  You can feed them, swim with them and pet them.  They even get on the dock during high tide!
 
I know its hard to believe but see for yourself!