On The Move Again

​Our two weeks in George Town were really wonderful.  It is a fun place to hang out for a bit, especially with our buddy boats also being in town.  We arrived in George Town with Steve from Lola, and about a week later Ted & Evelyn (Sensai) also arrived.  Fabulous!

Lucky enough, the George Town Regatta was also on during our stay in George Town.  This annual festival is an event-filled, well-organized week of activities.  There was always lots to do – sailboat races, a dinghy poker run, various on-shore games and this is in addition to the usual sundowner get-togethers, pig roasts and volleyball games. 

We got to watch a lot of activities but we were also busy doing our own thing - exploring George Town and Stocking Island, relaxing on the numerous beaches and going into town for a late afternoon beer ($2 for a Sands beer – the cheapest we have seen!).  We were also able to get a few grocery and liquor items at far better prices than we had seen in the Exumas.  The only issue was availability.  Both George Town supermarkets regularly ran out of fresh vegetables, bread and snacks but with over 350 boats in the harbour, it is not a surprise that they might run out of a few things!

A very busy anchorage!

A very sandy Ocean at the beach

More of that beautiful Bahamian water

Val, Steve and Mike enjoying late afternoon cocktails by the ocean

Mike and Ocean searching for star fish

Found one!!

​During the second week, Steve’s daughter Val also arrived (by plane) for a one-week vacation aboard Steve’s boat Lola.  What a great time!  We got to take her to some of the great George Town beaches, and she got to enjoy some of those Regatta activities.  We even had an amazing birthday dinner for her at the Exuma Yacht Club.  Best sushi ever!  

At the Exuma Yacht Club for Val's birthday dinner

Yummy sushi!!!

Victoria showing off the fabulous earrings made by Val (check out "Val in the City" - amazing jewelry!)

​But the days went by quickly.  On Tuesday, Val’s flight was set to take her back to snowy Ottawa and Wild Horses had a plan to weigh anchor and head further south.  So, the day before departure, we decided to fit in one more beach day and a great walk through the Art Trail.  But the best part was a farewell show put on by two playful dolphins.  These lovely creatures found their way into the harbour and, from our dinghies, we watched in awe as they played around the bow of a catamaran, rubbing their noses on the anchor line and swimming with two divers who were cleaning the bottom of the boat.  It was spectacular.

Dolphins playing under Steve's dinghy

A dolphin fin

The two dolphins swam together

Rolling at the water's surface

One of the dolphins under the water

They stayed about 20 minutes and played the whole time!

​On Tuesday February 28th, we said our very sad farewells to Lola and Sensai and weighed anchor.  We needed to get going in order to take advantage of a nice weather window to start our journey further south to the outer Bahamas.  Both Lola and Sensai were going to stay in George Town a few more days, and then start to head back north.  They both have lots of time left in the Bahamas but this will be their turnaround point.

​From George Town, we crossed over to Long Island and then up and over the top of Long Island to make our way to Clarence Town, which is on the southeast side of Long Island.  From this point, we will have easy access to the Crooked Islands, Acklins Island and then onto Great Iguana, which will be our final spot in the Bahamas.  From Great Iguana, we will travel approximately 160 nautical miles (30+ hours) to the Dominican Republic.  But we won’t be travelling alone.  We have two new buddy boats!  We met both boats in George Town and planned a route and timing to get to the Dominican Republic.  Matt (from Kesh) will be joining us only to the Dominican Republic but Pam and Kim (from Kemana) will be going all the way to Grenada, just like us.  It is a great group and we have enjoyed our first few days sailing together.  

Off across the Exuma Sound towards Long Island

Ocean at the beach in Calabash, Long Island, Bahamas

A beautiful sunset with no land on the horizon

Ocean in Clarence Town - she was very popular here too!

An impromptu beach party with the seven or eight sailboats anchored at Clarence Town

One of the beautiful churches in Clarence Town

Our sailing group wait at the bottom of the church steps

​This sailing gig is a funny thing.  Lots of adventures, beautiful vistas and great food.  And you get to share it with really great people you meet along the way.  Having to move on without them and saying “until next time” is always hard but, without it, you don’t get to say “well, hello again!”.   Until we meet again Sensai and Lola!

Lola under sail in the Exumas

Sensai at anchor in George Town