Long Island, Bahamas

Mar 10, Sat. George Town To Long Island, Thompson Bay with Tempest and Sanderling - Beach Sundowners upon arrival.  We saw a Hinckley Bermuda 40, Aquarelle, on the way into the beach, but no one was aboard.  Next day we approached Aquarelle and as soon as Barb said we were from Jupiter’s Smile Bruce said, “You are Betsy’s brother and sister-in-law, Jay and Barb.”  Well that was a quick introduction!  Next day we took a hike to the east side of the island and walked the beach anticipating that the following day we would be boat bound due to high winds.  After the wind event (no problem), we moved the boat to Salt Pond near the Government Dock and Long Island Breeze, the local cruisers haven.

The supply boat at the Govt. Dock near the Long Island Breeze  Resort

A stormy day at Salt Pond anchorage

Liam and Annie arrived on Gone With The Wind and came over for sundowners.  Liam said that he wanted to have lunch at Chez Pierre’s some several miles to the north and we decided to do that the next day.

Jay, Annie, Liam and Barb at Chez Pierre's

Pasta with scallops - YUMMY!!!!!!

Pierre gave us a lift back to the main road to hitch back to Salt Pond with the first car.

Mar 17, Sat We attended a free diving seminar given by Brian from S/V Puff representing Vertical Blue, a free diving school located on Long Island.  Barb and I learned how to breathe and then hold our breaths better.  Traveling in the same direction is Nila Girl with a young couple aboard.  Ashley is a world class free diver and is headed for an international competition in Grand Cayman this Spring.  We first met her in George Town and again here in Long Island, where the deepest blue hole in the world is located.  She trained there for several days reaching a depth of 65 meters.  


Jay had organized cruisers who utilized a bus sent by the Department of Agriculture to pick up passengers and bring us to the Mutton Fest in Clarence Town several miles South of Salt Pond.  

We arrived at the festival grounds at about 2 PM, hungry and ready for mutton stew and all the fixin’s.  We strolled  the various booths displaying handicrafts, food stuffs and jewelry.  

Sea shell art

The sea shell artist


We attended a seminar on the dangers, capture and preparation of venemous lionfish for eating.  

Fileting a lionfish with Kevlar gloves

A woodcarver

Livestock

The farmer was very proud of these goats

High school competitive chefs

Barb with Bruce and Gail from Aquarelle at the Mutton Fest

Mr Knowles gets an award for a lifetime of farmin

We took a break and walked the beach at Clarence Town

The band strikes up a "rake and scrape" session

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Mr. Knowles dances with a cruiser.  He really enjoyed his day.

The conch cleaning contest

The grouper cleaning contest

Anita, the headliner begins her show

In the afternoon, while we were away at the Mutton Fest, the cruiser’s rally from George Town (in which Dan and Cathy on Sea Star were participating) arrived and anchored in Thompson Bay.  

Mar 18, Sun  We went to the rally lunch buffet at Trifina’s restaurant and reunited with George Town cruising friends.  

This is Trifina's place

Cruisers rally luncheon

On Monday evening we went to the rally awards and dance party at the Long Island Breeze Resort and we got to congratulate Dan and Cathy on their first in class award.  The next day, Jay went to the top of the mast on the catamaran, Miou to install a new radio antenna for Dave, a single hander.