Big Happenings At Staniel Cay for New Years

The day after Christmas we sailed to Black Point which has a small settlement (town) there. We got in around 2 PM so we headed in to do laundry. It is the best laundry in all of the Exumas so we take advantage of it when we can. (How our priorities change down here!) Also we got a loaf of coconut bread made by the mother of a local restaurant owner, Lorraine. It is also the best in the Bahamas!

The next day I went to Lorraine's cafe where there is free WIFI so I went and got our last blog done there. The photos came in so quick I thought I was back in the states. We decided to enjoy lunch there and the Mershon's joined us. Afterward we headed to the beach for a nice long walk. 

Dave enjoying the blow hole!

 Along the way we stopped at a blowhole. We could see it from the road, spraying up ward so we checked it out closer.

Dave, of course, had to get the closest, throwing in an old plastic bottle he found, and we watched as it came up with the spray landing in the surrounding area. We felt like we were back in elementary school, cheering when it came up. A decent amount of sea glass and sea urchin shells were found, so it was a worthwhile walk!

The next day we headed back north a short distance to anchor off of Bitter Iguana Cay. 

Pretty sand caves.

 It was a very pretty spot that we had not been to before. It had this beautiful “sand cave” right off the beach. Like its name, there are iguanas living on the island. The sign on the island says that the species on the island are on their way to extinction, so please do not feed them, and watch where you walk on the island so not to disturb their nests. Well, every boat that brought people over to see them, all fed them so I guess people can't read anymore! As soon as a small boat lands, they all come out to the beach, so you know that they have been fed a lot.

A pretty new spot we discovered.

Grand papa of the iquanas

We had a walk to the other side and saw a pretty spot where the water had carved out the rocks.

We heard over the VHF that the supply boat came into Staniel Cay, so we headed up there by dinghy. We got there around 1 PM, and there wasn't a whole lot left, especially after we picked up our fruits, veggies and milk. 

Heading in for groceries.

 Once back on board, we decided to just sit and read the rest of the afternoon while Dave and Toni went looking for lobster. A boat with a Bahamian guy came up asking if we wanted to buy the two lobsters he had. We got them for $20. One was quite large, the other medium size. The Mershons came back empty handed, but we who sat on our boat had two nice lobster tails! Now that is the way to hunt!!!!

The following day we decided to go to the Staniel Cay area for the New Year's festivities. Toni and Dave went in, but we decided to head to Pipe Creek so that I could go sand dollar looking. It was low tide when we got there which was perfect for sand dollar looking. 

Someone left empty conch shells which made for a great picture.

We anchored and headed off in the dinghy to this beautiful spot where at low tide is like a huge sandbar. I found probably 20 some last year there, but today I found only two, and Al found two. I enjoyed my time there because it is just a magnificent spot.

No the boat is not on the beach!

I love the way when you approach, it looks like boats are on the sand, but they are in a skinny spot of water on the other side. Once back on Blue Heaven we decided there was still time to head back to Big Majors where Toni and Dave were and many other boats we knew.

The New Years festivities were starting on Monday so we went into Staniel and got a few more basic groceries. Then we stayed for the benefit auction where I donated 3 small purses that I made at home.

This big guy was auctioned off for $30!

After the auction the towns people provide a free dinner of chicken, fish, conch salad, lobster salad and of course, Bahamian macaroni and cheese. Free rum punch and beer while supplies lasted. It was a fun time. The auction offers used things as well as new things depending a lot on what the cruisers and towns people donate.

The towns people ready to feed the cruisers.

The next day there is a race between two Bahamian boats, Lady Muriel and Tidal Wave. They open it up for cruisers to be crew on the boats. These are the kind of boats where you sit way out on the boards to counterbalance the huge sail. When you change direction (tack) everyone has to quickly come off the boards and move to the other side. It is a fun race to watch.

Leaning out on the Lady Muriel

 Our friend Dave signed up but Al said he would steer the dinghy while I took photos. It was fun for a while but the bouncing around in the dinghy, I can only take so long. They had three races and Lady Muriel won, which was the boat that Dave was on, so he got a nice jacket which all the people get who raced on the boat.

It was New Years Eve, so Matt and Marty from Runaway an the Mershons came over for a lasagna dinner. We watched the fireworks from our cockpit around 7PM. A yacht named Milk Money provided them. They were amazing and better than the ones in Rock Hall on the fourth of July. We had a champagne toast while watching the fireworks because we knew none of us would be up at midnight!

January 1^st, Dave and Al crewed with Michael on Pagan Chant for the cruisers race. Ten boats participated down from other years, probably because of one of the boats getting t-boned and getting a hole in the side. However, that boat, Glory Days, was back and racing again this year. They got a special award from the town for their wonderful sportsmanship in returning after such a mishap. Our guys came in second. Second to last I should say, but all had a great time. I went out with Tony and took more pictures of that race.

Al and Dave are on the far right boat.

Due to a wind change, it was getting rolly from swells at Big Majors so Sequence and Blue Heaven headed to Pipe Creek. Toni and Dave went to hunt lobsters and Al and I went to hunt sand dollars again. We tried a different sandbar and found six more sand dollars and two shells which I am having a hard time identifying

Can anyone help identify these shells. They are about 8-10" long.

 look somewhat like a Florida Fighting conch, but the long tail and smooth edge is unlike that, although it just could be worn off. My other choice is whelk of some sort. They are well worn but almost look like marble. Sequence was finally successful and they brought back two lobsters. 
 

The star fish was alive, so I left it there.

 

We decided at the last moment to move on from Pipe Creek and start heading south to get closer to George Town because unfortunately my ear problem from back in Miami has gotten worse. I believe I need some antibiotic. The antihistamines and ear drops aren't clearing it up.