Happenings in the Far Bahamas

A week ago or so I wrote that we were heading to the Jumentos which is a group of islands south of the Exumas.  There is but one town in the Jumentos and so not much is available but surprise!  I have internet connection!

                                           

Let me go back to where we left you which was on Long Island.  We had dinner at the Island Breeze with Lynn and Peter which is where I had internet last. 

A magnificent double rainbow.

The next morning we planned to head out for further south but not before we had a rain shower and then a magnificent double rainbow. 

We motored at first but then we were able to have a great sail to Flamingo Cay.  It was a fairly long day so we just had dinner and chilled.  Unfortunately it wasn’t fresh fish which we were hoping.  Al caught two, a yellow tailed snapper which he thought was too small and an unidentified fish.  Since we could not find it in the books, we threw it back.  

A yellow tailed snapper

Mystery fish?

Even though there wasn’t much wind there was a bit of a surge which made the night a bit roly-poly.  We decided to hike over to the other side of the island after doing some shelling on the cove beach.  

A small aircraft that crashed in the water years ago.

 We saw the outline of a downed small aircraft right off shore as well as the nose section on the beach where a friendly lizard posed for his picture.

Lizard lounging on the nose of the plane.

 Once back on our dinghies we decided to look for a cave we had read about in the cruising guide not far from where we were anchored.  Lynn and Peter went first and we followed. 

Should we enter or not?

Brave Lynn and Peter.

 It was neat once inside because there were several holes that sunlight streamed in, especially the one directly overhead which made for a spiritual experience!

Sunlight streaming through the hole at the top of the cave.

Two other spots which light the cave.

Butterflies enjoying the flowering plant.

It was still early so we decided to sail to Jamaica Cay which was only about 10 miles away.  We anchored with very little wind which made it a great time to be there.  There was great shelling and found quite a bit of sea glass because not many people visit here. There were also some plants that the butterflies seemed to enjoy.  It was odd to see the colorful butterflies because they are not often seen here as well as flowering plants due to the arid conditions. 

Shells and glass from Jamaica Cay

You can see some of the great shells and glass we found. 

We had a very peaceful night listening to the waves crash on the atoll but with no surge so no rocking!

All gotten in one hours time!

Al and I decided after breakfast to take a quick trip out to the small beach on the atoll.  In about an hour you can see the great finds we had. 

A fossilized leaf or not, is the question!

  The tulip shell was found by Al and I found what I think looks like a fossil of a leaf, but the men think it is just the hinge of a shell.  I don’t care, I think it is neat and hope to make it into a necklace, fossil or not!

I also had to add a picture for all our Chesapeake Bay friends.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could see our rudder like this in the bay?  This is how clear the water is in the Jumentos!

Not Chesapeake water for SURE!

We left to go to Buena Vista Cay where Al threw in his fishing line again but this time he caught a barracuda. Of course all we wanted to do was get it off the hook and back in the water.

One feisty barracuda.

Our friends on Sea Biscuit were anchored and waiting for First Edition and Blue Heaven to come.  This cay boasts the longest beach on these islands but no shells, no sea glass, just sand and sea weed!  Can you imagine?  What kind of beach is that!

First basket of the winter/

I cut more palm to make another basket.  I did finish my first small basket with some shells, so you can see the finished product.

At happy hour on First Edition the men planned to go lobster hunting the next morning.  We took two dinghies for the six of us.  The women manned the dinghies while the men were in the water.  We are lookouts for sharks and tired divers.  

Lynn on watch for our diving men.

Unfortunately, the local fishermen were here the day before so the men did not even see a lobster.  Needless to say, we had turkey marsala for dinner and not lobster tails.  

We did have a great sail to Hog Cay with 12 knot winds on our beam.  There are about 10 boats here which was a bit

different than the other three cays where we were the only boats there.  This is where most people hang out in the Jumentos.  It is 3-4 miles to Duncantown the only town in these islands.  You can tell that some people just come and stay the entire winter.  The cruisers have built a “yacht club” complete with sun shade tarps, tables, fire pit, grilling station and seating.  It is quite charming and makes me feel I am on Gilligan’s Island!                                 

The Hog Cay Yacht Club

Low tide gives for interesting shot.

There are several trails made by the cruisers on the island to hike.  Lynn, Peter, Michael, Al and I took one of the trails across to the other side of the island to a beach. 

On the hike a passion flower was found.

A little color among all the gray rock.

 It was great for finding sea beans, both heart and hamburger beans but not much else.  









 After lunch I went into “ the club” to do basket weaving with some of the ladies and one gent.  I showed them the one new stitch I learned in Georgetown.  Some of these ladies liked working in much finer cuts which gives for a much daintier look to the basket.  I thought I might give it a try.

We turned on the TV and we could not believe it but it worked for a few stations.  It was Sunday so we watched the Ravens beat the Patriots.  Go Ravens, go!  I guess even in this remote part of the world if there is a town and a cell tower you can get connected!

What a view!

Once again it was time to hike another trail to a beach where Lynn said we would find sea glass.  And we did!  Lynn found the largest piece of royal blue I have ever seen.  We also got a beautiful view from a high bluff.  

After lunch we decided to snorkel.  We went to a small reef not very far away.  Al suggested I go first.  We wanted a watch because cruisers told us after 3pm sharks are more prevalent and it was getting close to that time.  I went in the water and took one look around the reef and told Al there was a lobster sitting in a hole.  I had suggested before we left that he put his spear in the boat so we switched positions and he went in the water.  It was the first time either of us even saw a lobster on a reef.  Unfortunately he missed! 

Happy hour at the yacht club

Look at those lobsters!

But luckily, a local fisherman, named “Monkey Man,” came in at the beach later in the day with a boat load of lobsters.  We got two nice size lobsters for $10!  Al says why tire yourself out hunting???  There were drinks and “a burn” on the beach at 4pm.  (A “burn” is a fire in order to burn paper trash.)  It was a good time to meet some more cruisers and share information while watching another wonderful sunset!