Thursday, March 10, 2011

Bob’s Your Uncle

We’ve just put Uncle Bob and Cousin Todd into a taxi at Treasure Cay for their flight back to Miami and cold Regina.

When they arrived, a week ago, they brought with them a cold front so we spent 3 days at Treasure Cay – developing a bit of cabin fever.  Uncle Bob was dying to jump off the boat but the harbour was not too enticing.  We walked the long beach – another OOTMBBITB and had cracked conch at the Coco Beach Grill.  They had their first swim of their vacation when they plunged into the surf at the beautiful Treasure Cay beach.  We even found a garage sale!  Of course they enjoyed the obligatory viewing of Captain Ron – a requirement of all our guests.  “Get me a brewsky, Swab!” or “If anything’s going to happen it’s going to happen out there, Boss!”


OOTMBBITB
 
 

Beach walking

 


Dark and Stormies - Rum and Ginger Beer





Beach Bums




Taking the plunge

Beats -30 in Regina


at Nippers
On Saturday we were able to strike out to Great Guana Cay and anchor at Fishers Bay.  We dinghied to shore so Todd was able to organize for a scuba dive on Monday.  Wouldn’t you know it, another front started to come through but luckily it turned out to be a weak one.  We moved into Settlement Harbour and tied up to a mooring ball.  We walked over to the Atlantic side to a beach bar called Nippers and then walked the length of a long, long beach.  Todd and his Dad spent some time in the waves filling their bathing suits with sand.  I think we just about killed Uncle Bob, with the walking and the swimming, but each time Todd asked him if he had had enough of the waves he would laugh his signature laugh and say, “just one more”.  Back to Nippers for Frozen Nippers and the pig roast dinner, courtesy of Todd – Thanks, Todd.  There were 50 to 100 college students enjoying their spring break.  Lots of noise, fun, drinking and general carrying on.  Glen found the sight of the scantily clad coeds quite distressing.  On Monday we spent a pleasant morning enjoying the view on the Atlantic side watching folks get all tumbled up in the waves like those at Big Beach on Maui while Todd enjoyed his trip with Troy at Dive Guana.


a Frozen Nipper drink at Nipper's

Swimming off the boat
In the afternoon we moved south 5 miles to our beach off Man O War Cay where Uncle Bob finally got his chance to dive off the boat.  He spent half the afternoon swimming/floating around the boat while Todd put on his mask and snorkel and looked for things to kill.  Fortunately for the fish and lobster/crawfish of Abaco, he found nothing but empty conch shells.

Just floatin' around



Bakers Bay is a massive and controversial development at the north end of Guana Cay.  It is a failed cruise ship stop and from google earth you can see the massive cut that was dredged for several miles to allow the cruise ships to get in close to the beach – OOTMBBITB.  The new development has capitalized on the cut and extended it into their marina basin – also dredged out of the low lands of the island.  There are hundreds of huge marina slips designed for the hundred foot boats we see all over the Bahamas – and there were fewer than 10 boats in the marina.  It is so weird to see that kind of over developed, underused facility all through the Bahamas.  There is a private golf course associated with the resort and there appeared to be a few people playing and also a few people lounging around the pool.  Pam noticed that 3 of the 5 people at the pool were reading from their Kindles – the other 2 reading old-fashioned books.
Had a great sail up to Bakers Bay





Sundown


Grilled Hog Snapper - delicious!


We spent our last night on the boat enjoying a delicious dinner of hog snapper a la Pam.  Awesome!  Thank you, Pam.

After a short trip to Treasure Cay, Todd and Bob were able to stock up on Goslings Black Seal Rum before they boarded the taxi to the airport.  Next stop… -30 in Regina.

We have a few days to spend with buddy boats, Kolibrie and Azaya, before our daughter, Carrie, arrives to spend her spring break from her teaching position in Abbotsford.  Other than Glen’s quick trip home in January, we haven’t seen her since leaving Canada on November 1.  It will be a great reunion!

After Carrie leaves, we will be making plans to wrap up our time in the Bahamas and point the boat towards Florida.

6 comments:

  1. Glad to see Uncle Bob having so much fun. Deb ate lunch with Carrie at Stenerson yesterday and she shared her excitement about the trip, "Fort Mac or the Bahamas.....mmmmm?" Don't be too quick to leave... still more guests to come. Will call after the Break.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 4 more days till I see you guys!!! Can't wait.

    Love you

    ReplyDelete
  3. HOW MUCH FUN is that? Compared to this cold rainy windy north! I always enjoy these posts when they arrive in my email. The Bahamas look so beautiful and the water is so clear and the beaches so white. Keep blogging, after all you need to entertain us back here....not take more photos! :-)
    Hayden

    ReplyDelete
  4. aahhhhh......to think that we are not going to make it this year! Very sad.

    We are very glad that you are on the Atlantic side of things and not within the Pacific Ring of Fire......no tsunami's for you guys.......just a few weather fronts. Carrie, have a wonderful time with your Mom and Dad.
    Happy Sails!
    char 'n mike

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds wonderful, glad that Uncle Bob and Todd enjoyed themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  6. sooo very nice to have our own 'story book' and picture book. such great times and now it's Carries turn. Have fun all. mum

    ReplyDelete

Please sign your comment so we know who you are.