Friday, June 23 - Thursday, June 29,2006

We’ve been stuck in Marsh Harbour due to tropical waves and thunderstorms. A lot of ugly weather. We did attend their travel and tourism Junkanoo Festival on Saturday.




During our stay we also discovered worldwide wireless calling through the program Skype. Modern technology still amazes us. Hopefully the weather is clearing because we are beginning to get restless and ready to move out.

Sunday, June 18, 2006 - Thursday, June 22, 2006

Motored-sailed to Man of War Cay. We scoped out the two secluded and protected harbors with moorings in them for possible hurricane hole-ups. They were as protected as we expected so we purchased a mooring from July 1 - November 1. What a relief to know we now have somewhere to go if severe weather comes, otherwise we will continue to explore and anchor out. Friends aboard Keeweeloa and Ladybug also have moorings there.

Escape enjoys the crystal clear turquoise waters off Man of War Cay. The waters were great for noodle cocktailing !!

Reading is a popular past time amongst cruisers. You can find book swaps almost everywhere you go. This time the book swap occurred onboard Keeweeloa (our New Zealand friends, Dave and Chrissy).

Babette, Cheryl & Ed swap books.

Shelling is another popular activity. Trying to find rare and unique shells can be a challenge. Cheryl found a couple Helmet Conchs in Spanish Wells.

Ed and Cheryl (aboard Ladybug 3) beach their dingy at Man of War
to clean their treasures.

Wednesday, June 21 we sail up to Great Guana Cay to celebrate Kiwi Dave’s birthday and enjoy the pot luck dinner at Sunset Beach Bar & Grill. Dave started his celebration early in the day so he had to have Kevin (aboard Capricorn) skipper his boat to Great Guana. Kevin is 22 years old and has single-handed his 30 ft. ketch from Massachusetts to around the Bahamas.

Kevin - captain of Capricorn

Thursday, June 22 we had another enjoyable sail from Great Guana back to Marsh Harbour to hole up anticipating what a weather trough will do….will it become a tropical issue or not? We’ll see. (trip - 24.7 nm)

Monday, June 12 - Saturday, June 17, 2006

We’ve spent the week in Marsh Harbour waiting out Tropical Storm Alberto and then met several new friends causing a crazy social life. Free Fridays with Brown Tip Rake ‘n Scrape at Snappa’s was a hoot!! Brown Tip discovered that white folk can rake ‘n scrape too. Look out Brown Tip the Kiwi's have arrived!

Brown Tip named Chrissy (from New Zealand) Lady White Tip.

Dave (Chrissy’s husband) even stole the microphone away from Brown Tip.

The crew enjoying the Saturday night steak BBQ at the Jib Room in Marsh Harbour.

Thursday, June 8 - Sunday, June 11, 2006

Attempted to head up and onward to Florida on Friday, but we just couldn't do it. Too much sand in our shoes I guess. We were in the upper islands and ready to go when a wave thought hit us like a brick. The thought of the lifestyle and pace in Florida made us sick to our stomachs so we opted out. Decided we could weather hurricanes out here just as well as in Florida, seeing we don’t have a homeport to go. So for now we are staying in the Abacos awhile longer.

Becoming aware of the tropical depression heading to Florida, we are now very glad with our decision to stay. Sailed back from Green Turtle Cay to Marsh Harbour to weather anything from the tropical depression (only rains are expected) in a protected harbor. What a GREAT sail we had we might add!! Have done a lot of motor-sailing so to not hear the motor running was a real treat!! (trip - 28.2 nm)

Friday, June 2 - Tuesday, June 5, 2006

Returned back to Marsh Harbor for change of scenery and provisions. It is Labor Day in the Bahamas and lots of celebrations. We found a couple of interesting sites along of walks ashore this time.

Swinging in the Abacos seeems to be for small bottoms.

Their cemeteries are known as “Garden of Memories”.

Monday, June 5, 2006 was another religious holiday, Whit Monday. More celebrations occurred. Bahamians love to celebrate. Another is the Goombay Celebration which occurs twice a month, June through August. The first gathering is Friday, June 9th. I guess that means another party with Goombay Smashes!!