Day 57. May 18. On to Norman's Cay. Miles 29.7. Total miles 801.8

Day 57

Change of plans. The weather presents us with two good travel days in a row, so we opted to not stay another day in O'Brien's Cay, but will leave for Norman's Cay so we can stage for a big water crossing to Nassau Monday.

We loosed our lines and took the channel around Bell Island, in between sand bars and back out to Exuma Banks. The seas are calm and wind light on this sunny day.

Was interesting to read about Aga Khan who owns Bell Island. He built his house, beach pavilion and also built his own cell tower. Cell service in the Exumas is scanty at best!!

Heading Northwest past the northern islands in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, then finally leaving the park and turning further east to make our way to an anchorage off the west shore of Norman's Cay.

Norman's Cay is infamous as it was once owned by a "business associate" of Pablo Escobar, well known Colombian cartel leader. A sunken plane off the south coast of the Cay hails back to the days when drugs were ferried in and out of Norman's.

We anchored just off the beach with three other boats. After making sure the anchor was set, we launched the dingy to explore the partially sunken plane and the nearby marina.

The marina is partially finished and houses a few mega yachts, and also has a small restaurant on the beach just down from where we anchored. Should be real nice once completed.

From the marina we took the dinghy in search of the sunken plane. Having gotten directions from a passing boater, we located the wreck easily, especially since there were 15 people snorkeling all around it! We tied up to a charter boat and begged off a snorkel mask, so Bill could see the wreck. He got some good pics.

Gumby wanted to snorkel also but the mask was a bit big!

The wreck is in about 8-10 feet of water and has been in the water since the late 70's early 80's.

Is amazing how mother nature reclaims tht which invades the sea!!

We then returned to the boat to clean up, have dinner and finalize the route to Nassau for tomorrow.

Enjoyed a beautiful sunset!

Have been remiss in not mentioning how the Bahamian is lit up with stars at night!!!

Side trip to the Bahamas- Preparations

As we prepare for our Bahamian Adventure, we are making lists upon lists of things to do and provisions to buy for our upcoming trip to the Bahamas. Bill has spent much time readying the boat for the cruise, checking engines, batteries and all the systems on the boat - electrical, plumbing, navigation, refrigeration and air conditioning. Sure kept Bill busy!!! We took the boat out to check all the systems and to get fuel. We had to re-remember all the navigation and auto pilot workings and surprisingly we did remember!! We have spent the last two days loading the boat with provisions- water, food, tools, clothes, toiletries and cleaning supplies, and our pantry and cabinets are full. We are sitting a bit heavier in the water now that we are fully loaded. Also Bill has finally gotten his TO DO list down to the few remaining items so he sees the light at the end of the tunnel!! We have researched the charts and guide books and have a tentative pla...

On to Allan's-Pensacola Cay. Day 12. April 3. Mile 35.2. Total mile

Day 12 We left our anchorage at sunrise to head out of Great Sale Cay Harbor. Turning west and then north, we will cruise around Great Sale Cay toward Abaco's barrier islands, eventually reaching the eastern edge of the Little Bahama Bank today. As we turn Northeast, we get some spray. Crustacean is quite salty now! Winds are out of the east 10-15 knots with waves at one foot. We cruise past Little Sale Cay we see a steady stream of sailboats going both east and west. I counted 15 total. Nice wind for sailing. Halfway through our trip, you begin to see the outer barrier islands on the horizon to the north. Five miles later you can see Little Abaco Island to our south. Here is a chart of the area we traveled from Great Sale to Allan's-Pensacola Cay today. The further we travel east, the Little Bahama Bank narrows, The winds pick up and seas run 1-2 feet. Crustacean got even saltier! As we approached Allan's-Pensacola the wind and sea...

Day 24-25 April 15-16 On to Hopetown and Lay day in Hopetown. Miles 12.6. Total 460.6

Day 24 We had a change of plans. Our friends who we met cruising the Loop, Trisha and Mike, are traveling north through the Bahamas and are close, so we will join then in Hope Town. We will then back track a bit to visit Man-o-War Cay and Marsh Harbor after visiting with them. It is a bright sunny day with light winds as we weigh anchor to leave Great Guana. There is lots of freight and commercial traffic today- tugs and barges, large freighters and flat bed delivery boats. It takes all these to handle the shipping needs and construction on the islands. We trip today took along the north east side of Great Guana and then past Scotland Cay, which is all privately owned. Next we passed Fowl Cay which is a nature preserve known for its diving. Following Fowl Cay is Man-o-War Channel with its deep water access to the Atlantic and Man-o-War Cay, known for its ship building and maintenance. Sorry, pictures of the passes and islands did not turn out too well...

Crustacean Travels

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