Excited? Oh yes, with a 1.4m draft and two months in the Bahamas pending, I was excited. Not only do we have a fab boat to explore the very shallow Bahamas with, but I had good friends booked in to help me sail Joline up and back to the Bahamas and family visiting to share in the adventure.
It exceeded expectations.
Lesley, (who had sailed with me in Soarsa across the Pacific), and I departed Sint Maarten with a good following wind and had a blissful 5 day downwind sail to Great Inagua, Bahamas. Lesley is an absolute pleasure to sail with, a very competent sailor, intuitive, and shares the same love for the sea and activities as me – making the boat sail well, fishing, yoga, films, cooking, reading – we had a ball.
After a very efficient and personalized clearance into the Bahamas on Great Inagua we headed north and decided to stay off the grid as long as we could and spend a few days exploring the beautiful Ragged Islands, which are in my view, the jewel of the Bahamas, remote and beautiful. We celebrated our blissful isolation in style and never experienced another boat until we started our sail to Georgetown.
A few days later it was time for our peace to be shattered – John flew into Staniel Cay for the Exuma Salty Dawg rally. An event that certainly went to some top spots in the Exumas, but was dominated by sundowners rather than sailing. However, it provided an excellent research itinerary for the family itinerary.
After dropping Lesley in Nassau John and I headed north to the Abacos for two weeks. It was fabulous knowing the boat well as we were able to explore places that others just would not go to, and so loving exploring together. Our favorite was – Manjack Cay – this video link gives you a taster.
Then I got really excited, we had a robust sail south because Christopher and Rachel were flying into Staniel Cay from the UK, ( via Nassau) in rather a small plane!.
With a freezer now well stocked with freshly caught Mahi and a great itinerary planned out – I knew we were in for a fun time. A few days later Sue and Simon joined us. The Bahamas delivered us a fantastic experience, - to touch on a few highlights…
Pig Beach where pigs try to get in the boat – and yes they do bite! Poor Chris and Rachel took 3 attempts to get ashore, and Rachel got a bruise on her butt from a rather sprightly beast.
Thurderball Cave and numerous reefs where a multitude of fish coexist in natural beauty combined with the sunlight which leaves a lasting calm visual impression.
Farmers Cay was spectacular – video above - where turtles pose infront of your camera, and Simon displayed some bravey in feeding them a conc.
Oh…. Conch! – My sister insisted on collecting conch shells, Rachel did a scientific survey of their eyes, and the conch man in farmers cay gave us great instructions on using his freshly deshelled conch for lunch – Johns's favorite!!! not….
Rachels Bubble bath – where the waves break over the perimeter of a tranquil pool to make sparkling water. Also a great basking river bead with hot water to soak in.
Norman island – wow… it required patients to find,--yee of little faith, but the fabulous a sundowner to remember on a remote drying split
Compass Cay – Rachels requested to swim with Nurse Sharks!! Is she crazy?? Turned out to be a stunning experience, especially for Susie who figured it was safer in the water than on the pontoon where feeding was in progress.
Shroud Cay - where turtles lined the river bed and then we were blessed with a massive ray residing calmly on the seabed as we played like five year olds whizzing through the washing machine current out to sea.
Then there was the plane - Christopher displaying a new found love for free diving.
Allens Cay – a storm for Sue and Simon to experience with torrential rain and very, very shallow water and a taste of adventure sailing. Challenging tides, a proper storm, beautiful bird strong delivering remoteness and natural beauty.
I think Simon is hooked on sailing…..he has it sorted.
I could go on and on – I loved it…..
THE BEST BIT – it was with family who I love dearly, and they loved it. To share the last few weeks with them on Joline was for me HEAVEN. – THANK YOU.
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