Marsh Harbor, Bahamas

We left Great Sale Cay on Monday, November 28th and enjoyed island hopping along the Northern islands (i.e. Carter's Cay and Powell Cay), something we had wanted to do for years. We especially liked Allans-Pensacola Cay with it's protected harbor and small, pretty beaches.  We had several days of downwind foresail only ghosting which was lovely.   We peacefully cruised around 4 to 6 knots (foresail only) fast enough to make progress but slow enough to appreciate and absorb the scenery. 

On Thursday, December 1st, we came through Whale Cay Channel, which can be dangerous with northerly winds and opposing tidal currents, at slack tide with 2 to 5 foot beam waves.  From personal observation, we remember this situation would have been a bit uncomfortable in our mono-hull, however, we now find these conditions pleasant.   We continued our downwind foresail only sailing through the Whale Cay Channel and until we arrived in Marsh Harbor around 3:30 p.m.

Since we've been in Marsh Harbor, we splurged and purchased internet service through Out Island Internet (OII) which was quite pricey at $99/month.  Though, the service does cover several other islands we plan to visit during our stay in the Bahamas and it has been pretty good.  We are definitely getting full use out of this service. 

After being on the boat for about 12 days straight, yesterday we decided to put some clothes on (just kidding ... we've been wearing clothes) and make a trip into town for the Christmas festivities.  We jumped into the dinghy and went ashore.  After making a quick trash deposit, we walked about a mile, asking for directions several times along the way (that was me, Sandy, asking for directions), before we reached the Christmas festival. 

It was a lot of fun watching the kids play and get their faces painted, doing a little shopping, listening to a local children's choir and jamming with a local military band who had the first woman drum major.  The band was dressed out and marching while playing Silent Night with an island flair.  While shopping, we met a man from the local bikers group called Scurvy Few and knowing that the island is small we asked him where they ride.  To our surprise, he said they ride about a 120 miles, further than what we thought, and that the road is one long straight road so they rarely get lost.  We didn't buy much, but did enjoy some tasty cracked conch.

Christmas Tree

Face Painting

Scurvy Few

Local Children's Choir

First Female Drum Major

Local Military Band

After a few hours at the Christmas Festival, it was time for our hike home and then what would probably be a wet dinghy ride back to the boat since the wind had been gusty all day.  We had a great day out and even managed to stay dry during the trip home.  The winds been blowing pretty good here, so we'll stay a few more days in Marsh Harbor until the weather settles down.  Then we hope to explore some of the other islands located in the Abacos, and we hope you'll join us.  TTFN!