Elsie and Kathy's Bahamas Adventure

Arrival at Mangoe's

Gerry (Man) and Elsie

After much anticipation, my good friend Elsie and I arrived in Marsh Harbour, in the Abacos, on Wednesday, March 2nd, in the early evening.  Lots of smiles and hugs as we met up at Mangoes Marina.  Due to weather conditions, we wouldn't sail till Saturday, so we proceeded to make the most of our time in Marsh Harbour.  Our first night we were treated to four delicious pizzas, made from scratch by Branko, including home-made crust and Branko's first lobster catch (described in his hilarious blog "First Kill").  M and B's friend, Gerry (boy) joined us, and brought his signature rum cake (delicious chocolate cake with rum drizzled over it -- when in the Bahamas...)  The food kept coming and the rum flowed, until we all realized we were pooped and ready for bed....at 10:30pm.

Playing domino's -(must visit to understand)

Busting 'said' move

Snappa's

Thursday was pure fun and relaxation.  Sightseeing and groceries in the morning, lunch on the boat, and then the girls strolled down the road for a little beach time.  The beach was lovely, but Maggie said it would be the least attractive beach we'd see all week (understatement).  In the evening, we were introduced to a terrific game, Mexican Train Dominoes, which is a very fun, but complicated game, requiring utmost concentration, moderate amounts of rum, and much laughter.  It would take us three nights to finish the game, with everyone taking the lead and dragging in last place at one time or another.  It's not important who won, just that we had fun, right Maggie?  Afterward, we walked over to a local bar, Snappa's, and in no time we were busting out our moves.   It was practically empty, but the music was excellent, we were slightly lubricated, and we could not stop moving.  Branko sat out at the bar chatting with our new friend, Ron, and he got lots of embarrassing pics and videos (which will not be posted on youtube, like M and B dancing in Cape Breton).  I managed to get more people up on the dance floor with some friendly prodding and coaxing.  ("Come on, DANCE!"  "Let's DANCE!")  We encountered some very good sports who were happy to join in the fun.

Hopetown Harbour

Tahiti Beach

          
Friday morning we left Branko behind and 
caught the 9:00 a.m. ferry to Hopetown, a charming island with a variety of beautiful sights.  (When the ferry guy asked if we were with the missionary group, Elsie said "I guess you weren't at Snappas last night").  Our destination was Tahiti Beach, and we strolled around town until the bike rental place opened, then off we went on a fantastic, tortuous, twenty-five minute bike ride, up and down hills and along cliffs where the ocean was crazy with huge waves.  Tahiti Beach was a deserted paradise, and we spent the day searching for conch and starfish, and doing photo shoots pretending to be Sports Illustrated models.     

Wheeeeeee

 On our ride back to the ferry, we stopped to watch the ocean and share a light lunch - conch fritters, crab cakes, and cold beer.  Friday evening found us relaxing on the boat with a leisurely dinner, a couple hours of Dominoes, and another half a movie.

Kathy

Saturday it was off to Man-0-War Cay, where the boys donned snorkeling gear to bravely explore the shallows for lobster, while the girls, including Gerry's newly-arrived girlfriend, Laurie, explored the island.  A word about Gerry and Laurie - awesome.  It felt like we had all been friends for ages, and I really hope I get to see them again  (Bill too).  Each island we visited was so different from the last, and each one was special.  One thing I loved was every island is very narrow, and on one side you'd get the ocean waves, and on the other side the breath-taking, calm waters of the sea.  In the interest of space, Elsie will take over ....but not before I say thank you, thank you, Maggie and Branko for your hospitality.  You are the best hosts, tour guides and friends anyone could ask for, and I'm sure glad Elsie won you in her divorce, haha.  Thank, love, and miss you, see you in Barcelona or Croatia....love Kathy xoxo  (meanwhile, rock the boat.....)

and here's Elsie.....

It's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?

Rinsing off - aka, swimming

Hark! The weather reports were correct and we were able to leave Mangoes Marina Saturday morning. Kathy and I, fancying ourselves to be swashbuckilng buccaneers, decided to sit up on deck against the pilothouse windows for the journey to Man-O-War Cay. There was a good swell and it was much wetter than we had anticipated but we were not to be deterred and squealed with glee each time another wave hit us. Within a half hour we were thoroughly drenched but, being serious lasses, we managed to keep our tin cups covered and our rum drinks "dry".

Once anchored at our destination I had a quick swim around the boat then rinsed off and changed.        We set off in the dinghy to pick up Laurie from Free Spirit anchored just yelling distance away and 'the girls' set off for Man-O-War leaving the boys to their manly pursuits. We ambled around the quiet streets admiring the views and the 

The picture says it all

beautiful flowers then popped into Lola's Bakery (aka her kitchen) to buy some fresh bread. Unfortunately we were too late. After a quick visit to her husband's conch museum/laboratory, where I purchased a really cool King Conch shell, we set off for Maggie's "Sunset Beach".    

Sunset Beach

Bill Albury and his cooler -  cool

 On the way we met eight-year-old Michaela, a budding entrepreneur, who sold Laurie a coconut with a painted-on smiley face.  Mr. Coconut Head turned out to be a fun companion 

Mr Coconut and Laurie

Mr CoCo after a few drinks

and willing participant in our many photo-ops.  Further along, we met local character 

Bill Albury, who, so charmed by us, immediately set for home to fetch refreshments and soon after met us at the beach. Woo hoo ... impromptu beach party!  Not bad, considering that Man-O-War is a dry island.

That evening we joined Gerry and Laurie on Free Spirit for a delicious dinner and to discuss the next day's plans.  All our brains seemed to be very hot (private joke - sorry) so we were back aboard H2OBO and sleeping in front of a movie before midnight. All that sea air really IS exhausting ...

Sunday morning dawned warmer and with less wind but, ahoy me mateys, said wind was coming from the right direction and we were able to leisurely sail to Guana Cay. As you have all read, it was on this voyage that Branko caught his first fish - very exciting (and very delicious!). We were soon in the anchorage a few hundred yards off Grabber's beach - wow, great spot. 

Playing in the waves

The 'group' relaxing on the beach

Stromboli, fish, charades and ab workout.....

Cheers!

Kathy and I had a quick swim while our provider filleted his catch, then we piled into the dinghy and headed ashore to meet G and  L at Nipper's. Here we met another Bill, a good friend of Gerry's. This was obviously THE place to be, the joint was jumping! Unable to resist the beach we headed down to jump in the ocean and cool off. You were right Maggie, the Caribbean did feel warmer than the Sea of Abaco. What fun we had splashing about in the waves, body-surfing and posing for another round of Sports Illustrated photography (Seniors' Edition, ha ha).

Photo op at Guana

Tired from laughing so much, and with our suits full of sand, we sat on the beach awhile enjoying the view, cold beverages, and each other's company. On our way back we stopped at Grabber's to try their punch, take advantage of their fresh water pool and to formulate our dinner plans. Our gang would head back to Free Spirit with the snapper and some zucchini, Gerry would make dessert (did someone say rum cake?) and a side dish, and Bill would wow us with his Stromboli (yes, many a joke was made ...).

Yet another great dinner was followed by a game of charades and much side-splitting laughter. You do know how to get a party going MaFee! I'll never forget Bill trying to imitate a butterfly nor Gerry madly cleaning and buffing. Too soon it was time to head "home" and I experienced a rather unfortunate instance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time: as I sat down on the side of the dinghy the bilge water emptied - all over my leg! Everyone was killing themselves laughing - strangely I did not find it quite as funny. Even Gerry was busting a gut once he'd ascertained that the screaming wasn't due to anything serious. Thanks Captain G! Were I not going commando I'd have whipped off those nasty, smelly bilge-water soaked pants in a heartbeat.

Sleep'n like a babe

Through the window next to my bunkie I watched a lightning show playing off to the west (I think) in the wee hours of Monday morning. No storm came our way and I woke a couple of hours later to a hot, humid, sunny day. Yeah, that's what I'm talking 'bout! We had enjoyed yesterday's time at the beach so much that we shelved our snorkelling plans and headed back there for a couple of hours. That also gave Kathy and me the opportunity to pop into Nipper's gift shop for one more souvenir. Branko also came back with a souvenir - scrapes on his forehead - our first body-surfing injury.

We left Guana in the early afternoon and enjoyed a leisurely cruise at 5 knots over gorgeous, shallow and very calm seas. God it was hot that day - loved it. Back in Marsh Harbour we set about relishing our last afternoon and evening together. We lounged in the cockpit chilling with beverages, music and the awesomeness of being in the Bahamas with friends. 

Sailing back to MH

Branko and the girls - Guana

No fish was caught that day so it was civapechichi (spelling?) for dinner, then down below to finish our dominoes game and view Kathy's pictures on the tv. (I know it doesn't matter, but in case anyone in the reading public is dying to know - it was me who won  :)  )

Sadly, that was it for Kathy and me for the next day we left our friends and the Bahamas to return to cold, dreary Toronto. Thank you Maggie and Branko, we knew we'd have a great time with you guys but, wow, it was just incredible. Everyday was filled with good times, gorgeous sights, lots of laughs and special moments. Happy sailing, see you in Europe ...