BAHAMAS!!

February 6-15/17

The Ferry

Jim and Mimi, formerly from the boat Perfect Balance (they've sold it), flew down from Canada for a vacation.  Yay!! Seemed like a good excuse to visit the Bahamas. The four of us took the fast ferry over to Freeport to spend a week with Randy and Sherry, who are there on their boat Priorities.  Randy and Sherry's dockmates on a beautiful power cat, Time Out, were away for the month and very generously offered it to us to stay on in their absence.  What a wonderful opportunity.  Thanks soooo much Rolfe and Harriet!  I hope we meet someday so we can give our thanks in person.

Leaving Gran Vida safely docked in Cape Coral, we drove to Fort Lauderdale and met up with Jim and Mimi there.

Hurricane Matthew:

The six of us pitched in and rented a van for the week so Randy and Sherry were there to meet us at the ferry terminal.  As cars drive on the left side of the road in the Bahamas and the driver's seat of the van was on the right, we had a great laugh as Randy accidentally hit the windshield wipers every time he wanted to switch on the turn signals. It takes a lot of concentration to drive on the "wrong" (to us) side of the road from the "wrong" (to us) side of the vehicle.

On the drive to the marina, the damage from Hurricane Matthew was evident everywhere.  The west end of the island really got hammered and being a relatively "have not" nation, relying heavily on tourism, it is taking them some time to get things up and running again.  There are parts of the island that still don't have power.

Hurricanes are not new for the people of the Bahamas and despite the damage the people were friendly and laid back as they tackled the work.

Ocean Reef Resort and Marina:

Randy and Sherry are docked at a lovely resort and marina. What a great spot, with two pools, tennis courts, hot tub (which Jeff practically lived in), restaurants, and a beach a short walk or dinghy ride away.  We had a great week, hiking, beach walking, checking out the local establishments and sharing many great meals and plenty of laughs.  Here are a few highlights:

We visited some underground caves in one of the National Parks.  Unlike the caves we visited in Cuba, there was no swimming allowed unless you have a special permit and diving gear.  We were slightly alarmed for a minute as two divers bubbled up from the depths as we arrived.

 While we were down in the caves, forgetting that her prescription glasses were propped up on her hat, Mimi took it off and boom, onto the rocks and down into deep crevice they went.  Peering down with a light, they could be seen, a couple of feet down in a few inches of water.   Much to Mimi's relief and with the help of one of the divers, Jim and Jeff were able to fiddle around with sticks and get them close enough for Jeff to squish his hand down there (ewe) and reach them.  Great save, guys!  Hmm...  If you look closely at the picture, it looks like both guys have their sunglasses propped up on their hats as they hang over the crevice.

Next year....  we hope to take good 'ol Gran Vida over there....  if it all works out.