Sunday morning we aweigh anchor at Royal Island, to do a twelve hour crossing of the Exumas Sound. For approximately ten miles of this crossing you had to keep a close eye out for coral head’s. At low tide the coral would be above the water surface, while high tide all you could see were black patches ranging in size. It was like dodging a mine field.
Once arriving to Allan’s Cay the surge was strong and quite a bouncing night. The wind and current were in opposite directions, causing the variation in all the boats swing. Allan’s Cay is noted for a large population of rock iguanas. These are a protected wildlife. Over the year’s people have been feeding the iguanas, making them not afraid of human’s. A dinghy comes along side the beach and they are greeted by a herd of iguanas, expecting to be fed. As of yet we have not been ashore, but the boat is anchored approximately 500 feet off the beach and we could see this happen, as a young couple went ashore. Greeted by eight large iguanas (as big as four feet long and knee high in height).
The next four days was bringing a front of strong winds and squalls. Allan’s Cay was not giving us the protection we needed. Therefore, we moved over three miles and anchored at Highbourne Cay (private marina and island). We struggled to find an anchorage that wasn’t sand covering rock, as the Bruce would not dig in. Changing over to the Danforth we succeeded once again. Motored into the marina to dispose of garbage at $5 a bag and pick up a few groceries. Prices on items were extremely inflated i.e $6.95 for small bag of nachos. Just took a short jot down to the beach when Bobby spotted a shark. At the end of the dock were fourteen nurse sharks. This area is where “the catch of the day” are cleaned. They are creatures of habit and waiting for their free handout. You could pick out the dominating shark, as he would come to surface and do a swim about. Massive head and cold eyes. They looked black under the water but were actually brown in color.
Moved onto Shroud Cay, where they we a number of creeks and mangroves to dinghy through. We are now in the area of the Exuma National Park, every night the Park Warden comes by in his boat to check out for poachers etc. We ventured a path that lead us to a natural fresh water well, with a number of volcano vents. Found Camp Driftwood, where a hermit in 1960 had created a home similar to Robinson Crusoe. During the '90's the drug police had used this camp as it had a great view for Norman Cays planes flying in for drug dealers.
Once arriving to Allan’s Cay the surge was strong and quite a bouncing night. The wind and current were in opposite directions, causing the variation in all the boats swing. Allan’s Cay is noted for a large population of rock iguanas. These are a protected wildlife. Over the year’s people have been feeding the iguanas, making them not afraid of human’s. A dinghy comes along side the beach and they are greeted by a herd of iguanas, expecting to be fed. As of yet we have not been ashore, but the boat is anchored approximately 500 feet off the beach and we could see this happen, as a young couple went ashore. Greeted by eight large iguanas (as big as four feet long and knee high in height).
The next four days was bringing a front of strong winds and squalls. Allan’s Cay was not giving us the protection we needed. Therefore, we moved over three miles and anchored at Highbourne Cay (private marina and island). We struggled to find an anchorage that wasn’t sand covering rock, as the Bruce would not dig in. Changing over to the Danforth we succeeded once again. Motored into the marina to dispose of garbage at $5 a bag and pick up a few groceries. Prices on items were extremely inflated i.e $6.95 for small bag of nachos. Just took a short jot down to the beach when Bobby spotted a shark. At the end of the dock were fourteen nurse sharks. This area is where “the catch of the day” are cleaned. They are creatures of habit and waiting for their free handout. You could pick out the dominating shark, as he would come to surface and do a swim about. Massive head and cold eyes. They looked black under the water but were actually brown in color.
Moved onto Shroud Cay, where they we a number of creeks and mangroves to dinghy through. We are now in the area of the Exuma National Park, every night the Park Warden comes by in his boat to check out for poachers etc. We ventured a path that lead us to a natural fresh water well, with a number of volcano vents. Found Camp Driftwood, where a hermit in 1960 had created a home similar to Robinson Crusoe. During the '90's the drug police had used this camp as it had a great view for Norman Cays planes flying in for drug dealers.
2 comments:
Wow. Nicely done with the pics and info. You guys must of had a ball. It is the tale dreams are made of.
BJ and Madeline
Wow. What a trip and well documented in word and pic. It is the stuff dreams are made of and you two got to live it. I'm jealious.
BJ and Madeline
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