There's a party and we're invited!

Our tour of Great Exumawith Patrick

Sue learning to blow her Conch Horn!

Fun and relaxation along with a varied locale typified Sue & Marshell’s visit. We picked them up at Staniel Cay and spent the next several days exploring that, our favorite area. We snorkel Thunderball Grotto and a few other spots, even though the water turns our lips blue! We bag our limit in conch; then give conch cleaning lessons. We stroll the spectacular beach at Compass Cay, as well as feed the sharks, and partake in Tucker burgers. (Tucker is the owner of Compass Cay and grills wonderful burgers.) After feeding the pigs at Big Majors and experiencing a dinner at Staniel Cay Yacht Club the weather is right to head to Georgetown.


After an evening in a remote anchorage (one where we are the only boat around) that provides shelling in addition to magnificent vistas, we sail into Georgetown to the greetings of cruiser friends! “Rockin’ Ron” is throwing a party at Chat & Chill and we’re invited! Great fun getting-together with other cruisers. We tour the southern end of Great Exuma, having an excellent Bahamian lunch at “Santana’s”, where the crew of Pirates of the Caribbean hung when they weren’t involved with the filming of movie #3.

While in Elizabeth Harbor, we move to different anchorages for different experiences. We explore the town of Georgetown, we hike trails on Stocking Island, experience a “Rake & Scrape”, as well as mingle with other cruisers. Sue & Marshell are really “into” all of this because they are looking forward to bringing their boat down a couple of years. For next year they have all ready booked time on Cat’s Paw for the Family Island Regatta!

After Marshell & Sue’s departure, Cat’s Paw makes the jump to Long Island for the next week. As we round Indian Hole Point, we hear boats calling Tryphena’s Thompson Bay Inn for dinner reservations. She’s throwing a party and we’re invited! We anchor behind Pretty Penny whom we haven’t seen in 3 months. It is always wonderful to renew friendships.

Cruisers wactching the race

Easter weekend brings a cruiser potluck as well as egg coloring. (I’d never used rubber bands to tie-dye eggs before.) On Easter Monday, the locals host a festival and a mini-regatta. These boats are always exciting to watch and this is no exception! They’ve built a new boat, “It In’t Right” (the Long Island boys are masterful boat builders) and this boat and its crew woo us all! The crew’s tactics are right on the money (these boys also know how to sail); this boat takes first in all three races. Entertaining day!

This boat will race in 2 weeks!

The next two days we rent a car with Bob & Penny of Pretty Penny to tour this 70 mile island. We talk to the boat builders and see their progress; they are taking 8 boats to Georgetown for the Family Island Regatta. They “talk trash” about the builders and racers from the other islands. Listening to them boast brings new light to the races. We are torn now as to who to root for – The Staniel Boys or The Long Island Boys.

Tomorrow we head back to Georgetown where we will chat with the Great Exuma boys who are also preparing for the race. Our friend, David Brangaccio, is flying in for the races that begin on the 20th. It sounds like another party and we’re invited!