Wednesday, April 4, 2012

From Guana to Treasure Cay

We left Guana Cay and our musical weekend on Monday morning and headed for Treasure Cay. Treasure has the reputation for the cleanest fuel and cheapest water and we needed both. We were really low on fuel. The fuel light read reserve but Tom kept assuring me that the fuel tubes showed 1/4 tank. Boy did I hope he was right! I am my mothers daughter, at a half tank you stop and fill up. We obviously didn't. Half way across the sea of Abaco, Tom admits he is a little nervous about having enough fuel to get there. Not something I wanted to hear. I was one happy camper when I spotted the entrance to the harbor. I wouldn't have to give Tom a knot on his bald head after all. We had learned that nearly all the small businesses close for lunch but a fuel dock? We were lucky. We made it to the dock with a 1/2 hour to spare before they closed for lunch. We filled up fuel and water tanks and found a spot to anchor in the harbor.  A ten dollar a day fee is charged to anchor in but that gives you marina facility privileges. For me that meant my first long, long, long, hot shower in three weeks. Whoo Hoo!  The  three mile beach is magnificent and it took two full days to walk up and down hunting for treasures. The water was warm so wading out at low tide to look for shells was great fun. On our second day in Treasure we met Kelly. A gentleman of German decent whose home is in Portugal. We were sitting at a table in the marina when he approached seeking help with the IPAD his daughter bought him for Christmas. We soon learned that he bought a house and a second lot in Treasure 40 years ago paying $20,000 for the lot. Prices now, $169,000&up. The hurricane of 1999 took Kelly's house so he sold the lot & foundation to an Englishman and they lost interest in the area. Two years ago his wife died. His daughter told him he needed a project and recommended that he build a home on the other lot. So Kelly came over to get that done. We visited his lot and saw his building plans. His home will be spacious and beautiful.  There are several canals around the marina with homes and condos on them. We enjoyed buzzing up and down them in the dinghy and even found an empty one with a little beach to walk and fish from. We also dinked all the way around the corner of the island to the beach. Another afternoon we dinked out to a small island at the entrance of the harbor at low tide to shell. Upon our return to the boat the wind shifted and our boat was nearly blocking a 50 foot sports fishing boat that was in a private slip in front of some condos. We rode up to the boat to apologize and tell the owner we would move Laughter. A owners wife came out and introduced herself. She was delightful and asked us if we would like some mahi. They caught more than would fit in their freezer! A problem I wouldn't mind having.  We graciously accepted and spent a few moments chatting. Next thing we knew we were invited to ride over to the pig roast the next day on Guana Cay. I had signed up for a 5k run/walk that morning but was sure I could finish in time to go. The race started at 8:00 and by 9:00 I was in the shower and at 9:45 we were at Pam and Dans boat ready to go to the pig roast. The Sea of Abaco was pretty rough but their 50 foot fishing boat cut through the water with ease. Tom had a ball picking the captains brain about where to fish in the area on our ride over.  They have invited us back to go fishing before they leave in April so we will be sure to take them up on that!!
Tom trolling in the Dinghy as we toured the area

A stingray that came up to the beach when we were shelling

Peanut rolling in the sand

My shirt from the 5k walk/run

Treasure Cay Marina tipsy turtle bar

Treasure Cay Marina Pool

Treasure Cay Harbor

The beautiful blue water of the beach with a turtle swimming along

March 11th-18th Fishers Bay and a musical weekend

The wind made anchoring a challenge at Fishers Bay. Thankfully there was lots of room.  Fishers Bay anchorage at Guana Cay is a stones through away from Grabbers. Remember my Grabbers story?  We would now have an entire week to explore the area before the big Bearfoot concert weekend on the -17th &18th.  It is predicted that the anchorage would be full by Wednesday.  If so I hope the weather holds because high winds in a full anchorage makes for some interesting situations. We spent the week walking the beach, visiting the shops, enjoying happy hour with friends and completing a few jobs on the boat.  The weather settled down within 24 hours and remained pretty calm the entire week. On our dingy ride in to the concert I counted 53 boats anchored in the Bay!  We attended the free Friday afternoon Barefoot Man concert. His music resembles Jimmy Buffet type music but some of his songs are definitely a little more risque. All three levels at Nippers was packed with people. Trying to get near the band for a photo was difficult and the maze of people made getting to the bar an event! Tom and I and three other couples choose to sit on the beach in front of Nippers for most of the concert. Can you think of a better place to relax and listen to live music? Tom and I moved up to the upper deck level the last half hour to get a taste of the crowd. People watching was the best!  Saturday afternoon we watched Stone MaQuen perform at Grabbers. He played a mix of Bahamian Island music and American. It was great dance music. Again Tom and I started out on the beach in front of Grabbers.  One of the Chefs daughters  took to Tom and I. She was cute as a button and I enjoyed dancing in the sand with her. We moved from the beach to a large table for ten when other boaters we knew arrived.  We all got up and danced to Stones music on and off throughout the afternoon.  On Sunday afternoon Tom and I went back to Grabbers to listen to Brown Tip.  They are a rake and scrape band. That means they play canned music, sing and play the saws with a screw driver.  One of the groups members was an amazing dancer. He danced and played the saw, entertaining the crowd for hours.
                                                        Barefoot Man crowd
                                                            Stopne MaQuen
                                                     Dancing with one of Brown Tip group
Our group on the beach at Barefoot Man Concert