Hello Norman's Cay!

I'm sitting here after a super hike along Warderick Wells--we didn't make it all the way around the island but it was still a wonderful three hour hike with a new and unbelievable view with every step.  God it feels good to move around on land as well as our daily dips in the water off the boat...

So, it was Friday morning (2/20/15) and we took some extra time to pick up both of the anchors we had put out to maintain some control in Allens Cay.  We arrived at Normans in no time at all and found a lovely anchor spot on the western side right up along the beach.  Island Khaya had decided to keep going on to Shroud because they really wanted to get farther South to the warmer weather and less weather front wackiness.  Again, I'll try to get this even remotely close to reality because as I have said before, it's amazing amazingness every day and every place we go.

So long Allens Washing Machine...next time we are snatching the one primo spot in the cove off SW Allens!

Another sexy aspect of sail boating--opening up the secondary head valves (haven't been opened or used in 6 years). Ew but it works now!!  Lucky Jon has his own fully functioning head now.  Me = Jealous.

First order of business was laundry...by hand.  Yes, and this is addressed to my own pals, I did laundry by hand in the galley basin.  Two things:  1) it's actually pretty hard work and my hands got sore 2) I should have bought the wash bin I saw at the Container Store.  I was lucky that the fellas were willing to take it all out to hand dry.  We had a nice Beverly Hillbillies look going once they were done.  Next we took the dinghy for a beach run and enjoyed exploring a little that afternoon of day one.

Happy wash hands

Decided to try out the Sharkskin and take a tour around the boat

Making our mark!  Thanks Jon :-)

What you will find with these posts is that the photos tell the story so you will get your wish of less of my running my mouth (or fingers as the case may be) and more visuals...low bandwidth and a dying battery notwithstanding ;-)

The coolness factor was in full swing during our Norman's visit because we did go to the sunken plane (drug plane that didn't make the runway that one time) and the boys had a great snorkel expedition all around it.  I was a little to nervous with the current but I did get a few looks for the time I was in too. The current was quite intimidating because the plane is located in the cut between the Banks and Sound and then there's the changing tide as well.  They even spotted three rays hiding in the sand.  Jon has the photo credits on many of these photos!

Jon on his island...his for 10 minutes but still

Next we took a dinghy ride over to the sand flats which was stunning...the tide was going out and the sand was the finest and softest I had felt to that point.  The views were breathtaking and I cannot get over how many shades of blue exist on this glorious planet.

I will say that Normans has been the first place where I can understand what sailors say about how the Bahamas is changing.  We decided to eat at McDuff's after figuring out it was indeed open.  Our dinner at McDuff's is a perfect example of change.  McDuff's used to be a beach shack of a place--tiny size and no frills.  That and the airstrip were the two draws to the Cay and the airstrip was nothing and had grass growing through it...people used to walk across it to get to McDuffs for a beer.  Well, in the last 10 years, the airstrip was fenced off, repaired and extended to accommodate private pilots, charter flights and assorted rich folks.  Why would they come here?  Well, to visit the resort that is taking shape in the place of what used to be nothing and a bar.  Currently the resort partners are dredging and putting in a marina for the use of the partnership and friends of the partnership.  Well and anyone else with a lot of money.  McDuff's is now a gorgeous Bahamian cottage design with a deep wood bar, many tables and a screened in sitting area out front.  It's pretty stunning and frankly, yes, we enjoyed it.  The prices match the upscale island style but you can't take it with you right?  The bartender even made me a fancy drink :-)  There's an argument that what is happening is bad but is it?  Is it better for an upscale group to come in and bring in upscale amenities--while NOT restricting access to the Cay or beaches or restaurant--or do you let a Cay fall into ruin and abandon?  That's an extreme example I think. I do sympathize with those who walked across an abandoned airstrip to a 'noting to look at' bar where they may have shared a beer with a random pilot who just happened to stop in.  Yes, there is a simplicity and authenticity and magic lost when someplace like that is lost to time and financial whims.

The new face of McDuff's - say what you will but the grounds are beautiful

Sorry for the tangent...we enjoyed our time at Norman's and I would go back any day.  Next stop, Shroud Cay and our first stop in the Exumas Cay Land and Sea Park!  To be continued...