Long Island and crossing the Topic of Cancer

It was March 27th when we left George Town early with the sunrise and we thought behind the prefrontal trough that gave us the wind and rain at 5 am and actual cold front. On the plus side, we did have some wind for sailing and did not get rained on. On the other hand, it was not the best wind.  It was interesting to go past all the anchorages from Monument Beach (where we were) past Honeymoon past Volleyball then past Sand Dollar. We past the reef where we snorkeled then Fowl Cay and out into the ocean again. I recalled while writing this that I had taken a Dramamine and had felt pretty woozy on the trip over.

We came up on Hog Cay Cut which was the cut that would have taken us to the Raggeds and Jumentos Cays. Not so intimidating when the water isn't rough and you know you don't have to go through it and you are examining the heck out of it with binoculars.  I did see the rocks in the middle though. Next time. We did get a little dolphin show passing by. Two or three were doing flip after flip near Hog Cay. The dolphin version of cartwheels and it was a happy and smile inducing site to see! The views were beautiful all the way over including the sand flats between Hog and White Cays.  It seemed like you could walk from one to the other and White Cay was a picture perfect 'little uninhabited' island.

A pretty big deal for us was crossing over the Tropic of Cancer.  I'm nerdy to say that was a cool accomplishment since we've never been so far South and to this point so far East either.

I feel like we got to Long Island in good time and anchored in Thompson Bay with a number of other boats. This Bay has a cruisernet that is run by a lady who lives in the island. Fairhaven. A number of places have closed but there is still a grocer and liquor store and little bar/eatery called Sout' Side. It was Saturday afternoon when we arrived and everyone pretty much sacked out for hours.  The front didn't arrive exactly when expected or as hard as expected so Sunday meant a walk was a good way to see the immediate area and the ocean side. It was a ghost town as most places tend to be on Sunday's in this very much Christian country.

The sad truth is that since I've not kept up with this little trip diary, details and points of interest are getting forgotten. I figure that picture are worth a thousand words anyway. 

 One of the salt ponds in Salt Pond-the town at Thompson Bay.

The ocean side has coral all along it and THIS was where I first saw pink sand beaches, not Eleuthera.

What is it with humans and plastic...one of many 'lessons' of this trip is to be mindful of plastic use at home.

Couldn't resist including these two kitties

Not a bad way to end the day.

Monday, Mark and I took a trip on the island.  Our goal was to go to Deans Blue Hole about 20 miles south of us.  We kicked around hiring a driver or just a taxi but the nice ladies at the tourism office confirmed that we should rent a car. Even called to set it up for us. So with nerves at the ready, snorkel gear packed and a map--off we went.  KEEP LEFT.

Found it on the main road 

Found it off the main road

Memorial for free divers who died here

Whoa

Oh whoa...second shelf down with sand spilling into the deep part. It was merky and not the best weather but a cool experience. And yes, deep. Got butterflies swimming over the middle then really got them when I saw the barracuda hanging out under the platform.  We met a nice Canadian family visiting for the week. Their kids where jumping off the ledge into the hole. No, we didn't do that ;-)

On the way back I convinced Mark to wait to eat and stop at Max's Conch Bar.  It was soooo awesome! Best conch salad yet and super fun roadside spot. The lady behind the bar has a son who is a rap/hip hop artist and one of his songs came on the radio while we were there. 

Along the way back I also forced Mark to stop so I could take photos-mostly churches which I find beautiful and interesting. Especially those founded before 1900.

There we are

We kept going North to the Morris Tomb. Build for John Morris's little girl who died in 1794. We also stopped at the blue hole on the site of their plantation.  Long has so many blue holes on it. If I came back I'd make a point to have a car for a few days and visit Clarence Town at the south all the way up to Cape Santa Maria in the North.

Not content with crossing the Tropic of Cancer by boat, we also crossed by car. So Marka ms I have gone back and forth over it twice :-)

We didn't want to ignore the one close by eatery, Sout' Side, so we dropped off the car, got a ride to the dinghy then docked it up closer to where we just were and walked over. Kaliks and burgers and souvenir photos, check.

I loved my day on Long and it was far far far to short. I would have loved to have stayed and explored more but onward we must go.  Maybe it was just stalking since leaving Thompson Bay was the official turn back North. I'm writing this weeks later and I still can't come to grips with it.

But for the time being, we were still away from what others call 'reality' and that was and is just fine. I rather favor our current reality here on the boat.

Next stop, the northern tip of the island--Cape Santa Maria for the night then onto our secluded destination of Conception Island. That will be our farthest east.  It was a beautiful sail up there which alway makes Mark and Jon happy.