Bimini Bahamas

March 30, 2013

We are currently sailing across the Great Bahamas Bank at about 6 knots, winds are between 15 to 20 knots waves about 3 feet, sun is shining. The waters are only about 20 feet and an aquamarine colour. The sails are up and Xanadu is cutting through the waves like butter giving us a pleasant ride.

It has been awhile since we have updates our blog but this is the start of the interesting part of our journey.

We have finally left the safe confines of the us waters to search out lands where life is more relaxed and not driven by the all mighty dollar even though it is a necessity but not to the extent that we are used to.

We sent seven weeks in Marathon Florida. We provisioned Xanadu for the next 8 weeks and then ran out of space to put things. So we did some minor repairs and checked out charts and weather forecasts during that time to be prepared to leave the big cities behind.

Finally a weather window opens up where we would sail across the Florida Straits and through the Gulf Stream from the south with southeast winds directing us to Bimini, Bahamas. It was supposed to be an easy crossing but even with the best planning Mother Nature does not adhere to schedules.

We went across the reefs in Florida not big deal except wind on our nose and we felt like we were in a washing machine but once through we turned east and picked up the south winds and things settled down for a bit. The crossing over to Bimini was comfortable but once in a while a larger wave would toss us around. Lesson learned from this crossing make sure all you lockers hold tight the ones that don’t add extra security in our way was bungee cords. Books seem to find their way out of there assigned areas.

We arrived in Bimini in calming seas but coming around the reef takes a little getting used to as the water is crystal clear and is hard to determine how far down the bottom is. We got a slip and prepared to clear customs. The marina supplied us with the paperwork, filled it out, took in our documentation to the customs office they asked how long we would be staying and granted our request. Now we are official and can start our sailing adventure that is right we are actually using our sails instead of the motor what a relief.

We ended staying in Bimini for 7 days as the weather just would not co-operate. These cold fronts kept coming through the Abacus with gale force squalls but the exumas in South Bahamas were having nicer weather so we waited patiently for the first opportunity to leave. As the weather was not settling down we decided to skip the berry islands and head south to New Providence. We wanted to leave the squalls behind us.

It was an interesting stay in Bimini. We were fortunate to meet a gentleman by the name of Mr. Sanders.  His family lived in the Bahamas and he was educated in the us and Britain. He researched the history of Bimini wrote books about it and taught in the local schools. He also is in the process of building the Dolphin House. This is a work of art. The house has been built from left over building material and natural products of the island. It is well constructed to survive hurricanes and has a uniqueness that has to be seen. Every wall has a unique design incorporating conch shells, seashells, sea glass, left over ceramics and stain Glass, bottles and many other items too many to mention. Once again pictures say a thousand words.

On Bimini one side faces the banks and the other side is the FLORIDA Straits. Only two roads on the island but the beaches are beautiful on the west side of the island. We also visited a local place called Sherry’s and had rum punches and conch and guess what I Linda actually liked it. We also visited the shark research center on South Bimini. They took us out on the flats where they had pens with lemon sharks and rays in them. Of course they explained a lot first before we waded out to the pens.  The people there went in the pens with the sharks and rays and show us how they handled the creatures then a though came to me we are outside the pens where there are homes to more sharks and other creatures but the only creature that bothered us was a crab he kept trying to get your toes he was about three inches long. It was well worth the visit.

The rest of the time we watch the bull sharks swim around our boat when the fishermen came in and cleaned their catches. We met up Pat and Addison from Toronto and jack tried his hand at diving for lobster. Well no pictures on that one as we could not find any and Lobster season ends March 31.

We also met up with several other boats some going to the exumas and some returning to Florida so there we many rum punches and stories to be told.

We finally get our weather window and headed off to New Providence. We sailed all night in the company of five other boats all keeping in touch through the trip. We went to West end with two other boats and the others went to Nassau.

We sent a day in West End and hiked around the island taking in some ruins and beach areas. It has great swimming here and many nice places on the beach.

Well that brings us up to today Saturday March 30 we are travelling to Allen cay and we plan to send two days there do some snorkeling and enjoying the beach. I plan to get my sketch pad out and try to get it down on paper but my camera will be very busy.

Jack is trying his hand at fishing there is supposed to be mahi mahi and wahoo in this part of the Bahamas but so far no luck. I guess I will still need to go to the store once in a while.

I will close this portion of our trip with saying we are enjoying another beautiful day in the Bahamas.