Kickin back

Island style... Not much going on right now because the wind has picked up which keeps us leeward. Seas are predicted to remain rather large for a few more days and that'll keep us from doing any fishing.

But weather has never stopped us from having a large time... doing little.

Capt. Bruce who runs the charter sailboat "Bahama Star" was happy to see Crew Istaboa back in the islands. A large bear hug was given to everyone, even Radar. We've crossed paths with Bruce many times in the past and Capt. Bruce is always a trip. A mostly benign pirate, Bruce never fails to entertain his guests with salty tales of his times at sea. He's a great cook also... on this night we shared dinner with the crew... Deep fried Turkey with all the fixins.
His charter was, oddly enough, a group of kids from St. George's Independent School which is about 3 miles from our home on Rocky Point. They were a very nice/very polite group of young folks who were astounded when Bruce told them we were from Memphis and docked at Compass. They asked where we lived and a couple of the kids said they drove past our house everyday on their way to school. They all said they couldn't believe someone from Memphis had actually sailed their boat all the way here from Pickwick.
This was their graduation trip— they seemed to be having a huge time.

The next day we took Don and Sharon from Bold Pursuit and their grandsons to Staniel to fly the boys out. It was a bit rolly crossing Joe Cay Cut but the little Albury sliced through it nicely and we made it into Pipe Creek and on to Staniel Cay in smooth water.
More on page 2

Been busy...

... enjoying the islands and not blogging about it.

So... now I will try and catch up.

With the WIFI project wrapped up as good as it gets (which is quite fast), we treated the guests at Compass Cay to a Smokey Dog BBQ feast.

Seems everyone had a great time and really enjoyed Will's BBQ. A good time was had as the sun sank beneath the horizon.

The next day was Will's last so he and I went out snorkeling on the grass flats in search of Conch. We did quite well. We needed a dozen to make a good sized Conch Salad and a dozen we found.

So after the harvesting was done, we unloaded them at the fish cleaning station. The one where the famous Compass Cay pet sharks like to lay on to be scratched and fed.

Then Will went to work on cleaning the slimy little critters.

 Actually made a youtube video on cleaning and preparing Conch on page 2.

A fabulous day in the Exumas

  Tucker and Will installing new WIFI access points for Compass Cay WIFI

This day started out on top of Tucker's office at Compass Cay. Will and I have ran proper harsh environment cabling to all the new WIFI access points at the marina and the last step of this project was to put a directional antenna up as high as possible in an effort to link to boats at anchor on the bank in front of Compass Cay. Will was a bit tentative about crawling up the ladder that we had leaned against the pipe that's being used as a mast. Tuck laughed and said he had no problem with this. He said, "I been climbing palm trees for water since I was a boy, that's nothing."

So after work was done we all jumped in the Albury and ran south for about 30 miles to Farmers Cay. Along the way we stopped at Great Guana Cay to check out a cave.

 More on page 2

Nicely overcast day @ Compass

The weather has been pleasantly cool. Though overcast, the wind is just a gentle breeze that keeps the bugs away. The locals are all hoping for rain as it's been dry for a while, so we hope for rain also. Here in these island even a rainy day is a good day.

As we arrived here at Compass a couple of days ago we were welcomed back to the Exumas by Dick and Patra: Crew Sapphire. Nice to hear from them.

Putting the Albury to good use, we ran down Pipe Creek to Staniel Cay and the yacht club. Best BLT ever.

More on page 2

The Exumas once again

Highborne last night. Compass today.
Before we took off from Highborne we ran out in the Albury and caught our nights dinner.
Fresh Mahi Mah!
Will and I can both lay claim to this fish as the damn thing hit both our baits. We weren't losing this one.

 Smallest Mahi Mahi we have ever seen. 

Obviously Dolphin eat their young.

 Bahamian Humor

Not much net for now, but we'll have plenty when we arrive back home @ Compass.
We know the guy who provides WIFI for the island so we should have big bandwidth.

Adios,

Istaboa

Shopping day in Nassau

Look closely... A very diverse shopping list.

I think we are well supplied.

Adios,

istaboa

Back in Nassau again

It's been a couple of years and the place hasn't changed a bit. As we pull into Nassau Harbor Club, there's Peter the Greek standing on the dock. With his long bushy hair flying in the breeze, he starts barking his usual orders, telling us how we are supposed to dock, even though we have docked here many times before. He is a bit of a wildman. The Crazy Greek. Behind his back is Frenchy the boatwasher who is laughing at Peter's rants and offering to help us tie up before he washes our boat. Some things never change.

Then stepping around the corner is our old German friend Thorsten who along with his old pal Dieter are aboard Sandpiper, a Nordhavn 40. Thorsten has a warm welcoming smile and is very happy to see us though disappointed that they are leaving the next day. After we check in with customs Thorsten comes back for a warm beer as Crew Istaboa enjoys the traditional celebratory bottle of Champagne that marks the end of another successful crossing. Almost 24 hours exactly from Palm Beach to Nassau.

The sun rising in the east as we sail pass the Berry Islands to the west.

It's true...

We have finally left the dock.

Got the Albury on a short leash while we ease through the bridges at Jupiter. The water is so clear at Jupiter and the HDR shot with the iphone saturates it nicely.

Back in the USA

 

 Screen shot of Outbound entering the Port of San Diego

As our friends aboard Outbound are reentering the USA, we are preparing to leave.

Yes, finally, we are firing up Istaboa and heading east for the islands. After a quick shake out run down to Palm Beach, we'll do an all night cruise to Nassau. Should be good weather and a big fat moon will shine it's light on us all night.
Plus...  to add to our island experience — we are towing the Albury behind us. We are excited!!

More on the Florida Yacht Interior, Chase Camacho story later. Short version... Still not happy.
But....  soon we will be in the islands and we won't care.

Adios,

Istaboa

Still at Sunset Bay

Which is not bad at all...

iphone HDR pic; from our back door.