Home away from home... away from home.

Reentry:
Stuart and Sunset Bay.

So this morning, rested and nursing a few bumps, scrapes, and bruises, we're all enjoying the comforts and conveniences of being back in the USA.
Mel had pizza delivered last night, Radar got to see his buddies, Clyde and Bob, and I had the idea of driving our truck up the street to a grocery store for milk... then a liquor store for whatever I wanted. (not just Rum or Kalik)
Oh, the comforts of home.

Over the last few months, we've intentionally stayed away from TV news and all that goes with that. Our internet surfing has been no deeper into current events than the hyped up headlines of the news sites that made us cringe and look for something more entertaining and enlightening, such as Skype, tech stuff, and boat stuff. Stuff that actually had an affect on our lifestyle.
Yes, for three months we've had the luxury of living a wonderfully carefree existence. Of course we did a little work, but we did it island style. (When in the island, do as the islanders; as if you have a choice. If you haven't, everyone who dreams of doing business in the islands should read Don't stop the Carnival by Herman Wouk....)

And now... we're back.
We flip on the TV to catch up on what's happening and BAM!
The whole world is collapsing. Not just the USA, now the whole world is on the brink of financial destruction, the Arab Spring has been extended into summer, London is burning; in America, The Tea Party types are lost somewhere down the rabbit hole,  and with all this going on, our President has the audacity to go on vacation at about the same time other American families do. (Hope he and his family have a nice time, we've always wanted to go to Martha's Vineyard. Heard it's beautiful) About the only positive thing we've heard is the authorities finally let those three young fellows go free in my hometown of West Memphis, Arkansas. It's a crime they lost their youth. It's more of a crime the investigation into who did this stopped when it did. (Props to those who never gave up.)
Added on 8-28-11... Article from Memphis Commercial Appeal http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/28/hollywood-directed-defense-of-three/


But we look outside and it all looks just as when we left. We don't get it. So we turn off the news, eat our hot delivered pizza, take pleasure in the fact that the boat is notta rockin, relax, and watch a mindless, but mildly humorous, sitcom on TV.
Ignorance IS bliss.

On leaving the Exumas and Compass Cay:
The rest on page 2.

Back in the USA

Stuart is home again...
Lots of different weather and few foul-ups, but tired after the 2 day run.
More later.

Big night on Compass Cay

 To be added to the "Shots over the Bow" collection

Compass Cay's first Junkanoo

As posted earlier, Josh threw a great wedding party for his brother Zack and new sister in law, Gergana. He really pulled out all the stops.
It all started the night before with a steak and lobster dinner on the deck next to the marina. The next day brought the wedding on Crescent Beach followed by the Junkanoo Band from Blackpoint escorting the  bride and groom back across the island Junkanoo Parade style to the marina and the wedding party.

Zack and Gergana

It was a very fun night... Thanks Josh, you did good.

More on page 2.

Just a few pics

Last night was a big one... got lots of pics to process then post. Our friend Josh threw an incredible party to celebrate his brother's wedding. What a night!
In the meantime, a few pics that came out well.
These are the barrel houses on Wild Tamarind. We have finally completed the WiFi project here and it's worked out really well. We've managed to lite up the whole island with internet without disturbing any of it's natural beauty.

And the infamous Vinnie... sans ears.
Scarey at first, but now he's our bud.

More barrel house photos on page 2.

Lobster Season

Apologies for not posting in a while, we've been busy with the wifi project on Wild Tamarind Cay and when not being gear heads, there has been some good fishing and eating going on.
With the threat of TS Emily passing, the marina has been filling up again. During this mid summer season the marina becomes even more international. French, Argentina, German, and Korean folks have come over from Miami to enjoy the great weather we have. English speaking folks are now the minority here.
Most folks think an island in the tropics would be incredibly hot this time of year, but to the contrary, It's very nice. Yes, the sun is hot, but if you stand in the shade, the breeze will keep you very comfortable. Avg. temp... 85.
And its Lobster season!

Jamal Rolle  aka The Lobster King

(notice the sharks in the water)

Jamal, Tucker's son and heir apparent to Compass Cay, has been diving for lobster since he was a child. This time of year is the big payoff for these guys. Lobster brings a good price in Nassau and Jamal knows where to find them.
He's always kind enough to share a few with us. Some we eat fresh and some we will freeze to take back home.
Jamal's not the only one that's been diving for these critter's since childhood. Check out these girls.

The girls are the daughters of our friend Josh and they've grown up doing this every summer for 12 years. They too are quite good at bringing back the bugs, but not only Crawfish.... Check out page 2.

What wind?

Happily, we can report that T.S. Emily has blown herself away and is now just a surface trough down around the Turks and Caicos.
Again, much ado about not much... but it did get us back to Istaboa and we're very happy about that.
Rather be safe than sorry.
Had a nice dinner in Ft Lauderdale and a smooth flight back to the islands. No complaints.

Into the wind

At this moment we are at about 30,000 feet on our way to Fort Lauderdale, hoping to get on a little plane tomorrow that will take us to the Exumas and Compass. The weather seems to be deteriorating, but who knows. That's what I thought last year when I flew into Earl and that ended up just being a party and a hangover, not a blow. Hope for the same with Emily. Don't like our position though. Turn east, baby, turn east!!

Anyway... If Watermakers flies tomorrow we will be back home to take care of whatever this all brings.

Adios,

Istaboa

ps... Thanks Diet Coke for giving us complementary Wifi on our Delta flight.

Yoink!

Not what we wanted to see this morning

It's starting...

Happy Birthday

Silas Rui Taylor