George Town

Michael and Fred at the Peace & Plenty bar

Beautiful Anglican church in George Town

Today began as most recent days have: Alarm clocks go off at 6, we muddle through our engine room checks, boot all the electronics up, warm up the diesels, cast off and head south at 6:30am. A beautiful morning evolved into a beautiful day as we crossed from the shallow Exuma bank into the Atlantic Ocean and continued south for George Town – our last stop on the Exumas chain.

Today was “fishing day”. It seemed we hooked a fish every half hour or so. Of course, after a few barracudas and large mackerels, we were kind of hoping for something that we could filet for dinner.  Yeah, we could have kept a big mackerel – but no - we wanted a decent-sized Mahi. It just didn’t happen today. We did have something big hit the lure and strip out a bunch of line. But he jumped half out of the water once and shook the hook. Still not sure what he was – but I couldn’t reel him in! So, we will continue our quest for fresh fish filets on our journey tomorrow.

Anyway, we cruised in to George Town, capital of the Exumas, at about 3:30pm and tied up next to one of the rickety docks at Exuma Docking Services. It’s not very picturesque here at the “marina” – but it was easier than anchoring, putting the dink into the water, and going into town that way. Literally hundreds of cruisers winter here in George Town every year.  They crowd nearly all the available anchorages and have their own little cliquey society with bingo games, volleyball, pot luck dinners, etc. Although the water is beautiful, the town sure ain't much to look at.  I'm really not sure of the whole appeal when the rest of the Exumas are fabulous.

Anyway, Fred bought some new fishing lures to help snare the elusive Mahi Mahis, Michael went to buy some internet time, and I cut my finger open on the door jamb of the pilothouse. Of course, we all still managed to meet up at the Peace & Plenty bar at the very pink Peace & Plenty Hotel. A few cold Kalik Lights (do you notice a recurring theme here?), some interesting conversation with Lermon, the bartender, and several seriously inebriated customers – and it was time to wander into the dining room for dinner.


The view from our dinner table at the Peace & Plenty

Dinner was nice and the view was terrific. But, we were all bushed and so headed back to the boat before 8. The plan for tomorrow is to rise at our usual witching hour, cast off, and head non-stop to the Turks & Caicos – at least a 32-hour trip. We have been forecast fair winds and calm seas for the next few days, so it is time to put some serious miles behind us. We expect to make landfall at Providenciales around noon on Friday. So there won’t be any blog updates until then.

Finally, I just couldn't resist adding another swimming pig pic!