Bahamas - Long Island, Calabash Bay

Sunday. We sailed from Thompsons Bay north to Calabash Bay on Long Island where the Cape Santa Maria Resort (from yesterday) is located.

Whilst sailing, and it’s my day to bake bread so I made Two Sourdough Boules, one for Meshugga and one for Sojourn as Karen’s oven is on the blink, a problem with the pilot light..

In the afternoon we decided to explore up the Lagoon - just to see what there was

Awning up for some shade

Mangroves and shallow water

Further in, the Cape Santa Maria Sport Fishing boat is moored

Coming back out, the water is aquamarine with the Resort in the background

Cape Santa Maria Bar for Happy Hour

Lots of Cruisers here to enjoy Happy Hour, there were many dinghies on the beach

Cocktail of the Day is Pina Coladas, with free Conch Fritters.

Another wonderful day

Bahamas - Long Island, Touring Day 2

Day 2 of our Island Touring started with us stopping at Leslie Hardings Workshop to receive our Roller Furler piece that had been Lathed. Perfect, thanks Leslie.

Yesterday we went South, or today our focus is the Northern section of the island

Our first stop is at the very north of this island at the Columbus Monument. It is said that Columbus when discovering the New World he first stopped at San Salvador, Bahamas and then second stop was here at Long Island. 

The start of the staircase to the Monument

Nicholas reading the blurb

Arriving at the top on the viewing platform at the lighthouse the view over the Lagoon is spectacular. The colours amazing.

A brisk wind at the summit and Karen’s hat went flying. She had to go off piste to retrieve it

Onto the viewing platform for the Monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus

Looking back at the Lighthouse, the light has rusted off and is hanging by the electrical wires. I hope someone repairs this soon

Jenny and Karen taking a rest

Back in the vehicle, on our way out we decided to see where the rest of the road went, and found a Park type area with Bar/Restuarant which was not opened and an interesting bridge

Newton Cay FootBridge over the water

We decided to see where the bridge and path went so off we went

To another beach…..

Back in our vehicle…

Next stop is the Exclusive Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort & Villas

Looks fancy (for Bahamas)

This resort is known as a Honeymoon Resort, with beautiful beaches, and amenities

Beautiful Silver Palm, not often seen

We took a walk along the beach to the north and found a shady area under the Casurina trees for a respite from the heat and humidity

Jenny, as always, in the sun

A lagoon comes in here and we watched these two fly fishermen casting for Bone Fish. We did not see them catch.

Next stop is for drinks and lunch and we went to the Moonshine Beach Bar & Grill on the eastern side of the island

Beautifully appointed with stunning views over the beach and ocean, their prices were very high and we decided to do lunch elsewhere

An interesting looking walk, so we followed it

It lead to this beautiful natural ? Nature Pool

Inlets for water on both sides with a sandy bottom.

Back to our trusty steed

Lunch was still on the cards, and after googling we decided that we had had such an excellent meal yesterday at Max’s Conch Shack that we’d drive down south to do it again

Rum punches…

The bar area

Max making his famous Conch Salad

We all had a conversation about what the word Nanana / Manyana means, and I was adamant the Manyana was the Zulu (African) word for tomorrow / later sometime. Nicholas disagreed and we took a bet which I won, $200 dollars, Yay….

Another fabulous day

Bahamas - Long Island, Touring Day 1

We picked up our Rental SUV at 10am and decided to Tour Long Island to the South of Salt Pond.

By the time we stopped for our first expedition, we were ready for a Walking Beer!

 

The start of the Trail to the Shrimp Hole

An easy pleasant walk

At the Hole, peering into the water to spot the Red Shrimp

Looking into the Cave. The water is about 4 foot deep, and extends quite a way. Many people swim here. None of us did. We did however spot numerous Shrimp

Karen and Duane

Nicholas

Jenny

Climbing over the rocks which are all around the Cave entrance

Interesting shapes of Cacti

And some were in bloom

Back at our vehicle, we had parked at the St Mary’s Church which was built in the 1500’s when the Spanish came to Long Island, now it is in ruins

Our next stop is Dean’s Blue Hole, which is the deepest blue hole in the world at 660 foot. It is where all the World Free Diving championships and records are set.

A neat climb up and along the cliff side, gave spectacular views over the blue hole

The guide books said there was a Kiosk Restuarant at Dean’s, but this was all that we found.

Perhaps a local operates it during Free Diving Courses and Championships.

Back in the vehicle, this is the road in and out of Dean’s Blue Hole

Our next stop was at Clarence Town, at the Flying Fish Marina where Tony and Cathy have their Manta 42, SV Skools Out. Tony had a Halyard stuck up almost at the top of the mast, and he and Cathy were not comfortable to go up by themselves to retrieve it. When this was discussed yesterday at Tiny’s, we all offered to come to his yacht and handle going up the mast. However Jenny said she wanted to do it. Something new for her.

Here’s Nicholas helping Jenny with instructions of how to hold onto the mast as she was winched up. Duane and Karen handled the winching (which was electric) as it’s exactly the same on their Manta. I stood around taking photos!

Jenny retrieving the Halyard. The mast is 60 foot tall and she’s about 10 feet from the top.

Having been successful, Duane, Karen and Nicholas gave Tony and Cathy lessons, and Tony went up the mast to the Spreaders, with Cathy winching him up and letting him down.

Tony and Cathy thanked us by taking us all to lunch at the Marinas Restuarant, the Outer Edge Grill

Bright and airy with awesome views over the ocean and marina

My Shrimp Tacos with a wash of Sands Beer

Looking out over the Marina and Pool

Our next stop is the Ruins of Dunmore Plantation. When we got to the end of the road, there is supposed to be a Trail up to the Ruins, but we found none. We went into the scrub, and got through the pricked by thorns and our arms and legs scratched

Looking up the Hill at the Ruins

The car at the end of the Road/track with the Ruins up on the hill in the distance

Onto the Southern most point on Long Island, Gordons Bar

Rum Punches all round

Beautiful Gordons Bay beach

The last outpost across the ponds

Then someone had the idea that we should see the Atlantic side of the island, so we drove down some track towards the ocean

Stopping at the Pans, to look for Flamingoes

Across on the Atlantic seaward side, the wind was brisk and we found an old fishing boat

Our SUV was fine in the sand, but Tony and Cathy’s rental got stuck in the sand. A bit of digging, and then Nicholas drove it backwards and out. All that sand/beach driving skills from Sodwana Bay days being used.

It was dark by the time we stopped at Max’s Conch Shack for a light dinner. I had excellent Conch Salad