Bahamas - Exumas, Cruisers Fun Regatta

On Sunday morning, 19 February, after the Valentine’s Party we left as it was good winds to sail to Georgetown, we anchored overnight firstly at Flamingo Cay, and the second night on the bank near to the the Cut. 

Our buddy boat was Dale on MokaKat, and thanks to him for this photo and video below.

Going thru the Cut at 8.30am High Tide

Nicholas being vigilant and following a previous route of ours. We had 30cm under our skegs at the shallowest over the Hard Bar.

We anchored at Sand Dollar Beach, Stocking Island, George Town, amongst 350 other yachts.

By sheer good luck, as there was a ‘hole’ close to the shore, and we  anchored one yacht behind the Piano Boat. David hosted one of his iconic concerts. Cruisers in their dinghies come and raft up with libations and snacks and enjoy his music for 90 minutes.  We were lucky to be able to sit in our Fly Bridge and hear the superb music.

It looked like a City at night

Wednesday was Registration for the Cruisers Regatta, and I went ashore to Chat n Chill to register Meshugga for a few events.

First up on Thursday was the Poker Run, and we met all the other Cruiser contestants at Chat n Chill to receive instructions for the Game.

Our crowd 

Map of where we had to go to get our Poker Cards. The participants have no order in which to go to collect Cards

Everyone sets of in their own dinghies to the various Bars and Restaurants to collect Poker Cards

First up is Splash in Augusta Bay

By this time is around noon, and beers all round

Next was a ride south to February Point, straight into the wind and swell, so we all got a little wet

Local Kalik Beers, and we chose the Rusty Anchor Restuarant as our Lunch stop

Next up is Georgetown, and the Exuma Markets dock is pretty full of Dinghies

Our first stop is the Peace and Plenty Hotel

Cocktails, Frozen Mango Daiquiri for me and Frozen Mojito for Nicholas

In between there were additional stops at Shirleys, Eddie’s Edgewater and Choppies to collect more Cards.  Libations flowing freely at all.

And then it was across the bay to Kahari Resort, Peace n Plenty Beach Club

I was asked by the Bar staff to exchange caps….

Maragaret of Loco Lola 111

Lastly back to Chat n Chill at 4.30pm to see who had the best Poker hand to win a bottle of Local Bahamian Rum.

Meshugga did not win. We had Two Jacks and Two Tens……. Four Queens won!    Fun Day

Friday was the Variety Show, where Cruisers show off their talents in a 2 hour concert.  More Loads of Fun

Ian of Loco Lola 111 with his band of Cruiser musicians (my video is too large to upload 🙁)

Amy and Guy 

Amy with JellyBean

The weekend was the Big Boat Races in the Bay, which we did not do, big heavy cat that we are. But Saturday was the Fun Boat Parade, and once again we were anchored in a great place with the procession coming directly in front of Meshugga.

Dressed as Port and Starboard

Having a Whale of a Time

Dressed Yacht

Halloween and not sure

Dressed Trawler

Not sure

Sunday will be fun, Kieran arrives….

Bahamas, Ragged islands, Hog Cay, Valentines Party

Once again Maxine out did herself with awesome catering for a Fun Filled Day.

Two days prior, the Cruisers got together ashore at the Hut to get the area ready for the festivities, as it was expected that there would be at least about 100 people at the Party.

Holes were dug, to plant poles using sea water and sand to ‘cement’ the poles to hold up shade cloth

One final pole was required and the girls went across the island to the seaward side to find a long bamboo pole was ashore to use as a centre pole to hold up the shade cloth

Using that long Bamboo pole

Finally all done, and the Welcome Sign hung up

On Saturday, the local fisherman ferried a Generator and all the food, made by Maxine and her group of ladies.

All the Cruisers contribute $25 per person for the Luncheon, as Maxine pays for everything herself. The locals do not pay for lunch, so our contribution is set to re-imburse Maxine. 

Carrying the Generator Ashore

Dinghies ashore, there are about 45 yachts in the bay.

Below is a sample of the various photos everyone posted to our Group page. Most are only of our Friends, as we don’t know all 90 odd Cruisers at the Party today.

Carrying the dishes of food to the fire pit to keep warm

Duane decanting Conch Fritter batter into a bowl from a 5 Gallon bucket

Karen frying Conch Fritter with Karen and Jerry looking on

Carol walking round handing out bowls of Conch Fritters to parties and tables of Cruisers

Maxine

The queues lining up to get Lunch

Maxine’s excellent Goat Curry

Dessert Tables, provided and boat made by Cruisers. I did Chocolate Brownies.

Ryan of Wabi Sabi and Jelly Bean

Dale and Debbie of MokaKat

Sam and Cindy of Bookend

Karen trying on a Junkanoo Headress

Saber and Cindy of Bookend

Karen of Persephone and me

Cindy and Ami of Wabi Sabi

Jerry of Persephone

After Lunch it was the Auction, where the Cruiser donate unwanted gently used or new item to be auctioned off either to the Locals or other Cruisers

Some of the Loot donated

Auctioning 3 Gecko Floating Air Loungers that Meshugga donated

Later in the afternoon, the music was playing and everyone was getting into a groove

Drone shot of the Valentine Party people

Fun day…..