Bahamas - Exumas, Kieran and Nathaniel come to Visit

Great excitement!!!

Our son Kieran flew into Georgetown on Sunday morning for a 10 day visit, not only to see us, but his business partner, Nathaniel was to fly in on Monday for a week, for them to spend time away from the office strategizing, and working online during the week together. They also factored in time off to explore the Bahamas.

Sunday afternoon also brought our good friends Brad and Johanna of PV Selah, hailing from Savanna, to Georgetown for a night stop en-route to Turks and Caicos. We just had to do and intense catchup for no idea when we’ll see them next. We had dinner aboard Meshugga and also invited our other amazing friends Ian and Margaret of SV Loco Lola 111.

Me, Margaret, Ian, Johanna, Nicholas and Brad (thanks to Kieran for taking the photo).

Nathaniel arrived Monday and we dinghied to February Point’s Rusty Anchor for lunch only to find them closed 🤔

Beautiful vista from the pool deck adjacent the Rusty Anchor

A quick trip to Chat n Chill for cold Kaliks, a keek around and see the friendly Rays.

 

A vote was taken to skip the Fun Regatta events Meshugga had signed up for, and rather do a tour around various Bahama islands, as neither Kieran nor Nathaniel had been to Bahamas before.

We decided to up anchor and take a leisurely sail around the islands north of Stocking. First stop was at White Cay to see the Pigs. We found they had no water and we ran back to Meshugga, numerous times to fill up all our Gallon water canisters and ferried fresh water to fill the Pigs water tanks. They were very thirsty and the big Pigs butted the littler ones out their way until they were so full they lay down in the shade. Only then the littler Pigs could drink. 

Nathaniel with baby Pigs

An overnight stop, and next day to Booysies Cay to see the Geyser.

An afternoon dive on David Copperfield’s Piano at Rudder Cut.

Evening BBQ’s aboard Meshugga

Working whilst dinner is prepped

Cave exploring 

Diving the Grotto at Staniel Cay, where James Bond movie was filmed

Swimming with the Pigs at Pigs Beach at Big Majors

Kieran, who is an excellent sailor, took the Hobie Wave, with Nathaniel as a passenger (as he has no idea how to sail), and sailed the 5 miles from Staniel Cay to Black Point. Taking the shallow route which Meshugga could not, and stopping to dive the Rocky islands en-route they arrived at Black Point much the same time as us on Meshugga.

Drinks and Dinner at Black Point Yacht Club

We sailed back to Georgetown, and had time enough for diving in the Moriah National Park, south of Stocking Island

Final goodbye photo at Island Boy whilst waiting for the Nathaniel’s taxi. It was awesome to meet Nathaniel, and very pleased that Kieran has such a wonderful person as his business partner. FYI see Plinth.com

We got to spend one final night with Kieran, before he flew out next day. All good things come to an end. But it’s just until next time we see him. In the meantime there is Face Time….

As Nathaniel is a Vegan, I made Lobster on a night that Nathaniel was not there. Slathered in Garlic butter and ready for the Grill.

After Kieran left in his taxi, we went to Exuma Market (Supermarket), to re-stock up with fresh produce and bumped into more good friends, Karen and Jerry of Persephone. We arranged to do sunset drinks at the Piano Boat Concert at Sand Dollar beach, both in our dinghies, as Meshugga had anchored at Monument Beach and Persephone at Kidds Beach.

Marvelous music, good company, we had a great evening.

David on The Piano Boat

Pano of about 100 dinghies at the Concert

Jerry and Karen

Stunning Sunset

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….