Time to Re-Provision

Saturday, January 24th: Marsh Harbor

We went through The Whale yesterday morning - escaping at last from Green Turtle Cay. There were rolling swells of 5 feet or so - very manageable seas which made for an easy crossing. It's not that we didn't enjoy our stay in that lovely place - but 5 nights on a small island in not so balmy weather were more than enough and we were glad to be moving once again. Always, after we've had our hot showers and done our exploring and our wash, we're glad to be on the move.


We sailed straight to Marsh Harbor, saying good-bye to Somewhere In Time as they turned toward Guana Cay where they'll stay until Sunday for the Pig Roast at Nippers restaurant and yes, we did sail - turning off our engine for the last half of the trip. It was great to be able to sail again (and save on diesel)!

Marsh Habour is the third largest city in the Bahamas - 5,000 people - so our plan is to take advantage of the large grocery store here to top up on fresh meat and vegetables and canned food supplies before moving south. Once anchored in the bay, we dropped the dinghy and went to have a look. The town is not what I expected - but then - not many places here are. We arrive with experiences of other places to inform our expectations and then nothing matches. True enough, the grocery store is large and well stocked - certainly better than any other we've been to - even the one we were taken to in Freeport - but the town is very different from New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay with its pastel coloured buildings and clean crisp look. Marsh Harbor seemed a little bedraggled, dusty and haphazard. A second visit this morning left us with a revised impression - we walked away from the commercial centre of town along the waterfront and checked out a couple of stores and marinas along the water. This part of the town is a little more "spiffy". Every marina that we've seen so far in the Abacos also has accommodations for land lovers and with that a dining room or snack area as well as pretty surroundings for guests so sit in and take in the sun - like pools or attractive water side decks and outside dining.


We are just beginning to understand what the Bahamas is all about - it's not about wealth - and it's easy going and relaxed with no worries about smart business practices. People we met at Bluff House, Lisa and John, have spent quite a bit of time in the Abacos (and love the area) told us of some of their experiences. For instance, the first time Lisa went to the bakery in New Plymouth, there was no bread. She asked if there would be bread the next day - and the answer was - maybe. Would there be some the following day? again - maybe. That was all the information available about the bread. The bank there is open 2 days a week and opens at 11 - but doesn't always open at 11 - sometimes later, sometimes not. One day the personnel came but couldn't do business because they had forgotten the money. I think that if you are traveling here, you have to understand the slow paced culture and not get fussed.


Last night we had people over for a drink. Kathy and Andy are from Nanimo BC and they had with them Kathy's sister, Gail who is visiting from Sault St. Marie. They have crossed over from Florida four winters ago, liked Green Turtle Cay so much that they decided to leave their boat there. Now they return every winter. Sounds lovely, doesn't it?


Today, we returned to the grocery store and concentrated this time on getting more canned goods. I've not wanted to buy canned veggies (other than corn) because I find them so unappealing but there will be times when we're traveling along Eleuthera and in the Exhumas when fresh anything will be hard to find. We'll also buy more milk in tretra packs - milk packaged this way is expensive but is tasty and can be stored without refrigeration until opened - perfect for a trip like ours.


Tonight we're going with the Mursells for drinks on a boat owned by people they met last night - they graciously included us in their invitation to the Mursells. After that we'll go to Snappas restaurant for dinner and have a listen to the band for the night- Andy and Kathy especially like the band slated to play so it should be fun. We sailors will have to see if we can manage to stay up past 9:00.


P.S. I'm giving up on uploading any more pictures for this posting - the connection seems good until I try to upload and then it times out - and - I've spent long enough sucking up energy from the boat batteries since they are my energy source while we're on the hook. Adios.