 Part of our 6mi walk exploring Blackpoint. While there is one main paved road we also found the barely used trails which skirted the airport and eventually lead back to town. |
 Mamas coconut bread which you purchase from Mama inside her home at her kitchen counter. |
When we got back to the boat the anchorage had filled up with other boats and it was nowhere near as calm as when we had left. We sat on the boat rocking and rolling for 10 minutes debating when the supposed wind shift was actually going to happen. It was when everything slid off the counters onto the floor we looked at each other and said “let’s get out of here”. We quickly retreated ~12 miles back to Staniel Cay to our same anchor spot (Between the Majors) which we had left that morning. It was definitely the right decision.
Next day we again pointed south but this time dropped the hook at Little Farmers Cay, ~18 mi away. We were glad the weather cooperated and we could get there for the 5F event (First Friday in February at Farmers Festival). We read that the island is 3 miles long and has ~55 permanent residents. The number of people swelled when 60+ cruising boats came into the anchorages and the Mailboat brought dozens of locals from the nearby islands for the festival.
 Hard to get lost on Farmers Cay but just in case you do … |
 Fresh conch salad for lunch. Tropical version (left) was sweet with mango and pineapple. The original (right) had more of a hot pepper flavor. |
 This guy has amazing knife skills, it was mesmerizing to watch him make our salads and not lose a finger. |
 The Mailboat unloading racing boats. The 5F Festival includes 2 days of racing in Class C Bahamian Sloops. |
We jumped in the dingy and watched the start of the first race. Racing starts by pulling up your anchor at the start line and raising your sail as fast as you can.
 Bahamian Sloop race |
 Races under way. |
 Kent and Penny heading back to our boat at sunset. |
After a few days at Farmers we again were ready for a change of scenery and headed a few miles south to Rudder Cut Cay. The islands around here are mostly owned by David Copperfield and for those with a little extra change you can rent a room from him. It is just $37,000-$52,000 / night (with a 4 night minimum)!
Just off of one of Copperfield’s islands is a sunken sculpture which was fun to snorkel.
 Mermaid & Piano Sculpture |
 Rudder Cut Cay anchorage was a winner for us – we shared it with only 3 other boats, there was beach for Penny and some good swimming/snorkeling nearby. |
The one thing that has not been mentioned is just how much of a small world it can be. Take for example at Staniel Cay we are walking the town with Jan & Stacy (who are from Seattle) and we run into a cruising family from Seattle. Then at Blackpoint the next day we meet a couple who used to live in Eastern Oregon. Finally we are at Little Farmers Cay and see a guy wearing a Por Que No? shirt (local Portland restaurant known for great tacos). Kent strikes up a conversation, quickly confirm he is from Portland but then discoves he is a nephew of someone who Kent has sailed in Portland with for many years. It is a small small world at times.
The small world moments are not to be overshadowed by the fact that we have met wonderful people from other parts of the US/world. As an example we were docked between 2 boats at Highbourne Cay, both of which are from the East coast. We saw them again for a day when we were at Cambridge and then again at Little Farmers. Wonderful people who we hope to connect with again when we get back on The Loop and move up the coast and toward the towns they have their “dirt homes” in. Traveling has opened up our opportunities to meet people who we would have never met otherwise.
We are currently on our way to Georgetown where we will pick up Kent’s parents in a few days for their visit aboard Heartbeat.