SAMPSON CAY EXUMAS, BAHAMAS
Monday was a slow start to the day. Once everyone was up and about we made our way towards checking out at Staniel Cay. The owners son and his daughter hopped in the dinghy and followed behind us as we pulled away from the dock. There was not a hint of wind in the air. We took the shortcut up to Sampson Cay and the water never got deeper than 12 feet. It was glass calm and as I hung over the bow pulpit an eagle ray soared beneath the boat as we idled past coral heads and white sand. The water was so calm and clear that snorkeling would have been a waste of time. The bottom was in HD. I could almost see the sergeant majors dashing from reef to reef as we sped past.
Upon pulling up to the entrance to Sampson Cay I suggested that tonight would be a perfect night to stay on the hook. The owner loved the idea, we picked our spot and set the anchor. Shortly after setting the hook we took the dinghy in to Sampson Cay marina and had a light lunch. After lunch we went for a long dinghy ride and almost made it to Hall's Pond (Johnny Depp's island). We surfed some lazy swells in a cut on the dinghy and actually got a pretty good ride on an 8-10 foot swell one time...in the dinghy! Don't worry we watched the swells for about 10 minutes before driving in to them and none of them were even coming close to breaking. We washed the water line once we got back to the boat and found that the aft cutlass bearing on the starboard shaft has slid its way out of the strut. This is a big deal, especially considering we don't have the tools to fix it. We put together some ideas to get it back in place but still managed to find a guy to come look at it on Wednesday. After our bottom inspection we went in to the marina for dinner. It was a nice peaceful night.
Tuesday I got up and got the Brownie's Third Lung ready for our trip up to The Aquarium. We had a great breakfast and hopped in the dinghy. It was about a 20 min ride as it was just off of Depp's Island. It did not look like he was there as he was not flying his black pirate flag. We picked up a ball at The Aquarium and dove in. The pull cord for the Third Lung broke so we were stuck with basic snorkeling for the day. We swam all the way around the island and I have to say that it was quite breath taking. The coral was amazing, the fish were everywhere, and the water was clearer than a swimming pool. I will get pictures up soon.
Once back at the dock I got the Third Lung up and running again, rinsed everything down, and put it all away. That took me just about the entire evening.
We had a great pizza up at the restaurant at the marina and as I write this blog we are all standing up from dinner "Let's get together and feel alright" is playing in the background and because it is $2 beer night and free water at the marina the bar is actually really busy. A new reggae song comes on the radio and while I don't recognize it the locals sitting up at the bar start singing along as the cash register opens and slams shut again. "The ring toss" game outside just started as the owner tries his best to land the ring on the hook. I can tell he is getting close, I've heard it hit three times in a row now...no luck yet.
Tomorrow may be the Thunderball Grotto, maybe a beach day...who knows, I can't make those kinds of decisions this far in advance...too stressful.
Sound Waves Out
No comments:
Post a Comment