BAHAMAS BOUND

May 5 - 8...OMEGA left her home port on Sat., May 5,  and headed up Hawk's Channel to Key Largo.  Went in to top off our fuel tanks and before we were full, the marina ran out of diesel.  Ended up spending the night at their fuel dock and finishing up in the morning.  Decided to anchor off Rodriquez Key for the day as we both needed to "catch our breath" from all our efforts prepping for the cruise.  Rodriquez Key is about three miles offshore from Port Largo canal.

Bill was concerned about one of our batteries.  After checking it, he determined that all six of them needed to be replaced.  We spent the afternoon getting them out of the engine room, loaded on our tender using the davit to lower them and taking them to shore where two guys from Advance Auto met us with six new batteries.  Each battery weighed 65 pounds.  What a strenous effort for Bill!  Naturally it was low tide when we got to shore, so getting the old ones off the tender and loading the new ones was another challenge!  Back to OMEGA we went, and then we repeated the process of off-loading them and getting them back down into the engine room.  Not exactly what you would call a restful day!

We headed out on Sunday and crossed to Bimini (about 85 miles).  A beautiful cruising day!  Gorgeous water, smooth seas!  Who could ask for anything more?  Arrived at Bimini Sands Marina on South Bimini about 3:45.  Really nice place and very reasonable!

                                                                                  BIMINI SANDS MARINA

First requirement is to check in with Bahamian Customs.  Bill took a taxi to the airport to make us legal!

                                                                 CHAR COMPLETING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

We took an old multi-colored shuttle bus several miles down a dirt road to enjoy our first conch dinner at The Square Grouper at Bimini Beach Club. 

                                                                        LEAVING SOUTH BIMINI - GORGEOUS WATER

Higher seas and windier conditions are expected soon, so we decided we better cruise on to Port Lucaya on Tuesday, May 8.  Cruising from Bimini to Port Lucaya takes you across the Northwest Providence Channel (very deep open water).  After midday the seas picked up and were very sloppy.  Thanks to our stablizers, we weren't uncomfortable, but our autopilot went crazy and couldn't maintain a steady forward course.  Capt. Bill took care of the problem, but it wasn't relaxing, for sure.

                                                        APPROACHING PORT LUCAYA ENTRANCE

OMEGA DOCKED AT PORT LUCAYA MARINA

We arrived at Port Lucaya Marina about 4:30 PM and were happy to set foot on land again.    Port Lucaya Marina is a colorful place with lots of activity at dockside at the Port Lucaya Marketplace.   We enjoyed walking about and observing everything.  Island music played at Count Basie Square continuously until 11 PM.  We went to the Treasure Bay Casino nearby and had fun losing the grand sum of  $3 in the slots - that didn't take long!  It appears that the economy is taking a toll on tourism from what we've seen so far, which is sad.

Scenes around the marina at Port Lucaya below.

                                                              CAPT. BILL AT PORT LUCAYA MARINA

                                                HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING
                                                             PORT LUCAYA MARKETPLACE

                                                                          LIGHTHOUSE AT PORT LUCAYA

                                                                  LIFE IS GOOD AT PORT LUCAYA

                                                                                          THIS IS NOT OMEGA! 

It's Wed., May 9 - not sure if we're leaving for Great Sale Cay soon or not.  Weather looks a little "iffy" at the moment.  We won't be posting for a good while after we leave as we will be anchoring out  in rural areas for probably ten days or so.