MORE PHOTOS - HOPETOWN

                                              ATLANTIC OCEAN FROM HOPETOWN INN BEACH BAR

                                                  LUNCH WITH PAM AND STEPHEN (TIDES IN)

                                                         WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SCENE!

                                                      CAPT. BILL LOVES HOPETOWN

                                                        PICTURESQUE DOWNTOWN HOPETOWN

                                                         NARROW STREETS IN HOPETOWN

                                                                                         CUTE SHOP

                                            HOPETOWN ANCHORAGE ON A WINDY DAY

                                                                  HOPETOWN LIGHTHOUSE

                                                    HOPETOWN INN AND MARINA BAR/POOL AREA

                                                               GORGEOUS POOL WITH BAR STOOLS

                                                                     PATTI'S GOING TO TAKE A DIP

                                                        EXITING HOPETOWN HARBOUR

May 25 - We are all headed across the Sea of Abaco to Marsh Harbour, about 10 miles away. 

TILLOO CAY AND HOPETOWN

May 21 - 24 ... We joined the Bahama Bums and all five boats headed south to Tilloo Cay, about 22 miles south of Great Guana.  

 

OPTIMYSTIQUE

                        SERENDIPITY

A LOOK AT THE WATER FROM OMEGA - SPECTACULAR!

We all got settled in at a nice anchorage just off Tilloo Cay.

TIDES IN AND SEPTEMBER SONG AT ANCHOR

 After lunch, we decided to take a dinghy ride down to Sandy Cay, which is within the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park.  It was really choppy, especially as we passed by Tilloo Cut.  Sandy Cay is one of the best snorkeling/scuba spots on the reef in the Abacos as the coral formations rise to the surface.  They have mooring balls to secure dinghys/small boats.

The waves were breaking over the coral, and it looked pretty dangerous, so we snorkeled close to our dinghy.  It wasn't the best time to be there as it was cloudy overhead, but we loved every minute.

We all gathered on the sandy beach at Tilloo for a bonfire and hotdog roast.  What fun!  The boys had a horseshoe challenge.  Stephen and William were victorious!

DID I GET THE RINGER?

OUR BONFIRE AT SUNSET

SUNSET AT TILLOO CAY

A BEAUTIFUL EVENING

On the 22nd we headed back up to Hopetown as unsettled weather was forecast for the next three days with winds up to 40 mph.  Hopetown has a protected harbor with numerous mooring balls and a couple of marinas; we elected to go in to Hopetown Inn and Marina.  Docked in a downpour.  The marina is still under construction, so we didn't have any electric at our slip.  It is a very attractive facility.

                                                                HOPETOWN INN AND MARINA

                                                                  HOPETOWN LIGHTHOUSE FROM OMEGA
By late afternoon the harbor was full of boats, and the inclement weather arrived as predicted.

We invited the "BAHAMA BUMS" over for Happy Hour aboard OMEGA

We went ashore in Hopetown on Wednesday and did a walkabout.  This is our favorite community in the Abacos!!  Scene from Hopetown follow:

                                                                 HOPETOWN SCHOOL

                                             HOPETOWN HARBOUR LODGE OCEANSIDE BAR AND GRILL

More Hopetown photos later...leaving the marina now for Marsh Harbour.

GREEN TURTLE TO GREAT GUANA CAY

May 13 - 16 ... On Mother's Day, we went to St. Peter Anglican/Episcopal Church.  At the end of the service, the priest presented long-stemmed roses to each of the Mothers, which was very special.  It was the longest service we have ever attended - lasted over two hours.  Lots of singing!

We decided to stay over at the Other Shore Club until Thurs. morning so we could go hear Kevin and his band, the Gully Roosters, play at Green Turtle Club on Wed. night.  Rode the scooter well after dark around the island, which was an interesting adventure.  Good thing we had been over there before, as it was really dark and we had some questions about which way was the right way to turn!  Unfortunately, our camera batteries failed so we couldn't capture the moment.  They performed outside on the patio, and it was just so pretty.  Lots of folks dancing and enjoying their music. 

A few fotos taken during our last four days at Green Turtle follow:

                                                   DOCKMASTER KEVIN IN HIS MARINA OFFICE,
                                                           LEADER OF "GULLY ROOSTERS" BAND

                                         ANN, GRANT AND JOHN HEADING OUT FOR AN ADVENTURE

                                           ANOTHER BEACH WALK ON GREEN TURTLE CAY

                                                                                  AREN'T THEY CUTE?

                                      CHAR WALKING UP TO LOWE ART GALLERY - BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS!

LOWE ART GALLERY

GROUNDS AT LOWE'S ART GALLERY

We had Couch Fritters and a Burger at 2 Shorty's in New Plymouth, great little place where the locals gather for lunch.

LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO GET DRENCHED SHORTLY!

WHO CARES IF WE GET WET!  LET'S KEEP WALKING!

May 17-20 ... Off we cruised at high tide about 18 miles south to Great Guana Cay where we anchored in Fisher's Bay.   Between Green Turtle and Guana, we went through the Whale Cay Channel.  Whale Cay Channel is probably the most challenging and notorious passage in the Abacos.  You have to cross through an opening in the reef to go outside into the Atlantic to get around Whale Cay as it is too shallow in the Sea of Abaco there.  In north or east winds, combined current surge and wiind - locally known as rage - can be heavy and dangerous.  Sometimes you have to wait for days until the seas are calm enough.  We had a smooth passage with about two-foot swells. 

VIEW FROM ANCHORAGE AT FISHER'S BAY

 Holding was not too good at Fisher's Bay, and the water was choppy due to exposed winds.  We went for a dinghy ride down to Settlement Harbor to check out where we could go ashore and found that Nippers has a nice dock.  Our anchor wasn't holding well, so we moved to another spot and reset it.  Bill kept an eye on it during the night to make sure we weren't dragging.

We gave a big cheer to welcome the sun on the morning of the 18th.  Went to shore and headed for Nippers on the beach for lunch!  What a place and what a gorgeous beach! The reef, known as the 3rd largest in the world,  is very close to shore.  Went for a walk on the beach - it's was just breathtaking!   Went for a swim behind Omega when we got back.  Tide's In (Stephen and Pam) and OptiMystique (William and Judy) arrived at Fisher's Bay, and Stephen and Pam came by to say hi.  These two boats plus September Song (Bob and Stephanie) and Serendipity (Jay and Nancy) left Marathon April 1st and cruised first to the Exumas before coming up to the Abacos.   

                                              NIPPERS ON THE BEACH AT GREAT GUANA CAY

THIS IS THE LIFE!!!

OMEGA AT ANCHOR AT GREAT GUANA CAY

SUNSET ON THE SEA OF ABACO

On the 19th, we went for a long dinghy ride along Great Guana's shoreline to the south.  Lots of nice homes along the waterfront. 

September Song and Serendipity arrived from Marsh Harbour, and we got to meet Bob's daughter, Patti, who is visiting from Moline, IL. 

                                            BOB, STEPHANIE, AND PATTI CAME OVER TO
                                                                                 SAY "HI!"

Went to welcome and visit Jay and Nancy and visited with William and Judy as well.   It is fun to be with these "Bahama Bums" out here in the Abacos!

                                                                 ANOTHER GORGEOUS SUNSET
Sunday is a big day at Nippers when they have their weekly Pig Roast.  The anchorage filled up with boats, and everyone headed for Nippers at midday!  It was a beautiful sunny day! 

                                                    NIPPERS AT MIDDAY WHEN PIG ROAST BEGAN

Meet our friends, known as the "BAHAMA BUMS!"

                                                           NANCY AND JAY (SERENDIPITY)

                                                           STEPHEN AND PAM (TIDE'S IN)

                                                           BOB AND STEPHANIE (SEPTEMBER SONG)

                                                         WILLIAM AND JUDY (OPTIMYSTIQUE)

The whole gang had a great time at Nippers as you can see.

We were surprised to see Brendal from Green Turtle Cay at Nippers.  Brendal entertained with Kevin at Pineapples when
we were there.  He owns a dive shop next to Green Turtle Club.

                                                 BRENDAL FROM GREEN TURTLE, CHAR AND BILL

       NIPPERS DOES A BOOMING BUSINESS AT

                  THEIR SUNDAY PIG ROASTS.  YOU

       CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT TRYING ONE OF

            THEIR SPECIAL BAHAMIAN DRINKS, MON!

So long for now!  Will be posting our visit to Tilloo Cay and Hopetown soon.