Georgetown

The Bahamas has a few cruising Meccas and one of them is Georgetown, Exumas.  We have been here for two weeks, which is a relatively short stay as many cruisers make this their home for the entire winter season.  One reason we have been here for so long is that we were waiting for some parts to come in for the head and fridge, and shipping to the Bahamas is a long, slow process, but it turns out that we might have stayed here for two weeks even if we hadn't had that complication.

Georgetown has lots to offer crusiner.  First of all there is a nice large protected harbour with room for many hundreds of boats.  When we came in from the north we counted over one hundred boats before we anchored and we were only about half way down.  And this isn't even the busiest time of the season - that happens when there are regattas in town.

Georgetown and Stocking Island with Elizabeth Harbour between them

The Stocking Island side of the harbour is where all the cruiser action happens.  There is a beach bar called Chat 'n' Chill which is the central hangout.  Every day at about 2pm cruisers and locals alike gather for volleyball, dominoes, and drinks. On other beaches on the island cruisers organize water aerobics, music lessons, pot lucks, and campfires. A resort on the island hosts poker twice a week (Reg was pretty happy about that). Stocking Island is also covered with hiking trails which provide a way to see Exuma Sound on the ocean side of the island.

Bahamian sloops resting before the big Family
Islands Regatta which takes place every year at the end of April

A team out practicing

Sign post at the Chat 'n' Chill

1200 or so nautical miles to home

Another sign from home

We spent a fair amount of time with a group of other cruisers in Georgetown - some whom we had been running into (not literally, don't worry Aunt Wendy!) over and over again since Bimini.  One afternoon we all gathered on a trimaran belonging to one of them and went out fishing.  Shortly after that we said goodbye as they all headed further south.

The boys hanging out

Ned took the boys out and taught them how to dive using a hookah which is a line attached to the air tank in the boat so you don't need to carry it with you on your back.

Riley relaxing

Tim (owner of the boat) and Stuart relaxing after diving

Tim was excited about the Lobster he caught, Riley wasn't so sure

Speaking of lobster, a few days later Sam caught this beauty.  Amazing what you can do with a cheap snorkel mask, a basic set of fins, and a spear attached to a bit of rubber hose (a.k.a. a Hawaiian sling)

                                                                                       

One of the hiking trails on Stocking Island.  This one took us to the top of Monument Hill.

Sam and me on Monument Hill.

When we got to the top of the hill we could see that cruisers had written their boat names with rocks in the sand.  We had to go back a few days later to add ours.  Sam insisted it be the biggest one on the beach.

Sam was braver than I when investigating termite mounds. 
Well, we don't actually know they were termites - we didn't get THAT close!

If his expression were a little more serious I think Riley could use this as the cover for his debut album.

On one of our hikes we found yet another little cruiser monument - this one was a fishing net where people leave lost shoes.  It was at the end of a trail appropriately called "Shoe Tree Trail"

The hiking up and over the island was definitely
worth it for the amazing ocean views

Sam hidden by glasses and Riley hidden by hair but at least they both agreed to a photo

Binary sitting peacefully at anchor.  Yes, our fenders are hanging out but that is where other cruisers would tie up their dinghies when they came visiting.

  

Not so peaceful at anchor after this large charter catamaran invaded.  I actually called the charter company to let them know the captain was an a**hole in case he was an employee of theirs but they rented it out "bareboat" which means they don't supply the captain.

A relaxing afternoon for me...

... and a working afternoon for Sam as
our neighbours got him to go up their
mast to fix their anchor light. He was
paid handsomely in cash and snacks.