Day 252 February 27, 2023

Day 252 Monday, February 27, 2023

Bahamas Bound!

We left the dock at Matheson Hammock at 6:30 to a beautiful sunrise.  We had a peaceful night full of anticipation for the crossing.  Weather predictions for the day were still favorable.  Donna Lynn, an American Tug, would be leading the way, followed by us and Anna Dee, another Mainship.  We crossed Biscayne Bay and traveled out through Biscayne Channel.   The seas were calm and the morning peaceful.  And of course a beautiful sunrise.

  

 

Bahamas Bound!!!

The Biscayne Channel passes through Stiltsville.  The first building on stilts was erected one mile from shore during the prohibition years to bypass gambling restrictions.  It was also a restaurant and sold bait. 

 

Waters remained calm with gentle 5 foot swells that we seemed to ride for most of our 56 mile crossing.  We experienced choppy water about 8 miles from Bimini, but overall a great cruise. The water was a dark blue for most of the way.  We couldn't wait to see the aquamarine waters.  

Three miles out we needed to hang our yellow quarantine flag declaring that we needed to clear Customs.

  These boats were actually white.  The blue water was reflecting on their hulls!

Finally, the water got shallower and the water was so blue and clear that you could see bottom even at 20 feet!  Pictures don't do it justice.  

We have arrived! 

 

The dock hands at Bimini Bluewater Marina are amazing.  The dockmaster greeted us with a smile, and  patiently guided us to our slip and tied us off.  There was a bit of current and tide so it was important to get our lines secured appropriately.  He was very patient with me ("don't worry miss, be careful") as he requested additional lines so that we could tie to pilons and put spring lines in place.

 From there Jerry headed to Customs then Immigration to check us into the Bahamas!  Once he was back  we could hang our Bahamas courtesy flag and I could get off the boat!!

Settled in we were invited on to Anna Dee for celebration docktails.  Tom and Mary Ellen (M.E.) are from Massachusetts and have a 2006 Mainship, like ours only a year older.  They have never owed a boat before. (Gasp!) Patti and Corbin are from Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada.  From there Jerry and I went to dinner at the Big Game Marina just a block away. Be prepared to spend money -- 10% Value Added Tax (VAT), gratuity (15-18%) and fee for using your credit card are automatically added to your bill.  Hamburgers were good and so was the view.

I can't believe we are here.