Day 257 - 258, March 4 & 5, 2023

 

Day 257 Saturday, March 4, 2023

Happy Birthday Jerry!!

The plan was for more exploring by bike of the island and then lunch to celebrate the birthday boy.  While we were checking out the beach at the cruise ship pier one of the resort “trolley” operators quizzed Jerry about his bike.  We met him 3 different times on our ride – he was determined to get Jerry to sell him his bike! 

                   View of town from Bluewater Marina.

 We ate lunch at 3 Daughters Restaurant. Sharon had tried to get a lobster dinner at their food truck yesterday but found them closed.  She was disappointed today as the lobster was “cracked", meaning battered and fried.  It was not what she had seen on the food truck.  I had a shrimp wrap that was good.

Too full from our late lunch we enjoyed the sunset on the beach and then snacked and played Wizards. We have been waiting out the weather; it looks like we can finally move on to the Berry Islands tomorrow. 

  

 

  

Day 258 Sunday, March 5, 2023

Bluewater Marina, Bimini to Great Harbour Cay Berry Islands, Bahamas

We were underway at 6:30am, anticipating a long day.  We rubbed our St. Brendan medals and headed back out the channel between North and South Bimini islands.  It wasn’t long and we had dolphins in front of us.  We take that as a good omen for our crossing.

  I got lucky this time and could get a pic.

A cruise ship was coming into port as we passed the north end of the island.  A pilot boat came out and requested that we pass at the stern of the ship.  They actually turn around and back into the pier for docking. 

Our passage was flat calm.  The water so clear that you can see ripples in the sand.  I actually saw starfish lying on the bottom in 15 feet of water! 

 The water is SOOO blue.

We traveled with Call Me Curly and came across another Looper, Witness.  We last saw them at the AGLCA Rendezvous at Paris Landing, Tennessee.   They were also headed to Great Harbour Cay but planned on anchoring out for the night.  

 Great Harbour Cay is right next to Coco Cay; the island is owned by Royal Caribbean.

We were able to make reservations at the marina after a couple of phone calls.  Each call had directed us to call back later.  On the last call we were told that they had room for us and we were all set; call when we got to the channel. 

When we arrived at 5:10 no one answered our call or radio.  I checked their hours (Waterway Guide publication is a great resource) and found another number.  It happened to be the cell number of the dock master.  I explained the situation but he was in Nassau!  He said he would see what he could do.  In the mean time we were going to take what we could find.  The dock master got in touch with a dock hand and although they were “closed” we each got slips and registered at the office.  What a way to end a 10 hour travel day.

We were greeted by several dock cats hoping for attention and food.  Instead we shared happy hour with Call Me Curly, had tacos for dinner and then …. Wizards, of course!