Sailed to Long Island this morning with CKll. Winds were slow at first but then built to where we were able to sail for about 2 1/2 hrs and then motor sailed for the last three. Took us almost 7 hrs to go 35 miles. The first news we were hit with upon our arrival was that the Sea Breeze resort had closed it's doors that morning. Meaning.....no laundry, no wifi, no restaurant, no pool, and no bar. What a great disappointment. :(
Jan. 17
Another great day! CKll, Glory Days, Margarita, and Peace and Quiet walked up to the Farmer's Market this morning. Lots of nice thing, but we only walked away with a large papaya for $1.25.
Next was a stop at the marine store. Very nice with everything you could want...although he didn't have any eggs.
On to the grocery store. This could give Superstore a run for its money in about a twentieth of the size. It had everything! Now you have to understand how amazing this all is when you realize that there is "nothing" here in the way of businesses. Guess that partially explains the closing of the resort.
On our way back to the dinghies, we stopped in to reserve a rental car with CKll. It was nerve racking as one of the guard dogs jumped at stoner who was in Marks arms. Mark managed a very nice elbow to the dog, knocking out the dogs wind, but came away with a hole in the sleeve of his new T-shirt. This could have gone so many ways of wrong. What if the dog had reached Stoner...or what if Kay had been holding Stoner. Oh My!
At noon we went back for the car and started driving south. We had two amazing highlights on this day trip. The first was our stop for lunch at Forest Restaurant #2. We had a hamburger and fries for $6.00 and the guys had the Forest burger and a conch burger for just a little more. Everything was made fresh and it was so so good. There's nothing at home that can compare to these burgers. None of us had supper that night.
The next stop was the world famous Deans Blue Hole. This is the world's deepest salt water blue hole (at 600+ feet) and the 2nd deepest blue hole of all fresh and salt water holes. International competitions are held here twice a year for free diving. This is an extreme sport were divers free dive (that is without use of any breathing apparatus) also called One Breath, in three categories - without fins, with fins, and with the aid of the line. Watch a Utube Video. These guys are nuts. The record, without fins is 101 meters.
We spent some time shelling and found several sea beans and two hamburger nuts.
Then it was on to Clarence Town to look up Daphne and Cleopatra. Mark and Kay met them 2 years ago while here and wanted to try and find them again. What a surprise when they asked someone and she kindly led us to Cleopatra's house. We met Cleopatra, 21, her mother Marie, and her aunt CaraMae. We were saddened to hear that her sister Daphne had passed away. As in two years ago, we took their picture and promised to send it to them.
Last stop of the day was at a run down church built in the 1500's. I think I got some nice pictures.
Jan. 18
Today was an early start at 7:30 as the car had to be back by noon. This time we headed north, arriving at Cape Santa Maria Resort for coffee and light breakfast. The place is beautiful and we're looking forward to bring our boats here to Calabash Bay to relax on the beach and enjoy the resort. Onward to the Columbus Monument which is a drive through the middle of nowhere, but wonderful views when we got there. Of course it is claimed that Christopher Columbus discovered Long Island, although there are others that say he just ran into it. Now off to Stella Maris Resort on the Atlantic side of the island. This place is out of this world. We walked around one of the cottages to find a pool with all kinds of outdoor living space overlooking the ocean. A path led down to another salt water pool built out of the coral. Unbelievable. We decided four couples could share the cost of renting the place as there were 4 large bedrooms, large living room and bar area plus dining room. No sweat. Only about $5,000/week, plus $12.00/night/person for housekeeping and electrical, plus $70/day/person for two meals plan plus 7.5% VAT plus 15% gratuity. Gosh...where do we sign up? Of course all good things must come to an end. Walking along the path in front of the main office, with me in the lead of course, I see the tail end of a snake just leaving the path. Of course, not believing what I see, I continue to look at the snake to finally realize that the body keeps going, and going. Turns out to be a boa constrictor, about 6' long. Apparently these are an endangered species on the island. How is it, that me...having the worst kind of fear of snakes....am able to cross paths with an endangered species...probably something most of the locals haven't seen!!! Okay...so cancel my reservation at the Stella Maris!
Luckily, this was our last stop before returning the car, because at this point I have broken out into a sweat and my stomach wants to leave my body. I can't believe I remained cool enough to take pictures of the snake. Got back to the boat and have been lying low trying to settle my stomach...with visions of snakes dancing through my head.
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