Exumas!!!

     We left Nassau and went just a few miles to Bottom Harbor, near Rose Island. We explored the uninhabited island and found a hammock there. Erin wanted to sleep out in the hammock that night, but there was impending weather, so she wasn't allowed to do it this time.

     Traveling to the Exumas on the banks was just as beautiful as everyone said it would be. We were in 20-30 feet of water all day, and we could see starfish on the bottom. Our friends on Ruahk asked if any of us would like to be towed along behind them on their kayak. Erin and I took them up on their offer and had a great time enjoying the warm sun and clear water. We anchored at Highbourne Cay (pronounced key) with Ruahk, and after we took Tazzie to shore, we went snorkeling.

The coral and fish were beautiful, and it was fun watching the Ruahk kids spear fish. Spear guns are not legal in the Bahamas, but Hawaiian slings are. Hawaiin slings are five and a half foot spears which you launch from your hand with a sort of slingshot. The boys caught a few small fish.
     We had a peaceful evening on the hook, and the adults came over to visit while us kids all watched movies on Ruahk. The next morning we decided to come into a marina because another front was coming through. Marinas in the Exumas are few and far between, and also quite expensive. To give you an idea, if you wanted to buy a cucumber in the marina store, it cost six dollars and sixty-five cents. If you stay in the marina, you can dispose of your trash for free, however, if you anchor out and bring trash to shore for disposal the first two bags are five dollars each, and twenty-five for each bag after that.

   We've enjoyed exploring the island; there's a long beach here with powdery soft white sand. Mom and Michael borrowed bikes from the marina and rode the length of the island on it's two roads. At one point, they saw a sign for a spring, and since it was a hot day, they followed the sign. They found another sign that pointed into some brush, and after bushwhacking several yards, they found a sign that said "HAH! A spring" pointing to a rusty old metal spring mounted on a tree.  There was also a bench with a bus stop sign. There was a skeleton sitting on the bench, waiting for the bus. (There are no buses here!)
    Since it was a rainy evening, we passed the time playing games. Tomorrow, we'll meet up with Ruahk (who didn't come into the marina) at Shroud Cay, which is part of the Exuma Land and Sea Park.