Moving Around in Elizabeth Harbour

Yesterday (March 19), Peter spent more time in the engine room while I made meals, tidied up the boat and finished listening to the audiobook of Black Cake. Around 3 p.m., we pulled up anchor to seek a calmer and less crowded anchorage. We headed south in the harbor and an hour later anchored east of Isaac Cay just offshore from Great Exuma. Protected by the low hills from the south wind, this anchorage had much calmer water. Even though the Bahamian water still dazzles with various shades of turquoise, aqua, and deep and light blues, they lack their usual crystal clarity. The days-long high winds and waves have stirred the sandy bottom, so visibility has been greatly reduced. I am hoping it clears soon because I can't wait to snorkel again.

Laundry drying on the lifelines

View of no other anchored boats east of Isaac Cay

After Peter had his afternoon tea and I hung out laundry which had washed our small machine while we had the engine on, we hopped in the kayak and paddled to shore, where the scrub-covered, jagged limestone cliffs were dotted with caves. The one directly off our bow had collapsed in two places. Another one was wide and had ceilings just high enough that we could paddle in. Reflections of the blue water tinged the lighter colored stone, and we found light pouring through a diagonal hole from the ground above.

Cave with double collapse

Keyhole cave

Blue reflections on underside of cave opening

Tan colored rock in the hole through the cave

We paddled around Isaac Cay and over to Red Shanks anchorage to visit our friends on S/V Perseverance. We only stayed a short time to chat because we wanted to get back to Mantra before sunset. The distance between us was just over one nautical mile.

Sunset from the kayak

This morning, after listening to the 8 a.m. cruisers' net on VHS, we pulled up anchor and made our way to Red Shanks, which offers protection from wind from any direction. Although light SW to NW winds are predicted for today, NE wind at 15-20 knots is anticipated Tuesday and Wednesday, with some rain and possible thunderstorms and squalls.

After I hung another load of laundry on the life lines, we had a late breakfast. The sky grew darker and it started to spit rain, but I figured the clothes could use an extra rinse. Actually, the rain was light and didn't last long, and we have partial sunshine again as I write. We are hoping for heavy rain so that we can collect water into the tanks.

This morning, the boats in the harbor were fascinated with a helicopter flying around Great Exuma and over the harbor with five men dangling, one above the other, from a long rope. The helicopter has been identified as DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration), so it assumed that they are training to be ready to jump into the jungle for raids.

DEA helicopter with five dangling men

A couple from an aluminum hull boat anchored nearby came to visit. Quite a few people are interested to look about a Sundeer vessel, and we always get compliments (even though we did not design the boat).