Hawks Bill Cove

Tonight is the night! It is the last night of mine in the Bahamas. The moon is almost full and is creating a silver pathway on the water. It is beautiful. The plan is to be "on the road" tomorrow morning at 8am. So I'm going to get up early for one last swim in the Bahama's beautiful water.

Hawks Bill is on Stirrup Cay in the Barry Islands. Tomorrow night the moon's beauty will be drowned by the lights of Ft. Lauderdale. BUT Being in FL means civilization which is very exciting. Just imagine phones that work and internet! woohoo!!

Things on the boat are good. Everyone is anxious to get to civilization though. Mr. is doing very well...although travel days are hard on him as he can't do as much with the boat rocking but they are good as well as it give him a chance to catch up on his sleep which is good.

The run today was nice and uneventful. So I don't have much to report!

So now the pictures

We are back in Treasure cay and I took my laptop into town and have been happily surfing the web for the past hour and a bit. Oh the things that you miss. I have downloaded a few pictures of the places I have been while I've been unable to get on the internet so you can all see what I've been up to :P

We are going to be here at Treasure until the end of the week and then we will be off the FL. I really haven't been up to much lately as I am still struggling with a cold. UGH. I'm going to head back to the boat though so that I can monkey around a bit either on the kayak or Mark's wind surfboard...we'll see.

I finally got the FINAL version of the paper into IFESS so that is good. Now I need to start working on the next one!!

Honestly I don't recognize Treasure it is fairly BUSTING with people under 85! It is pretty cool. Maybe tonight we'll come into town for the Tuesday night bonfire...We'll just have to see how things go with Mr. Suposedly there are going to be 7 kids on board this afternoon SO that should be fun...

Enjoy the pictures!

Georgetown, Exumas 

Atlantis 

Bev and I at Atlantis 

Ship broken

Oh dear! So we won't be in Nassau by tonight. Infact we will be happy if we manage to limp to Geargetown, in the Exumas!

Last night we were all watching Radio in the crew mess and the ship was humming along happyily...then something started to sound a bit funny. Within 2 minutes we had ground to a halt. The guys went running to find out what was wrong. The report came back that something was wrong with the starboard engine but that we could still get underway with just on engine and only loss about 1 knot. So off we went again. And things were running smoothly until 6 am when we came to a halt again this time there was something wrong with port engine -- an engineer's and Captain's worst nightmare. We were literally a cork in a big ocean! a drift and a float for about an hour and a half! Thank goodness we were in a flat calm! Now at 9:30am on Monday we have come to a stop again...I'm not sure what is wrong this time but hopefully we will be underway again soon. Our engineer is really good - and I'm not worried about my safety BUT this is making things REALLY tense on board for everyone. I think Martin, the engineer, is ready to blow the boat up! hehe!

Anyways this put's a monkey wrench in everyone's plans. Becky's boyfriend is going to be in Nassau without her and I may not get to do my shopping - not to mention what this will do for the plans for the rest of the trip....I'll keep you all posted.

Try NOT to worry...I am safe, just not going anywhere in a hurry!

My first Rsgatta

Today swing on the hook off Georgetown in the Exumas I watched a regatta from the aft deck of a MegaYahct...there are so many reason why I never thought that, that sentecne would NEVER come out of my mouth..but it really happened!!

The regatta was pretty funny there was not much wind and so it really required large amount of skill. Which this one team had none of... after picking 4 failing lines the FINALLY got accross the finish line which was right off our stern. We cheered them on. It was fun.

I also swam 10 laps around the boat! woohoo!!

Tomorrow we are off to Nassau ....again hopefully the boat won't break!

Sick on a boat

Well,

Nassau second time around was even better. I enjoyed two great days there going for runs, visiting downtown nassau, bargining at the straw market. And then came the night out!

WE all got dress up in epilet shirts (Cameron and I had to borrow) and black pants to accompany Mr. and Mrs. to dinner at the 5 twins resturant in Atlantis. Now for those of you who do not know what an epilet shirt is it is the white button down shirt that comes with stripped epilets (bars) on your shoulder, Very navy. hehe!! What a spectacle we made. Three guys all over 6'2" lead the way followed by three more guys one puching mr. in his wheel chair, followed by four girls and one more guy escorting mrs. All of us in uniform (except for Mr. and Mrs. who were dressed formally)! To put it in the words of one tourist - WOW. We were all kind of self consious about being a bit on parade...but the more I thought about it the more I thought...here I am being treated to a meal that was amazing (you don't want to know what the bill came to) and I'm going to be a part of a story for SO many tourists and that is pretty cool. So I revealed in being a spectacle.

Upon returning to the boat I began to feel kind of sick and to make a long story short I lost the next two days fighting terrible cold! Let me just say being sick on land sucks -- but being sick on a boat is even worse!! Oh well I think the worst is over with and we are back in the Abacos (near treasure) so I'm in my old stomping grounds! Their son and his wife and kids are here for the next week and so there is going to be quite the string of parties! FUN!!

Collection of islands

3. HighBourne Cay

Was my own personal aquirium. We did not go ashore here just were "hanging on the hook" which means we were at anchor. The boat has underwater lights that get turned on everynight and tend to attract local ocean inhabitants. I saw my very first ever wild Sea turtle. It was so amazing and it was so close that I could have reached out and touched it!! Very cool. Later we tried our hand at fishing and I actually caught a little plump baby king fish. SO pretty, but we threw him back. It was very fun!

4. Georgetown, Exumas

We made a run for it. A weather report came in saying a front was on its way so we ran for the nearest and most protected anchorage. It was Georgetown in the exumas. That night we saws the storm off in the distance. Lightening and rain and crazy wind. So we were happy to be where we were. We stayed there for 4-5 days. There wasn't much in town. A small place that thrives on the toursits who come in. WE took a taxi to the nearest resort, a four seasons. It was odd because although it was beautiful it was strangely out of place. It didn't match the island at all. Personally I didn't like it that much I would much rather go to Elbow Cay and rent an adorable cottage then go to a stuffy resort like that! Besides it was like $6770 for a suite for one night ... can't really afford that! The night before we left there was another storm that came through and this one hit us. It was one of the more beautiful things that I have seen. Winds were recorded at 63 knots! Which is a little 63 miles/hour (conversion is 1.1xxx).

5. Rum Cay

Population 85 plus one horse! It was this tiny little island. We went ashore to go for a run, Seb and I. Mark Bev and Becky went to go hang out at the beach to swim and find a bar. the run was amazing I got to see the island which was beautiful. And then upon our return to the beach I foud three beautiful conch shells. It was cool. Everyone returned to the bar later that night except Mark, Becky and I. I was working, Becky fell asleep, and Mark was on watch. The funny thing is was that there were 20 people at the bar which workes out to a quater of the population -- pretty funny!

6. MyIguna

Holy huge unknow things in the water! They didn't come out until night but they were huge it sounded like someon was out there swimming. We didn't acutally go ashore. Ilan caught a large (size of a dinner plate) blue fish I tried but had no luck. The stars were amazing I was out on the bow until 1 am mesmerized by the stars! INCREDIBLE. Only the ships light were there to take away from there brilliance.

So now you are caught up! Sorry again for the length of this. Just be glad that I only put in the highlights! hehe

 oh and I forgot one Long Island but I only saw it from a distance so I don't have much to say about that stop :P

1. Guana Cay and Nassau

A  little island not far from treasure we stopped in here to take Mr. to lunch at a place called Nippers. Mr. and Mrs. wanted everyone to come to lunch with us but Martin had things to do and Captian Bob stayed behind on watch. The rest of us went it! It was Halirous! First the island was really neat and Nippers was a cool place. The beach was stunning and I picked up several more sheels for my collection after lunch. But first back to lunch. We were all in uniform (Mr. and Mrs. excepted) and so when we arrived at Nippers we created quite a stir. Imagine sitting at a beach bar/resturant enjoying some sun and relaxation when out of the corner you see someone in a white golf shirt and Kaki shorts nothing too unsusal but a bit formal considering you are in a swim suit and straw hat. Then you look again and there is not one but 9 people all young fit and fairly attractive bustling around to older people makeing sure that they are happy, comfortable and safe and they are all dress exactly the same!! We created quite the stir. I don't think I have ever come so close to feeling like a movie star! I think everyone was trying to figure out who we worked for!

2. Nassau

Our next stop and in actuality we spent more time on Paradise island as that is where the Marina was. We docked at Hurricane Hole and Atlantis was like a two minute walk away. We were there for a few days and so I go to spend a little time ashore. It is tough though casue when ever Mr. wants to go out both Cam and I have to work even though one of us is technically off...So sometimes it doesn't work out to mean alot of time off. I explored the aquiriums at Atlantis (Huge an Beautiful fish - and when I say HUGE I'm talking like as big or bigger than a typical backyard! - the aquirum not the fish although there was this HUGE Manata Ray it is the biggest thingin water that I have ever seen...it looked like it would gladly swallow me whole and not even notice!), went for a run, hung out in the local hangouts and just basically goofed off. I didn't get much of a chance to shop and so upon our retun I hope to get into Nassau to shop a bit -- see what I can find! I guess the higlights of this stop was the dinner that Mr. and Mrs took us too. We went to Huntington Hartford's Home (aka. The Ocean Club) on Paridise island. It was like a fairly tale. Like I'd gone to sleep and worken up as a Bahamian Princess! hehe. I mean it was magical that is the best way to describe it. (I actually worte a bit on it BUT won't include it now...this blog is too long already and I've only done two stops). The second higlight was when Mark, Ilan, Bev and I were in Atlantis late one night and Bev who is also a concert pianst asked a staff memeber if she could play the piano -- WOW is she good. And it was fun cause she taught me a part of a duet and we played it and managed to gather an audience of two (outside of our own party!! hehe it was fun!

This post was suposed to be first BUT...

Well I think I have this figured out. Thanks to a friend who emailed me letting me know that my posting is working so I will now get back into the habbit of writting blogs for your entertainment and information. However I will not be able to post pictures until I get internet access again.

No so this blog is NOT insanely long I'm going to give you a brief break down of the past two weeks. And leave it at that. If I were to put in all the detials this blog would be pages long SO I'll save details for lunches and dinners upon my return. hehe.

So the boat arrive in Treasure and I don't think that Cameron and I could have been more excited! I was expecting a big boat - but she is bigger than I was expecting! and Beautiful!! when you see her sitting in the brillant blue water she just WOW! I boarded her later that night and then I was home (well until May that is). My stateroom/cabin is beautiful! I feel SO lucky! The crew upon first meeting was great and they have only gotten better. I will introduce you to them now so that as I go on you will know who I am talking about!

Captian Bob - The captian of the boat - American

Jason - First Mate - Britsh

Mark - Bosun - British

Martin - Engineer - Brtish

Ilan - Deck hand/Second engineer - South African

Sebistian (Seb) - Chef - French Canadian

Bev - 1st Stewardess - South African

Jane - 2nd Stewardess - British

Becky - 3rd Strewardess - Austrialian

And then Cam and I round the crew out! So there are 11 of us in total!

We have been on the move ever since boarding with a few prolonged stops. So I'm just going to go one at a time.

I am alive

No worries I am alive and well just minus a fully functioning internet -- for now. Captian Bob is working on the problem so hopefully soon all will be well....however I do not have internet access just email so PLEASE email me at my boat address ... for now Rosalynn@myargyll.com I have been having a wonderful time here cruising through the bahamas I'm going to be here in Gearogetown of the exumas until Thrusday or Friday of this week. So I may make it in to town a few more times to hopefully get everything stragitened out. I'm also going to try and figure out a way to still post on my blog...but I need to work out the details. I'll catch you all up soon ok?? take care

From the top

At the top of the Hopetown Lighthouse

Well this is just a sampling of the pictures af my adventures at hopetown but I think this is all I'll post for now. It was a beautiful quaint little town that has the tiniest little streets and the most adorable little cottages. Besides that the island was only as narrower that 100 yards at most parts. A very unique little berg.

Another example of Island Emergency Services

Firehouse

This is a continuation of the pictures of the islands version of Emergency services. This building was barely big enough for a golf cart let alone a fire truck...better hope you cottage doesn't catch on fire!

The boating world

hitch hiking

A view from the inside of the lighthouse

Looking up

Island number 3

Hopetown

The Island of Elbow Cay, we took a ferry from Marsh Habour over in order to see Hopetown. It is the proud home of one of the only two remaining functioning lighthouses in the Bahamas. This looks like a postcard hun? This is the skinniest island that I have ever been on. The funniest thing was that the main tourist attraction - the lighthouse is not very accessible you actually have to hitch a ride from a boater to get across and then the same in order to return to the section of the town.

Now this city streets are pedestrian only. No cars OR golf carts allowed and yet the streets are called highways! It is really too funny. Rush hour traffic and accidents only occur when people bump into each other!

We meet this great lady who we kept on running into. She was a great character and full of helpful information! She was the one who told us about the hitchhiking on the boats.

Cameron and I spent the entire day in the sun and as a result are quite a bit browner than before. I even have a tan line on my toe from my to ring! Anyways I had a great time...I hope that you all enjoy the pictures!

Happy Valentines!

Beginner Golfer

First I want to say (before I get any critiques on my form) I'm a beginner -- hehe. What a great day. It started out with a few hole of golf. The people I work for are in with the manager of the golf course and so we just go in the back entrance and play a few holes before we return to the house to get the day started. The course is pretty nice, (my second course I have ever been on) and Cameron and I have fun. My game is pretty much it's usual form, on some holes I shoot beautiful par or one-two over and then there are other holes where I just stop counting strokes!! But I'm going to try and go out every morning so the practice should help!

When we got back the table had valentines goodies for everyone! It was so sweet of Mrs. B. to do that for us. Chocolates, a little bear and a card for Cameron and I. It was a nice and unexpected treat. Then as I had the morning off I went for a kayak, two hours later I returned! My longest Kayak yet. I went out to this small island and then back but on the way back I had to fight the waves and more so the wind! It was pushing me in the wrong direction...my right arm is going to be sore tomorrow!! hehe

Then for supper we meet up with several of the B's friends and went to one of the three local restaurants for dinner. They had the place all decked out. It was neat -- all of the servers had red shirts on, typically they wear white. The place was packed and it was fairly neat as for the first time since coming to this island I actually felt at home. There were more locals in the joint then there were retired weathy individuals. Lots of families with the kids, which for the record are the cutest kids...with their braids and bows! It was really neat. And loud!! Everyone knew everyone and people were going from table to table to say hello and steal kisses! It was so neat!

I missed my family and friends but I still had fun! Anyways this is way too long so I'll call it quits for now --

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !

Too Good to Resist

Morning Mist

See our (Cameron and I) tracks were the first to cut the morning mist that is on everything...it is almost like a light layer of snow. SO pretty -- and it shows up best on the greens!

Cold Snap

Cold Beach

So despite the fact that I'm not supposed to complain about the weather. In celebration of the fact that today was actually a nice hot Bahimian day (which turned me to a nice shade of brown) I thought that I would post a picture of our previous beach wear. This picture was actually taken when we went to Green Turtle Cay. It was cold but we were doing our best to enjoy the warm temperatures on your behalf.

Today was fun. I got up with the intention of going on an adventure and so walked into town (25min) in the hopes of catching a ferry to Great Guana Cay...but I didn't realize that you needed to reserve the ferry so there so no ferry for me :( So I rented a biked and pedaled around town and Treasure Cay for 2 hours! It was GREAT fun! Then came back to the house and took the Kayak out. No surfing though Annie is gone and so I was trying to get the feel of the kayak with only one person!

Then later in the afternoon we took Mr. B golfing. Mr. and Mrs. are in with the owners of the golf course here and so "after hours" 4pm we can head over there and he can play...This entails the use of two carts and three able bodied people (could probably do it with only 2 BUT... Four drives (of four balls each later) we were about 50 feet from the green he was done! He is actually quite good. Hits the ball very consistently 75 to 100 yards! Using one arm only and no body action. But her gets tired out from getting in and out of the golf cart...Probably the hardest thing that he has to do. But it was still stunning to see how well he was able to hit that ball. I had to stand directly behind him and be a guardian for him--however I nearly got my head knocked a few times! It was worth it though to see the smile on his face!