Best Life

 A fun filled day on the east end of Grand Bahamas!  The Coconut Festival had a tons of food (some coconut free), music, vendors and a beach. Held at Pelican Point, the bus ride took just over 90 minutes.  Top speed for the bus = 32.   Ugh.  There are little "towns" scattered along the road there but mostly flat wasteland due to Dorian.  The "towns" were small homes, no businesses that I could see and many skeletal homes that were never rebuilt. Pelican Point is the definition of a Bahamian beach.  White sand that feels like powder, crystal clear turquoise water, plenty of shells and few people.  Glorious!                                                  There were bunches of people near the festival, otherwise                      ...

 After a long night we started the day later than typical.  The wind was insane last night.  After retying our dock lines to make it easier for me to get on and of the dock, the wind did funny things with our position.  It sounded like people were stepping on and off our boat.  It was only an auditory illusion.  But every time it happened I would jerk awake, remind myself it was okay and try to fall back asleep.   The breeze continued through the day which made it perfect for cleaning the interior of the boat.  Not what I thought I would be doing on Easter but the rest of the week promises to be busy.  Apparently renting a car is a process.  The weekly guests have priority.  We can ask every morning and see if there is one available.  Okay.   I made coffee cake, ribs in the oven (too windy to grill) and started the Quiet Time Log.  All our repairs, fluid changes and upgrades will be documented for easier con...

 Another slow and lazy day with a beautiful breeze and lots of sun.  Coffee in the jacuzzi is a perfect early morning activity, before both the water and the sun become too hot (and the rest of the resort awakens).  Goodbye and safe travels to Janet and Scott and hope we meet again.  Paul will have to find a new dance partner and I, a new Gully Wash partner! Cribbage on the high tops is a bit of a challenge with the wind but worth it.   Paul did a little plumbing (tightened clamps that were letting smells leak!).  And with intentions to rent a car this week Paul focused on figuring out how not to get lost.  A portable GPS and google maps and we are good to go!  Oh how I have taken the ease of traveling lightly and assume Waze will just work!  The island may be only 95 miles long and 15 miles wide but since we will be driving on the left side of the road, we don't need to be lost too! I prioritized my "Things to See and Do" list, read a l...

 Silly of me to forget that today was a holiday.  When I asked about the shuttle to the beach, I was duly informed.  But they came and brought us and another couple for a shortened "beach run".  They gave us 2 1/2 hours instead of the typical 4 hours. Okay, I'll take it.  I was ready to walk on some sand.   Lucaya Beach is a delightful 2 mile walk from our drop off point.  With a serious breeze and the waves blowing ashore, we were plenty cool.   There were a few scattered people - 2 guys kite boarding and a couple families with young kids.  We also met a couple from Nova Scotia who used to live in Cowesett, RI (Paul had a URI shirt on).  And we bumped into Scott and Janet from the resort (they might be stalkers!).  Otherwise the beach was fairly empty with many of the hotels empty from Dorian :(                                ...

 Slowly we are adjusting to the slower life.  We started the day with coffee in the jacuzzi (no one awakens early so we were alone).  Paul completed the repair on the starboard bilge pump (a 2 day project).  I did a little cleaning, baked some bread and finished a book.  All done intermittently with laps in the pool.  Our neighbors returned from the Abacos and the resort filled up for the weekend.   Happy hour followed by karaoke was quite crowded.  Still loving their spicy margaritas! Strange to think we were alone at 8pm just a few nights ago and tonight no one wanted to leave the festivities.   The official definition of island time - the time vacuum created by the ocean's presence.  Yup - time is very different here!

 I find it difficult to describe the vibe here on the island.  I am accustomed to being awake early.  I awake to total silence.  I made bread and did laundry while Paul worked on the starboard  bilge pump.  Then we hung by the pool reading and napping. After coffee on the sling we headed to the local fish fry.  Thank you Scott and Janet for making the experience super awesome!  We enjoyed the food, drinks and music as much as we enjoyed your company!                                                                                My first Gully Wash! A true experience with food, music and  dancing by the ocean in the Caribbean - priceless!