We left Hope Town with our "reserved" sign on the mooring ball (and our fingers crossed that it would be open when we got back) and headed back to Marsh Harbour to get ready for Trevor and Kate. We arrived back at Mangoes Marina, where we stayed in January, and started to get organized. First on the list was laundry, and luckily both washers were available so I quickly loaded them up and got two loads done. Mangoes has just reopened their restaurant next to the marina, so we decided to have lunch there. Forgetting it was Good Friday (what? it's Easter??) we were told they were serving lunch but no alcohol until after 3pm. Probably good for our livers!! After a short walk, we had a quiet night on the boat, despite the loud music coming from one of the harbourside bars. The next morning we walked over to the amazing grocery store, Maxwells, and did a big shop to provision for our guests. Since the store had been closed Good Friday and would be closed Easter Sunday, it was super busy. I was, however, able to get everything I needed (and more I'm sure!). After the grocery store we went to "Da Bes Yet Bakery" (that is really what it is called) and picked up a loaf of their delicious bread (and a couple of cinnamon buns, but don't tell anyone!). Hots cross buns were sold out ... darn!
We walked back to the boat and put everything away. Now we just had to wait for them to arrive. Their plane landed at 4:30 and they arrived shortly after 5pm. It was so great to see Trevor and Kate. The last time we had seen them was in October, so its been many months. They had a good trip over, having had a lay over in Nassau for a few hours. They had been able to find a restaurant near the airport for lunch and sun ... a bit too much sun ... as they both arrived with a slight burn from enjoying those first rays of sunshine, without sunscreen (it was in their luggage I was told).
They quickly unpacked and we had a drink to celebrate their arrival, then walked down to a local restaurant called "Colors by the Sea" for some Bahamian food.
The next morning we left the marina and had a lovely sail back to Hope Town.
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| Kate & Trevor on the wheel |
As we entered the harbor, with bated breath, we found our mooring ball empty and quickly picked it up and got ourselves settled. We really love this little loyalist town and were hoping to show Kate and Trevor as much as possible. Unfortunately if was Sunday, and Easter Sunday at that, and almost everything was closed, but we were able to have lunch at the Hope Town Lodge, where they have a lovely deck overlooking the beach, and after lunch we walked down the beach, and back into town. Dinner on board and a lively game of cards finished off the day.
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| Trekker in Hope Town |
Monday morning we called around to see if we could rent a golf cart for the day, but none were available. No matter, we dinghied over to the the lighthouse and climbed the 101 stairs for the great view of the harbour and surrounding waters and islands. Then back to town to the coffee shop, which was closed. We discovered that a few stores were closed for Easter Monday as well. No matter, off we went to Cap'n Jacks for Monday night bingo. This is a hugely popular event, and if you are not there by 4:30 to get a table then there's a good chance you won't. I think we got the last table, and waited until 6pm, when the bingo began. Each card costs $2 and each game pays out a percentage of the take, plus 10% goes to local charities. The first prize was $360, which we did not win, nor the second game, nor the third ... you get the picture! But it was fun. After bingo we went to our favorite restaurant "Wine Down Sip Sip" for a lovely dinner.
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| Bingo at Cap'n Jacks |
Since we didn't have to leave too early Tuesday morning, we went into town to the coffee shop for breakfast, and visited a few stores that were not open Monday. Our next stop was Great Guana Cay, a couple of hours north of Hope Town. We had a lovely sail there and stayed at Orchid Bay Marina for a couple of nights. Great Guana has a lovely beach, 5 miles long, and the famous "Nippers Beach Bar". Once settled in the marina we walked over to Nippers and down to the beach. This is the first time we have seen the ocean calm, as when we stayed here before the winds and waves were very high. What a difference!
We decided we would come back the next day for swimming, snorkeling and lunch at Nippers.
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| Great Guana beach |
The next morning we packed beach bags and set off for the beach. The weather has been lovely, and this was another great day. We found a spot on the beach and all went into the ocean. Unfortunately the snorkeling wasn't great, but the water was warm and calm. After we all dried off (sort-of) we went to Nippers for lunch. We could see some dark clouds coming and decided to sit under cover. Good plan! The heavens opened up and it poured for a little while. It really didn't matter because we were already damp from swimming and the roof leaked anyway! By the time we finished lunch the rain had stopped and we walked back to the boat for showers and dinner (and cards of course!)
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| Lunch at Nipper's |
The week really flew by and Thursday we had to head back to Marsh Harbour for Trevor and Kate to catch their Friday early morning flight back to Nassau. They had decided to spend a night in Nassau and see the sights, since their flights connected there. Another great sail back and a once we had tied up in Mangoes Marina we went for a walk around town so they could see a bit of Marsh Harbour. Then out for a nice dinner to celebrate Trevor's upcoming birthday.
We sadly said goodbye to them early this morning (6am!) and agreed it was a great, fast week! We hope we gave them a good taste of the Abacos!
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| Trevor and Kate |
Now we are on our journey back to Florida, and if the weather cooperates we will be there by mid to late next week. We have rented a condo and a car for a week while we empty out the boat and get her ready for summer storage. It will be a busy time.
And then we will drive home.
Its almost over ... one day at a time.
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