Nov 13, 2018 - Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is an insular region of France located in the Leeward Islands, part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. We are visiting the island of Terre-de-Haut which I will describe in more detail in a bit. Administratively, Guadeloupe is an overseas region consisting of a single overseas department. With a land area of 629 square miles and an estimated population of 400,132, it is the largest and most populous European Union territory in North America. Guadeloupe, like the other overseas departments, is an integral part of France. As a...

Nov 12, 2018 - Saint Barthélemy (St Barts)

Saint Barthélemy, officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy, called Ouanalao by the indigenous people, is an overseas collectivity of France in the West Indies. Often abbreviated to St-Barth in French, and St. Barths or St. Barts in English, the island lies about 22 miles southeast of St. Martin and north of St. Kitts. Puerto Rico is 150 miles to the west in the Greater Antilles. French is their primary language and they use Euros as their currency. The island is extremely small with next to nothing to do for tourist...

Nov 11, 2018 - a familiar stop

The well traveled tend to look down their noses at visiting the Bahamas. They are too close to the US, they are not pretty, little remains of their colonial heritage. If you're going to the Caribbean, better to visit the Virgin Islands for scenery, Curaçao for European culture, Bonaire for diving, Trinidad for their steel drums. Nevertheless the Bahamas have a special place in our hearts. We took our first cruise here and were set on a path we continue to walk with delight. We once spent a frenetic New Years' Eve at the Junkanoo festivities...

Nov 9, 2018 - Bahamas

Our first stop was the island of Bimini. Bimini is the westernmost district of the Bahamas and comprises a chain of islands located about 50 miles east of Miami. Bimini is the closest point in the Bahamas to the mainland United States and approximately 130 miles west-northwest of Nassau. The population is 1,988 as of the 2010 census. Its main settlement is Alice Town and a collection of shops, restaurants, and bars on a road known as "The King's Highway". The second major road is called Queens Highway and runs almost the length of the...

Apr 3, 2017 - Sailing just for fun!

Returning to Palm Cay Marina Monday, April 3rd Weather: Partly cloudy, 10-15 knot winds, 3-4 foot swells and very warm (mid-80s) Route: sail from Allan's Cay --> the Yellow Banks, motor across the Yellow Banks -->sail to Palm Cay Marina waiting area --> let the NavTours pilot motor the Alexian into slip 47 Highlights: - a good day for sailing with favourable winds and some play time - safely crossing the Yellow Banks - a hot shower at the Palm Cay Marina - dinner at the Poop Deck in Nassau The Captain wanted to be crossing the...

Apr 2, 2017 - Allan's Cay

Shroud Cay to Allan's Cay via Highborne Cay Marina Sunday, April 2 Weather: extremely calm with winds less than 10 knots, much less humidity than yesterday and sunny, clear skies with mid-80s temperatures Route: motor to Highborne Marina --> fuel up --> motor to Allan's Cay --> drop anchor and eat lunch --> dinghy to Leaf Cay --> snorkel --> dinghy around Southwest Allan's Cay --> dinghy back to the Alexian Highlights: - a delicious egg breakfast with all the trimmings - seeing sharks again at Highborne Cay Marina - wonderful...

Apr 2, 2017 - Georgetown again and Cape Santa nMaria north to Eluthera

Sorry I have not been updating this site got lazy and had dats problems with phone will add more minutes tomorrow I think all of these pics are of Georgetown Long island area will add more pics tomorrow got tons of fabulous videos but cant upload to this site takes up too much gigs you will have to wait till I get back will add more stuff soon

Mar 29, 2017 - Hawksbill Cay

Adventures with diesel engines Wednesday, March 29th Weather: Sunny, low 80s and light southeastern breezes Route: Shroud Cay north under motor --> Highborne Marina to refuel --> south to Hawksbill Cay under motor Highlights: - seeing Sharks at the Highborne Cay Marina while we refueled - getting a mooring ball at Hawksbill Cay, despite our late arrival - adjusting the itinerary based on having one working engine - enjoying another quiet dinner with friends We were all up early for our usual breakfast of cold cereal or oatmeal, yoghurt...

Mar 27, 2017 - Octopus Garden

Snorkeling at Highborne Cay Monday, March 27th Weather: Partly cloudy with light winds and a brief sprinkle of rain Route: Alexian's anchorage --> Highborne Rocks --> Alexian --> Octopus Garden --> Alexian Highlights: - moderate current and cool water at Highborne Rocks and the Octopus Garden - seeing many types of small fish, sponges and corals, especially brain coral - eating lunch on the beautiful, sandy beach along the left leg of the "H"-shaped cay - enjoying a relaxing roast chicken dinner with wine on the Alexian We were feeling...

Mar 26, 2017 - The Exumas

The Exumas The Exumas are an archipelago of 365 cays and islands. They sit on a carbonate shelf 35 miles southeast of Nassau. To the east of the Exumas are the deep waters of Exuma Sound, where deep sea fishing is excellent. To the west of the Exumas are the shallow waters generally referred to as "The Banks". Because of the location of the Exumas between the deeper and shallower water, we found that the tidal currents around individual cays were often stronger and more unpredictable than we had expected. The Exumas is a recommendeded...

Mar 26, 2017 - Crossing the Yellow Banks

Underway to The Exumas Sunday, March 26th Weather: Still very windy and mostly sunny Route: Palm Cay Marina (New Providence) to Highborne Cay Highlights: - a safe passage out of the Marina's channel and through the shallow Yellow Banks - having a quiet, calm anchorage at Highborne Cay - successfully cooking dinner despite the galley's very small oven The Captain was happy to wake up to mostly sunny skies for today's passage through the Yellow Banks -- the visibility would make it easier to distinguish coral heads from cloud shadows on the...

Mar 25, 2017 - Goodbyes and Hellos

Glamping at Palm Cay Marina Saturday, March 25th Weather: still very windy, partially sunny Route: Walk to the Fish Fry for lunch and back, take a taxi to Palm Cay Marina Highlights: - a leisurely small breakfast - strolling along the beach walk to kill time until the Fish Fry stalls opened at 11:00 - enjoying a delicious Grilled Grouper lunch at Curly's - having a complimentary drink at the Marina Tiki Bar - taking less than 2 hours to shop for the trip provisions - somehow finding spaces to stow all the provisions aboard the Alexian -...