Man of War and Green Turtle Cays.

We are tied to a mooring ball in Black Sound, Green Turtle Cay in the Abaco Islands.  Black Sound is very protected, and we are riding out a frontal passage at the moment.  Many of the locals have installed mooring balls in the sound, so there is no room to anchor, but the mooring ball is only $10 a day.  There is a public dinghy dock close by, within walking distance to the town of New Plymouth.  Saturday looks like the next weather window to cross to Ft Pierce and back into the good ole USA!

Since leaving Hopetown, we have slowly been headed west and closer to Florida.  We stopped and visited Man of War Cay, and Green Turtle Cay.  Both communities were formed by British Loyalists after the American Revolution, and both still show their British heritage.  Both are clean, nice and picturesque towns, which are a delight to visit.  Man of War is dry, and therefore only has one restaurant and an ice cream shop.  It is a center of commerce.  The Albury lines of boats are built there and it has a full service boat yard.  New Plymouth, on Green Turtle Cay, is a town of about 450 people, but does serve alcohol, so has several restaurants from beach fare to fine dining.  Also there are several shops, a museum and hardware stores. 

We snorkeled the reefs of Green Turtle, which are quite nice.  Also, we dined at the Green Turtle Club with our friends, Rick and Eva from Calypso.  The Abaco Islands are different from the Exumas.  There is more civilization in the Abacos, with restaurants, moorings, bars, banks, bakers, ship stores and grocery stores.  However, the natural beauty, clear water and reefs of the Exumas are unparalleled.  It has been quite an adventure visiting them all.  It is hard to believe our Bahamian adventure will be coming to an end, as we start our trek north along the US eastern seaboard. When we are back in the States, I will update out stats post for those who are interested in mileage, diesel, repairs and things nautical.  

Things we have missed in the States (besides family and friends): free potable water, WiFi, reliable communications, stores with fruit, produce and wine, marine supplies (affordable), specialty cheese, movies, pharmacies, fed-x, and marinas that charge under $2.50 a foot.  What we will miss of the Bahamas, crystal clear water, coral reefs, miles of uninhabited beaches, and the people here, who without fail have been pleasant, kind and helpful.  Also, the major news here centers on local politics, the weather, if the local phone lines will work today, and if the mail boat will arrive on schedule (it won't).  We have been blissfully ignorant of what is happening elsewhere and not watching the news media is healthy.  We have not watched TV (except the Superbowl) since we left the States, and have not missed it at all.  One exception-a boater gave us season four of Downton Abby, and we have watched it.  It is hard to believe our Bahamian adventure will be coming to a close, but it will be good to return to the mother country!  I will posts pictures when the WiFi is better.