Are We There.... Really?

Did I say we were in the Bahamas. Perhaps I should have prefaced that by saying we are in the western - far western - Bahamas. For once we arrived in Bimini, I had forgotten that the next challenge would be the 60-70 mile stretch across the Great Bahama Bank to the Berry Islands. Huh....60 -70 miles....yeah my thoughts exactly. Who'd have thought a small grouping of islands could cover so much territory.

Nonetheless we were off - GO EAST! We sailed and sailed and sailed. It didn't help that we were headed into the waves and on quite the beat to make some mileage. We dropped hook the first night - or was it morning? - around midnight - not entirely sure where we were given the darkness surrounding us. In the morning we woke anticipating we'd see the Berry Islands to our north and east. No, that would be too easy. We woke and found ourselves surrounded by clear water and not a speck of land in sight.

Fortunately, within a few hours we found a delightful anchorage between Great and Little Stirrup Cay in the Berrys. Some of you may recognize these islands as they are private islands owned by Norwegian and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. We enjoyed the day at anchor with not a cruise ship or passenger in sight taking in the sun and scenery.

From the Stirrups we headed around the north end of the Berry's to White Cay anchorage. Our passage got exciting as my fishing pole started whirring - FISH ON! DINNER? Well no fish dinner tonight as the Captain reeled in the 2 1/2 to 3 foot fish and found it was a barracuda. We pitched him back to live another day.

At White Cay we would spend two days surrounded by a series of 4-5 islands each featuring at least one beach. We truly could have spent a week here sampling a new beach each day. We pulled out our looky look bucket - a new addition this season - and took in the scenery under the sea. We found ourselves chasing sting rays in the dinghy in an effort to get a glimpse of them through the bucket.


After three glorious days in the Berry's we've opted to move on. Another good sized passage awaits and then we hope to find Nassau.

The Admiral
2/1 - 2/4/2011

PS. Christopher on Tiffany Rose. Every time we pull out the looky look bucket we think of you and our day of fun at Sombrero Key. We hope you are enjoying the New Year!