January 2, 2012

Monday January 2, 2012

Bright and early we were already moving into the mooring field to be sure we had a mooring ball.  After we were all settle, Dee and Pete dinked over and we joined them for a hike on the beach. Where Bell Rock is.  Again, amazed at all the stuff that washes on the beach.  There are some great finds there all to be left just where they are.   Dee and I searched for some hamburger sea beans which actually end up here from Africa.  Didn’t find any but did have a great time climbing over the rocks and scanning the beach for interesting things to photograph.  These islands are interesting.  Years ago these islands were deeded to families to grow cotton on.  There were a lot of trees here in the past but as the settlers cut down the trees, disturbing the root system that held the island together, the soil eventually washed ouy yo sea, leaving them with barren limestone rocks and sand.  Most of the settlers ended up in Nassau, giving upp their dreams.  It is very hard, almost impossible to aquire possession because they are usually passes down to each generation.  Although a lot of these are still natural in the park, one island is the exception to the rule of beauty.  Bell Island.  Someone was more interested in money than maintaining the pristine ambiance and sold it to a tycoon of sorts.  This island is an eyesore to the Exumas.  They have dug into the limestone walls and erected some unsightly buildings  that are still being developed today.  Coming into Cambridge, I was shocked because it was the first of it’s kind I had seen and way out of place.  I do hope this doesn’t happen to other islands.  Some would say this is progress, but, it sure is out of place here.

Dee and I have a lot in common and the conversations never stopped.  Fred and Pete are quiet so Dee and I took up the slack!  The weather was looking a bit threatening so we hiked back to the dinghy and came back to the boat for lunch and a nap.  Later Dee hailed us on the radio and asked if we would like to come over to play a game.  We learned how to play Mexican Train which is played with dominos.  We both enjoyed it.  We have been wanting to learn how to play because we heard it is really a popular game to play with friends in the islands.  Now we can actually call ourselves official beginners.  The wind has started to kick up a bit but not much talk of rain.  Either way, we are ready and snugly secure.  The anchorage is full and quiet.  Perhaps tomorrow we will go see the bubble baths if it not too windy.  I am just learning about them on the northern tip of Compass Cay.  The only way to get to these islands is by boat.  This makes everything extra special.  I love it here!  Back to the lifestyle of simplicity!  Stasia likes it here also!