Abaco Part 1

Sunrise and the cays off of the East End of Grand Bahama.

Oh how I had to talk to myself into getting into this 9 seater plane on Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. We had to get up at 5!!! A couple of people had told me that it was just like riding in a car and I love fast sports type cars so this really worked in my head. We were in the second row behind the pilot. It was exciting and oh so much fun!!!!

As we aproach Marsh Harbour, which is the capital of the Abacos, we begin to see the many cays along its east coast. 

The luggage is stored in the nose of the plane. When I made the reservation, the woman asked me how much I weighed and for one of the first times in my life, this did not seem like the right time to be lying about my weight or Ray's!!!! This time it was really important to tell the truth!!!!

Are you ready for this? The luggage arrives along with the luggage from a much larger plane on this cart and everyone had to go and fish their luggage out of the pile!!!

We had arranged to stay at Regattas in a two bedroom unit. The pool had this fountain flowing all the time so that as you swam, you got rained on. Not impressed said the woman in the sunglasses and sun hat!!!

Monday we napped a couple of times as we had to rise so early. Shopped in the local grocery store and read and played cards. The internet and tv were not working in the room. Couldn't believe that either!!! On Tuesday morning we headed down to one of the many docks to get a ferry to Elbow Cay. We were going to visit Hopetown.

This lighthouse is one of the major tourist attractions in Hopetown. It has about 106 steps up to the top and I hear the view is great. I just bet it is!!! We could of gotten off of the ferry here but carried on to the next stop. We had no idea of where to get out so I just asked some locals if this was "downtown". We got off and started walking and walking and walking and walking........

The downtown core is made up of a lower and upper road. Both of which are only good for bicycles and golf carts. We had a great visit to the museum and a fabulous lunch at Sip Sip. Good food in the Bahamas!!!! Wonders will never cease!!!!

Golf, West End, Flower Show and Dinner Guests!!!

Most Mondays, Ray heads off to the golf course. Two weeks ago I went along as the cart driver/no advice giver. When we came to the 9th hole, I was amazed to see this "water hazard"!!!! Can you see the flag in the middle? This is the Bahamas. Sit back, relax and eventually someone will notice and turn off the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Saturday at the West End it was time for more showing off. This model is Betty. She had never knitted before but in just one week was able to put together this stunning shawl!!!! When she found out about the knitting classes going on she said it was one of the longest weeks of her life waiting for Saturday to come along so she could learn how to knit!!! I do believe this shawl went to church last Sunday!!!

A funny thing is happening at the West End on Saturday. The knitting group is growing by leaps and bounds but look and see....there are now teenagers, preteens and just after this pic was taken, the little knitters arrived!!!!! Oh, my gosh last night I got a call from Tristin and he tells me he is knitting too so I guess tomorrow I will start getting the men!!!!!!!!!

The Freeport Garden Club held their 45th Annual Flower Show on Saturday, March 16th. The theme this year was "Beautiful Bahamaland".

Jerrisma wanted some of Ray's barbequing so Saturday night we got together with friends for dinner. Our barbeque is tiny but it works oh so well. On the left we have Jerrisma, Tristin with the toothy grin, Gabriella, Ray, Alyson and Jane who invited us to their wedding on April 6th and the very talented Lori. Lori is a dressmaker by trade and has taken sometime off but is now ready to get back into the swing of things!!! She catches on to things so quickly and has a great eye for colour and she is a woman with a drummel!!!! Oh, I so want one!!!!!

Interesting Happenings.....

Last Monday we were invited to attend the National Arts Competition at the Grand Lucaya Ballroom. This choir has Tristin in it. He is the one on the far left bending over. By 12:15 p.m., I was feeling like lunch. Jerrisma must have read my mind as she whispered to me that this went on all day and actually all week. Thanks for the heads up!!!! Let's eat!!! The choirs had to sing the same first song and then were given a choice of their second number. It was great singing to be sure!!!!

Gabrielle a friend from Germany, led a group of women through the Venus Flower celebration. It was held in the parking lot of the Cancer Society Center and the intent was to bring healing from the planet venus to the Center. It was quite interesting and fun to sing the Lord's prayer together along with a few other numbers.

This is Pat from the Saturday West End womens group. She is proudly displaying her bag that she was able to make as her first knitting project and now she is working on a scarf to match. These women are great at doing homework and there will be many more pics to show off more projects. Jerrisma has completed 3 scarves. I love their enthusiasm!!!! They are a joy to spend time with.

This is Miss P and Tristin playing on the gym at Burger King. We were spending the afternoon together on Saturday to celebrate Tristin's birthday which was on March 2nd. He had his choice of where to go for lunch and this was his choice. I think it might have had something to do with the playground. Loved the way we had to join hands and pray before we started. Thanks Miss P for reminding us!!!!

Next we headed to Xanadu Beach for a swim. Tristin tends to consistently sink but with a noodle he floated around and splashed lots. The water is so warm, once you get wet!!! Miss P puts a lot of effort into learning strokes and this time treading water. She is great in the water and out!!!!!

Last Saturday night we went to a play/ballet called "Circle of Life". It was outstanding!!!!! The choir, without sheet music, were fabulous. They actually had a real baby to hold up at the beginning and end of the production. The dancers ranged in age from about 2 to some in their 20s. The precison and choreography were wonderful. It is on again this weekend for two more shows and if you haven't been, go!!!!! You will love it!!!

Ok, on Monday at 7:00 a.m. we are boarding this 9 seater plane and flying to the neighbouring island of Abaco. We are staying at the Rigattas. Now, this should be an adventure!!! We drive a Tonka toy car and now we are going to fly in a Tonka toy plane!!!!!

Since it will be dark when we take off, they rolled out the red carpet for us and let us take pics today when we picked up our tickets at the office above. Oh, my!!! Are we really going to do this??? Yes, of course we will and hopefully the next blog will be full of incredible pics from the sky. The lovely folks at the termial told me I could sit beside the pilot if I wanted to. Hmmm, will he need help? I hope not!!!! A window seat??? Ofcourse, all the seats are window seats!!!!! We will return Thursday evening at almost 7. Till then..................

For those who love orchids as much as I do!!!

 

Playing tourist with Doug and Nancy!!!

Here is Doug braving the seas determined to enjoy the surf!!!!

 Here is Nancy being the Wise Woman accessing the situration. Me? Sitting in my chair observing. I can't see my feet - I'm not going in!!!! The next day when we were at the beach I strolled down to the other end of the beach to visit the vendor Joy. She asked me if I had seen the waves yesterday. I told her my friends had gone swimming to which she replied, "You don't go in no water when you sees it all churned up like. Dats when da sharks they comes in." I knew it!!!!!!!

We visited the Rand Center. They were hosting a lovely art show. I have often thought of a painting I saw there last year and didn't buy. A friend of mine was able to find the artist and I spoke to him on the phone. Yes, he still had the picture. Yes, it was still for sale. The price? $4500. Wooopppssss!!! Still a lovely painting that I will always think about. Another artist on the island told me I should have bought this other artist's work two years ago. Then it was affordable. Too bad......

We looked through the Rand exhibits with an excellent employee who described everything to us in great detail and then strolled through the paths reading all of the plaques telling us what we were looking at.

The next day found us at Garden of the Groves where I had the best lunch I have ever had on the island. Smoked salmon with all of the fixings.

Nancy and I walked the labyrinth with prayer and intent. The men - not!!!

There seemed to be more water features this year compared to last time we were there last year.

This is Doug enjoying his last afternoon on or ever so crowded beach!!!! It was a great week. Thank you so much for coming to visit. I'm sure the women won the week long card tournament!!!!

Busy times on Grand Bahama Island

On Saturdays I head out to the West End to spend time with Jerrisma and her group of crafty friends. This is the view of the West End as you approach from the east. At one time, the West End was a thriving touristy community.

Every week the group grows by one or two. I hear there are two more women joining us this Saturday. Most of the women wanted to learn how to knit. They are so quiet as they work away. I was kidding them last week about how if we were in Canada, everyone would be yacking away exchanging stories about the who did what and did you hear???? I really enjoy their company and their enthusiasm!!!

On Friday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30, I go to the PACE center with Judy to teach knitting. The centre is for teenagers who are pregnant so they can finish school for the year they deliver in. The main office and classroom are in the building straight ahead and the nursery for the babes is on the left. The girls are off school for 6 weeks after they deliver so they come and go through the knitting class. Also attendance isn't consistent because it is Friday and a couple of times it has been cold so...... Teenagers seem to be the same, no matter what country they are from!!!!!

I know the pic is aweful. I am going to buy a new camera when I get home and figure out what I need but I had to take this pic of the fantastic Grand Bahama's Children's Choir. We went to a concert a week ago Sunday and it was like going to Grand Bahamas Idol for kids 2 to 18. The talent was unbelievable. The leader a Mr. T. is so into his kids and bringing the best out in them and making them feel proud of themselves. You can just feel the love!!!!!! They will do an Easter Concert and I will be there!!!! Outstanding!!!!

The Alexander von Humboldt arrived on Grand Bahama from Germany almost a year ago and we got to sail on her last voyage. Soon she will head back to Europe.

The billowing sails were gorgeous when we got out on the sea!!!! It was no easy task to put them up and take them down.

Here I got to help pull down one of the big sails. That was fun!!!