We had hoped to get to Sandy Cay to snorkel and to Snake Cay to look for turtles but April Fool's Day on us as the winds and seas are up again. It is a harsher reality for the Hope Town Sailing Club which again had to cancel their sailing cup races.
We had a delightful evening here on the mooring ball at Little Harbour and waited until after 10 am to catch a higher tide to transit the channel opening which can go as low as 3 feet. As we headed out, we were greeted with a SE wind of 15-20 knots and a 2 foot beam sea. We went 22 miles today in sloppy conditions and decided with the SE wind conditions that our choice for the night was Man-O-War Cay.
As we made the final approach to Man-O-War, we had some following seas and then spied the narrow opening with a lot of traffic exiting. Then we played the game of trying to find the mooring ball—do not go to the Eastern Harbour as these are mostly private, go to the Man-O-War Harbour and try your luck. We located a mooring ball perilously close to other boats but since we are only 32 feet, we fit. Thank goodness, as the wind is howling and we want to get tucked in for the night.
After making sure our boat would not crash into another closely moored boat, we took the dinghy into Man-O-War Settlement. This is a very different side of the Bahamas and the sign in the marina office from Thessalonians 4:11 captures the spirit: “Study to be quiet. Do your own business and work with your hands.” There are many churches and no bars on this island although we did get Rum Raisin waffle cones at the Island Treat.
In contrast to the color of Elbow Cay, Man-o-War is white, very white. The houses are white and beige and the only color was from the flowers at the local school yard. The settlement was founded by descendants of the Loyalists and self-sufficiency in farming, fishing and boat building were prized then and now. Albury boat building and allied businesses dominate on this island. This self-sufficiency was needed during our visit as the power is out on the island but everything kept on running due to their powerful generators.
Locals are called sojers like the crab and the town is having their first annual “Sojers Day” this weekend. They hope to raise money for various causes including funds for a new ‘high school structure” and everyone is making food and crafts for the big day. We are thinking of staying through Sunday as the winds are up and it is protected here.
We had a delightful evening here on the mooring ball at Little Harbour and waited until after 10 am to catch a higher tide to transit the channel opening which can go as low as 3 feet. As we headed out, we were greeted with a SE wind of 15-20 knots and a 2 foot beam sea. We went 22 miles today in sloppy conditions and decided with the SE wind conditions that our choice for the night was Man-O-War Cay.
As we made the final approach to Man-O-War, we had some following seas and then spied the narrow opening with a lot of traffic exiting. Then we played the game of trying to find the mooring ball—do not go to the Eastern Harbour as these are mostly private, go to the Man-O-War Harbour and try your luck. We located a mooring ball perilously close to other boats but since we are only 32 feet, we fit. Thank goodness, as the wind is howling and we want to get tucked in for the night.
After making sure our boat would not crash into another closely moored boat, we took the dinghy into Man-O-War Settlement. This is a very different side of the Bahamas and the sign in the marina office from Thessalonians 4:11 captures the spirit: “Study to be quiet. Do your own business and work with your hands.” There are many churches and no bars on this island although we did get Rum Raisin waffle cones at the Island Treat.
In contrast to the color of Elbow Cay, Man-o-War is white, very white. The houses are white and beige and the only color was from the flowers at the local school yard. The settlement was founded by descendants of the Loyalists and self-sufficiency in farming, fishing and boat building were prized then and now. Albury boat building and allied businesses dominate on this island. This self-sufficiency was needed during our visit as the power is out on the island but everything kept on running due to their powerful generators.
Locals are called sojers like the crab and the town is having their first annual “Sojers Day” this weekend. They hope to raise money for various causes including funds for a new ‘high school structure” and everyone is making food and crafts for the big day. We are thinking of staying through Sunday as the winds are up and it is protected here.
