Lucaya/Freeport, Grand Bahamas (April 20 - May 6)

We left the Berrys when the tide was up just before sundown for an overnight sail to Lucaya, Grand Bahamas.  Wanting to make it a slow ride, we reefed the main and just let out a bit of the genoa to balance the boat.  "Becca" steered all the way to the channel leading to the Ocean Reef Yacht Club.  We arrived as planned the following morning just in time to catch the high tide. 

The swimming pool 10 yards from our slip was a welcome sight, and this low-key resort had every amenity you can name, plus lots of fun activiites for visitors.

After a day of rest, we rented a car for our stay here, and ventured past Freeport to West End.  There were plenty of rain clouds while we were here - maybe that explains why there are so many lawns of green grass on Grand Bahama Island.

The annual Coconut Festival was the day after Easter (which they observe Friday through Monday).  Holidays are times of big celebrations here, and we were lucky to be able to join in the festivities hosted by the town of Pelican Point, about an hour's drive east of Lucaya.  A shot of rum was offered to everyone at "check-in", and was in abundance, along with traditional Bahamian foods, including coconut shrimp, ribs and grilled chicken.  We took home some homemade Potato-Coconut bread that was unique and quite tasty!

This was a festive, family, community affair.  Games, prizes, marching bands, and friendly people made this a fun place to be for an afternoon.

We have met some other boaters staying at Ocean Reef, including Maggie and Jim from Nevada.  When we each found out we both played bridge, we knew we had a good way to pass some time.  The "Garden of the Groves" was a beautiful, shady place for playing bridge, having lunch, and celebrating Maggie's birthday one afternoon.  Here's Maggie and Jim with their dog, Jingles...

We also did some shopping at the Port Lucaya Marketplace, where we were frequent visitors of Frank's Ice Cream shop.  We got to hear a Calypso band play at nearby "Out Da Sea" one night.  Karaoke night with some of our resort neighbors was also memorable.   

On Wednesday, May 4, we picked up our friend John who came all the way from California to help us sail back to Reedville.  We'll be planning when to leave and where to go in the next couple of days.  The boat is stocked with lots of one-pot meals, and the water and fuel tanks are full.  So...that's all she wrote until next time.