Feb 10, 2007

The Bahamas ... interesting place if you are into adult summer camp. Every morning at 0815 the cruisers net comes "On Air" on channel 68 to detail the weather, events and where you should spend your money. There are 15 major eating establishments within 8 miles and they all want you to be there for the 1 pound steak specials ... or maybe it's the lobster specials or maybe it's the special drink specials. There are no fish, there are few birds, there are few living things on the bottom of this vast 12 foot deep sea. This part of the Bahamas is beginning to feel like a month long warm water bath except I don't have my rubber duckie (ref. Hitchhikers Guide). There is a major storm every week, so in every 7 day period there are 3 days of pleasant weather and 4 days that are unsettled. The group dynamics continue from the ICW days. The local US ex-pats have taken the organization of the cruisers as their life mission. They set the rules and agenda for what goes on, quite independe
nt of the local authorities. In any event it is nice to sit here in shorts waiting for the next rain storm hoping that it will bring some long awaited fresh water to rinse the salt from the decks ... The authorities make a big deal out of boaters declaring any weapons that are aboard as if they have a low tolerance for firearms ... however we have heard semi-automatic and automatic weapons fire at both Green Turtle Cay and at Man-O-War Cay very close to anchored and moored boats. I guess the local authorities have to practise their marksmanship somewhere. brian