GaYa On The Move 2018-2019: February 4-6, 2019- Land and Sea Park

February 4, 2019

Sharon, Rick from Orkan and Brad and Julia on Alizarin were supposed to leave early for Eleuthera Marina and then Land and Sea park as we were. When we departed, it seems they were just getting ready.

We arrived at Eleuthera Marina around 8:30am for water and fuel. As we were leaving, we noticed Orkan and Alizarin arriving.

Steve cutting the line

Steve put out both fishing rod in hope to catch the big one but unfortunately no luck. Approximately 5 miles from the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, our Lucy Light went overboard. We turned the boat around not remembering the fishing line where still dragging. In turning, the lines of one of the rods got caught in the propeller shaft. Steve cut the line from the rod so that we could bring in our sails and motor to the park.

Fishing line which was wrapped around our shaft

After we went to pay at the office, he dove in the water to look and see if some of the line was tangled in the shaft. Sure enough, he had to cut off the twisted line. Goodbye Lucy Lite.

Always practicing my guitar

What a gorgeous day. Many people were swimming off their boats. It is warming up as we are going further south.

Had a wonderful spaghetti meal and then I serenaded Steve while playing guitar.

We watched a movie but ended up going to bed before 9pm. It has been a long day. There is no garbage drop off and we are not able to connect to Wi-Fi from the boat.

February 5, 2019

What a great day at Land & Sea Park. As the sun was rising, I kayaked around and enjoyed the scenery. This morning I made pancakes and even made Captain Steve a special sailboat blueberry pancake. We later went to the office to pay for another day and I admit, I did not tie off the dinghy properly and a young man called us back to show us our dinghy was floating away. Poor Steve had to jump in the water where there was current and swam to it. The hard part was trying to get in it after using up his energy just swimming to it. He went back to the boat to change as I stayed near the office where I could read my email. It is the only place where we get Wi-Fi in the park.

Sailboat and moon pancake for the Captain

Steve snorkeling

Looking at the blow holes

Steve & I at Boo boo hill

I enjoyed kayaking

Steve & I with Julia, Brad, Sharon & Rick

After Steve came back, we met up with Rick, Sharon, Brad and Julia and went to the blow holes and the Boo-Boo hill. We looked for our GaYa carving which Steve put on the hill last year but it was probably buried in the pile somewhere amongst all the other offerings.

The Park is a “No Take” zone and it is enforced very seriously. We noticed a park enforcement boat stopped a boat and I am not sure what happened but they were brought into the office. They could actually get their boat confiscates and have 48 hrs. to leave the Bahamas. According to the material, they could also pay a fine of $500 per person on board per incident. E.g. A single fish, lobster or shell counts as one incident. Hopefully, they did not have too many incidents.

Around 4pm, I invited everyone to the boat for hors d’oeuvres and Steve surprised them with margaritas. It was a nice get together. How funny, because “we won’t say who” but the line was not tied properly on Brad’s dinghy and all of a sudden Rick said: “Isn’t that your dinghy floating away?” Steve did not dive in to get it. Rick was nice enough to bring Brad to his dinghy.

We ate so many different hors d’oeuvres, that we were not hungry for dinner. We watched a movie and then read before going to bed. For some reason, the boat is rocking tonight.

February 6, 2019

HAPPY 2^ND BIRTHDAY TO MY GRANDSON COOPER.

We decided to stay another day. I went kayaking before the current got strong.

Law enforcement

At low tide looking at our boat

After breakfast, Steve and I went to the office to pay for another night. We tried to get Wi-Fi but it wasn’t the greatest. Couldn’t even work off our hotspot. Guess I will have to get in touch once we leave here. Good thing we pre videotaped Happy Birthday to Cooper a couple of days ago when we had good Wi-Fi and emailed it to Cooper.

Steve helping those who run aground

Steve saved 3 boats this morning from running aground. People who are not familiar with the park take the wrong turn and end up running aground. I think Steve should get paid. :)

Alone on Emerald Beach

After lunch, we took our dinghy to Emerald Beach which is on the other mooring site of the park. The current going thru the cut was crazy. Steve wanted to snorkel there but it was too strong. We decided to hang out at the beach a bit, then we went to a mooring and hooked up our dinghy. Steve went snorkeling and saw a huge stingray. He didn’t get too close since he had a big stinger. Came back to the boat to shower. I painted and practiced my guitar while Steve read.