Good Morning, Sunshine!

Picking up where we left off... the day of the grounding was coming to a close. We went to bed pretty early that night... I fell asleep in the cockpit and woke up the next morning to an absolutely perfect sunrise... I took a dinghy ride to capture the moment and tour the anchorage.

...I am sure that you all understand that we didnt see too many of these once we got to the Bank, so enjoy the rarity of this photo.

Sunrise...

We decided to motor Empty Pocket over to Grand Cay for the day and have a cracked conch lunch at the famous Rosies restaurant.

Grand Cay is populated by about 300 people, most of which work as fishermen or as laborers at Walkers Cay (3 miles up the Bank). Walkers Cay was destroyed in 2004 by the many hurricanes that swept through the area, and many of the people at Grand Cay are out of work. They depend almost entirely on the few cruisers that frequent the island, and the fishermen that get their harvest from the local waters. The poverty there was mind-blowing, but as is usually the case with the poorer communities, the hospitality was overwhelming!

...entering Grand Cay harbor

...this water is 10 feet deep? It was! The water is so clear that it is hard to tell how deep it is, unless of course you jump in!

would you believe...

after setting anchor, we hopped into Pocket Lint and headed for the dock.

heading for the docks...

...after tying off, we waited for the dockmaster to ensure Pocket Lint was ok tied where she was. There was a Cabo fishing yacht there getting a fuel-fill and ice... we happened to be standing close by when the bill was presented to the owner... (are you sitting down?) the fuel cost was $6.50 per gallon (OMG!! ...he took 400 gallons!) the ice bags were $10.00 each (HOLEEE COW!! he took 10 bags!).

MAN, AM I GLAD I OWN A SAILBOAT... WITH REFRIGERATION!! I guess the dockmaster was feeling generous that day as he threw in the hour of dockage for free while the crew went to Rosies for lunch.

waiting for the dock master...

...no, Rosie is not an old, weathered Bahamian woman who cooks and serves in her restaurant, HE is the most powerful man on the island who pretty much runs the show on Grand Cay. A Land-Baron of sorts, he owns much of the docks, buildings, and business on the island. He is also the BASRA (Bahamas Air/Sea Rescue Association) unit for the NE Bahamas... so if you happen to be up in his neck of the Little Bahama Bank, and happen to run aground (sound familiar?) and you have to call for help, remember this man! He answers to Love-Train on VHF 16. One more note about BASRA, they DO accept donations, and it is HIGHLY recommended by this cruising couple that when you frequent an area where a BASRA unit is located, you drop off a donation to them. Rosie pays for his rescue equipment himself... The fact is that the government only gives a tiny portion of its overall budget to the BASRA organization, the rest is often paid by the rescue vessel owners.

By the way... his crew at the restaurant served up one of the BEST cracked conch plates weve ever experienced! Hats off to the galley!

the infamous Rosies

...we got back to splorin some of the surrounding islands...

after a FABULOUS lunch...

...one of the reasons we went to Grand Cay for the day was because my feet were in such poor shape. I needed to give them another day or so to heal before soaking them again. Here I am attempting to walk on a sandbar...

feet feelin better!

...just beautiful!

Low tide...

...there was no shortage of shells and coral to be found. As you know by now, Steph is quite the beach-comber and has amassed a very comprehensive collection of seashells and artifacts from the beaches we have visited while voyaging in Empty Pocket. She has become very selective in her gathering (thank goodness!).

Steph adding to her collection...

We were told about this spot by another cruiser who left the anchorage after helping us get un-grounded the day before. It is commonly called the spa or the hot-tub. Youll see why in the next posting (part 6).

...the Spa

...this is our favorite time of day!

Without a doubt...

Its hard to imagine that this could be any more beautiful...

wow...

(Id like to reiterate my former position...)

I just dont know how THIS could be any more beautiful!

Have you ever experienced a moment where you seriously thought about NOT going home? I did... it was right about the moment I took this picture... I thought to myself could life be any better at this point...?

Losing the Dink, doing laundry Bahamian style, Waterspouts off the bow...
Part six will be up this week!

Fair Winds,
Steph and Brian

ok, I stand corrected!