We departed on Nassau excited that would FINALLY be in the Exuma Islands.  We topped up on fuel and water before departing. Though plentiful in the Exumas, they are both expensive.  Oh yes, I perhaps did not mention water costs between 30-50 cents a gallon down here. Yea, someone is making coin…..

You can see one of the bridges to Paradise Island which is where the famous Atlantis Resort is located.

Upon arriving Highborne Cay we dropped the anchor in a sandy bottom wide open anchorag. We let 100 ft of scope, just cause we could and the more chain we have out, the better I sleep. MaryMarie of EleanorQ insisted on making dinner for us since it was birthday night. Magnolia is at anchor behind us.

Out friend Neil Brown who runs the Fuller Center in Central NJ had given us a bottle of Newmans Cabernet saying, “this is good, you are gonna like it.” We have been saving it for a special occasion. With my Fuller Center shirt, our Neil Brown bottle of wine we celebrated my #52 upon our arrival  in the Exumas! (It was a dang good bottle of wine!)

Annette made some icing topped brownies decorated with M & Ms (peanut). We washed that down with the last of our Barboursville Port. 

After a brief overnight we moved down to the Shroud Key. The winds were forecast east at 15-17, reality was south-east 22-27! Yea, that what we said. We were able to sail all but that last 3 1/3 miles to the south east! Yea, that was a slow slog.

After a fun of exploring in the dinghy, a little snorkel for boat bottom cleaning there was one last chore of working tightening things up on the swim platform. There always is, one more!

I hear the definition of cruising is working on your boat in exotic locations…I can do that. Look at that water!

Annette and I are heading over to Hawksbill Cay tomorrow. It’s a little off the beaten path which makes it perfect for us!