Chilean Week Begins in the Bahamas

Patrick and Rose (and the Chilean flag) arrived safely on

Wednesday to join us in our Bahamian adventure

Back to Staniel Cay "Airport" one more time on Wednesday afternoon. Dan went in alone so there would be room for bags and such, but Patrick and Rose had taken us at our word and packed light. Only two medium sized duffels accompanied them back to Brunelle! We were anchored back at Big Majors and their 2 o'clock flight from Nassau landed them aboard around 3:30. They had had a long day, overnight from Santiago, a wait in Miami and then a wait in Nassau. They changed immediately into bathing suits and enjoyed a refreshing swim even before settling in. We were just starting to think about dinner when a Boston Whaler came by with two guys selling Bahamian lobsters. We bought two good sized ones and the dinner issue was solved. Having once been a "Maine-iac" I probably will be shot for saying they were just as tasty as any I've had "down east". ...Early to bed .

We had a full day on Thursday - toured Staniel Cay and got fresh bread at the bakery and were able to find fresh vegetables (the boat came in yesterday) at the Blue Store, back aboard Brunelle for a luncheon sail to Harvey Cay (about two miles SW of the Big Majors anchorage) where we snorkeled before eating, and then back to Big Majors anchorage for a late afternoon trip to Thunderball Grotto for another snorkeling adventure. A front was due in on Friday, so decided to stay put for another day.

While snorkeling at Harvey Cay we watched this Scrawled Cowfish change colors in less than two minutes as if swam from one location to another.

Trips to Thunderball Grotto are always a great photo op. Patrick loved diving down and getting close and personal with all the sargeant majors that swarm all over you. The queen angel (lower left) was very cooperative and photogenic.

The front did arrive on Friday morning with some rain and wind, but it didn't stop us from making a dinghy trip over to Sampson Cay where Andiamo and Pekabu III were still hanging out. We just donned bathing suits and foul weather jackets and headed out through the Fowls Cay cut and across a small "rage" and came into Sampson Cay through the "back door" - across the sandbar for a 2 for 1 pizza special lunch. The chef there is incredible, and so was the pizza! We had brought dry clothes and changed aboard Andiamo before lunch. The ride back (downwind) was less exciting. Dan and Patrick were ready to head out for a short snorkel trip when we returned but Rose and I chose to relax aboard. It was cool enough that we decided to eat below for dinner. Good sleeping weather!

We had requested a mooring for Saturday at Warderick Wells and listened to the nine o'clock radio report to see if we would get a spot. It is first come first served and possession is 9/10s, but there were enough boats leaving that all three of us would be together again at Emerald Rock, so we pulled the anchor shortly after hearing the report and had a wonderful sail up to the Park (14 nm) - making 6+knots most of the way with just the jib. When we slowed to 5 knots for a little while Patrick decided to try putting out a line and just as we were about to enter park waters and were talking about pulling it in he got a strike! He reeled in a nice sized Blue Runner Jack. We decided we weren't ready to deal with it, so we released it after getting a few pictures. We picked up a mooring at noon and had a quick lunch. Dan, Patrick and Rose headed into the Park office to pay for the mooring and get Wifi and then took a walk up BooBoo Hill. They called the wifi info back to me so I could make a blog entry while they explored.

Documentation of the first fish caught by Brunelle (and Patrick)

They returned to pick me up and we headed ashore to hike the trail that leads to the ruins of Tory settlers from 200 years ago. We were back aboard in time for another swim and to get ready for the weekly beach party on whale beach just below park headquarters. Rose made a batch of Pisco sours (Chilean "national" drink) and off we went with a few snacks to share. There were 16 dinghies on the beach when we headed back to Brunelle. Quite a gathering... it was enjoyed by all. ~~~_/)~~~D&M, P&R

I was tickled to see the same gorgonian coral

I had seen two years ago at Harvey Cay.

Brunelle from two different angles.