Norman’s Cay, Exumas, Bahamas

 No fish were caught on the way from Rock Sound over to the Exumas….last year we caught a Mahi on this stretch…..but no nibbles today. 

Leaving Rock Sound (motoring) the water was so calm you could easily see the bottom out in the channel. Looks shallow but was about 16'.

Uneventful and warm motor across about 40 miles to Norman's Cay - famous for being a drug import hub in the lawless 1970's in the Bahamas....I'm currently reading a related book that Diane gave me a recommendation to read-

Turning the Tide -- One Deadly Summer, One Man Against The Medellin Cartel

Sidney Kirkpatrick, Peter Abrahams

 

There is a sunken airplane wreckage within a few hundred yards of the end of the runway from those drug running days.  We'd snorkeled it years ago on a charter - but the current was too strong when we passed by.   Will have to do that another time to see how it's degrading with time.

 

The island is much busier than the last time we were ashore here (about 10 years ago).  I think this government dock was not here last time we were here.

 

That boat left an hour later.  

 

We hopped in the dinghy and took a little shore tour.  McDuff's is a beach restaurant - we'd had a less than stellar visit there years ago....it's a little more upscale now with a nice boardwalk from the beach.

 

Walked the short distance to the runway.  It's enclosed now in a chain-link fence.  Lots of traffic - turboprops and jets.  We saw 4 take off in just a few hours!

 

Then we took the dinghy into the new high-end marina...I guess it's too early in the season for the high-rollers.  We did notice that there are only cleats on the docks - no pilings above the dock surface.  Weird setup.  I would not be comfortable there with no pilings in a storm of any nature.  $7 per foot if you're interested!!  So our boat would be $280 per night to stay there.  I think not.  Strangely - diesel was marked on the pump at $6.20 per gallon which is the same price that the marinas were charging in Spanish Wells.

 

Going back to the boat it was such a lovely day.....we circled  the boat for some photos.  (I wanted a new photo for my laptop screensaver)

 

Crystal clear calm water off the side of the boat.

 

More barge traffic.

 

After the previous one departed, another immediately took it's place.  Busy!!

Lazy afternoon - watched a couple of episodes of a new to us series Gen V...not recommended for the faint of heart!