Reality of Cruising

Well, I finally got all the pictures I wanted onto the site. We bought an underwater camera but the kind that needs developing so they won't be on the site. Also sometimes we don't get shots because the camera would get so wet on the dinghy ride. But overall I hope they represent our adventures so far.

Thought I'd answer some questions. The Bahamas is very expensive compared to other Caribbean islands. They import everything from the US and so they add taxes and duty to everything. Some things are the same like cereal- it's about $4-5 in Canada and the same here. The Bahamian dollar is equal to the US. But Oreo cookies are almost $7! Also vinegar- it's over $8 for a gallon! More expensive per gallon than gasoline and diesel if you can believe it. But other things are okay or at least the same. Butter and eggs are the same, some fruit is fine and some is scary. Pears are $2.50 per pear! Apples are $1 each! Plus we thought that lobster and grouper in restaurants would be cheap but a lobster dinner served with macaroni and cheese is over $40! We hardly ever eat out. In fact we ate breakfast at Staniel Cay and had KFC in Nassua. Today we may go and get pizza here in Emerald Bay and that's it for eating out. We have eaten extremely well from the hunting that Chris and Rob do. The next time out I'm going to try. I have copped out previous to this either because I felt Rob wanted to go more and I watched the kids or it was just too cold! But now I really want to go too. There is just nothing like fish fresh from the ocean onto the plate- very tasty.

The dogs have done well. There are lots of cruisers with dogs but mostly just going to the Bahamas. Not many go on as it gets more difficult in other islands. Maggie and Shadow are very good. They don't bark or carry on, they are okay to leave on the boat and they play well with other dogs and kids. Yes when at anchor we have to get the dogs into the dinghy and go to shore at least 3 or more times daily. Both dogs can jump on and off the boat from the dinghy without any problem. That's the beauty of a small boat with low freeboard (meaning how high the sides of the boat are from the water). Some boats have such massive freeboard that I would hate to fall off of them- you couldn't possibly get back on! Now that we have the engine on the dinghy we haven't ever had trouble taking the dogs off again like in Cape May. Maggie sleeps under the table that gets lowered for our bed in her "cave" and Shadow gets the quarter berth. We still have dog food but likely will eventually run out and have to deal with that in the Abacos!

We are all still talking to each other. Rob and I hit a real low in Florida when everyone was very snobby and downright mean in South Florida and we couldn't get a window to cross and then the towing incident. I was very stressed and Rob was trying to be optimistic but you could tell was getting disappointed too. Lots of arguing. Once we got to the Bahamas we have been fine and much more relaxed. We are actually even better than ever and proud of ourselves for making it through the hardships.

Some stuff not many people talk about: out here the salt gets on everything. If it isn't really dry and the air is damp your hands and feet just don't dry!! It's horrible! Especially in our boat because your damp hands that won't dry get covered in fuzzies and dog hair!! Eventually the sun returns and everything dries. Any clothes that have salt water on them never dry either no matter how long you hang them on the line. Eventually you need a fresh water wash! Maggie's dog leash keeps seizing and Rob keeps adding new dog leash clips- she's on a neclace of 3 seized ones now!

The sunsets are gorgeous and I love being on the water. Being at anchor is wonderful too. You can jump off and swim- unless you're in Gerogetown- yes 400+ boats in the harbour all pumping their toilets overboard!! But at anchor it is peaceful, private, the pets can roam on the deck. At the dock the pets help themselves to get off the boat!! The boat also always swings into the wind for a nice breeze.

The Bahamas is a little overrun with cruisers and is very Americanized unfortunately. We've seen that some locals are fine with that and some are not and hate us. And people never change- in Georgetown there were rude comments on the cruisers net against the french boats from cruisers with no patience to tolerate anther culture or language.

Overall cruising is great- everyday is a challenge. Making decisions and going over charts. I love going over the charts and deciding our next strategic move and protected anchorage. Everyday is not the same and keeps us on our toes.

Also lots of people don't realize the time it takes to do even simple things on a boat. Just putting away provisions can be an all day job as every locker has to be emptied and taken apart while things are jammed into it. Just trying to take the carpet out of the boat to give it a good shake is a chore in itself of taking out the stairs, the water jugs, etc, etc.

When at anchor during a storm is not much fun. We have been fairly confident in our anchor and skills and know where we went wrong in Allen's Cay. But generally you don't get any sleep as you are up all night checking your position- which is so much more disorienting in the dark- and the position of the boats that could drag on you!!

So not all is fun and games and it is challenging. We have talked to some people that hate it and are going back right away. Some with rebellious kids fighting the home schooling. We are so very lucky to have Matthew and Abbey. They are truely great kids. They love cruising and behave themselves so well. They are so trusting and forgiving of their Mom and Dad.
Interesting enough I have had at least 10 boats tell me that they love listening to me on the VHF. They feel I do very well at it, have a nice voice and some cruisers say when they hear me they really want to meet me as it sounds like we're so happy and having a great time!! Maybe I have missed my calling for a career in radio. It was great to hear that from the various cruisers.

One thing I have to say is that in general all the cruisers out here are amazing people. They are so friendly and outgoing. They all have the same family ideals as we do and are in the same frame of mind. Sailors and adventurers are truely special people. We have made lots of great friends and everyone bonds so quickly too.

Despite using sunscreen of SPF 30 or more we are all very tan and the swimming is keeping us fit. When the wind dies down to nothing- which isn't very often thank goodness- all the cruisers dread it as then there is nothing to keep the bugs away. Then we get eaten alive by the vicious no-see-ums that literally burrow into your skin. Or we close up the whole boat with no-see-um netting and then bake!! Generally the wind keeps them in check. But when the sun goes down on the beach everyone runs for the boat as the mosquitos come from everywhere all at once. The mosquitos have rarely been a problem on the boat though.

Well, that's all I could think of, I wanted to write a little more than just where we've been because I know that can get boring. We likely won't have internet for a while past this so don't panic if no updates for 1-2 weeks. We'll try though. We're heading to Long Island and then a few isolated Cays and then up North.

Hope everyone is doing well and you're all in our thoughts. :) Mandy