I’d like to start by acknowledging that we fully understand the horrific strain that is going on throughout the world today. We have friends and family who have either lost their jobs, face uncertainty in the future of their jobs, housing, and health. There are so many dedicated folks who are willingly putting themselves in harms way,  trying to fight this dangerous enemy named Covid-19.
I do not mean to make light of any of the suffering that is going on. Many of you have expressed your enjoyment of sharing in our journey, and seeing the beautiful pictures. In that vain, I/we will continue to write our blog and hope, if nothing else, it may give you a few moments distraction from the anxiety ridden situation you may be facing. Here’s a little island wisdom and encouragement I discovered today.

After getting to Norman’s Cay, we started hearing rumors of shutdowns and island visitations restrictions.  We made a return trip to Highbourne Cay to top off our diesel and water tanks, so we’d be better prepared for any rationing that might be headed our way.  We also briefly considered returning to the US when we read the official US policy on international travel.
After much discussion and consideration, we came to the conclusion that by being self sufficient in our boat, we were actually doing exactly what the US and the Bahamian government were requesting   We couldn’t practice social distancing any better than we were right here.

After visiting Norman’s Cay and walking miles around the new development area, Tom and I headed south into the Exumas Land & Sea Park to spend 3 lovely days without any connectivity. We we’re exploring near Shroud Cay and Hawksbill Cay where there are no cell towers to provide service. There are stretches of neon wintergreen waters, and completely uninhabited,  pink powder soft beaches that stretch on and on along the shore.

 
At idle speed we took our dinghy down a mangrove creek and were delighted to see many green turtles swimming in the crystal clear pools.

We also found a trail, legitimately marked and maintained by the park district (as opposed to one of the offbeat thorny treacherous ones) that led through the woods and up the rough coral hilltop.

We were generously rewarded with a spectacular ocean-view when we crested the hill.

Robert Earl loved swimming in the giant mile wide ”swimming pool” that was just deep enough for him to doggie paddle around, but not deep enough to worry his momma about possible sharp toothed finned visitors.
We had planned to spend one more day in the park at another location further south, so we pulled anchor. We were looking forward to doing some snorkeling on a few nice reefs, and explore a some interesting caves and beautiful beaches.

Just as we reached our way point and began turning into our destination area, we heard 2 captains discussing, over the VHF Radio, the new lockdown orders issued by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas. One of the sailors said he had been stopped by a park patrol officer who told him there was to be NO INTER- ISLAND travel. We cut our WIFI hotspot on and soon regained connectivity.  We confirmed there was a new curfew from 9:00PM to 5:00 AM, and that all of the country’s boarders are now closed.  We couldn’t confirm the lockdown on inter-island travel, but to be safe, we immediately changed course, left the 176 square mile protected park area,  and headed 2 hours further south to drop anchor at Staniel Cay.  Staniel Cay has a marina, 2 grocery stores, a clinic/pharmacy with basic provisions.
Tom had been suffering from a toothache, was feeling better, but we felt we needed to get an antibiotic just in case it flared up again.

Shortly after dropping anchor at Staniel  yesterday afternoon, we received a text from the friends we had met back in Bimini; Ron & Marla on board Equinox. They had seen our boat arrive, and invited us over for a dinghy to ship visit.  We shared cruising experiences since we both had left Bimini, caught up on island news, and the new lockdown restrictions, all the while practicing  our safe social distance protocol.

Staniel is also a pretty crowded place due to the popularity of the swimming pig beach, and the beautiful grotto made famous in the 1960’s James Bond movie “Thunderball”.  All public beaches are closed, and being policed by the local law enforcement in this area.
We took our dinghy ashore this morning, and successfully purchased the needed antibiotic and a few additional groceries.  We’ve pulled anchor, and are now headed to Black Pond Settlement in Great Guana Cay.  We read that they have a fresh bakery, grocery store, fresh seafood market, and laundromat.
There should also be a few more quiet and secluded beaches where we can all stretch our legs.

We’ve heard from a few friends and families back home,  and hope you all can maintain your health and sanity during these extremely trying times.   I guess we’re now officially “stuck/stranded” here in the Bahamas for the time being, but are incredibly grateful to have the good fortune to lockdown in such a beautiful place.