Sun, March 23, 2014-
We went to a lecture by a local historian on the Bahamas held near Chat and Chill. He was a good speaker. We had been unaware of the impact WWII had on the Bahamas. It was an economic boom for them as the US used the Bahamas as the supply route from Florida to northern Africa. The Bahamas was under British rule at the time. German boats torpedoed every boat they found – US, British, and Bahamian. Many US troops were rescued from the waters by Bahamians after their ships were destroyed, and taken to Nassau. At that time Britain agreed to let the US put naval bases in the Bahamas. It was in return for ammunition and supplies the US provided to Britain, under the table, before the US declared war.
The Bahamas also prospered during Prohibition, smuggling alcohol into the US.
Farming is done on both Great Exuma Island (where GeorgeTown is located) and on Cat Island. This is the end of the tomato season now. Pineapples are also grown on both islands. We have met some local residents who have stands in town selling their produce. We try to support them. We have enjoyed bananas, plantains, tomatoes, cabbage and yucca. On our last trip a women in South Caicos taught me to boil yucca like potatoes for dinner, then use the leftovers for home fries for breakfast. They are good.
Tues, March 25-
Brian Kukak, an expert on the Blue Holes of the Bahamas spoke and showed fabulous slides of the underwater caves connecting blue holes in the area. 4 years ago we dove one of the blue holes in GeorgeTown. It was amazing to see and hear about how they connect under ground for thousands of feet in some areas. He works with the Bahamian government to help find artifacts from the caves. He showed a piece of calcium carbonate that had been identified and dated to be 60,000 years old. Brian was involved in a photo shoot for National Geographic magazine on blue holes of the Bahamas. Of course, the photography was amazing. The main blue holes he discussed are Dan’s Blue Hole in Big Abaco, and holes in GeorgeTown, and Andros Island. We snorkeled Dean’s Blue Hole at Long Island 4 years ago. At 663 feet deep, it is the deepest known blue hole in the world.
The blue holes are alive with fish and lobsters, providing a lot to see. At the same time, it is critical that all divers time diving around the holes to not be sucked in with the tidal force. Brian had several stories of experienced divers being killed through mistakes.
After the lecture we went to Peace and Plenty for their BBQ. We met with a couple from England who has now built a home in the area, a woman from Dublin, and a gentleman from Norway, who bought his boat in the U.S. and will be sailing it back to Norway. We love meeting people from countries and experiences other than our own.
We hunkered down by Monument Beach on Stocking Island in, yet another coldfront. They are coming through about every 6 days. Today’s wind was 24 with gusts to 28. The whipped up seas made a very wet crossing to GeorgeTown. Bob counted 50 boats in our anchorage area and the morning net reported no boats coming or going today, likely because of the winds.
