The first few days of Beck’s vacation we had fairly calm weather. We are glad that we made the trip to Barraterre, knowing that it is a shallow bay to enter. The people in this settlement are so friendly and we were able to buy fresh vegetables from their gardens on every visit. This also turns out to be a departure point for tourists from the resorts on Great Exuma to explore the lower Exumas by speed boat. Shopping accomplished on day one, we headed off to other anchorages.
Our first anchorage at Childrens Bay Cay was scenic and we promptly got in the water for a snorkel and beach walk, catching lobster and conch for dinner.
Our new favorite anchorage is Williams Bay on Lee Stocking Island. Not only are the waters gorgeous, but it turns out to be the best hiking island in the Bahamas so far. It’s a good thing since the weather turned blustery for the week while we were safely tucked in on the leeward side.
The bank side has incredible water colors and flowing sandbars that seem to change with every new vantage and sun angle.
Beck and I hiked most of the island throughout the week.
One decent stretch about a mile long took us, Barbara, Silke and Kye from the bank side to the northern Atlantic side beach traversing a narrow trail in the brush.
There was a sign as we emerged on an airstrip at the abandoned research center calling this the Loyalist Trail.
The beach views were amazing. As opposed to the shifting torquoise blues of the bank side, these ocean blues were all shades of indigo.
We did get to snorkel despite the winds on some small coral heads in the lee of some rocks so Beck could check out her GoPro underwater. The quality of its videos are impressive in such a small package ~ looks like we’re going to have to get one for Reach! I don’t have all of the footage, but did save a short video taken from the dinghy of a stingray, since they were found everywhere in the shallows.
Another long hike traversing the southern end of Lee Stocking island was on the ocean side and much more rugged. The wind-whipped rocks testify to the power of the elements. The rocks we climbed over several bluffs were steep and jagged, two hills even had make-shift ropes for assistance.
The wind gusts felt like they might blow us over, while in-between each bluff was a steep grotto or even steeper, vertigo-inducing crevasse. The views and scenery along the way, plus the beaches at the end were pretty incredible.
We climbed the steep hill to Pike’s Peak twice, once with the whole gang. It was surprising to learn that we were only at 123 feet at the top of the island, which is quite high by Bahamas standards. It felt like three times that high when you are up there taking in the stunning views.
This was our last adventure all together before having to say goodbye to our cruiser neighbors and to Beck as she flew back to her new job. We hope for Beck that it was a memorable week, living the good life close to nature and good friends!
P.S. How did we wind up with >70 shots of this photo??! Must’ve been rum induced… LOL
