Spring Break with Monica and Jenn

March 28 - April 2, 2010 Nassau, N.P., Bahamas

This will probably be a long entry so I will try to break it up for you into the 6 days we had with Monica and her friend, Jenn. Be sure to pay attention to Day 4 as that was probably the most “amazing” day.

Day 1: March 28, 2010

Monica and Jenn arrived at our dock in Lyford Cay at 2:00 and we were off to Nassau shortly afterward. Originally we were going to leave on Monday, but the weather already wasn’t great on Sunday and was going to be worse on Monday so we left. The ladies started out by sitting out on the bow for the ten mile trip, but were soon driven off by the clouds and wave spray coming up over the bow.

The entrance to the Nassau Harbor was well-marked, and after calling Nassau Harbor Control, we were given permission to enter. We were told to be aware of two freighters that were leaving. The Harbor was busy with only one Cruise ship in – two had left earlier as we were approaching the harbor – and ferry boats and other commercial traffic.

After persistent calling to see if there had been a cancellation, we were able to secure a slip in the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Nassau. We were in slip #4 at the entrance to the Atlantis Marina and far away from most things, but at the cheapest rate ($4.00/ft plus water and electricity). This charge allowed us into all the water rides without any extra charge – so water rides here we come!!!!! After all was said and done, Mark thought that we got a lot better deal for our money than we had had in our last two stops. That first night was cool and showers threatened so after getting Grateful settled and rinsed off, we went out for hamburgers in Marina Village (Monica’s treat). Later we went to the casino where Mark, Monica and I lost some $$$, but Jenn made a little. But my-oh-my are the people beautiful here – most dressed up. There are two nightclubs in the casino so all night Mark and I were entertained by beautiful young women wearing 4-5 inch heels and tight-tight, very short spandex skirts. Most were having difficulty walking – was it shoes or booze??

Day 2: March 29, 2010

This was the “forced march” by the girls to see half of the Atlantis resort where all the lagoons and nurseries were for sea life. We saw stingray, small hammerhead sharks, green sea turtles and starfish. Atlantis is famous for it’s open air aquariums and “Blue Project” (reef refurbishment projects around Nassau).

While we were there a group of school children were on a field trip - Monica and Jenn really loved that they were on "spring break"!!

Interestingly, part of the beach was closed off today because of erosion, high waves and undertow. Monica and Jenn were warned away as we were trying to take their picture on the beach. The erosion was dramatic – 15-20 vertical feet of sand was eroded away to the bedrock. The beach guard said it had happened within the last month. A couple who has returned 11 years to Atlantis had never seen it like this and didn’t know there was rock under all that sand. Mark captured some beautiful pictures of the powerful waves (glad we weren’t trying to travel in them).

We needed refreshment midway through and stopped at the Beach Bar for expensive specialty drinks.

After our little break, we were off again. This time the girls wanted to go on the water slides – particularly the “Leap of Faith” in the Aztec temple. We saw the Great Hammerhead sharks and other predator fish, manta rays, reef sharks and crossed the rope suspension bridge on the way to the Aztec Temple and the girls’ “leap”.

We played until nearly sunset then returned to the boat to have Bahamian lobster, rice and salad for dinner.

Day 3: March 30, 2010

Not surprisingly, we needed a day of rest and recovery – Mark and I especially. Right behind our slip was a pool, hottub, restrooms, and the Point Bar - pretty convenient for our recoupment. We read, sunned, (I blogged) and cleaned up.Monica and Jenn took some time in the afternoon to go see the Dolphin Cay and do some more gambling. Monica came back with substantial winnings and Jenn contributed her previous gains. We went out for Bahamian jerk chicken pizza and a regular pizza for dinner (Jenn’s treat). Monica and Jenn tried Kalik, a Bahamian beer.

We heard that the entire beach was closed today as the wind, waves, and undertow was worse than yesterday. No watersports, fishing or snorkeling chartes went out. Later in the day, the wind calmed so we got the dinghy down and the girls and Mark went out for a short ride in the marina and in the Nassau Harbor.

Day 4: March 31, 2010

Wednesday was our first calm day and the last day to spear lobster. We were ready to do battle. Mark had purchased his “Hawaiian Sling” in Key Largo – I should keep you guessing, but it is a spear in a slingshot-like contraption. We packed Corona, turkey sandwiches, sunscreen, towels and our snorkeling and lobster gear and we were off to Rose Island and the reefs on the east side of New Providence.

We passed a couple of hours snorkeling and looking for lobster in our private beach cove.

Decided it was time for a drink and lunch. This is when we discovered that we did NOT pack a bottle opener, and Mark didn’t have his trusty all-in-one tool. The beach cove was lined with sharp petrified coral – surely this could open a bottle of beer. Our efforts were rewarded and we were finally able to have our lunch.

The tide was going out so we decided to leave our beach before it would be too shallow, but we continued to look for lobster. Monica and Jenn hung their heads over the sides of the dinghy with the snorkeling masks on. (I've got a picture of this, but Jenn would shoot me if i put it in)! We covered a lot of ground that way. Then Jenn asked if she could snorkel some more because she was seeing conch and sand dollars and wanted to collect some. Both Monica got out and snorkeled again. Monica got cold and quit, but I think Jenn could have gone on and on and on. She dove for conch shells and sand dollars, finally finding a perfectly preserved sand dollar. Monica nearly sat on it so she gave it to me and I gently placed it in the towel bag at my feet.

We were returning to the Nassau Harbor from the east and Mark was running at about 20 mph on plane. All of us were gawking at the sights. That is when Jenn, Monica, and Mark saw the spotted eagle ray fly out of the water directly into the path of the dinghy!! It glanced off Jenn’s cheek and Monica was slapping it away - they saw the wings and spots on the back up close. Mark pretty much took the hit straight on ducking over to his left side onto my lap and striking out at the ray trying to keep it away. He saw the white bottom side and mouth up close. I had been looking the other way, but looked back when the commotion started in time to see a flash of white and Mark fending it off.

With the shock/fright of the event, Jenn was crying and talking fast. Monica was giggling and talking equally as fast. Mark was silently taking in the damage noticing that the motor had shut off, his console was loose and that his depth finder was missing. “Girls! Do you see my depth finder?” he sternly asked to get their attention. They tried to look, but I am not sure if they even knew what they were looking for. The motor started so we circled and found the depth finder floating in the water behind us. It had been ripped away from three cables out of the console and the ray had snapped a 5/16ths inch bolt anchoring the console. Oh, and Jenn’s perfect sand dollar was somehow crushed. Luckily, that was the only damage. Monica summed it up well, “That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen, and we are all still alive and in the boat.” Amen.

We celebrated life by tracking down two fellows who actually had speared lobster on this final day of the lobster season and purchasing our meal for the evening.

Day 5: April 1^st, 2010

Happy 1^st Anniversary, Monica and Bryan!!

We decided this was the day to see the rest of Atlantis – oh, yes, there was more. We went to the Aquaventure and the Power Tower. This is where you ride inner tubes around a mile long “river”. There were big waves, rapids, conveyor belts to take the riders higher and deposit them back in the “river”. The “river” forked – if you went left, you rode through “the rapids” – if you went right, you were conveyed up to the Power Tower where there were four water rides (2-3 for rider and tube). Mark and I did “The Falls” – shoots down, then up, then around in circles in a dark tube! YIKES!! Happened fast – Mark said I screamed and I didn’t hear a thing from my claustrophobic husband – he said he squeezed his eyes closed till we were out. It was great fun, but Mark and I quite after 2-3 hours. Monica and Jenn continued on a few more water rides. Unfortunately, there were no pictures because we were all water-logged.

Mark and I returned to the boat and got the dinghy back aboard. The girls came back and we decided that we would splurge and go to the Marketplace Buffet (Bryan’s treat). We had lots of choices of very good food. We sat outside surrounded by aquariums (and under heaters). We toasted Monica & Bryan’s first wedding anniversary and ate until we were all miserable. Good thing the walk back to Grateful was over a mile. However, the night wasn't quite complete without a re-enactment of the flying spotted eagle ray attack:-)

Day 6: April 2, 2010 (Good Friday)

We left Monica and Jenn on the dock with their luggage at 8:00. We had gotten up early and had breakfast together. Then because this was supposed to be the better weather day, we were going to get fuel and then travel to Great Harbor Cay Marina, Bullocks Harbor in the northern Berry Islands. Monica and Jenn had about two hours before they were going to the airport. They were going to shower and have coffee or sit by a pool until they had to leave. We felt bad about leaving them, but they graciously agreed that we should go.

As it turned out, we could have waited another hour before leaving because there was only one fuel dock open - Good Friday. The big yacht that left Atlantis ahead of us went directly to the fuel dock. We went to a couple of other spots and found out that all were closed. So we idled patiently for an hour as the other boat fueled up and then we were able to get in.

The good news was because of the Good Friday holiday the Nassau Harbor was very quiet and we saw only a couple tour boats and ferry boats, but no commercial traffic.

We were finally off on our trip at 9:30. Our trip to Great Harbor Cay Marina – 75 nautical miles – was uneventful. There were 2-4 ft waves hitting on our starboard side and bow. Wind also from NE – same as waves. It slowed our speed, but we made it to port at 5:30. More about this place later. We like it.