Here we are at last...I've finally been able to update the blog with another post; this time, our fun in George Town. This is the final winter resting place for many cruisers to the Bahamas. It is located in the southern Exuma island chain on the largest island in the Bahamas, Great Exuma. The town of George Town has an internet grocery store where you can use your laptop for $5.00 daily and have an ice cream pop or buy a box of corn flakes. You can get freshly made bread from Mom's van, get gas @ $5.00+gallon and water (free, here, but you have to fill your jugs in your dinghy a
nd lug them back to your boat).
Two big events in the winter/spring draw cruisers here. The first is the Cruisers' Regatta (races along with fun activitires-see the cruisers parade to left), and the second is the Exuma Family Regatta. In addition, over the years, the cruisers have developed a network of communication and daily activities which rival any adult day camp. The Cruisers' Net is broadcast every morning on the VHF(Ship to Shore) radio. After a synopsis of the local weather, the local businesses advertise any new events or services; next, announcements are made about the regatta. Following that, a Community Forum allows anyone to make announcements relevant to the cruising community; and finally, Boaters' General gives everyone the opportunity to advertise any needs or wants. For example, through the Net, we were able to upgrade to a bigger outboard motor for our slow dinghy, network with other boaters regarding electrical problems, give away an old charger we no longer wanted, attend some seminars about weather and racing, enter the T-shirt design contest, and so on. 
Activities here are held on Stocking Island which faces 5 mile long Elizabeth Harbor along George Town, and are limited only to the cruisers' imagination and willingness to organize them. Since the cruising community has many retirees, their experience and knowledge is used to benefit other boaters. Some examples are Rockin' Ron and his wife Karen who throw a weekly Rock n' Roll dance; a seminar on boating insurance given by the owner of Tabby Cat, an insurance agent, and daily yoga and pilates 'classes'. In addition, one can learn bridge, basket weaving, exchange videos, get together for a musical jam session, learn basket weaving using local plant fronds, play bridge, golf, poker (Texas hold 'em) softball, tennis...and that doesn't include the Regatta activities!
We atte
nded the opening festivities for regatta: a juried pet parade where cruisers dressed thems
elves and their pets, a cat walk replete with painted back drop, lights, and masked, costumed cruisers dancing to music, skits written and performed the boaters; and finally, dancing under the stars on the beach to rock
n' roll.
These are examples of a few of the catwalks.
nd lug them back to your boat).
Two big events in the winter/spring draw cruisers here. The first is the Cruisers' Regatta (races along with fun activitires-see the cruisers parade to left), and the second is the Exuma Family Regatta. In addition, over the years, the cruisers have developed a network of communication and daily activities which rival any adult day camp. The Cruisers' Net is broadcast every morning on the VHF(Ship to Shore) radio. After a synopsis of the local weather, the local businesses advertise any new events or services; next, announcements are made about the regatta. Following that, a Community Forum allows anyone to make announcements relevant to the cruising community; and finally, Boaters' General gives everyone the opportunity to advertise any needs or wants. For example, through the Net, we were able to upgrade to a bigger outboard motor for our slow dinghy, network with other boaters regarding electrical problems, give away an old charger we no longer wanted, attend some seminars about weather and racing, enter the T-shirt design contest, and so on. 
Activities here are held on Stocking Island which faces 5 mile long Elizabeth Harbor along George Town, and are limited only to the cruisers' imagination and willingness to organize them. Since the cruising community has many retirees, their experience and knowledge is used to benefit other boaters. Some examples are Rockin' Ron and his wife Karen who throw a weekly Rock n' Roll dance; a seminar on boating insurance given by the owner of Tabby Cat, an insurance agent, and daily yoga and pilates 'classes'. In addition, one can learn bridge, basket weaving, exchange videos, get together for a musical jam session, learn basket weaving using local plant fronds, play bridge, golf, poker (Texas hold 'em) softball, tennis...and that doesn't include the Regatta activities!
We atte
nded the opening festivities for regatta: a juried pet parade where cruisers dressed thems
elves and their pets, a cat walk replete with painted back drop, lights, and masked, costumed cruisers dancing to music, skits written and performed the boaters; and finally, dancing under the stars on the beach to rock
n' roll.
These are examples of a few of the catwalks.
We also signed up for the race around Stocking Island and came in 3rd (only 2 seconds after the 2nd place!) 
In addition, Lou submitted a water color design for the t-shirt contest for 2009, and came in third. Here is the design (which I think is fabulous), and will make up t-shirts when we get home.
Justine and Damien, my kids, came down for a week with us. Here is Stocking Island while taking a walk with Lou and Justine followed by Justine next to a conch salad stand on Volleyball Beach. 
Both of them were intent on getting tans. Damien had a unique way of facing the sun.
In addition, Lou submitted a water color design for the t-shirt contest for 2009, and came in third. Here is the design (which I think is fabulous), and will make up t-shirts when we get home.
Justine and Damien, my kids, came down for a week with us. Here is Stocking Island while taking a walk with Lou and Justine followed by Justine next to a conch salad stand on Volleyball Beach. Both of them were intent on getting tans. Damien had a unique way of facing the sun.
I can't believe we were here for over 25 days (we came and went, then returned), and we were really ready to leave.
Next stop: Long Island (in the Bahamas, silly!)
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