What? Long Island? Are we home already? No, it's Long Island in the Bahamas! It's 75 miles long, though only a few miles wide in some places. While we waited out a cold front (cooler temperatures, high winds and a rough sea state making it difficult, uncomfortable and dangerous to travel) - we rented a car with our friends, Tony and Marla who returned once again to sail with 
us. Here are a few sights we traveled to:
The Salt Pond Caves: Located in the town of Salt Pond, along the coast, and hidden between a house and a gas station,we explored three chambers, each one distinct and amazing in it's own way. The first contained skylights with intertwined vines growing from the earth into the cave; the second was open to the sky due to a previous collapse; and the third was totally dark and contained some new and old stalagtites and stalagmites (and bats!).
us. Here are a few sights we traveled to:
The Salt Pond Caves: Located in the town of Salt Pond, along the coast, and hidden between a house and a gas station,we explored three chambers, each one distinct and amazing in it's own way. The first contained skylights with intertwined vines growing from the earth into the cave; the second was open to the sky due to a previous collapse; and the third was totally dark and contained some new and old stalagtites and stalagmites (and bats!). 
Dean's Blue Hole: The deepest in the world dropping to 663 feet. This place was spectacular, protected on one side and open to the ocean on the other. 
As we traveled up and down Queen's 'Highway' (The main drag that flows north to south through the island), we passed enumerable churches, mainly Baptist, Catholic and Anglican. Here is St Mary's, the first Long Island Church, along with a Catholic Church built in the 20's by Father Jerome, an influential British architect and priest whose 
numerous churches are found through the island and beyond. 
Occasionally, we saw domestic sheep and goats romping alongside the houses. When Lou spotted mutton on the menu at Harbour Rest, Lou had to have it. It came prepared in a delicious sauce, and we ended the meal with Guava Duff: dense bread slathered with guava jelly and covered with a creamy sauce. Very tasty, very Bahamian, very satisfying.
The Long Island Library, Museum, and Community Center:The library is upstairs, and the Center in the back. Three rooms in the museum gave a beautifully displayed overview of the history and culture of the island which were elaborated on by a museum docent. This endeavor was developed b
y a group of diverse and talented Long Island natives.
On the way back to return the car, we stopped at Max's Conch Rest for fresh conch salad (yum!)and wifi! This was one of very few places for us to check email and I couldn't update the blog due to very little time left with the car rental. While there, we met another cruising couple who had a larger version of the boat we have and the next day we visited them for a tour. Their boat is 10 cubic feet larger and is more like a home afloat for their live-aboard experience. When we weren't driving, we walked over to the other side of the island, the Atlantic Ocean s
ide. Several of the Bahamian islands are further east bordering the ocean rather the Sound, and that is the course we will be taking in the next few weeks. We climbed enormous rocks jutting out from the beach, swam in a protected area, and snorkeled a shallow reef. Marla sat for hours watercoloring; she is getting to be quite good, making great progress from the d
ays motoring down the intracoastal waterway. Here are a couple of pictures of the few birds we have seen on any of the islands. The ubiquitous plastic flotsam and jetsum, too, are always there as we beachcomb. (We were recently told that years ago the eggs were taken to ward off hunger and it's taking years for them to return - fact or fiction?) 
Along with the multicolored plastic washed ashore, there are always the coconuts. An unusual sight - a new growth out of a coconut seed! 
The night before leaving, we met our friends from Renaissance, Lynn and Al, who we had traveled with in the Exumas. They were now anchored on the other side of the island while Lynn's son and companion visited, and were able to meet with us while they were in a rental car. Here we all are at the bar of Parro
ts of the Carribean.
During our weeklong stay in the Thompson's Bay anchorage, w
e spent time with our French-Canadian friends from Ahora, Patrick and Catherine and their two year old, Rupert. We are sorry to leave them as they wait for the arrival of Patrick's parents.
This morning we are on our way north to a new island...not sure which one -depends on the wind and the seas and the whimsy of the captain.
Don't forget, we would love to hear from you; click on the word Comments at the bottom of this post and send us a public message! (...and remember that you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.)
y a group of diverse and talented Long Island natives.
On the way back to return the car, we stopped at Max's Conch Rest for fresh conch salad (yum!)and wifi! This was one of very few places for us to check email and I couldn't update the blog due to very little time left with the car rental. While there, we met another cruising couple who had a larger version of the boat we have and the next day we visited them for a tour. Their boat is 10 cubic feet larger and is more like a home afloat for their live-aboard experience. When we weren't driving, we walked over to the other side of the island, the Atlantic Ocean s
ide. Several of the Bahamian islands are further east bordering the ocean rather the Sound, and that is the course we will be taking in the next few weeks. We climbed enormous rocks jutting out from the beach, swam in a protected area, and snorkeled a shallow reef. Marla sat for hours watercoloring; she is getting to be quite good, making great progress from the d
ays motoring down the intracoastal waterway. Here are a couple of pictures of the few birds we have seen on any of the islands. The ubiquitous plastic flotsam and jetsum, too, are always there as we beachcomb. (We were recently told that years ago the eggs were taken to ward off hunger and it's taking years for them to return - fact or fiction?) 
Along with the multicolored plastic washed ashore, there are always the coconuts. An unusual sight - a new growth out of a coconut seed! 
The night before leaving, we met our friends from Renaissance, Lynn and Al, who we had traveled with in the Exumas. They were now anchored on the other side of the island while Lynn's son and companion visited, and were able to meet with us while they were in a rental car. Here we all are at the bar of Parro
ts of the Carribean.
During our weeklong stay in the Thompson's Bay anchorage, w
e spent time with our French-Canadian friends from Ahora, Patrick and Catherine and their two year old, Rupert. We are sorry to leave them as they wait for the arrival of Patrick's parents.
This morning we are on our way north to a new island...not sure which one -depends on the wind and the seas and the whimsy of the captain.
Don't forget, we would love to hear from you; click on the word Comments at the bottom of this post and send us a public message! (...and remember that you can click on the pictures to enlarge them.) 
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