It was time to make our way a little further South to get a little closer to George Town. We had one more stop to make though before making it there. We would stop at Lee Stocking for two nights to wait out a little weather that was happening on the outside of our protected shelter.
As it goes with cruising you catch up to boats that you know. Sam, Caila and Lucey from the Flying Whale were in the anchorage just behind us. Dale and Debbie on MokaKat were further in front of us and B4Checkout who made the journey with us was just right across from us in the anchorage. We did not get off the boat to explore. Work was back in full swing for me so there was very little free time. Coming back from a long holiday week(s) means everyone catching up on what they had put off.
When we left out of Ray Cay Cut we knew we had a chance of showers in the forecast. Luckily we were able to skirt around all of the rain that was happening. When we pulled out of the cut it was us and B4Checkout with the Flying Whale in our distance as they went out of the Lee Stocking Cut instead.
It wasn’t long before I looked up and saw that what was the 3 of us was now more like a total of 12 with those in the distance.
It was work to get enough wind in the jib to help us sail. The wind was coming at a 30 degree angle and there wasn’t a whole lot of it. So once again we were motor sailing in order to out run the storm coming up from behind us.
As we pulled into Elizabeth Harbour I did a happy dance. While I did not have an agenda for our trip in the Bahamas I did know that George Town would be the furthest South I wanted to go. We pulled into beautiful waters with close to 175 boats in the harbour. George Town is the cruisers capital so to speak. This is the last real “civilization” for those heading further South to Turks and Caicos and on to the USVI/BVI and Grenada.
We had several other Leopard boat friends already in George Town so we parked close to them and got situated. It was super hot with zero wind moving through the air so we lowered the dinghy and went to the beach to cool off. As soon as landed the dinghy there was a huge starfish there waiting to greet us.
That evening was the George Town Junkanoo festival. We grabbed some dinner at Shirley’s prior to the festivities.
We attempted to go to watch however due to rain that happned earlier that day it was delayed to later in the evening and it was past our bedtime. We did get to catch a glimpse of some of head dress and floats that would be used.
The following day, Saturday, we went into George Town to pick up some grocery items we were out of. When they headed over to the Chat N Chill for a burger and some fries.
Chat N Chill is cruiser central. They are known for their Conch Salad that they prepare fresh on the beach right in front of you. The bits and pieces of the conch that they don’t use is left on a table near the beach to feed the resident sting rays who wait for the table scraps of conch.
It was nice to get off the boat and grab a bite to eat. They have volleyball courts and baggo as well on the beach. There is also usually a group of cruisers playing dominoes.
