Friendly visit with the Enslins

24th Apr 2022 - Wrapped up the week at Great Guana Cay. Two restaurants on the island, one on the windward side, Nippers, with spectacular views of the coral reef and the other, Grabbers (tuna poke was outrageous), in Fishers Bay. We spent a thoroughly enjoyable week walking the beaches and dinghy rides around the Cay. Dorian destruction very apparent.  On one dinghy excursion buzzed through Bakers Bay north on the island, an exclusive private community for the rich (and famous?). Nobody waved at us as we cruised past in our beat up rubber dinghy; no evidence of Dorian here! We are still amazed at how friendly the local folks are, always quick to smile and engage if prompted with conversation. One older gentleman working in a nursery walked with us  to show us the correct path; we were lost and asked directions. Who knew Google maps doesn’t work everywhere. Finally left Great Guana Cay heading back to Marsh Harbor to pick up our dear friends, the Enslin’s, who will be joining us this week. We anchored just outside Hope Town for a restful overnight with light and variable wind.

 

25th Apr 2022 - In the morning crossed  the Abaco sea to Marsh Harbor, dropping the hook opposite the Ferry dock at the Crossings. Hiked into town to procure provisions (which consisted of several oversized slabs of British chocolate, Gerda calls this provisioning - I guess it could be?). Yeah man - Chris and Magda arrived early evening. Chris is totally into experiences. Rob picked them up at the Ferry Dock in our water taxi, low tide, 8 feet down the side of the dock on a rickety ladder. First experience fun enough? It was fantastic to have them join us and share our home with them for a week. Due to east winds predicted overnight, we went back to Elbow Cay and anchored at Tahiti Beach. Spent the evening on Muti munching on chili  and catching up. Great to have such good company. 

26/27th Apr 2022 - We had a relaxing sail back up to Great Guana Cay with average 10 knots of wind  directly behind us, gliding through a beautiful blue sea. Breakfast pancakes for Chris’s birthday showcased Rob’s culinary skills - pancakes from a packet, obviously no Michelin chef on Muti. Another long walk on the desolate windward side beach, having drinks and snacks at Nippers and a snorkeling spell along the shoreline rounded out the experience. Although the sea grass looks very healthy the snorkel experience revealed very little sea life other than a large spotted manta which came to investigate. There is a lot of hurricane trash on the seabed. We were relying on Chris and Rob’s fishing prowess to provide a couple of fillets for dinner; had to settle on Grabbers beach restaurant  for a great dinner menu and rum cocktails. Gerda got out of control on a couple of Grabbers Special rum cocktails.

28th Apr 2022 - Motor-sailed back to Elbow Cay and anchored close to Hope Town. We dinghy’ed into the town and found a Key Lime pie at Vernon’s! Outdoor dinner at the famous Firefly restaurant was a treat, it is perched on the side of a hill overlooking the sea with the lights of Marsh harbour in the distance; a spectacular view. 

29th Apr2022 - Chris and Magda were departing today (so sad) and as Chris remarked ‘and the seas were angry’. He added to his experiences standing on the foredeck in his bathing trunks being blasted by rain. We motored over to Marsh Harbor in squalls and were able to anchor in wind gusts up to 25 knots. Thanks to Gerda helming the boat perfectly, Rob was able to set the hook without destroying the windlass. Rob took them over to the Ferry Dock by dinghy; another turbulent experience. They were able to hail a taxi to the airport. No doubt they were pretty relieved to be on the way home! All the while Rob was hoping they would reconsider.

Highlights as per Chris, pics courtesy of Magda:

On the water highlights:

> The first dinghy ride to your boat…

> Stepping on board your beautiful boat the first time, and the second and the third…never got old…

> Seeing you two work as a team…(Gerda: we put on a good show for you 🤣)

> Gerda at the helm…always cool, calm and collected…Rob, not so much (Rob: hmm… yup, you are correct 🙂 but I’m getting there)

> Blown away with the floor plan of your cat….

> Rob’s coffee in the morning with those amazing views…(Gerda: what about my coffee? 🤪)

> Enjoying meals and drinks in the cockpit….

> Watching Rob trying to set fire to the silicone mats….(Gerda: inside joke 😁 Rob: they do not burn!)

> Remembering all the steps in the right order to go take a dump…(Gerda: Rob offered a demo but you declined 😳)

> Remembering to pump while you shower….

> Taking a nap in the bean bag… (Rob: you don’t nap! Apparently)

> Never tie the dinghy to the cleat on the boat when Rob is trying to lower it into the water…. (Rob: that was you?!)

> Gerda catching my fish…😊 (Gerda: beginner’s luck 🤣 seriously I’ve never caught a fish in my life) (Rob: wtf?)

> Rob leaving the dock before the engine started on the dinghy….and then nearly throwing us overboard when it did start….😂😂 (Rob: not my fault; you forced me to suck down a few frosties beforehand)

> Jumping off the top deck😲

> Not getting sick 🤮

> Seeing the manta ray while snorkeling….

> Rob allowed me to drive the dinghy 👏👏 ….Thanks Gerda!

> Operating the anchor and counting the colors on the anchor chain….(Robs hi-tech method of controlling the chain length) (Rob: Lol, thanks for that)

> Cocktails on the front deck watching the sunsets….

> The dinghy ride back to the ferry dock 🙈🙏🏻😲 not because we wanted to go home, but the experience in the stormy seas… (Rob: it’s the first time I have worn a life jacket in a dinghy)

> Lesson learned: never let the captain see you getting comfortable in a bean bag, then the f@$&# jib has to come down!! (Rob: yeah, man 😎)

On land highlights:

> Dinner at Firefly!!

> The walks on the beautiful beaches

> Gerda getting “dronk” at Grabbers (Gerda: 🤣 I’m a lightweight, what can I say)

> Watching Gerda buy a whole ass Keylime Pie!

> Tuna bowl at Grabbers

> Those fancy cocktails at Firefly (Rob: yeah man!)

> French fries and Sands Light beers at that little place in Hope Town

> Honest Magda not letting Rob harvest local fruit from the plantation🥰 (Rob: it was begging to be picked! Now it’s just rotting on the ground, we could have given it a good home)

> And finally the best thing being on land was knowing that you were going back to the boat to get dronk with Robbie under the stars😁😁 (Rob: yeah man, it’s so sweet!)