Tongue of the Ocean

Tongue of the Ocean  January 3 to 5, 2011

Another day, another fish. Crossing the Tongue of the Ocean from Andros to New Providence Tom landed a 40” wahoo.  We have a couple of books on board that we use to identify fish and determine if they are edible or not. Wahoo is very edible.

 We keep a tape measure close by.

 Tom’s fish filleting skills have improved with the help of a bigger, better knife. This one provided enough meat for six large meals. The freezer is starting to fill up.

 

 As we have not yet had the urge to visit Nassau, especially during the busy holiday season, we pointed Polar Pacer towards the quieter, south shore of New Providence Island where we anchored in Southwest Bay before moving on to the Exumas. To say we were “anchored” in Southwest Bay is stretching the facts a bit. When Tom went out with the lookey bucket (a glass bottom plastic pail) he saw that our anchor was hooked to a small piece of coral protruding from the scoured bottom.  That and the weight of the anchor chain was all that was holding us in place. Fortunately, the island was protecting us from the northeast wind that was blowing at less than 5 knots and held that way all night.

 I am no longer amazed at the number of abandoned projects that we have seen in the Bahamas. Many date back prior to the most recent downturn in the world economy. What does surprise me is that for every abandoned project there seems to be another new one launched, sometimes just next door.  It seems that the wheels of bankruptcy law must turn so slowly that if and when a failed venture does get sorted out, so much deterioration has taken place that it is cheaper and easier to start from scratch than to salvage what was already there.

 

Abandoned on New Providence.

 The neighbours. Still pretty quiet but freshly painted with windows and doors intact. 

Heading out from New Providence the fishing lines went back in the water.  It wasn’t long before we heard the ziiinnnng coming off the reel. We have a routine now. Tom starts to reel the line in. I slow the boat down make sure it is on auto pilot and gather the necessary tools: – gaff, knife, pliers  and a winch handle  to knock it out.

It seemed to be a big one and was putting up a good fight.

Half an hour later Tom had it up to the stern and was able to see the distinct markings of yet another barracuda.

Our first stop in the Exumas this trip would be Norman’s Cay. We had a nice bright day to approach the island watching for changes in the color of the water that would identify the shallows (very light colored) and the coral heads (dark colored). The wind was from the east and the island gave us good protection for the night. We had anchored here overnight on our way north last year. This time we made a short visit ashore.

Once a haven for drug runners, Norman’s Cay is now dotted with many private residences and has a busy air strip for charter flight to and from the island. There is talk about a large resort that is to be built on the island but in the meantime Norman’s Cay Beach Club (a.k.a MacDuff’s) is the only game in town with $18.00 hamburgers. Their spicy conch fritters are more reasonably priced and are delicious. 

 Just follow the signs.

 One of the Beach Club cabins.

  Garden ornament.