BAHAMAS!

     Well everyone, we made it! After literally YEARS of anticipation, the White Seal is now in the beautiful Bahamas! On Wednesday morning we departed No Name Harbor and motor-sailed across the Gulf Stream to the wonderful Bahamian island of Bimini, a fifty mile trip that took us about eight hours. It went very smoothly and it was quite enjoyable (despite a short-lived bout of sea-sickness on my part.) We were out of sight of land for a few hours, which was quite an interesting feeling. We have been staying at Bimini since and will remain here a few days while we wait for good weather to cross the Bahama Banks towards Nassau.
     This island is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Describing the sheer beauty and unique perfection of this place is impossible- adequate adjectives don't exist. The water color here is surreal, the incredible turquoise color is the most magnificent thing to look at you can possibly imagine. The town (Alice Town) is rather scruffy compared to most of the US, but the modest architecture and down-at-the-heels dwellings have a distinctive charm that is unparalleled in America.
     The night we arrived here we heard some music from up the street and decided to investigate. It was coming from a Junkanoo band that was playing wonderful music using a tuba and a half dozen home-made drums. Many of the Biminites were there watching and participating as the crowd slowly danced their way through the streets north into the residential area. It really struck me then that I wasn't in America anymore. People of all ages were out here were dancing in the streets and having a grand old time. This didn't happen in Miami. It really dawned on me that this was a foreign country with customs and priorities far different than that of American life. I absolutely love everything about it.
     Bimini has about 1500 residents, most of whom actually live in Bailey Town, which is directly north of Alice Town. The Biminites are the most friendly people imaginable, every person you pass on the street will say "Hello, how are you" or wish you a Merry Christmas. Crime here is not nearly the issue it is in the States. In America when a stranger starts talking to you on the street you become concerned for your safety. Here however, conversing with the local Bahamians is a pleasure and I do not feel insecure or threatened in the least. The culture here so pleasantly different from what I am used to, this place is just so laid back.
     We will be spending Christmas (which is also my dad's birthday) here at the Bimini Big Game Club marina. The accommodations are quite luxurious considering that it only costs us thirty dollars a night to stay here. In addition to our slip on the dock, we have showers, pool access, and Wi-Fi. Pretty darn plush for the likes of us. Tonight we will be attending a potluck with two other boats. (I really have no idea what to bring, I might just sacrifice my father's chocolate birthday cake for the occasion.)
     The Christmas season on a sailboat is quite different than having it at home in Vermont. This year there shall be no eggnog, snowmen, caroling, or visiting with family. We have a nine inch tall pine cone as a Christmas tree instead of the traditional  fresh cut evergreen tree. (I have decorated it with sea shells. It looks pretty cute, I have to say.) My dad's birthday falls on Christmas so I have baked a decadent chocolate birthday cake in addition to gingerbread and frosted sugar cookies. The gift giving will be very minimal this year because no one really needs anything and the boat is too small to hold much more stuff anyway. It will certainly be a unique Christmas, I'm excited!
     We will stick around Bimini for another couple nights and then continue across the Bahama Banks. While we're on the Banks we will be out of sight of land for a couple days, but only in fifteen feet of water. After that we'll be in Nassau for a few days, where I will likely have Wi-Fi again. After that we will be going down into the Exumas where we will likely spend a couple months exploring lots of little islands. I won't often be able to update this blog, but I will try my best!
     Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

The proud captain at the Big Game Club dock.

Bimini's beauteous beach!

Cookie decorating... note the Christmas pine cone on the right.

A rusty old freighter getting pounded by the waves of the Atlantic...