More George Town

Since arriving in Georgetown, last Saturday, our efforts have been to reprovision, pick up a few parts, have the laptop repaired, do some laundry and learn the lay of the land.  The wind has been blowing steadily around 18 knots; therefore, dinghy rides to George Town have been quite wet. Dinking around on the Stocking Island side is doable.

Exuma Market

We have found Georgetown to be very unique, unlike other Exuma Islands. It is larger and generally everything can be had. The Exuma Market supplies all of our grocery needs and there is even a NAPA store for general parts. Free water is available at the dinghy dock located behind the market, another jerry can experience.  The town laundromat is also a short walk from the dock, with self service or drop off.  

Exuma Market dinghy dock

I found Mr. Gray online and he agreed to meet me in front of the Exuma Market to take a look at my dead laptop.  It was an uneasy feeling when he drove off with it and agreed to contact me in a while with the status. A short while later he called me saying the laptop was repaired and the charge would be $50. He returned and it appeared to work well.  However, later that night it was dead again. I believe Mr. Gray killed it at the market with a candelabra. but I am still suspicious of Colonel Mustard. It's time for a new one. 

BBQ, Daquiri, Conch salad

We've found the food to be very good and deals are to be had if you search.  The locals give the clue. If you go into a restaurant or to a stand and see nothing but locals you will probably find a good deal.  We still love a good and healthy conçh salad but haven't found deals for them yet.

Monument Hill

We've been getting plenty of exercise walking the trails and beaches.  We attempted to hike Monument Hill on Wednesday but the trip was cut short as evening was approaching, and the fact that we ended up on top of the next hill over.  Ruth attended water aerobics on Thursday as I worked on boat projects. Afterwards we made a town trip for general supplies then walked a couple beach miles.  

Where it happens.

On Friday Ruth attended water aerobics again while I dinked to town for fuel and water. Later we went to the "treasures of the bilge" swap meet, at the Chat and Chill, but no treasures were to be had by Pura Vida, so we finished the evening with refreshments with Don and Carol of Isle of Grace.

Tomorrow's plans have not been determined.

George Town at last

Entrance to dinghy dock

Saturday, February 8th, we pulled up anchor at 0700, exited the Farmers Cay Cut, and turned the boat south. In 2008, I bought my first sailboat, a 1982, 34 foot Irwin. Besides the joy of sailing, I think I purchased the boat because of my innate wanderlust. I've always enjoyed traveling to distant destinations whether in a camper, a motorhome, or even on a motorcycle. Reading numerous cruising blogs, made me realize that it is a real thing. One particular blog was about a young couple on a PDQ catamaran who spent winters in George Town. I followed the Tender Vittles blog, with Tom and Amy until it was no longer published. So for the last 12 years I have been envisioning pulling into Elizabeth Harbour between George Town and Stocking Island.

30 yr old lure

Being in deep waters for the 40 mile journey in the Exuma Sound, I deployed two fish wackers. I even pulled out my antique feathered, lead headed jig. No luck. However, I did overhear a discussion on the VHF in which a boat scored two mahi mahi's using a cedar plug. A cedar plug is now on the list of must-haves.

After dragging 40 miles

We pulled into Elizabeth Harbour, between Stocking Island and George Town, around 1400. We dropped the anchor off Monument Beach at Stocking Island in line with probably a couple hundred other boats.  After all was set we launched the dinghy and headed south, about 1.5 miles, toward the dinghy dock at George Town. We ate conch salad at Sonia's, visited the market, then made our way to Doe Boi's. Doe Boi is the owner of an electronics store so I inquired about the possibility of him fixing my laptop. He asked me to bring it in Monday to take a look at it. It turns out Doe Boi's is also a courier store so I ordered another solar panel from Amazon to be delivered to him. We filled a couple jerry cans with water at the dinghy dock and made the trip back to Pura Vida.

We are not sure what we are going to do on Sunday, perhaps just take it all in and make a list of things to do in the upcoming weeks. George Town was our destination and will be our home base for the next few weeks.

Bucket list... George Town ✔.

We look forward to visits from Bryce, Veronica, Blake & Chris.

Our George Town net intro: