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Great Exuma Island – The Bahamas |
Words: Laura St. John / Pictures: Laura St. John & Paul Kitchen
Volley Ball Beach, Elizabeth Harbor, George Town, Great Exuma Island, The Bahamas, in the Bermuda Triangle!!! It is lovely! As I write this we are in the middle of our third full day. Two days ago Chris, Glenn and I returned to Foul Cay to retrieve our lost anchor.
As we were running the dink back a Manta Ray leaped out of the water ahead of us. He flapped his "wings" and did a belly flop! He was five feet wide, black on top and white on bottom. We were so close, I could see his mouth underneath. It was amazing.
 | | Volley Ball Beach From the Air |
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We rode over three feet deep coral reefs in water so clear we could not tell where the surface began. We glided over sand flats so bright it looked like we were hovering over land. We passed star fish as big as Frisbees. Deeper water looked like liquid sapphire to sky blue and then turquoise. We could see dolphins under water from fifty yards away. We spooked a nurse shark near the beach. They have no teeth to speak of but I hear they give a terrific hicky.
The location of our anchorage has accessible beaches, both on the harbor side and over a hill on the ocean side. We can swim to shore. We can take the dinghy a short distance for snorkeling and further away there is fishing and diving.
The mile stretch of water between us and town is striped zebra style with smooth sandy areas and coral formations. The visibility is about 40 feet. From the central dinghy dock in town and old fashioned school bell can be heard bringing the children in from recess. They wear uniforms.
 | | Harbour Full of Dinghis |
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I haven't had time to explore George Town yet, but so far I have been in the bank, seen a well stocked Exuma Market and used the internet where they also sell propane.
Within five miles there is enough to keep you busy for years. In fact many cruisers come here year after year for decades. The area is revered and protected by locals and cruisers alike. It is clean and the water is healthy.
 | | Sunset Over the Beach |
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In the mornings on the VHF radio a cruisers net is broadcast. A net controller calls for news and requests. If you need help with a project you simply call in state your boat name and the problem and afterwards people call you back.
The controller reads the weather report, makes announcements such as local services available and lists the various class schedules. (I have volunteered to be a temporary net controller for the next week!!) There's bead jewelry making, water colors, yoga, dominoes, cards, softball games and volley ball. Volley Ball beach is geared towards the kids.
Every day people go about their business and at 2:30 they break from their chores to meet at the beach for all that fun and fellowship. I wish you could experience this for yourself. There is no fear of crime. The community takes care of each other and their main mission is to live, love and laugh. Perhaps you can understand why we're thinking of hanging out for a while.
Ends
Laura St. John's website is: www.worldofturnone.com
If you want to supplement this article with hints or own experiences, please click here.
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