BAHAMA WINTER, 2011-12 - Berry Island Chain

On February 28 we finally broke away from the comfort of Ocean Reef on Grand Bahama and sailed 65 n.miles to the southeast to Great Harbour Cay on the northern end of the Berry Islands. It was our intention to hide out in coves and visit Flo & Chester on Little Harbour Cay for a month, then work our way back towards home via Bimini. We ran into Chester at Bullocks Harbor and learned that his mom had passed away since our last visit two years ago. We unexpectedly also met Chester, Jr. who now works in the marina there. The March winds were unfortunately roaring in like a lion, so we ended up spending a great two weeks in Great Harbour Cay Marina. One of the most beautiful beaches in the world is located here, and the fishing is awesome even when the winds are honking in from the Atlantic. We hiked miles with no one ever around and ate snapper like royalty for two weeks. By the time we left, however, the Berrys were just about totally out of food because the winds had prohibited the arrival of the Nassau Mailboat for over three weeks . . . not that eating fresh fish & lobster is all that bad, but having no vegetables or fruit finally gets to you. And then, when an island finally runs out of beer, you know it's time to leave.

Blackened Red Snapper . . . Slap ya momma

Nan was wading the shallows and found this conch eating a huge crab.

Coolie Mae's restaurant in Bullocks. The choice this day was either "barbequed something(?) or stewed turkey". The turkey turned out to be "turkey buzzard" . . . interesting entree.

The old golf course caught fire and burned several acres and a few homes during our visit. The smoke hung around for days from hundreds of spot fires.

Manatees lived around our boat in Great Harbour Cay Marina