Sailing to Spanish Wells

pot luck dinner on the boat

part of Spanish Wells pristine fishing fleet

Beach view

Shallows go on for miles

Waterfront where fishing boats parked in front of the house

bromolids that look like they are lit up

cemetery

little Spanish Wells house

We had a very gentle sail across the bank to Spanish Wells, catching a mutton snapper within minutes of throwing out a line, (earlier something big grabbed our line and broke it). We had no idea what kind of fish it was until we showed someone later the picture we had taken, but it was delicious. I hope we catch another going out. Our fish count is now up to two.

Spanish Wells is  a small island unlike any place we've been in the Bahamas. It is a busy, industrious island with well kept boats, houses and lots of activity. It is also a dry island (no alcohol) but on Saturday we saw boats running back and forth to a liquor store on  Eleuthera, the neighboring island, a short hop across the cut. This is the first settlement of of the Bahamas that succeeded, and was founded as a place to practice religious freedom (Eleutheria is the Greek word for freedom). Everyone has a strong distinct accent, with most of the families dating back to the original settlers from the 1600's. Looking in from the outside, it has a bit of an utopia look to it, with beautiful beaches with shallow water that stretches out almost a mile out, cute quaint houses and happy people. 

We will be spending a few days here waiting for winds enough to sail up to the Abacos. For the first time since we've been gone, there is almost no breeze, and no see-ums are on the prowl. 

Michaels birthday is Wednesday, so I'm planning his traditonal dinner of hamburgers, potato chips (almost $5.00 for a small bag!) and banana creme pie. Oh and coca-cola, his latest craving. Every place we land he is ashore searching some out. I'm giving him 2 cases of coke for his birthday. (shhh!) We have eaten enough stored food to find room to stash it all.