March 17, 2015 Big Majors/Staniel Cay

March 17, 2015

Tuesday: Big Majors/Staniel Cay St. Patrick's Day

Time to leave our mooring ball and head south to Staniel Cay.  Our friends, Jack & Evie on Eldridge C are here and we are hoping to find them.  As we inch into the anchorage at Big Majors just an island away from Staniel Cay, I spotted their boat.   While we were setting the anchor,  I noticed a couple in a dinghy one boat over waving at us--it was Jack & Evie out visiting.  They came aboard and chatted for a while and then offered to take us on a dinghy tour of the area.  We were all for that--it is super nice to have someone point out the places to explore and with their 11 years of experience visiting the Exumas, we were eager to soak up all the advice they had to offer. 

After their tour, we took off for Staniel Cay.  A Batelco office is on the island--I had to visit because we had used up all of our data package on our phone.  The clerk helped me re load another data package and gave me a brief lesson on how to conserve data.   It seems that this trip is all about conservation--water, electricity, & now data.  While I was making a new friend at Batelco, Steve went over to the WaterMaker Air office (hut).   Our water maker sprung a leak--YIKES!  Our water maker uses reverse osmosis to make potable water from sea water.  It tastes terrific.  Because we are staying on the hook mostly while in the Exumas, it is important to make our own water.  Steve had worked hard to prepare the watermaker for this trip so this leak is a real blow to our trip.  He found Chubby, who could not make the repair for us, but told us what part we needed and how to order to put it on the next Water Maker Air flight to Staniel Cay.  Water maker has a great deal--they make water for the islands, and they have an airline. 

After our chores were completed, we made a quick appetizer and headed to a St. Patrick's party on Pirate Beach at 5:00.  Jack & Evie invited us to this nice beach with chairs, umbrellas, benches, games and a great view.  Lainey made several connections to the St. Pete area for possible job opportunities when she returns. 

Joy

One of the many mega yachts anchored nearby--see the waterslide?

local fishermen selling catch of the day--look at their feet and see the lobster.