Flo's in the Berry Islands

We found the restaurant named Flo's on Little Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands.   We met Chester who built his restaurant in 1993.  Chester Darville's family have lived on the island in a settlement founded by his grandparents.  Atop the hill we could see the remains of a home that Chester told us had been uninhabited for 30 years.  Chester serves up conch at this remote restaurant named for his mother Florence.  Reservations are required at least 3 hours in advance by hailing Chester on VHF 68 so that Chester can have the fresh conch ready.

Dinghy Dock to get into Flo'--surrounded by thousands of conch shells

Flo's from the dinghy--YOU WELCOME is written on the roof

Dinner for 12--ready for their guests to arrive!

Sunrise on Cat Cay

April 2, 2013

Up early this morning to take Piper for a walk.  Mr. Adventure got her into the tender and rode over the Cat Cay for her morning walk.  We went into high gear and managed to head out of this anchorage by 7:30 in the morning.  We headed due east, set the auto pilot and enjoyed the view.  We are planning to anchor at  Chubb Cay in the Berry Islands.  It is approximately 70 miles so we have a 7 hour day.  About half an hour into our ride, we can no longer see land.  A sea of turquoise extends as far as we can see.   Starfish and other marina life can be seen from the deck because the waters are crystal clear. 

We are blessed with a calm sea and seventy degree weather.  I got to sit on the deck with a book for about two hours.  Steve got to enjoy the autopilot feature  since the waters were consistently 12 feet deep with very few shallow spots. 

Bimini to Cat Cay

April 1, 2013

We walked around the beach after sleeping in this morning.  The beaches are beautiful, but there is some debris and trash scattered along.  An unattended dog was trying to get friendly with Piper--however, Mr. Adventure was having none of that--the little scroungy mutt was shooed away.

We discovered a wrecked runabout on the rocks before returning back to close out our account with Brown's before heading to Cat Cay for the night.  It was fairly windy with a quick current when we left, but we got out of the marina without a problem.  Thinking I would enjoy the ride out, and maybe take some pictures, I did not gather up the lines or the fenders like I do typically. 

I quickly discovered that I wouldn't be taking any pictures or going out at all since the winds were kicking up 6-8 foot waves.  This ride was the most uncomfortable that I have had since owning our boat.  I wasn't afraid, or sick.  I knew the boat could handle the up and down ride over the water, but I was not sure that I could stay standing or seated.  We traveled this way for about 30 minutes when the water calmed significantly.  I was able to go out without fear of being tossed overboard and gather up the lines and stow away the fenders.

We passed a sunken concrete ship but were not able to stop in the busy waters.  Had it been calm, we were going to anchor and take the tender over for some exploration.  We made it to Cat Cay in the early afternoon and anchored without any difficulty.  We took out the tender to Gun Cay.  We found several beautiful conch shells to take home.  The waves were crashing over the south side of this little cay making a delightful show for us.  By early evening we were joined by about 5 other boats at anchor.  We had no pirate encounters or dragging anchor issues here at Cat Cay.  There were several planes landing and taking off at this private island with its own golf course.   

Conch Shell on Gun Cay

Gun Cay Lighthouse

Gun Cay

 

Cat Cay Lighthouse

Chubb Cay-Berry Islands

Chubb Cay is a fisherman's paradise.  We anchored right outside of the Chubb Cay Marina where a fishing tournament was being held.  We had a scary/frightening moment when we were lowering the tender.  Several fishing boats flew by--leaving a tremendous wake--just as we were lowering the tender.  The tender swung toward me, wobbled, bobbled, threatened to get away from us.  We raised it, waited until the wake from the fishing boats receded and tried again.

Pat, at Burr Yacht Sales, had talked with us about something like this occurring--a situation that can be dangerous and potentially damage the boat, davit, or tender.  Steve and I were both recalling Pat's advice while we were in the midst of this situation.

Chubb Cay marina could be a very nice marina, but unfortunately, it is having some financial worries that are clearly visible in the care of some of the buildings.  The location is spectacular and has the potential to be a lovely destination once it's financial issues are settled.

Centerpiece stature of Chubb Cay Marina

Infinity Poole at Chubb Cay Marina

 

The beaches at Chubb Cay

This is not pool water--yep--turquoise oceans

Around Bimini

Photos of Bimini

Sunset on the Beach at Bimini

Easter Party on the Beach

Brown's Marina

End of the World Bar

Crossing the Gulf Stream

Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 after checking with www.windguru.com, we decided today would be a great day to head toward North Bimini.  We pulled out at 9:25 after topping off the water and emptying all the trash.  We said goodbye to Claude our  neighbor for 2 days and headed out the Dania Cut to the ICW.  It was a short ride up the ICW to the inlet to the ocean.  There was a little maneuvering to be done around the dredging equipment and the tour boats, but we made it.  The water temperature was 72 degrees when we left ,  at about 11:30 we noticed that the water temperature rose to 77 degrees.  We had entered the Gulf Stream. 

The waves were anywhere from 3-5 feet.  Very few 5 foot waves, but enough so that we wouldn't be lulled to sleep.  At about 12:30 we saw that we had 29 miles to go on our trip. At 1:00--we could not see land.  At 1:45 we had 20 miles left on our journey.  15 miles at 2:25. 

We kept checking the radar and could see that some islands were about 12 miles away, but we could not see them with our eyes or binoculars.  We saw two freight ships that we initially thought were buildings, but discovered we were mistaken.  Finally at 2:50--WE COULD SEE LAND!!!

We had been listening to VHF 16 on the way over.  We had no internet so this was our only form of entertainment.  We heard a PON PON call about a boat taking on water Boca Chita with 3 adults and 1 child aboard.  This real life rescue attempt kept our interest for the ride into North Bimini.  We were happy to hear that they boaters were rescued by Miami Dade Police.   

As we approached North Bimini, we found the markers and headed in toward Weech's marina.  After several calls by VHF to Weech's, which were ignored--someone at Brown's marina answered our call and suggested we stay at this marina--the very first one we were to pass.  We made it into our slip with nary a problem.  Mr. Adventure--the always worrying captain, was fearful of the winds, but he glided Meandering Joy into the slip handily.  Our neighbor Pat and dockmaster Gus were ready to take the lines and tie us off.  After securing the lines, we filled out customs paper work and Mr. Adventure took off for the customs office.  The rules state that no one leaves the vessel but the captain.  Piper and were left to our own devices…

I gathered up all the lines I had prepared that we didn't and secured them.  I noticed a familiar looking boat coming towards me and realized it was a Fleming too.  Grabbing my binoculars, I tried to figure out if I knew this boat.  I did not, however, I got the name--TuTu Benne from Sag Harbor NY.  They recognized us as a Fleming and the Captain came out and waved at me.  They didn't stop, here , but it looks like they may be at a marina a few blocks down. 

Steve finally came back and took Piper for a much needed walk.  We hope to set out for a walk too. 

Close up of Piper during the ride across

Boat Plane taking off from just below our marina-with dredging work behind

My view while Steve was at customs

Steve Proudly unveiling the Quarantine Flag

Bahamian Courtesy Flag