Exploring Warderick Wells and Sampson Cay

May 21, 2009

May 19, 2009:  Charlie and Marilyn snorkled  from the dinghy during slack tide for a short time.  They saw a green turtle and some tangs.  The water was rough or they would have gone further from the dinghy and seen more.  As usual, it was tough getting back into the dinghy.  We went back to the boat to change clothes for hiking.  We went on the BooBoo Hill trail.  They had identified many of the native plants and had informational signs all

 along the way.  We learned that there are three types on mangrove tree here:  white, black and red.  At the top of Boo Boo Hill, many boaters had left a sign with their boat names and dates they had been there. I am including a picture.  

The view from the top of the hill of the waters around the cay were beautiful.  We also hiked to see some of the blow holes along the east coast of Warderick Wells Cay.  At the time, they were not blowing water but air.  It was enough to blow off Marilyn's hat. The holes do not have to be very big.  storms were accumulating and we got back to the boat just before the deluge.  Charlie took a beautiful picture of the sunset.

     

May 20, 2009:   After checking out from Warderick Wells, we had a brisk sail to Sampson Cay. Since we were trying to go almost directly into the wind, we had to 

tack across the course line.  The winds were 15-10 so we made good time arriving about 3 in the afternoon (1500).  We opted to stay at the lovely marina here so we could plug in and do laundry. They also have a nice ( expensive) restaurant. Marilyn and I explored the lovely paths and beaches before dinner. We all had Bahamian lobster which was delicious.

May 21, 2009: We woke to rain clouds which soon began to drop rain on us.  Marilyn and I had decided to try to do laundry before we left, thinking it would take 2 hours but the Marina restaurant was using the washers and dryers, so we had to wait our turn.  Then the dryers were not very efficient so they have to be run twice for the T-shirts and sheets.  When we leave, we will go to Staniel Cay which is only six miles further south.  If the rain stops, we will try to do some grocery shopping and eat at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club for dinner.    We will stay there for 2 nights which should allow us to explore and snorkle the Thunderball Grotto at slack tide tomorrow.