Rock Sound- Eleuthera, Bahamas

We've slowly but surely learned that when you're in the islands, you lose track of time. When we were traveling down the ICW, it was easy to write up a blog post every night after a long day of traveling, and keep it up to date. BUT when you're here in paradise, it isn't so easy. Internet is definitely hit or miss- Plus, there's days that we honestly don't do much that's worth reporting. And honestly, who wants to read about us laying around all day, just enjoying life? HA! So here I am a little backed up with the blog, and I'm determined to get caught up. So sit back, relax, and get your reading spectacles on as you enter the life (over the past few days) of Dolby and B-ritt.

view from our boat

Mr. Houndfish

HUGE lobster head in the water

On (wait, is it bad that I even lose track of days) Sunday the 20th, Dolby and I decided to go do some exploring in town. There is a blue ocean hole in town that I was very interested in seeing. Although the sun was beating down and it was mighty hot with little breeze, we decided to go for it. We made our way to the hole (3rd "real street" after the cemetery make a right- island directions) and I was amazed at what I saw. This was not necessarily a "hole" that I expected-- it was more like a little pond that was surrounded by limestone walls. This ocean hole is over 600 feet deep, and was formed over 300,000 years ago. It has high and low tides, and is home to many different fish. As a matter of fact, as Dolby and I stood and looked into the water, the fish just came right up to us. They cannot be hunted or killed, therefore they are not afraid of humans, it seems. I found this natural phenomenon to be quite incredible, and Rock Sound has built a really nice park that welcomes you to the hole. I was hoping there would be locals swimming, as it's thought to have healing powers, but no such luck. Check out more on the Ocean Hole... I think you'll be as amazed as we were with it's history and formation facts.

After exploring the ocean hole (Pete even got some action), we wandered around town a bit more before heading back to the boat. Upon dinghying back, Rob from Hampshire Rose invited us over for some sundowner drinks, and we enjoyed the sunset from the cockpit of his gorgeous 1976 Pearson 36'. Upon making our way back to GM, Dolby made some amazing fish tacos from the remaining mackerel and we called it a night.

Exploring town

View from top of hill

ALL of the roads are like this. Bottle caps and tabs!

New neighbors moving in

Tuesday was chore day. I was set off to do some much needed laundry, and Dolby made his way to the market for some errands that needed to be run. It's hard to find an international bank AND good grocery store in the Bahamas, so when you are in a town that has these amenities, you take full advantage. Rock Sound, luckily was one of these places. I spent a few hours in the laundry mat washing our clothes and watching the Inauguration. I was so excited that they had satellite t.v., and I was able to see such a piece of history. It's nice to keep in touch with US news once in a while! (There go those "little things" again)

After sweating our faces off for the day, we were proud of our productiveness, and made our way back to GM. I (yes, I) made up some dinner and we called it yet another night.

Wednesday was filled with a whole lot of nothing in the beginning, but then we eventually made our way to the grocery store. It's such a chore to go grocery shopping sometime, but I was actually excited to do so. Rock Sound has a really nice marketplace (not just a small general store), and the supply boat had just come in late last night, so I knew It would be stocked.

so THIS is how you get your coconuts!

After having a GREAT lunch at Pascals, right on the water, we made our way to the store, and got some necessities. We'll have to make one more trip before going to the Exumas, so we just got what we needed at the moment. As we got back to the boat, Dolby caught yet ANOTHER shark, and then began preparing dinner. Dolby had made his way up to the fish docks when he saw commotion, and actually got a bag full of snapper that had been speared for only $10. For dinner, he planned on grilling the fish whole, and accompanying it with peas and rice- a true Bahamian Dinner.

YUM!

We went on Hampshire Rose to grill our fish and have dinner with Rob. It was so nice to be in his company and hear his stories of sailing. He and his wife, Holly, have been doing this trip out to the Bahamas from Norfolk, VA for over 7 years. He definitely is a good resource of where to go and when. We enjoyed our fish (I was a little hesitant, but it was WONDERFUL), and then had some after dinner drinks. I tried Rob's "Sky Juice"- a Bahamian drink of Gin, Sweet Condensed Milk, and Coconut Water. I was for sure that I would not like it... But it was AMAZING! Such a sweet, almost refreshing drink with NO trace of Gin. YUM!! Now I won't turn my nose up so much when I see it advertised or locals drinking it!

There's so much I'm learning on this trip, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. What I'm being exposed to and the people I am meeting is beyond anything I can describe. The past few days have proven this. Although I miss Delaware, I am not jealous when I see Facebook Posts and weather updates of snow and cold. I do LOVE my seasons, but I think I'll live with one year of constant warmth and sunshine. Soon enough I'll be back to sweaters and boots... Until then I'm going to soak it up.