The Final Two Legs

Convincing the kids to skip 4 months with friends, their television and their wifi; convincing them to skip the Holidays, in favor of a cramped and (frankly smelly) sailboat, where they would share a cabin—this took some negotiation. The parties agreed that in exchange for their cheerful cooperation and commitment to completing “boat school” in a timely and academic  manner, we would spend a few days at The Atlantis towards the end of the trip. The kids showed “substantial compliance” over the last 3+ months. So we booked six nights at The Royal, even though boat school has been a nightmare for Joy and me.

Our Sabbatical was nearly over and only two long passages remained. The first, from Highbourne Cay to New Providence began at 800 March 1, when we left the horde of the super-yachts astern and pointed our bow northwest for the 38nm passage.  Against a rising tide, we left Allans Cays and its marine iguanas to starboard as we bid farewell to the Exuma Islands. 

A local man (our bartender, really) informed us recently that “the Exumas are where Jesus goes to vacation,” and I can see why. It’s an amazing place to float atop gin-clear water, encountering sea life that one would only otherwise experience from behind acrylic at an aquarium. My vocabulary simply cannot do justice in describing these islands, their inhabitants, their caretakers, and those we’ve met who also chose to untie the lines, setting out in small vessels to explore these islands.

Before checking into The Royal—something Joy and I dreaded—we required E&F to finish all of the semester’s school work. From March 2-11, while moored at Palm Cay marina, the kids [purportedly] completed their work during the day. Afternoons and early evenings were spent exploring all that New Providence had to offer, Covid notwithstanding. 

We toured Forts Fincastle and Charlotte, the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Montagu. But, our favorite part was evenings at the “Fish Fry,” a district of small restaurants and snack shacks on the waterfront, just west of Junkanoo beach. This is where locals come to eat, drink and socialize. We had a blast, albeit masked-up.

Once schoolwork was completed and [purportedly] turned in, and after a series of Covid tests, we checked in at The Royal. The next 7 days were spent off the boat and in the comfort of a world-class resort. Kids played in the pools and their parents drank daiquiris. Frankly, Joy and I didn’t want to like Atlantis, but the experience won us over. To our surprise and delight, the kids opted against Dolphin Cay; “what’s the point? we saw dolphins and pet stingrays in the wild.” Good girls.

Having consumed our fill of Atlantis, we completed another Covid test and began the last leg of the Sabbatical. At 730 March 13, we departed Palm Cay and pointed the bow northeast, leaving Rose Island to port. We motor-sailed our way through Fleming channel and entered the open Atlantic once again. We finished the 42 nautical mile passage to Spanish Wells in 8 hours, completing our trip where it began nearly 4 months earlier. We fist-bumped as we tied up at the Yacht Haven, having completed the final leg of our trip. We’ll be here for two weeks before saying farewell to the Bahamas.

There will be one more blog entry after this.