George Town, Exumas

George Town, Exumas

Reported to be the southern destination for most visitors to the Exumas, George Town is a “real” city.  Cars and trucks are everywhere although the roads are narrow and windy.  Drivers appear more experienced with boats than cars since fender benders seem to be common from sights on the streets and the condition of most vehicles.  There are crowds and lines in the shops and hundreds of boats in the harbor.

The city is centered round a mini Lake Victoria which is connected to the major protected harbor that makes this a boaters’ paradise.  Elizabeth Harbor is several miles wide and almost 5 miles long.  The entrance to Lake Victoria is hidden around a spit that projects into the harbor offering the commercial ships safe deep water docks.  On our first pass we missed the narrow opening and had a tour of much of the harbor before returning to find the entrance and convenient dinghy dock provided by the Exuma Market.  This grocery has everything – of course at a slightly inflated price – but if there is a need, they have it. Town also includes some shops for tourist goods, a bakery, and even a deli/butcher shop that offers transport from the harbor two or three days a week.

This is the place to seriously restock the fresh food items and even add to the stash of special treats which somehow got consumed.  Several liquor stores also make happy hour happier if all the rum has disappeared. Even though it is a city with every convenience it does not have the charm of Black Point Settlement.  We will soon be moving on to the more remote anchorages of the less populated islands that we have enjoyed on this trip.