Checking out Treasure Cay

Marking time and waiting for a calm day to cross the infamous Whale – we followed Alizann into Treasure Cay.  This resort has an enormous man-made protected harbor with secure anchorages, a handy beautiful beach, swimming pool with bar and the second largest grocery store in the Abacos.  Oh yes, there is also a bakery making plate sized cinnamon buns which Steve procured warm for breakfast.  All this for a mere $10 landing fee – one of the better deals to be had in this area. We also enjoyed a quick visit with our friends on What’s Next.

Visiting some quiet spots

Visiting some quiet spots - sorry no good WIFI for a few days

Our excuse was recovery time for Julia and snorkeling time for Steve, so we hung out at Man-O-War Cay an extra day.  One afternoon was spent in town visiting their tiny but interesting museum which had photo displays of many of the residents we found in their cemetery. The buildings on this cay are very simple compared to the ornately decorated homes on Elbow Cay.  But, the very simplicity was charming.  The museum is located in a lovely example of one of these traditional homes – complete with a kitchen and two tiny bedrooms.  Even more than the displays it gave us an idea of life here in the early days.  Like Hope Town, Man-O-War  was settled primarily after the American Revolutionary War by those who were loyal to the British.  Evidence of this connection was everywhere. These days there are many more modern structures and vacation homes spreading out from the harbor.  We made the requisite visits to the Albury sail shop and the traditional ship building yard.  We were not tempted at either place although both are still producing modern goods for the tourist trade.

From Man-O-War we trekked a few miles to Great Guana Cay to get Nipped and Grabbed at their two famous restaurants – Nippers and Grabbers.  Nippers is a short walk up a sandy hill which overlooks an Atlantic beach.  Their pig roast buffet on Sundays draws big crowds for a very good reason – the food is bountiful and delicious.  Grabbers is a more relaxed back place on the shores of Fisher Bay where we were anchored, so their rum drinks and conch salad were an easy dinghy ride away.  It was easy to relax here and take short runs on the dinghy to check out the mega yacht harbor at Bakers Bay and possible dive sites around the corner.  Somehow the days slip by with mild temps an cooling breezes – it is hard to believe the water is 80 and so is the air! 

Marsh Harbour

Marsh Harbour

Marsh Harbour is the hub of the Abacos. It is a typical big city with all the issues – ok not big really but compared to the villages on the outer islands, it is a massive place. (Only actual cars and trucks – none of the ubiquitous golf carts we have seen everywhere else.) There is an airport which attracts commercial planes and also a Publix style grocery store.  The store was a big attraction as well as the bakery which Steve visited twice.  We had stocked up on most provisions before we left the USA but after three weeks needed some fresh produce and milk plus a few strange essentials like sesame oil (for that maple syrup ginger fish sauce).  Everything that can be imagined is in the famous Maxwells of Marsh Harbour. 

Another thing that did not disappoint was the Jib Room at Marsh Harbour Marina.  We managed to extend our stay to include Rib Nite and have no regrets.  Sadly our camera died so we can’t share photos of the dinner requiring two plates and the dessert brownie filling a dinner plate. Just trust us, it was good.  As was a long visit with Rick and Debra on What’s Next.  They are looper friends who are still on their boat – as they noted, most of those looping in 2013 have stopped cruising full or even part time so it is a special treat to meet a couple of the very special folks that shared some of our looping adventures.

The Marsh Harbour Marina is across the harbor from the heart of town, but in this case that is a good thing.  The shopping or town attractions are easily reached by bike or a short dinghy ride.  The Mermaid reef, on the other hand, is a few steps from the dock behind the marina.  Steve took a snorkel swim there and reported an abundance of interesting fish in addition to several big lobster – of course now that the season has closed they are visible everywhere! Julia rested up – hopefully finally recovering from a strange bug – promise no rum involved. Off to Man-O-War and Great Guana…