Detour to Port Lucaya

We were ready to head back to the USA, but we had dog food and Oliver's medicine yet, so we decided to head to Freeport on Grand Bahama. We had heard about the area from fellow sailors Robin and Andy and Doug and Shirley. It was only 25 miles south of where we were in West End.

We timed it to traverse the entrance at high tide. We had an uneventful journey and arrived at Ocean Reef Resort and Yacht Club on a Sunday afternoon. No one answered the VHF, but fellow boaters directed us to a slip and helped us tie up. Our friend Doug was one of them. 

Ocean Reef is mostly a time share resort and one of the winter destination for Canadians. Eight boats left earlier in the day, or else we would have been out of luck. The place is booked all winter. There is something to do every night, welcome parties, karaoke night, guitar player, movie night, etc. every Wednesday morning the ladies take a shuttle to the Port Lucaya marketplace for coffee and shopping. I attended this ritual once. Ocean reef is gated, they have a small workout room and 2 pools. It was nice except for the wandering cats with attitudes. They would lie in wait to attack poor Oliver. With names like Hitler and Stalin, you see I am not exaggerating. I still do not understand why cats are allowed to wander and make messes, but a dog must be on a leash and picked up after? Sorry, soapbox. Anyway, the people were nice. We were one of four American couples. One couple,  Dennis and Gayle were from Onekema/Manistee area. They have been coming to Ocean Reef for 10 years. We also had a big potluck for Easter, prayers and good company, which was nice. The funny get together is nicknamed "meatball Monday" and it is a happy hour to welcome new guests and a party for those of us there a while. 

Freeport is a nice area generally, but the recession has hindered it 's progress. There are many abandoned homes,canals dug with no development,  a non existent International Bazaar and roads needing some TLC .We had to go to Customs to get our visa extended from 90 days so we rented a car. Shirley and Doug  went with us so we explored, after waiting an hour or so to get a new stamp (I won't even go there). The other nice thing about the resort, besides a monthly special, is shuttle to the grocery store, beach and the marketplace.  There was also a beach to dinghy to if the winds were mild or NOT from the south. 

Anyway, after our 3 1/2 weeks here, we went back to Old Bahama Bay for the crossing. 

Ollie's morning routine.

Sailing to Freeport.

Once near Freeport we had to zigzag around anchored freighters.

Freeport Harbor. Notice the cruise ships too.

Tanker unloading to a pipeline. They have tugs pushing against them to stay in place. 

At Ocean Reef. View one from our boat.

View two

Port Lucaya Marketplace. We had lunch here one day, good conch burger. 

Botanical Garden

Oliver looking for fish. Tough life!

Shirley and Lena shopping on the Wednesday ladies day.

Our view having coffee. 

Amber, a "saved" potcake, by Tom.
He saved this abandoned puppy in Marsh Harbor.
She and Ollie got along great.

"Meatball Monday"

Castle in distance built by the fast food "king".

Out the channel and to the beach.

Oliver is in heaven.

Canal, never developed as they planned. 

At the "$2 bar. 

The $2 bar. Very High Class!

COming soon, some pictures of our journey back to the US. Be home next Week!!