The Beautiful Exumas

close-up of stromatolite

"field" of stromatolites at low tide

After leaving Nassau we headed for Highbourne Cay in the Exuma chain.  The seas were kind and we arrived in about 5 hours.  Most of the time we are traveling at 7-8 mph.  No need to hurry and it sure helps the mpg!  Highbourne has a very nice harbor and we enjoyed our stay.  While there we hiked to the Atlantic side where stromatolites line the water's edge.  Tom had seen a special on these on TV and was amazed to see them here. The program had said they were only in Australia.  I'll let you research their importance.  One day we took a bikes around the island  (which took about an hour!) and came across this beautiful beach.

Horseshoe Bay on Highbourne

Tom asking about bus schedule

While at Highbourne the crews of Cupcake and Alchemy came ashore to enjoy a get together.  They were anchored just north of the marina.

With crew of Cupcake and Alchemy 

Leaving Highbourne we next stopped at Shroud.  There we picked up a mooring ball and stayed for two nights.  Shroud Cay is part of the Exuma Land and Seas Park so it is an environmentally protected area.  We  dinghyed to the northeast corner of the island and followed a mangrove stream until it entered the Atlantic.  The day was perfectly clear and when the stream opened onto the Atlantic the colors were incredible.  The sand is very fine white "sugar" sand and the water crystal clear turquoise.  I wish my camera could truly capture the color.  It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Entering the mangrove stream

Going through the mangroves

WOW!  Entering the Atlantic

Standing on the sugar sand on Stroud  Cay

Cupcake and Alchemy arrived the next day so we took off for the mangrove path with them.  Later that night they joined us for a movie and popcorn.  We have really enjoyed getting to know them.

We left Shroud and motored about 20 miles to the park headquarters at Warderick Wells Cay.  Again we picked up a mooring.  We spent two days there exploring the hiking trails and snorkeling.  There was an amazing coral head only 100 yards from our mooring with an abundance of coral, fans, and several varieties of fish including three large gray angels and a huge lobster.  There is no fishing in the park, so he had grown fat and sassy!

Park headquarters and Raydiance on mooring

BooBoo Hill where people leave boat names

Blow holes--no spray but lots of air and howls

fellow hiker

view from high point on Warderick Wells

Following the American revolution, loyalist families moved to the Exumas. The stone remains of their  cottages are still present on the island.  While hiking by them,  we heard rustling and saw several hutia, the only native mammal on the island.  When talking to the park ranger at check out, he told us they are becoming quite a nuisance.  I gathered they are overpopulating due to lack of predators.       

Hiking on sharp coral path.  How much farther Jerry????

Loyalist ruins

Hutia

We are now at Staniel Cay and heading for a super bowl party at the marina.  Without my Pack involved, I really don't care who wins.  But the socializing will be fun.  Until next time!  (Reminder--click on the pictures to get a larger view.)