We anchored for the night at Chub Key. Quiet anchorage and good swimming. The next morning we picked up the hook and transited the Grand Bank.

Strange sailing almost 60 miles with under keel clearances of between 3 to 6 feet. Flat calm and very clear water. All the following photos were taken on the move.

A Panorama.

A little film of us underway looking astern.

After a very pleasant stay we headed out to continue our passage. Here are some photos of Nassau showing the mix of new and old, history and modern tourism.

The Atlantis resort across the harbour.

Nassau was an important port and was subjected to invasions by the (future) USA during the War of Independence and also the Spanish from Cuba. Plus there was pirates to contend with. The island has quite a few forts because of this.

It was a centre for blockade runners during the civil war and rum runners during prohibition. Being close to the USA has provided a lot of opportunities, most of them legal in the present day.

Plus a lighthouse.

 

We walked a short distance into town and then to these famous steps.

The steps were built by ex slaves to honour Queen Victoria signing the emancipation declaration giving them their freedom.

We made a visit to the Pirate Republic Brewing Company for a pint with the rest of the buccaneers. A cheerful bunch well blessed with foreign coin, some of which was not willingly given by the original owners I would guess.

There was a very authentic pirate at the door suitably armed with a cutlass. Anyone asking for a glass of milk or lemonade was promptly flogged and tossed overboard.

Our favourite:

Next:

There were others, some seasonal and some regular. All to be recommended. The scurvy crew of Kapowai surrendered some pieces of 8 in that place but the exchange was well worth it.

After a pleasant night we continued to Nassau approaching from the east to Bay Street Marina.

Houses on the north shore.

 

Looking down the harbour, a bit crowded under the bridge but when we got there we were the biggest and muscled through.

Shallow approach and quite a tide running so it was fun getting in but the dock was too narrow and we ended up jammed between the poles, oops, move to another berth.

 

We stayed at anchor for the night, swimming off the back and enjoying the evening.

Rather than going out to sea we went north on the west side of the island chain in shallow water.

Our destination was Highbourne Cay Marina.

A tight entrance.

Beautiful Beach

Just round the corner where the game fishing boats cleaned their catch is the explanation why the beach was deserted.

 

On the beach were signs asking people to bring the pigs drinking water. We took the tender back to get some.

The pigs were much greedier about the water, grabbing the bottle and often pulling it out of your hand whereupon most of the water was lost. They didn’t seem to understand the knack of letting someone hold the bottle and drinking the contents.

The tourist boats knew the game and brought plenty of water.

We got a nice photo of these two fine figures, one is having a drink of water, the other is a pig.

After the passage through we anchored off pig beach and took the tender ashore for a look. Supposedly marooned, by pirates?  Or survivors from a shipwreck? The pigs have been here for sometime and are very popular.

They were straight onto us and knew that recent arrivals were more likely to have food. They were well behaved although sometimes grabbed food if another pig was nearby. They also bunted if they thought you were holding back.

They loved the water but did not like being splashed.

They knew the tourist boats and spent a lot of time with them and swam well out to get the best place.

This guy could get them to sit for food, somewhat remarkable for pigs and I wonder how many bites he got doing the teaching.

They could be a little adventurous as well.

Once they get the idea of getting into the boat it could be a lively experience.

The old relationship of eggs and bacon seems intact if a little competitive, the chicken was usually too quick for them.

Looking from the beach at the anchorage, a popular spot. Kapowai well out as it is shallow.

We had CJ’s friend, Jenna, with us, a very capable crew member.

Jenna is a farmers daughter from St. Cyrus. Here she is with a 3 foot arm trying to politely feed a pig 6 feet away.

We did an overnight trip to the entry channel north of Staniel Cay arriving just after slack water.

The tide just starting to run against us.

Coming up to the Staniel Cay yacht club.

Looking back at the passage. Bit of a zig zag round the buoy.

We went for a drive round and had a visit to Turtle Cove. This is a natural hole, 653 metres deep, where the world free diving championship is held.