It's just a Short Walk: Finally in the Bahamas!

We spent exactly 4 weeks in Vero Beach which wasn't in the plan. Oh wait, we don't really have a firm plan.  Maybe that is the problem!   We left the Fort Pierce inlet (2 hours south of Vero Beach) on Thursday at 4:30 pm.   We traveled all night, crossing the Gulf Stream (deep water- we saw 2400 feet depths on the chart) getting to the Bahama Banks (shallow blue water!) around daylight. The crossing was a little rolly but uneventful (meaning nothing broke!). Our first stop was an uninhabited Cay (pronounced Key), named Great Sale Cay.   We didn't go ashore but rested there for the night.   Technically you are supposed to clear customs within 24 hours of entering Bahamian waters so on Friday we lifted the anchor early in the morning and headed for Spanish Cay where we could clear customs.    We were concerned about checking in on New Year's Eve because we knew the Custom's official would be anxious to go home. However, we arrived at 2:30 pm along with one other boat and there was no problem.

Last year when we cleared customs we only received a permit to stay in the Bahamas for 30 days.   That meant we had to check into customs AGAIN at the end of the first 30 days and beg for more time.   Actually, they are happy to give you more time and the permits vary from 30 days to 6 months.   It is totally at the discretion of the immigration officer that checks you in.   The trouble with a 30 day permit is that you can not renew (e.g. ask for more time) until less than a week before the 30 days expires and you can't be late to renew.   No big deal except only a few islands have immigration offices so you need to make sure the wind and weather get you to the next island before your ticket is up!   A bit of a hassle so Joe had been practicing his groveling technique (well honed during the last 24 years of marriage) so we could get a nice long permit on the first try this time.   The practice must of worked because we received a permit for 120 days which is all we need!

We will probably move on tomorrow and find a good anchoring spot for a big front which is expected to blow in next week.   Weather is critical down here and where we go next will be totally dictated by it.

There is a great Internet connection here in the marina but we won't be in marinas much while we are here. The only way this lifestyle is affordable is to spend the vast majority of of time in the Bahamas on the anchor. So I'm not sure how often I will have good Internet connections to update the blog.   There appears to have been some hurricane damage here on Spanish Cay (see dock picture below) and there are reports of damage on other islands so the connections may be variable.   However, since we get our mail via the Internet, we will eventually find a hotspot and file updates.

It's great to finally be in the land of the gorgeous blue water.   Can't help but smile when you see the color.   Arriving here we are reminded just how lucky we are to be doing this again.

Happy New Years to all!