Hopetown Harbour, Abacos Bahamas

hopetown-lighthouse.jpg  We arrived at Hopetown Harbour.  The famous red and white striped lighthouse from 1863 guided us into a harbor right out of a painting.  Several wooden docks fronted small restaurants, while brightly painted turquoises, pink, and coral houses with teal  shutters lined the top of a small hill.  This is another town similar to New Plymouth in Green Turtle, where golf carts and bicycles are the rule.    It was also where we caught up with old friends.  That night we went to Cap’n Jacks for the Cinqo De Mayo party.  Cap’n Jacks is a waterfront pub with reasonably priced good food.  You can sit on the deck, and watch the sun set behind the lighthouse.  A great way to end the day.  As we tied our dingy outside the restaurant we got a surprise.  The hand extended to help us up the ladder belonged to Fred from Makai.  makai.JPG       fred-and-cathy.JPG

We had not seen Fred and his wife Cathy since our first week in Old Bahama Bay at West End.  They had pulled in that marina about the same time as us and left within a few days while we had to stay and have our engine worked on.  It was so good to see them.  As we headed over to their table we saw Bill and Elaine from Let’s Went and Mike and Ginnie from Bella.  We visited with them for a few minutes then went back to sit with Fred and Cathy.  At the table next to us was a couple who were on the motor yacht  moored next to us.  Mike and Harriet on Dual Dreams were from a town in Illinois we did not recognize.  Being originally from Illinois  we asked them where there hometown was located.  It was a great surprise to find out that Mike had grown up near a very, very, small town in southern Illinois called Anna.  That was where my mom grew up!!  In fact he knew my Uncle Leroy who owned a restaurant there!!  What a very small world.  We had a great evening that night catching up with everyone and hearing their sailing adventures.      

Man O’ War Abacos, Bahamas

Alright, Man O War is really not that bad, it’s just that it’s very uptight. There are a lot of rules. There is a small marina here and mooring balls as you really can’t anchor in the harbor. If you take the mooring ball instead of the marina, they charge you $2.00 more per token for the Laundromat. Also, there is a big sign that states that ONLY those in the marina may use the pool, not those of us on mooring balls. Of course this made me mad after paying the extra for the laundry so we used the pool. After hours.

The people who run the main businesses are all part of one or two original families. I know this is going to sound mean, but they all look alike. Everyone says this. You’ll see one woman running one shop and then go down the road and you’ll swear you see the same person at another store. They’re not real receptive to tourists either, though there are a lot of tourist places to shop.

The original families, all related to the Albury’s, live in the center of the village and the expatriated Americans live on the outskirts. There is no liquor on the island, though I just found out from an American who lives here they will discreetly let you bring wine in, as long as the bottle is kept on the floor and covered. There is no dancing, card playing or taking the Lord’s name in vain. (I know you’re thinking of the movie Footloose!). One islander told me a story of how a captain was filling up his boat at the fuel dock. In a moment of indiscretion, something upset him and he said “Jesus!” The Albury who owned the fuel dock, shut off the fuel and refused to serve him any more gas, saying he would not tolerate anyone taking the Lord’s name in vain. The captain apologized profusely and was granted a reprieve.

Another interesting twist is that until recently no blacks were allowed to spend the night on the island. When the sun went down they had to be on the last ferry out. I am betting they have these rules because a night of drinking and card playing may cause these women to go crazy and want to dance with a man who doesn’t look like her brother!!

On the positive side, Man O’ War does have a reputation as a good hurricane hole and Dan and I had considered it if we were caught in a hurricane while we were still here. The harbor is well protected, and they have shelters set up in the church. However, knowing my luck, we would be hunkered down in the church, waiting out the storm; I would look at the window and exclaim “God, it’s really blowing out there!” The next thing I know I would be thrown outside on the church steps, (me and the black man who missed the last ferry) with the words “We do not take the Lord’s name in vain,” ringing in my ears. I really don’t think I can take that chance. If anyone has any suggestions for a good hurricane hole here please let us know.

May 3rd Marsh Harbor to Hopetown, Elbow Cay

Arrived 11:30.  Motored to Hopetown.  Took a mooring ball as we are expecting gale force winds in a couple of days.

Click here to see where we are at
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