This will come as no surprise to people who have done much traveling, but there are places where the haves and the have-nots collide. We have seen this over and over in the Bahamas. The residents are friendly, hard working people who strive to make a living, but live in very modest conditions, some with few modern conveniences. The visitors are folks with money who vacation in the beautiful islands.
This contrast was never more apparent than when we arrived in Staniel Cay. When we first got here, we wanted to take on some fuel and water. We pulled up close to the dock and we were told that it would be at least an hour's wait while a big sport fisherman took on 1000+ gallons of fuel. We decided to hold off on getting fuel and anchored off the Yacht Club dock and prepared to go ashore to get some provisions.
To our east we had a view of the Yacht Club which was filled to capacity with multi-million dollar yachts.
To our west we could see in the distance a boat that had a very different look. We later learned that this was a Haitian boat that had run aground on it's ill fated journey to the United States. This forty foot boat left Haiti with 136 people on November 14th and ran aground near Staniel Cay about two weeks later. The Coast Guard recovered 106 people and 30 others lost their lives in their attempt to get to the States.
We took the dinghy over to the boat and looked at it and tried to imagine how 136 people could fit aboard a vessel with about the same amount of space that we have on Glory Days. The conditions must have been unimaginable. It was a sobering experience to see this boat and to see the stream of personal items that were still floating away from the boat.
We learned that the survivors were taken to Nassau to be processed and then deported to Haiti. According to a local gentleman Dan spoke to, "when they get home, they will start looking for another boat to get on to come back."
From Staniel Cay we went the short distance to the Big Majors Spot and anchored near "Pig Beach." We have enjoyed watching the steady stream of boaters stop by the beach to feed the pigs and watch them swim.
For Christmas we enjoyed a traditional dinner of conch fritters, deviled eggs and smoked oysters, followed by a New York strip steak, baked potatoes and broccoli. Not too bad!
This is Dan making the fritters. (Yes, that is a glass of rum.)
As an interesting side note to Christmas.... we met a family from New Jersey. Mom and Dad are traveling with their two young boys, about 4 and 6 years old. On Christmas Eve we heard the mom making a radio call on the VHF to Santa. "Santa, Santa, Santa, this is the sailing vessel Anticipation." Soon we heard Santa come back. "Anticipation this is Santa. How may I help?" The mom then very clearly told Santa where they would be moored for the night and Santa assured the family that he would find them. We ran into the family the day after Christmas, and the boys confirmed that Santa had indeed found their boat and dropped off presents. Everyone seemed happy!
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Location:Staniel Cay, Exumas
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