Price of Paradise

On January 8th, we made a lunch stop near Bell and O’Brien’s Cay to visit “the aquarium” as it was recommended by some sailors we had chatted with on the beach at Warderwick Wells. This spot is also right next to Johnny Depp’s private island Little Hall’s Pond Cay which he purchased after filming “Pirates of the Caribbean”. No celebrity sightings for us. Once again we practically had the place to ourselves.

The aquarium proved to be a healthy coral reef with so many varieties of fish. I did hear that some feed the fish so hopefully this was not a false gathering of fish. We then took Queso to a a beach and found hillsides of rock and the usual beach treasures of coral ashore.

There is beauty all around but there are also poop chores. We hold all our black water in a tank and when we are far off chore (deep waters) we pump the tank out. The toilets use salt water and there is a macerator that chops up the solids and toilet paper. When we are on the dock or a mooring ball for more than 3 days we have to order a pump out which takes the black water to sewer system.

Queso gets banished to the deck when wet and sandy.

We pulled into Staniel Cay where we knew we could do other unglamorous activities such as visit the island dump that gets burned regularly and sort through moldy cucumbers that cost $8 each at the grocery store. Many island here only get deliveries once a week via boat. The price of paradise. I think everyone should have to visit the dump - reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. However the only recycle I have found so far is Nassau and Highborne Cay.

After our dump run, Josephine, Queso and I continued down the road where we found a great beach.

January 11th we sailed to Little Farmer’s Cay and tried to get dinner a the tiny restaurant but you have to make a reservation 24 hours in advance so they can ship in ingredients. Queso made it clear to everyone that he wanted to go on shore on the paddleboard.

We took a nice walk and there were so many conch.