Spanish Wells

Makai left the mooring ball at Hatchet Bay and had an enjoyable motoring trip to Spanish Wells via Current Cut between Eleuthera Island and Current Island.  Current cut can have some strong currents at maximum flood or ebb so checking the tide tables is a help.  The cut is wide and very deep making the passage easy and safe.  The winds for the entire day were very light and the water was almost flat.  We are staying at Spanish Wells Yacht Haven Marina ($1.50 foot, $5 day elect., 15 cents gal. water, $5 internet) for a few days while we enjoy this island as we did last year.


Spanish Wells is noted for fishing and produces 72% of the nations annual production of spiny lobster that is exported worldwide.  The settlement also has the most well-built, well-cared for, brightly colored homes with real grass, flower beds of english roses and fruit trees all meticulously cared for by the owners who are mainly English and American.  There are very few Bahamians who actually live on the island.


With a population of  1,500, they have 3 churches, a medical clinic, an all age school, a government building with post office and customs, 3 grocery stores, 8 restaurants and few gas stations. An assortment of variety stores are trying to make a go of it.  There is only 1 marina and 8 mooring balls in the harbor.  You may choose to anchor outside the harbor, but the holding is only fair and you are not protected from the winds in all directions.   The island is "dry," so don't expect a beer or glass of wine with your dinner unless you purchase it on one of the other islands.  


 From noon to 1:30pm  all the businesses close down for lunch.  They also are closed for half a day on Wednesdays and all day on Sundays  so you better plan you're shopping!  There are few cars - most people get around with their golf carts.

Being an island of fresh fish, we decided on fresh lobster tails for dinner.  Ed made the most delicious seductive dinner imaginable.  Lobster Tail Thermidor with fresh broccoli and sliced lemon for a hint of citrus.  The wine of choice was a bottle of Black Tower Riesling 2007.

   

 There happens to be a Florida Manatee who lost his way in the harbor  with residents feeding them all kinds of food from lettuce to peanuts right next to a fuel dock. The food was floating on the water with some fuel that spilled with the manatee eating.  This is not a normal place for them to be and not the diet they are used to.  If this animal does not leave the area he most probably will not live a long life from eating handouts from the residents.  

And who ever thought you would see ring neck pheasants in the Bahamas??? 

They are well cared for but they clip the wings so they can't fly off!