February 23, 2003

Leaving Long Island

Hello Everyone. I have had lots of fun in the past several days. We (Mike, Mary, the kids and I) left Georgetown on the 16th (last Sunday) and arrived under full sail in Calabash Bay on Long Island mid-afternoon. Had a swim, ate supper, etc.
Monday was spent hitching rides all over the north end of the island to gete supplies. I got in touch with Nancy and she sent Heldi to get me (a 2 hour drive north from Clarencetown) the next day.

I have been staying with Heldi and she has been showing me every square inch of the island. Tomorrow I leave on a catamaran, the "Quo Vadis", for a straight through Run to Mayaguana, depending on the weather. Hopefully I'll meet up with Mike & Mary in either Mayaguana or Turks & Caicos so that I can go with them to the Dominican Republic.

I am making this short because I'm using Nancy's computer and internet connection so do not want to use too much time. I still have to check email... for the first time since Feb. 12.

Long Island is gorgeous. The water is so crystal clear that you can see details on the bottom in 25 feet of water. With snorkel gear you can see clearly for about 100 feet or more.

It's been tough here: being driven all over by Heldi to shop, lie on the beach, visit several of her friends, visit other Canadians living out the winter in this paradise called the Bahamas; sleeping in; eating great food; drinking Kalik beer and Bahama Mama cocktails (mostly booze); napping on the beach or on a shady porch. HEY! Life is rough here too... steamy hot days, bright sunshine, no rain for weeks, getting sand in the pockets of my shorts (from napping on the beach), getting sand in my hair, shoes and places I can't mention here, no change huts on the deserted beaches so we have to change right there on the beach in the open, having to put on sunscreen each morning before going out. Is there anyone out there who has sympathy for my pain?? Hmph. Didn't think so.

Must get going. Don't know when I'll next find a free or cheap computer but as soon as I do I'll do another update.

Love you all. Wish you were here to share this.

Posted by gailene at February 23, 2003 03:15 PM