We had a lovely sail from Allan’s to Norman’s cay – the wind was easterly, about 15-20 and the skies were sunny. We dropped the anchor off the old Norma’s Club cay, in front of my friend Bob’s boat.
Today's activities included exploring the Island, which is undergoing a massive transformation from an ex-drug trafficking hub to a playground for the rich. A consortium of corporations has constructed a new airstrip that will accept jets and have dug out a marina in the center of the Island. Rumor has it that the Bahamas Government has not yet issued a permit to connect the Marina to the banks, wanting an “under the table “fee” of perhaps 7-8M dollars to do so – baksheesh Bahamas style.
We also snorkeled the wreck of a drug plane that crashed in the harbor – some decent size fish including a couple of Nassau grouper – nice. Michael and I also snorkeled some heads outside the harbor where rays were the main attraction. Finally, we visited "Lone Palm" Island to snap a picture of Mike claiming it as his own.
Dinner was an on-board party with Bob and Maryann including lobster provided by Bob (fresh caught earlier that day) and sausage, peppers and onions donated by us.
Today's activities included exploring the Island, which is undergoing a massive transformation from an ex-drug trafficking hub to a playground for the rich. A consortium of corporations has constructed a new airstrip that will accept jets and have dug out a marina in the center of the Island. Rumor has it that the Bahamas Government has not yet issued a permit to connect the Marina to the banks, wanting an “under the table “fee” of perhaps 7-8M dollars to do so – baksheesh Bahamas style.
We also snorkeled the wreck of a drug plane that crashed in the harbor – some decent size fish including a couple of Nassau grouper – nice. Michael and I also snorkeled some heads outside the harbor where rays were the main attraction. Finally, we visited "Lone Palm" Island to snap a picture of Mike claiming it as his own.
Dinner was an on-board party with Bob and Maryann including lobster provided by Bob (fresh caught earlier that day) and sausage, peppers and onions donated by us.
 |
| Welcome to Norman’s Cay |
 |
| My Weigh and Aftermath (Bob’s boat) in the anchorage |
 |
| Mike posing in front of Lone Palm Island, which he plans to claim for the Molda kingdom |
 |
| Admiring the new airstrip |
 |
| It’s hard to capture the scale of the airstrip in a picture |
 |
| Equally hard to capture the scale of the "under-construction" marina |
 |
| But this shot gives you an idea of the stuff they cleared away to make both the airstrip and the marina |
 |
| Two peas from the same genetic pod |
 |
| Sue looks much better than the weather brewing in the background -- it never got to us! |
 |
| Lone Palm Island, the newest addition to the Molda kingdom. Mike is standing next to the tree |
No comments:
Post a Comment