![\"image_18\"\n](\"http:\/\/www.idylltime.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/abacos\/image_18.jpg\"\n\t\t "\\"image_18\\"\n")
\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 We had to look this one up in the fishing guide as we have never seen or caught one before.\u00a0 It is puzzling why this species was in such deep water as it is mostly known to inhabit shallower realms.\u00a0 A few hours later, we notice something big playing with our large artificial lure tossing it out of the water several times.\u00a0 He next moves over to the rigged ballyhoo line playing with it also.\u00a0 This fish never strikes either rig and soon wanders off.\u00a0 We think it was either a Sailfish or Marlin.\u00a0 It\u2019s probably good we didn\u2019t hook up with him.\u00a0 The reels continue to get a workout with several more strikes before we have our first Mahi hookup.\u00a0 After a 30 minute battle, Jeff has him in the cooler.\u00a0 I hope there is room in the freezer for this 30 pounder. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 Just before entering the Little Harbour Inlet, we see our first whale of the season lazily sunning himself on the surface.\u00a0 We think he is a 30 foot long Pilot Whale.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Sea of Abaco is our cruising grounds for the next three weeks. These sheltered waters, with Great Abaco Island to the West and the smaller Cays to the East bordering the Atlantic reefs, offer many cruising opportunities.\u00a0 Our first week is spent in the picturesque Hope Town harbor swinging on one of Captain Jack\u2019s mooring balls.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The tiny circular harbor is filled with mooring balls as anchoring is not allowed. \n\t\t
\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 Watching the daily coming and going of boats, many chartered, is a popular pastime.\u00a0 There are several tense moments as these rental captains, many inexperienced, struggle to attach the mooring pendant to their boat without coming into contact with nearby neighbors.\u00a0 In addition to the charters, Albury\u2019s Ferry Service runs hourly from Marsh Harbor.\u00a0 The local water taxi for the Abaco Inn adds to the fabric of the harbor activities.\u00a0 Our days stay busy as we settle into the island routine.\u00a0 The first stop each morning is Vernon\u2019s Grocery to check the assortment of fresh bread and pies that Vernon personally bakes each day.\u00a0 Walking the small concrete paths between the brightly colored homes leads us to the beautiful wide sandy beaches for shelling and collecting beach glass. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 One stop is the candy strip lighthouse that stands guard over the harbor. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 It is a national landmark and is featured in many photos of the Bahamas. The original lens and turning equipment made in the early 1900\u2019s by an English company is still working today.\u00a0 Thanks to dedicated volunteers, the light continues to shine as it has for the past 80 years. Climbing the 101 steps leading to the top, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the harbor and surrounding islands.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Other days finds us on the bikes riding from one end of Elbow Cay to the other on the one main road, The Queens Highway. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
With friends visiting in a few days, we move over to Marsh Harbor and take a slip at Harbor View Marina.\u00a0 Our three days there are filled with a much needed boat cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping while waiting on Dennis and Mary to arrive.<\/p>\n
The weather forecast couldn\u2019t be better for the next week while we tour the Abacos with our friends.\u00a0 Our first stop is Man-O-War Cay where we anchor just outside the inner harbor.\u00a0 Like Hope Town and Spanish Wells, this tiny village was settled by English Loyalists in the 1600\u2019s.\u00a0 Boat building and sail making continue to keep this settlement vibrant as it has for the past 200 years.\u00a0 Most of the boat building shops are open for public viewing. \n\t\t
\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 It is interesting to see how current fiberglass boats are built by the Albury family.\u00a0 These beautiful handmade watercraft are seen throughout the islands both as work boats and pleasure craft.\u00a0 \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0A great dinner is had at the Dock and Dine Restaurant followed by ice cream at the local ice cream booth.<\/p>\nWith continued good weather we explore Great Guana Cay and also Leonard Cay anchorage.\u00a0 The highlight for Dennis was our offshore fishing.\u00a0 \n\t\t
\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n Within 15 minutes of setting the lines, Dennis was fighting his first fish.\u00a0 An 80 lb. Sailfish took the bait and gives a good 30 minute fight before Dennis lands him on the dive platform. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 He is quickly released unharmed.\u00a0 \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n This was a first for both Dennis and Idyll Time as we have never caught a sailfish aboard IT.\u00a0\u00a0 Way to go Dennis!\u00a0 Our fishing luck continued the next day as Dennis landed his first Mahi again within 30 minutes of putting out the lines.\u00a0 A second much bigger Mahi soon follows the first into the cooler.\u00a0 This one is a whopper at 54\u201d.\u00a0 Another record for Idyll Time. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \u00a0 Mary follows by hooking a small black fin Tuna. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n Several delicious Mahi dinners are shared with good company over the next few days. The freezer is also packed to the max with fresh fish.\u00a0 No more fishing says the Captain!<\/p>\nOur fun week with Dennis and Mary ends in Hope Town with more beach walking, biking, and another tour of the lighthouse.\u00a0 \n\t\t
\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n A farewell dinner of crab stuffed lobster tails aboard Idyll Time, caps this most enjoyable visit.\u00a0 We sadly say goodbyes as the ferry service shuttles our guests to Marsh Harbor for their connecting flights back to Chattanooga. \n\t\t\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n <\/p>\nWe take advantage of the good weather and begin our northwestward trek back to the U.S.\u00a0 In order to reach our next stop of Green Turtle Cay, we must transit the Whale Cay passage, taking us briefly out into the Atlantic and around the 1.5 mile long Whale Cay before coming back into the Sea of Abaco.\u00a0 During periods of bad weather, large swells from the North Atlantic stack up in the narrow channel entrance causing what is known as \u201cRage\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0Because of this, most cruisers dread this passage.\u00a0 Today we have nothing but calm seas and little wind.\u00a0 Nearing the pass, we hear a Mayday call from a boater who is taking on water.\u00a0 We monitor the situation as rescue boats converge on the stricken vessel.\u00a0 This makes us a little tense as just a few days ago two other boats struck an unknown object in this same location and almost sunk.\u00a0 They both sustained severe hull damage but reached safe harbor before sinking.\u00a0 We talked with one of these boaters in Man-O-War while he was repairing his hull.\u00a0 Because of this, we decided to take an alternate channel into the Atlantic and around Whale Cay.\u00a0 It turns out this last Mayday was caused by a hull fitting that had come loose not something underwater.\u00a0 Although we feel bad for the boater, we are relieved to hear there is no danger of something lurking below. \n\t\t
\n \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Once safely back inside the Sea of Abaco, we anchor just off the New Plymouth Settlement of Green Turtle Cay.\u00a0 We launch Time Out and head in to the public dock for exploration. \n\t\t