Turtle Cay: A charming taste of how the Bahamas used to be.
We’re told by folks experienced in Bahamian cruising that Turtle Cay is a special destination, a lot like the Bahamas of old, so here we are here for a few days while watching the weather for a departure to the North.
We anchored in a sound on the northern part of the island. The entrance has five to six feet (1.5 to 1.8m) on the way in, and things are tight, but it is lovely.
The town of New Plymouth, a couple of miles by dinghy to the south, was founded by loyalists from the revolutionary war period (as in, we like King George more than the radical Americans). The building style remains much the same as used at the beginning of the last century.
New Plymouth has one of the larger municipal dinghy docks we’ve experienced, and the welcoming sign pretty well sums up the atmosphere.
Most of the yards have some form of flowering plants.
And a variety of colors adorn the buildings.
The Royalists seem to be in charge still. Note the accouterment above the street sign.
They have created a fascinating sculpture garden to commemorate the founding fathers and mothers and current leading citizens of New Plymouth.
They are into sports as well (or, maybe this has a double meaning).
Speaking of sports, in the "I told you not to do that" category, we’ve been going through basketball withdrawals. The playoffs are going full steam, and we’re in Direct TV satellite territory. The only problem is someone threw the rusty antenna overboard in the Pacific thinking we were not going to be anywhere it would be of use. Someone else said it was better to keep it on board just in case. We now know who was right on that score!
On the steps of the local jail. There are four cells within these walls. Not a nice place to spend much time.
These folks are anchored next to us. That is an interesting eyebrow over the forward dodger windows. It is tied to the mast shrouds, so it can stay in place under way. In the intense sunlight an uncovered mainsail like this would lose half its life within a couple of months.
Finally, a Pearson Triton, from the late 50s, still actively cruising.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 24, 2008)
