The Marina at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma

February 16, 2020 - February 20, 2020

Sunday morning we took our cameras for a walk around the marina.

The marina office, lounge, and coffee room
is located in this building.

A lone palm tree stands on
the point of land near the beach.

The narrow beach is crowned
with golden beach grasses,

It seems impossible to take a bad picture
when surrounded by such beauty.

A view of the marina taken from the
point at the entrance channel

The sail boat is leaving the marina
through the narrow channel.

With all of our boat maintenance completed we decided to walk to the restaurants at Grande Isle Resort for lunch.  We first stopped at Sandy Toes Bar (right on the beach) for a drink before lunch as we were a little early for Bahamian lunch time which starts around 12:30 or whenever. The bartender, Annette, was fun and poured a great drink.  She suggested we should try to see more of Great and Little Exuma Islands and that renting a car would be the best way to do it. She gave us a list of interesting spots to see. Why hadn’t we thought of that?  After a great lunch at the Palapa Restaurant beside the pool we returned to the bar and met another cruising couple that was nearing the end of their month long stay at The Marina at Emerald Isle.  The month long fee is very reasonable and they told us they regularly used the pool and beach at Grand Isle with no charge.  It seems if you purchase drinks and meals at the two restaurants everyone overlooks the fact that you are using the facilities.  Bob and I started to think seriously about staying in the marina until mid March when the winds will be more favorable. 

These plaques decorated the wall
in the Palapa Restaurant,
Notice anything odd?

Bob enjoying lunch at the Palapa Restaurant.

We rented a car on Monday morning to get groceries and explore some of the spots Annette had recommended.  We had breakfast at La Fourchette and on our way south we picked up two hitch hikers who were headed to school in Mossville.  They were nice, polite young boys, one in 9th grade and one in 11th. Next stop, Island Prime Meats and grocery, where we purchased some much needed bread, meat, and some fresh produce. Unfortunately the mail boat doesn’t come in until Tuesday so there was not much fresh produce available.  We will have to remember that for our next grocery shopping trip.  After stowing all of our provisions on board we set out for lunch and some exploring.

The food was delicious at
Shirley's seafood Restaurant,
We ate on the back porch.

This "retired" work boat was
behind Shirley's.

There were several colorful
restaurants near Shirley's.

We stopped briefly in George Town and then headed for Little Exuma.  I was getting better at driving on the left, but occasionally I heard a gasp from Bob. LOL You have to understand that the roads are narrow (no shoulder, no center line) and the pot holes on the edge of the road are cavernous so driving is not that simple.  When we came upon the one lane bridge leading to Little Exuma Island I held my breath all the way across. Phew! We drove to The Tropic of Cancer Beach and then a little further south to Santana's Bar and Grill, and of course a beach. We also visited Mom’s bakery next door to Santana’s and purchased two pieces of her famous rum cake.  She shared the inspiring story of losing her husband and soon after her bakery to Hurricane Irene and how her church and neighbors helped her to rebuild.

A sign announcing our location,
we are finally in the tropics.

These stairs lead from the snack bar
to the beach at the Tropic of Cancer,

The beach was wide with soft
powdery sand that doesn't ever get hot.

The water was beautiful.

The covered picnic tables
at Santana's Bar and Grill.

The bar at Santana's had signed
hats hanging from the ceiling.

The beach at Santanna's

Mom boxing up some rum cake
for these customers.

After such a busy Monday we spent Tuesday relaxing. I spent a little time on the bow getting some sun, but the sun gets so hot I can only take a little. On Wednesday morning I took a walk around the marina to get some exercise. Late that afternoon we headed to Sandy Toes for happy Hour and I took a swim in the ocean. The water was perfect. By the way we did decide to stay at The Marina at Emerald Bay for the month.

Bye, Bye 'til next blog

Thanks for reading my blog.