Exploring Long Island, Bahamas 

Covid closes most everything down on a Friday in the Bahamas, but we are still able to rent our car so we are off to explore this island from the Columbus Monument at the north end to as far south as Clarence Town.  Here we go. Dee is back driving on the wrong side of the road again, but seems to be doing a better job.  We head straight up to the Monument first thing in the morning.  It is a breezy day and the sun can’t decide but the view from the Monument is stunning.


Bahamas geo tourism website describes this area of Long Island as
"the third island discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Columbus described Long Island as the most beautiful island in The Bahamas. “and” This monument was erected by Long Islanders on top of the white cliffs, sinking down into the various shades of blue water."
Flying and Traveling website  expands on with this description.  "History lovers will cherish a visit to Columbus Cove and Monument as a chance to walk in the same steps that Columbus made as he passed through Long Island Bahamas on the way to ‘discovering’ the new world. " 
"The Columbus Monument and Columbus Cove on Long Island Bahamas is thought to have been Christopher Columbus’ third stop on his way to the New World in 1492, after San Salvador and Rum Cay.  The indigenous Arawak people who lived on the island before Columbus came had named the island  “Yuma” from their language.  After his arrival here, Columbus renamed the island “Fernandina”.  The Columbus Monument sits up on the top of a prominent, rugged cliff line with large waves rolling in and battering the rocks far beneath it.  From the tops of the cliffs near the monument you often feel a stiff breeze and taste the salty sea air on your lips."   
"It is easy to picture Columbus sailing into the cove, anchoring his ship with relief within its calm waters and tentatively stepping onto unfamiliar land.  The exploration and discovery of the New World was just beginning. In the minds of those first brave explorers the island was still filled with unknowns and possible danger .  Were there dangerous wild animals?  Fierce natives waiting to attack? Columbus referred to the Bahamas as “Baha Mar” which is Spanish for “Shallow Water”.  We call it “Bahamas” today, which is the phonetic version of its original name."
We decided to follow the road past the Colombus Monument turn to the very end which was not that much further and landed into he parking area of the Broken Bridge Bar and Grill.  I don’t think the bridge is broken any more and of course with Covid the bar was closed but we wondered around and took some pictures of this unique bar with a spectacular view.  Looking back we should of jumped in for a snorkel.
Flying and Traveling describe the north end of the island as "those with an adventurous spirit will enjoy being awash in untouched natural beauty waiting to be explored.  Jagged cliffs and big waves adorn the north east side of the island.  The southwest side has a more relaxed demeanor with its calmer waves and long stretches of inviting and empty beaches, including the Stunning Cape Santa Maria Beach.

We had read that the sand on Santa Maria beach was some of the whitest and softest to ever see and this beach did not disappoint.  We had also explored this place as an anchorage and in our pictures you can catch a glimpse of SAVA who we would later meet in Thompson Bay.  We didn’t make it up there but they told us the fishing and lobstering was great in this little cove. 

​After our walk on the beach, we are  headed to the Adderley Plantation remains to continue our history lesson of Long Island, Bahamas.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know.  It is well, It is well, with my soul -  Horatio Spafford

​After two great weeks in Georgetown, we were ready to discover a new island.  We were headed to Thompson Bay to anchor just along Salt Pond, Long Island.  We shared this decision with Scott and Mary and they decided they would make the jump with us before heading back North through the Bahamas and back to their home in Florida.  We, of course, are planning the Turks jump soon right before Easter 2020.  It is mid march.  We have been hearing about all the concerns in the US - the lock downs, closed schools and churches.  We are astonished that all this is happening, but we are hopeful that it will soon be contained and the Caribbean islands will not be effected.  Of course, deep down we probably knew this would not be true.  

We headed out for the day trip over to long island on a beautiful day with some rolling waves.  We enjoyed the day, the fishing (another baracuda on the line) and cruising over a blue hole. We Settled into Long Island before the sun went down and headed over to the beach for a sundowner and meet some people in the anchorage.  We finally caught up with friends Beth and Tim who we had been chatting with on Facebook about our Endeavor boats.

The next day we headed in to Salt Pond, which is not very big and find the grocery store and hardware store and check out the spectacular view of the bay with all the boats, including Journey snug and ready for another wind event forecast in the coming days.  On the way back to the dinghy dock we met some fishermen back from the Ragged islands with their catch.  Scott enjoyed posing as if he caught the fish.  We bought some fresh fish right off the dock and caught this lemon shark waiting on the scraps. That afternoon although the weather was coming, Dee and I had been craving pizza so bad and we heard we could get some good pizza over at Tiny’s Hurricane Hole.  We jumped in Shelby and headed over across the bay and had some great pizza and rum punches.  We didn’t know at this time this would be the last Bahamian restaurant we would eat in.

The weather passed and the Covid came to Nassau.  Although, we were miles from there, the prime minister began closing restuarants, and liquor stores and limited the amount of people in grocery stores.  We want to take a moment here to speak about our situation in Long Island and how we made the decisions we did.

Check out the video to hear how we made the decision we did when Covid came to the Bahamas.

We realize even with Covid hitting the Bahama islands, We are still in a beautiful paradise  so off to explore since we were still able to go ashore.  we hiked across the island to see the windward side of the island and get a better look at the this unique island for one called and island instead of a cay.  She is has rolling hills and nice beaches to explore.  We are just beginning... After the hike, we hunted for a small cave we had read about which is accessed through someone backyard.  We were allowed to anchor the dinghy off their beach and were shown the trail.  Friendly people everywhere we go in the Bahamas.

Our water pump on the generator had been leaking so Dee decided it was time to put the new one on before it failed and then no generator.   The impeller was also missing a blade when he made the switch so now everything is new!  There is Always boat maintenance and cleaning to be done.  The water pump is now fixed, so time to explore some of the little islands in the bay and do some fishing and shelling.  We checked out a blue hole in the bay and then set out to the backside of the bay islands where we had been seeing some other cruisers snorkeling and spear fishing. After exploring the rock ledges, We did some snorkeling but didn’t find any dinner.   

Dee and I are renting a car and will be exploring Long Island.  This island is approximately 80 miles from end to end.  Come along for the ride in the next few post and videos.