Long Island, Part 2

You can never cross the ocean until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.
​ – Christopher Columbus

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.