Lovely visit with Laurie

Laurie had the dubious honour of being our first Bahamas guest. I say “dubious” because having never advised anyone on how to travel to The Bahamas, we weren’t quite sure that she would actually arrive as planned. Our boating friends advised us against boating to Nassau for a quick guest pick-up for several well-headed reasons. The biggest factor, of course, is weather. Boating to Nassau means open water (aka Atlantic Ocean) boating, so timing is everything. So, many visitors hop on the many puddle jumpers linking all the major and outer islands.

So, good-natured Laurie bravely boarded the Bahamasair flight from Nassau to Marsh Harbour, where we were sure to be waiting in a marina, somewhere, most likely. I’m quite certain her confidence level plummeted at one point during her 4 hour wait in Nassau when she asked if the 4:45 flight was on time (the last flight of the day) to be met with a nonchalant “probably, but you never know!”. Always manage expectations, I say.

Not wishing to add to her stress, we took a taxi to the Marsh Harbour International Airport (no joke) to make sure she had a couple of friendly and familiar faces to greet her. Her plane was landing as we arrived. To watch as that sturdy, yet tiny, Dash 8 unloaded all those weary passengers, reminded us of the circus act with all those clowns coming out of that VW bug – the passengers just coming out. Thankfully, Laurie was among them – ready to go with her tank top, shorts and flip-flops.

Light luggage in hand (good girl), we were brought to the Mangoes Marina in Marsh Harbour, by trusty and friendly Barbara (taxi #99 – agent 99 as Scott liked to call her).

We spent a great week together with many highlights:
- Provisioning and boat card printing in Marsh Harbour (ah the hilarity and fun)
- Off-roading in search of Lola’s Bakery for cinnamon buns in Man-O-War and meeting the delightful yet highly arthritic Lola and her trusted, entrepreneurial husband, Martin
- Humouring Scott as he got himself oriented to his new toy – GoPro Camera
- Gawking at the amazing natural and unnatural sights at Treasure Cay beach where we spent 3 amazing days; I don't think those boys from GTC are bringing sexy back anytime soon!
- Getting smoked out at the Bahamas Beach Club BBQ buffet while being serenaded by Brown Tip Rack and Scrape band, featuring little Eddy. The meal was lovely though.
- Diverting course to Baker’s Bay Marina in Great Guana Cay for a desperate pump-out (ah the glamour); pleasantly surprised by the newly developed marina/resort
- Climbing the steep spiral stairs of the Elbow Cay Lighthouse in anticipation of a fantastic Hopetown vista (we were not denied)
- Questioning how a cute, blonde-headed 9-year-old girl was allowed to win $230 at “JACKS” (Hopetown equivalent to Bingo) at a local bar – sour grapes aside, is that legal?!
- Spelunking through coral rocks along the Hopetown Atlantic Beach in search of immobile shells and rocks
- Being rescued by Don, the genteel Psychiatrist from Stuart, when the trusty Johnson 15 that always starts, didn’t start (ah the adventures). The ice cream from the Sugar Shack was a nice diversion though.
- And lots of good food, great company, and wonderful memories to treasure.

Loved having you aboard Lou – you’re a good sport. Nice tan, by the way!