We joined RMHYC this year as a result of attending a couple of their social activities last year as guests and had a good time. In addition to major events, like the Commodore's Ball, there are organized activities offered most days, for example: walking, water aerobics, dominoes, bocce, yoga, monopoly, basket weaving class, two-step class, and happy hours.
Overnight rendezvous are also planned to the Out Islands. Our first one was to Baker's Bay, which included a mid-afternoon catered cookout. Baker's Bay is located on the northwestern end of Great Guana Cay; an exclusive golf resort and marina is currently under development where ocean-view building lots are priced at about $7 million. There is access to both Ocean and Sea of Abaco beaches. Right now the area is pretty vacant.
We found Abaco sea glass for the first time and six heart-shape sea beans. Sea beans drop from the rain forrests in South America and float in the ocean currents. Very few get washed ashore and they supposedly bring good luck to finders.
We also went to Man-O-War Cay on a PDQ, Teamwork, owned by Roger and Mary, who we met in Southport, NC, this year. The gals went shopping and walked around the Island. We bought fresh baked Bahamian Bread from a lady who was delivering them to the local grocery store on her golf cart.
The guys caught up with us and sat on a bench outside one of the gift stores. Isn't this a common sight?
John's goal this winter is to bring home a helmet conch. We watched a local man, who sells shells in his gift store, trying to get the conch out of one by banging it on a piece of wood until the conch comes out, which takes a long time and lots of energy.
We have talked to others about their techniques as well. Bottom line is it isn't easy, and if you don't get the conch completely out, it smells forever. We have found three beautiful ones, but are not ready to take on the task of getting the conch out.
Boat Harbour Marina is the homeport of the RMHYC and gives a discount to members. The Marina is part of the Abaco Beach Resort, which has a website that you can look at if you choose. We have all the amenities of the Resort available to us.....two pools, sandy beach, pool tiki bar, restaurant and, best of all, fresh towels. The Marina is on the eastern end of March Harbor and is in a good location to get to places by both land and sea.
On February 3 and 4 we are going on a two-night rendezvous to Sea Spray Marina and Resort on Elbow Cay. Dinner is planned for both nights at area restaurants along with brunch on Friday morning. One of the dinners includes dancing. Needless to say, there are lots of social activities available. If we attended all of them, we would be well over our entertainment budget!
The weather so far has been warmer than last winter. We are getting cold fronts coming through every few days, but they aren't bringing very cold temperatures, just wind. Last year, the first couple of weeks we wore jeans and fleece jackets. This year we have been living in our bathing suits. However, we are currently getting a front bringing some clouds and rain. The boat is getting a free washing!
We took our own side trip to Tahiti Beach and Tiloo Bank. We plan to continue to do our own trips and hope to spend a week or two visiting the Islands north of Green Turtle Cay. Our next big RMHYC event is the Commodore's Ball on February 19.
