Galliot Cut

Galliot Cut
1/7/12
23 55.41 N 76 17.47 W

Our next anchorage was just next to Galliot Cut, the waiting room to transit the cut out into the Exuma Sound - I was not looking forward to that as it means larger swells, exposed anchorages few and far between.  Several boats are in a straight line all waiting until tide, current and wind allow us to go through the cut, our destination Georgetown can only be entered from the ocean side.  At first light all the boats began moving - each taking their turn to get through the cut - we were the last and it was rough - steep waves against current.  We sailed for 5 hours and made it to the marina at Emeral Bay just to the north of Georgetown within hours of Richard and Tuula arriving at their Condo.


The Emerald Bay Marina was wonderful - by far the nicest marina we have visited to date - the marina is attached to Sandals Resort - a very expensive resort - and has the decorum and fittings to suit - beautifully appointed with a lounge/computer area, a bar that is not operating but for our use, bathrooms are clean and well appointed with every cream and soap you could require - even shave cream and mouth wash !!!  Richard and Tuula have the use of an electric golf cart to run around in, their son, Marcus, has taken over the keys and is now our official chauffeur.  The food store just up the road has a great selection and the marina will take you in their buggy - wonderful service.

We had such a wonderful time with our visitors - it was so good to hear what is happening at home and to hear the Aussie accent.  Their two children, Marcus and Emma, were funny, amusing and a delight to have around.  We took the family sailing to a nearby bay and swam and snorkelled for the day - it was lots of fun and no one became sea sick !!!  We have seen very little sea life or bird life in the Bahamas - the snorkelling has been poor, I have sighted two birds whilst sailing and 3 dolphins - so sad.

We left the marina, sailed to Georgetown and anchored off the town - we went to dinner with Richard and Tuula then realising the forecast high winds were going to last longer than expected we sailed back to the marina - our sad little dinghy doesn't cope well with rough seas so would not have been able to get off the boat once the winds settled in and our friends were still here for another 4 days and the marina is sooo nice !!!!

Georgetown is a funky little town - much smaller than I had thought.  A Government building - which is by far the most impressive on all the islands, a grocery store and a few smaller touristy shops. Richard took us to a local spot where there are many little shacks selling Bahamian food - it was wonderful and very entertaining - finally had conch that was edible - in fact it was very good.