Summer smiles!

What makes cruising so much fun? For us, it’s the adventure of exploring new places, making new friends, as well as introducing old friends to familiar, favorite island spots. We love sharing with guests the many joys of simply being aboard, giving them a taste of typical days on the water. True, there are the occasional trials and tribulations in boating, but for the most part we have a unique lifestyle that offers greater appreciation for the little things in life, things that most take for granted when living on land. Water seems to make everything more immediate, interesting and intimate, somehow!

Vicky at the helm of Equinox en route to Great Guana Cay

While Jim, Vicky and Jay were aboard, we gave them a taste of trawler speed voyaging -- albeit very briefly -- when we moved from Green Turtle Cay to Great Guana Cay via Whale Cay Cut on Saturday morning. They couldn't get over the comfort and the ease of a full displacement hull, even in the swells outside on the Atlantic, but it really was a lovely day for a cruise. (Although, we may have created a monster, since Jim now says his Intrepid is for sale!) We easily anchored off Great Guana Cay in Fisher’s Bay, and spent the weekend visiting familiar places and faces: Nipper’s, Grabber’s and Orchid Bay. It was the usual party central at Nipper’s on Sunday afternoon, but Grabber’s had their own party vibe going on each afternoon and evening with many of the Abacos Regatta boats anchored off their beach and many of the sailors in and around the pool. Fun indeed!

The party never stops on Sundays at Nippers!

The pool at Grabber's, filled with Regatta participants and followers

Gorgeous summer sunset over Orchid Bay Marina.

We also had fun exploring new spots: Baker’s Bay Marina Village, which is now welcoming public boaters to their facilities along with their members and guests. They have an exceptionally welcoming staff and it’s delightful that the whole place has a great positive vibe. We had lunch in their fun Bakery and General Store, and enjoyed a drink at their “Conch Shack” on the pier, and chatted with some boaters who were in the Abacos for the Regatta. There is lots to do here as a member from golfing to beach-combing, but it's fabulous to have Baker's Bay be so accommodating to the casual cruiser who happens to stop by in his dinghy! Love it!

Heading out in Lucy, with Jay at the helm

Sunday was a full day of exploration, as we meandered down the Sea of Abaco in Lucy. We went sight-seeing at Man-o-War Cay, viewing their charming harbor from the boat, stopped for lunch at the Abaco Inn, then went lounging on Tahiti Beach. Before lunch, on Lubber's Quarters we discovered another new place for fun, too! Lubber’s Landing is a great new eco-resort with a fun island bar/lounge right next door to Cracker P’s, the original restaurant on island there. It's a great addition to the island!

Funky and fresh decor adorn the lounge walls at Lubber's Landing

Lyrics to "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley adorn cute
interior shutters atLubber's Landing

Ron at the open air bar. They have fun decoupage bar stools
with old Bahamian photos and fun articles!

Love this frog door knocker!

Amy and Austin, the owners, have three beautiful guest cottages (more are planned) on their 13 acres, each well-built and eco-conscious, with gorgeous furniture, tile floors, recycled glass tile showers, and oh-so cleverly decorated! The island lounge/tiki bar is fabulous – again, well-built with incredibly creative island décor. We enjoyed a private tour of the place courtesy of Amy, then enjoyed her fresh-squeezed fruit juices as delicious ingredients in creative cocktail creations! This place is welcoming and a great place to kick back and relax  in style!

Vicky showing off her lemonade: fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemon pieces
muddled with blue agave nectar for just the right amount of sweetness!

The weekend was full of just so many perfect ingredients: good friends, new experiences, pink sand, our boats and turquoise water. Yes, cruising is fun!!