Black Point was probably our favorite stop so far. The anchorage was quiet and calm. Everything we needed was in close proximity
to the anchorage. We had great company
with David and Pat from s/v Sanctuary.
We would dinghy up to the local dock, tie off and walk a short distance
to wherever it was we wanted to be.
Water is free! For
those of you who have not been to the Bahamas, water is at a premium. It is not uncommon to pay 40-50 cents per
gallon for RO water from a roadside spigot.
Yes, a spigot, just like the one you hook your water hose to in the
yard. Here at Black Point, it is free.
Laundrymats also seem to be a luxury in the Bahamas and the cost can be
steep, from $2.75 - $5.00 to wash a load and the same to dry. Black Point’s Rockside Laundry is rumored to
be the best in the Bahamas; we agree. Not
only is it very clean, but Ida Patton serves coffee, carrot cake and conch
fritters while you enjoy free WiFi and wait for your laundry. There is a small store inside for whatever
you may have left on the boat.
Black Point’s Rockside Laundry
Lorraine’s Café is located next door to
the Rockside Laundry so many just drop in a few loads of laundry and head to
Lorraine’s for lunch. Yes, more free
WiFi.
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| Lorraine’s Café |
There are no malls here and most every
store, be it a grocery store, bread store, auto parts store, are all part of
someone’s home.
 |
| Adderly’s Friendly Store |
Did I say bread store?
Do not miss a loaf of Corene's
coconut bread. Her bread store is the
house next door to DeShaMon’s Restaurant and has the BEST coconut bread. It actually has a swirl of coconut in the
middle of every slice. Most would say
$6.00 a loaf is expensive, but we have come somewhat accustomed to the prices
here.
When we finished our daily chores, it was time to relax
with fellow cruisers at Scorpio’s
Restaurant & Bar, while enjoying more free WiFi.
One night, Jim left his backpack at Scorpio’s bar. As soon as someone noticed it, they were
hailing us on the VHF and even met us at the local dock to return it at 11:00
at night.
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| Scorpio’s Restaurant & Bar |
I celebrated my 50th birthday with Jim, David and
Pat over an outstanding lobster dinner at DeShaMon’s Restaurant. I prefer a heavier red wine; however, we were served a light sweet red
wine, Lamothe’s Parrot Mellow Reserve, which I fell in love with. Not only is it very pleasing, it is super cheap in
the islands. So cheap, I now have a case
stowed on the boat. A lot of the sailing
community are wine drinkers and with all the happy hours, finding a cheap wine
most like was a win-win for me and having some to share. Enough about the wine and back to my birthday…am I
really 50? Hmmm, I don’t feel 50, but
that is what the calendar reflects.
Dinner was followed by a surprise birthday cake from David & Pat. It was over the top yummy and topped with a chocolate dipped strawberry. I was in heaven!!!
The local residents at Black Point are very friendly,
everyone says “Hello” providing a warm
welcome to the sailing community.
The town is located near the
northern tip of Great Guana Cay and very much has the feel of the mid to late
60s in the United States. Most of the
homes are cinderblock or stucco and are painted in pastel pinks, blues and
greens. The children all play outside on
skateboard scooters and bicycles while the ladies stand in the street to
talk. When the sun goes down, everyone
goes home.
Brings back happy memories of my childhood...a long time ago.
