What do we do on anchor?
Well, that depends. In the past, we take that opportunity to do boat projects (you know the saying, "Cruising is working on your boat in exotic locations"). But we're with the Gadjo's who never miss an opportunity to do a little exercise. These pictures perfectly capture our anchoring experience all while Sam's specially designed playlist serves as background to the fun.

We chat!

We hold push up demonstrations!

We jump off the top of the boat!

We plank! Scilla won the "plank off" much to Rob's dismay!

 

So if you're wondering if we made it through "the beast" ... We did, but not unscathed. After spending a lovely night at Naples yacht club, we headed out the next morning all ready for a beautiful day. HOWEVER, while we ended up under sunny skies, we encountered REALLY BIG WAVES! ARGH! Once again, we diverted. This time to the Shark River in the middle of the everglades. Killian, Eileen's BFF, was a trooper and took it all in stride despite this being her first boat ride.

After Shark River, we headed out and made it to the Keys where we anchored near Key Largo. Spent a lovely couple of days, still with relentless winds, before finally heading to Miami. Coconut Grove is now one of our new favorite places. And the most exciting part is THE GADJOS joined us!

So here we are, ready to enjoy some boat time, but the darn wind and waves keep us from heading to Bimini, our first choice. But we are boaters and can change with the wind. We are anchored in Biscayne Bay and going to enjoy some Florida Keys. And it's beautiful!!! Life is good at the end of an anchor ... especially with good friends!

Belly of the beast!

We left St Pete April 15 with comfortable seas and full tanks ... not to mention an extremely full refrigerator and freezer. Our first night in Venice was a nice night of family - thank you Gee/Papa! On our second night, however, we were heading to Marco Island with this in our sights. Not the way we travel, no sir. Instead of jumping into those storms (55 mph winds with hail) w turned tail and headed back to Naples yacht club where we were comfortable and safe (sigh).  Life is good ... when that anchor is safe in a yacht club.

Here we go ... again!

The Metros are in the final preparations for yet another Bahamian journey. This adventure will include the same cast of characters: Us (of course) and the beautiful and fantastically fun Gadjo family. This time, though, we have a few others joining us throughout our month long sojourn: Eileen's BFF Killian Morgan, the Cappella boys, Mom and Dad Metro (yes, Nick's parents are finally joining us in the Bahamas!), and the stunning and fabulous Adams girls! And what's more, the Juster-Kruse family is buddy-boating with us on their new vessel, "Big Dog Sigh." This is going to be thrilling, fun-packed adventure! Stay tuned for jaw dropping pictures ...

G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!!!!



Staniel Cay, Exumas Bahamas

 

What a truly amazing place!  The perfect Bahamian town with friendly people, pretty houses, and gorgeous, gorgeous water!  It's surrounded by several fantastic things:  1 mile away is 2,000 deep water for the sportfisherman; the grotto is especially beautiful snorkeling - as featured in James Bond's Thunderball; the swimming pigs are a draw for everyone; and the water, oh the water!, jaw dropping clarity!  Yachts from 20 feet to 120 feet are drawn here to the hub of the island, the Staniel Cay Yacht Club.  The day after we arrived, we were treated to a local island barbeque with yummy local food. 

 

Here's the view from Lady Enna as we were anchored.  That water!!!!

 

The island to the left is where Thunderball Grotto is.  One of the most spectacular snorkeling experiences we've had to date.  This is the location where 007 Thunderball was filmed - they chose well!

Great nurse shark shots!

Staniel Cay is one of the friendliest islands we found in the Bahamas.  This sign (I couldn't get the whole thing in one frame with my cheapie camera) says, "Welcome to Staniel" and they mean it.  Everywhere you walk, people smile and say Hi!  Quite a few American expats live there because of its beauty. 

The pink building ... that would be a grocery store appropriately called, The Pink Store.

 Here's another grocery store ... you guessed it, The Blue Store.

 

 Our great friends, Tom, Sarah, Sophia and Mario joined us in Staniel.  This is their first jump into the beautiful Bahamain water!

 

The boys decided to go deep sea fishing one day.  Here's Nicholas reward!  (The only one who scored, btw)

A little adventure ... as we were pulling up the anchor to head north to Wardrick Wells, we found this little 2,000 baby in our chain.  Yes, we could see it from the boat before we pulled it up, but we let our great Anchor Lift wench help dislodge the chain from the rock.  Took all 8 of us, but we got our chain free. Shwew!

Ahhhhhh ... relaxing on the foredeck.  Sophia, Sarah, Mario and Nicholas.

Cleaning yet another catch on the foredeck, Mario and Nicholas apply their skill.

Wardrick Wells in Exuma Land and Sea Park ... I just can't get over how beautiful that water is!!!

Anytime you fall asleep like this, there's always the danger that Eileen might give you a little make over.  Here, poor Tom was the victim.  What do you think?  Like his new pretty pink toe and finger nails???

Juster-Kruses at Atlantis (the second time we made it there this summer)

Here we are in Atlantis! 

Life is good at the end of an anchor (even if it has a really large rock wrapped around it)!

Staniel Cay

We arrived in Staniel a couple of days ago.  This is a truly special place!  Absolutely gorgeous, perfect Bahamian little town, friendly people, and beautiful snorkeling at Thunderball grotto 100 yards from where the boat is anchored. 

Oh, and we mustn't forget the swimming pigs!  Yes, the wild pigs at this island swim out to the boats in search of whatever veggie food you might have.

 

 Life is good at the end of an anchor (oink, oink)!

 

 

 

 

Johnny's Island

Who is "Johnny"?  Why, Johnny Depp of course.  We anchored off his private island after leaving Wardrick Wells.  Yeah, ol' Johnny and the Metros, we're on a first name basis.  So here's the scoop ...

Our new friends from Wardrick Wells were traveling north and had anchored off a place with an excellent snorkeling location called the aquarium.  He told us where to anchor which, he said in passing, was Johnny Depp's island.  Don't know if it's true - there were no Captain Jack or Willy Wonka sightings but there were several security cameras which is not typical, so whoever it was certainly required privacy and had the money to pay for it.  Here was our anchorage.

 

Here are some shots at the "aquarium" - it's called that because it's so chock full of fish and coral, it looks and feels like you're snorkeling in an aquarium.

This is a shot of a plane wreck which is also a snorkeling location.

Mom and Dad enjoying a little hang out time!

 

 

Life is good at the end of an anchor!