Meet the Locals - Abacos

 "Where are you going?"  Two very outgoing local girls (5 years old, just "friends") entertained us
as they chewed on "baby" coconuts. We had to talk them out of joining us on our walk around
New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay.

It did not take long to realize that the Bahamas and this extended travel had changed us. We discovered we were living with a new and full appreciation of all around us.  Each day we were rewarded with something to remind us to not take the day, the water, the critters, the people, each other or life for granted.

Angelfish, parrotfish, and friends on Mermaid Reef, Abacos.

French Angelfish (in 3 feet of water) off Man O' War Cay.

Midnight Parrotfish with impressive teeth on Mermaid Reef. 

White Sea Urchin (Tripneustes) found on the sandy bottom mixed with sea grass of Manjack Cay.

Fowl Cay reef is one of the more diverse and healthy coral reefs we visited. 

Red Cushion Starfish can be readily seen in the clear water moving (slowly) along the white sand bottom.

Diverse collection of reef fishes attracted to Tracy on
Mermaid Reef - the "Schnorchelparadies" as described our German friend, Michael from the sailboat, "Kassiopeia".

Grey Angelfish, Blue Parrotfish and others on Mermaid Reef. 

Feral pigs can be found on several cays. These two were foraging in the decaying algae found in the upper intertidal zone. As boaters often feed the pigs, these pigs became interested in joining us on the dinghy. 

Nerita snails found on the upper intertidal zone of many cays.
As you might guess, these guys are very tolerant of high temperatures.

Cormorants on a "break" off No Name Cay.

Juvenile King Helmet Snail (Cassis) found (and released) on the beach of Tilloo Cay. 

Bahamas Red Cushion Sea Star (Oresaster) found while snorkling Matlow's Cay.  

Mutton Snapper caught near Spanish Cay, Abacos. Beautiful, very tasty and fairly abundant fish.

Another Mutton Snapper caught while sailing near Crab Cay, Abacos.

Southern stingray cruising the reef off Sandy Cay, Abacos.

Tracy and Black Jack enjoying "sundowners" from the deck of Nancy and Lorry's cottage
next to the "narrows" on Man O' War Cay. 

Freshly made conch salad for lunch in Marsh Harbor.

A local fisherman was proud of this catch (grouper) from Man O' War Cay.  

Nancy and Lorry now live in the cottage on Man O' War Cay they started to build over 30 years ago.

Albury's Sail Shop is a much visited attraction on Man O' War Cay.

The seamstresses in Albury's Sail Shop continue to stock their shelves. 

An example of fine wood working artistry of local artist, Andy Aubury from Man O' War Cay.

What else can we say?


As you can see from the map (click on the map above) of our travels, we are back in North Carolina. Layla is "on the hard" in the Beaufort Marine Center yard waiting on the end of hurricane season and the oppressive heat to end and then...what's next? We are still thinking about that. We will post more "dispatches" of our time in the islands shortly. We do appreciate hearing from you. Let us know what you think.