Dinghy ride & lunch on the beach

 

   Saturday we went for a dinghy ride out into the ocean to the beach.  There were quite a few waves out past the jetty, but once we turned toward the beach, the water was nice and calm.  Everyone had a great time splashing and swimming in the water.  Jill took a walk down the beach to where a guy was setting up picnic tables with umbrellas.  He was getting ready to start cooking lunch.  So, we moved the dinghy down the beach and sat down to have a couple Bahama Mama's (punch with rum).  Soon, we started grilling us a couple Red Snappers.  They were delicious.  The kids enjoyed hanging out with their sodas and playing in the water.  Wonderful afternoon!

David in the beach 

David relaxing 

Bernie's Tiki Hut 

Bernie cooking lunch 

Drinks at Bernie's Tiki Hut 

Our delicious red Snapper with roll

Haircuts & Working husband

Mom gives boys haircuts

   OK  Silly picture of our boys.  The importance of this picture is that fact they have a lot less hair!!  The closest barber shop is not in walking distance of the marina, so (under influence of our neighbors), Mom got out the shaving shears & scissors and gave the boys haircuts.  Thomas got a close trim in the back, with some thinning on top;  Matthew got the razor over his whole head.  Everyone says they look very handsome.  Hard to believe they look so good - Mom's hands were shaking during this process, especially on the teenagers's head!

   In other news, one of the many reasons we have stayed so long at Ocean Reef resort is the very strong internet connection, which allows David to continue working. Unfortunately, this past week has NOT had good connection.  The resort has had problems with internet provider, so we go hours or the day without wifi.  This makes Thomas'high school difficult to complete and gets David very stressed about working.  So, a few days this week, David has gotten his stuff together and taken a taxi into Port Lucaya where he has found a place to sit and make calls and get his work done.  His treat is picking up fresh conch salad each day while in town!

David is off to work

Thomas: Scuba Dive Apprentice

Grand Bahama Scuba dive boat

  This past summer, after waiting years, Thomas finally got certified to scuba dive.  I have been posting pictures & videos of the diving we have been doing in the Bahamas with the scuba shop at our resort.  Thomas LOVES diving!  He has really taken to the sport, and he is always looking for more opportunities to dive.  Therefore, last week, he asked the local dive shop if he could volunteer and help them with their work.  They agreed (he gets free dives when he helps).  So, he has become an apprentice/assistant to captain Dominick and the dive shop owners.  He helps get all the gear ready for the day's dive, helps the guests while on the boat (getting in & out of the water), and cleans up when the dive boat comes back in at the end of the day.  He is really enjoying himself and getting some amazing experience at the same time.

Thomas helps tie up boat at dock 

Thomas helps Donovan get back in boat

Scuba diving pictures - Jill, David & Thomas

Thomas in Pygmy Caves

   Previously, I had mentioned the convenience of having a dive shop down the dock from us.  So, we figure we can get some scuba diving experience while sitting here for the next few weeks.  This past week was Donovan's 11th birthday.  For his birthday present, he & his dad went diving; Thomas & I went with them.  The day before, David & I dove a really cool deep wreck (65-85ft - Duncan/Sea Star wreck).  Here are some pictures.  Enjoy!!

Sea Star II/Duncan wreck 

Thomas with sharks 

Duncan wreck with fish 

Thomas in Pygmy Caves 

Thomas with Giant Grouper (& shark)

Field Trip - Bahamas National Parks

 

   Last Friday, since we had a rental car, the Riche family and ours drove out to visit a couple national parks on the island.  We started at the Rand Nature Center.  We got an interesting tour of the various items made with tree bark on the island (wicker-type fans, purses, etc), as well as information about the growth of a Conch.  After our indoor tour, we walked around the property to see the various plants & trees that grow on the islands.  The pond had some turtles in it, and, being summer, we had to be careful not to walk into the Banana Spider webs! That afternoon, we drove east out to the Lucayan National Park.  One side of the street has a path that takes you to a couple caves with bats (some in our group saw 1).  When you cross the street, you follow a beautiful path over a creek and mangrove marsh to the beach.  It was beautiful!  We had the beach all to ourselves.  The kids had a great time splashing in the rough waves.  We really feel like we had a chance to learn a little more about the nature of the island.

Education about the growth span of a conch

Walking around the Nature Center 

turtles in the pond 

Checking out Ben's Cave 

Beach time!! 

Scuba Video - David & Thomas

(click above to view video)  David & Thomas went out scuba diving this week.  They swam around the Tunnels (next to Pygmy Caves), then over to Shark Junction.  The day was cloudy with a little rain, though the waters were very calm.  As you can see from the video, many of the fish were out and about, as well as the sharks.  The end of the video shows a Giant Grouper that took quite an interest in David.  (video taken by David using GoPro Hero 2, edited by Jill)

Our 21st Anniversary

   David & I celebrated our 21st anniversary Thursday.  Since we had a rental car, our friends Tara & Kevin drove us all out to Ruby Swiss Restaurant for a lovely "dress-up" dinner. Then we went back to our boat for a toast with 1968 Crown Royal we save for special occasions.  Last August, our family was in Nassau for a long weekend on my company's yacht.  David & I went out for a very nice dinner to celebrate their 20th anniversary.  We said at dinner - "next year, we celebrate in the Bahamas on our own boat!" We are so happy & blessed to be able to do that this year.  What a a wonderful year this has been!  We have been so lucky to have had such an adventurous 21 years together.

Toasting with 46-year-old Crown Royal

Around the marina

Octopus

   This week we have gotten into a routine, especially since all the children have schoolwork to do (& David is working).  There is always something interesting though.  The picture above you see our local octopus friend.  He likes to hide in the crevices formed in the rocks, and we usually see him at high tide.  Last Sunday, we made some yummy frozen drinks and pulled together some veggies, crackers and dips, and the grow-ups enjoyed mid-afternoon snack in the shade.  The boys enjoyed paddling around the harbor on the paddle board.  We have  rental car for 2 days, so we are using it, with our friends, to shop for various items we need around the island, sight see, and go out to dinner tonight.

Matthew & Thomas paddle boarding 

David & Kevin - cocktail hour & snacks

Thomas' Boat Chores

Thomas cleans the bottom of the boat

    Chores are an important part of a kid's life.  They help teach them how to be productive adults and live independently and on their own.  Some kids mow the grass.  Some clean out gutters.  Our kids have boat chores.  They have the normal chores of dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning their bathroom, but they also have some unusual chores.  They both help mom wash and outside of the boat & they both help pump water out of the dinghy, as well as clean it.  Well, recently Thomas has taken on some new chores.  Since he learned how to scuba dive, he is now the new bottom cleaner of the boat.  He scraped barnacles on the bottom, as well as checked the zincs for Dad.  He also decided to clean the bottom of the dinghy while in the water (Matthew saw his spotter).  Ahhhh, the life of a liveaboard boat child!

Thomas cleans trim tabs and running gear

Matthew helps & watches while Thomas cleans bottom of dinghy

David & Jill Scuba Dive

David with shark

   With Grand Bahama Scuba down the dock from us, we couldn't resist going diving this week.  David & Jill went out with them on Wednesday to the Freebex Wreck (down to 85 ft) and Shark Alley.  This was David's first time seeing the sharks in person.  He was not disappointed!  While swimming around, we saw 4-6 Reef Tip Sharks.  While there were waves up on the surface, the bottom was beautiful!  We saw lots of fish, sharks, plant life, and a cool looking wreck.  While in the States, David acquired a GoPro camera for us, so the underwater shots are ones we took.  Video will follow soon, once Jill gets the hang of putting it together!

Wreck with Lionfish (left side) 

Jill scuba diving 

2 sharks & fish

Grill time - boater style

Family dinner time

   This time of year, there are not too many boaters at this marina, as many have left for hurricane season.  During the winter (the high season here), the marina is full and the boaters plan many activities.  Even though there are only about 6 boats with people on them, Tara thought it would be a great idea to have a cookout together.  Unfortunately, our 2 families were the only ones who came.  Oh well!  Kevin got the grill going, and we all joined together at the gazebo in the shade for a double family gathering.  Steaks & chicken, roasted potatoes, couscous, and David's yummy shrimp dip and mushroom gravy.  While Kevin was manning the grill, the boys were climbing the local tree.  We had a nice breeze and the parents were able to sit afterward and chat for awhile.  Relaxing!

Do you see 4 monkeys in the tree? 

Kevin is our grillmaster