Did not have any plans for New Year's 2017. I felt I needed a break, I NEEDED to go diving. Found some friends who were going to Nassau for a week and I joined in.
Arriving in Nassau exited the plane down a flight of stairs on to the tarmac. It was about 32 degrees when I left DC, it was 72 degrees in Nassau. How nice it was!
Passed through customs found the tour bus driver for the ride to the boat. Wasted no time removing jacket and sweatshirt. then took this picture and posted it on Facebook and did not feel bad about posting it, hehe. It was warm and wonderful.
Van loaded usual ride across the island. I realized this was my third trip to Nassau. I have another trip plan here for later this year.
Dropped off at the Nassau Harbor Club met by the crew directed to the boat, I knew the way. Bunks assigned, Bags up packed and stowed in the Harbor Club. Initial briefing by Captain Red who offered us a choice, we could set sail but the wind was picking up and then it would be a rough ride or we could stay in port celebrate the New Year watching the fireworks over Atlantis resort. The later is what he was pushing. We followed his recommendation.
Clancy, our cook, who I am still convinced is a magician, made the first of weeks meals for 30 people on a boat in a galley that was slightly larger than a typical coat closet. The rest of the evening we got to know our shipmates. Just before midnight the case of champagne was brought out and opened. We are all ready when the New Year started along with the fireworks over Atlantis. The fireworks were excellent and went on for a good long time. Match or beat any July 4th show. After the show and many empty bottles of bubbly, we all started drifting off to our bunks to see what the new year would bring us.
The crew managed to get up and pull out of port early, like before 6 AM. Nothing like listening to the water move past the hull next your bunk. I go up went on deck they had the sails up and we were moving. At some point doing the week, Red said that at one point we were doing 9 knots.
Heading out to our first dive site Lobster No Lobster. Captain Red noted we would be staying in the Exuma Sound for the first part of the week, the wind was up, so was the ocean it would be an unpleasant ride. They did a great job picking great locations to dive in the mean time.
I will be posting daily segments or dive site locations as I get videos and pictures together,
Sailing New Year's Day 2017