And then there were two

April 9^th 2011

This morning we got up early to eat breakfast in Lucaya.  The wives left from the restaurant for the airport.  They only brought one carry on bag each.  After breakfast we called a taxi and said our good byes.  Last week really went quickly.  The guys are going to see them in a few days. After the wives left we all left to prepare Martini to leave.  Jimmy moved his stuff off Celebration and on to Martini.  I reminded Jack how well Jimmy had be treated on Celebration and that he was accustom to a few things like cheese toast, sandwiches wrapped just a certain way when under sail and French pressed coffee. Jack assured me he had plenty of salmon in the bag and peanut butter, anyway Jimmy would have to work his way back up from a swab to mate.  The humor was keeping us from expressing our true emotions about Martini leaving.  After hugs and hand shakes, the time finally came when we had to throw Martini the dock lines and wave goodbye.  We followed them down the dock waving as if they were our children going off to college and we were running down the street waving.  After they were out of sight I turned to George but could not speak.  I am not sure if the tears that were swelling up in our eyes were from the sadness that we were going to really miss our buddy boat, or being unsure of what lay ahead.  I feel it was mainly the end of a great adventure with a great group of guys, and also the feeling of being blessed not only with friends but with the opportunity to experience all we had experienced.  About an hour after they left, Martini hailed us on the radio to say goodbye one last time before they got out of range.  

Charlotte P, Charlotte H, and Linda leaving for the airport.

Saying goodbye to Martini and her crew, Jimmy, Greg and Capt. Jack

After a few hours of sitting around feeling a little blue, the reality set in.  We had a lot to do if we were going to leave the next day.  Wash, go get some oil, hair cut, and check the windlass. We put on the wash, and then we went into Port Lucaya to have my hair cut.  It seemed like the thing to do a few days before.  I don’t know who was more nervous the Bahamian lady cutting my hair or me.  I knew she was cutting it really short.  All I was thinking was “it will grow”.  She had me turned away from the mirror, so when she turned me around I had my fake smile already for the reveal.  George was waiting for me at the Rum Runners Bar and Grill, that was an excellent place to wait.  I am sure those two Kaliks helped him adjust to my new hair cut.  I told him that I felt like one of the guys now, we both laughed. 

The security Lady at the entrance gate told us she would take us to the store to get our oil when she got off at 3:00, and she did.  The Bahamians are the nicest people.  When you hear them say “no problem mon” they really mean it. Everyone goes out of their way to help.  We met another couple who had spent all winter in the Exumas.  They invited us to their boat to show us some anchorages for our way south.  They had a lot of good information.  After the visit with them we decided not to leave Port Lucaya until Monday.  We just wanted to chill.  I also wanted to hear from my brother again before we left for another anchorage.